Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Sri Lanka
This orphanage is a prominent wildlife sanctuary in Sri Lanka. Here, baby elephants who are lost without their parents are cared for. Many international tourists like to see elephants, so they also visit this orphanage regularly. This process of merging with nature is an excellent place for animal lovers.
Here is a detailed description of the Pinnawala Orphanage:
Location of Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
This orphanage is situated in Kegalle. The fact that this orphanage is easily accessible from Colombo and Kandy is fundamental. The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage has been created by blending in with nature. This place is perfect for those who want to escape the busy city life and spend time in a calm environment. It is lucky for a tourist to watch the elephants while spending time in a quiet environment.
History of the Orphanage
This orphanage was founded in 1975. It was created to provide shelter and protection to orphaned elephants. When the orphanage was first established, it only had a few elephants. Subsequently, it has grown significantly. Currently, it cares for over 80 orphaned elephants. Some of them are elephants that have been injured, abandoned, or orphaned in the wild. The mission of this orphanage is to rehabilitate such elephants and ensure their welfare and safety. In addition, their other goal is to educate the public about elephant conservation.
Weather
The orphanage is in a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year. The average temperature is around 27°C (80°F), making it a pleasant place to visit any time of the year. However, the weather can be quite seasonal, with the monsoon season being the most likely to bring rain. This is best evidenced by the lush greenery that surrounds the region, especially from May to September. But it doesn't have much of an impact on exploring the orphanage.
Best Time to Visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
The best time is from December to April. During these months, clear skies are consistently present, making it a great time to see elephants bathing in the river or walking through the sanctuary. You can also visit during the monsoon season, which runs from May to September. The environment is lush and green, so that you can explore this orphanage at any time of the year.
Time taken to explore the orphanage
You can usually explore the elephant orphanage in about 2-3 hours. However, this time can vary depending on your interest in seeing elephants. Furthermore, your time will be determined by the time spent exploring the elephants' activities. If you want to explore this place and the surrounding area, it is best to plan a half-day trip.
What to See and Do
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage offers a wide range of activities for tourists. All of them are amazing experiences and a must-see for elephant lovers.
Here is a more detailed look at the things to do in Pinnawala:
Feeding Sessions: This is the most popular activity among visitors. During these sessions, the elephants are fed with various fruits and vegetables.
Bathing Time: There is a large river behind the orphanage, so all the elephants play and bathe in it. Photos taken by various people on such occasions have become very popular worldwide.
Elephant Ride: This is when elephants walk through the orphanage, you have an opportunity to walk from their backs.
Elephant Nursery: This is where baby elephants are raised and cared for. You can see how an elephant is fed.
Accommodation of Stay
Visitors to the orphanage have a wide range of accommodation options near the orphanage. From budget guesthouses to more luxurious resorts. It is important to note that most of these accommodations are within easy reach of the orphanage. Among them, you can also find boutique hotels and eco-friendly accommodations. Another unique thing is that the accommodations with views of the elephant bathing are also located right next to the orphanage.
Restaurants near the Orphanage
This area is mainly filled with restaurants serving local Sri Lankan cuisine. Many restaurants near the orphanage offer beautiful river views where elephants bathe or the surrounding environment. If you are craving rice and curry, kottu roti or seafood, there are plenty of clean places to enjoy it. Also, authentic local dishes cooked using locally sourced ingredients are healthier. So you can have a quality meal. Also, if you are looking for a buffet-style meal, Pinnawala provides options for that as well.
Journey Time to Pinnawala
Before adding the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage to your itinerary, knowing the distance and time it will take to reach this orphanage is essential. Because all of these things depend on your starting point, vehicle, etc. So, the time and distance it will take to reach this orphanage from several key locations can be shown as follows.
From Colombo Airport Distance: Approximately 59 kilometres
Travel Time: About 1 hour by car
From Negombo Distance: Approximately 75.2 kilometres
Travel Time: Around 2.5 hours by car
From Kandy Distance: Approximately 40 kilometres
Travel Time: Around 1.5 hours by car
From Kegalle Distance: Approximately 13 kilometres
Travel Time: Around 20 minutes by car
From Sigiriya Distance: Approximately 206 kilometres
Travel Time: Around 4 hours and 16 minutes by car
These times and distances will also depend on the starting point of your journey, the type of vehicle, the route, and the prevailing traffic conditions.
Main Attractions in Pinnawala
Here is a closer look at some of the main attractions in Pinnawala:
Pinnawala Zoo: A peaceful and safe home for various animal species.
Other Nearby Attractions
Several other attractions are worth visiting near Pinnawala, which is famous for its elephants. These include:
- The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy: This is a royal palace in the last Kingdom of Sri Lanka and the most sacred and world-famous temple where the Buddha's relics are enshrined.
- Peradeniya Botanical Gardens: A garden created during the Kandy era. It is always crowded.
So, although this place is notable for seeing elephants, it is not just a place dedicated to that. Here, you can add many things to your life and learn how to care for them with love and how to love them without harming them. This Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is very suitable for animal lovers, nature lovers and those looking for a unique experience in Sri Lanka. You will be given eternal memories of the majestic elephants living in Sri Lanka and how they live their daily lives happily. So, to spend a day immersed in this beautiful experience, put the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage at the top of your bucket list!