Explore Pinnawala
Kegalle District, Sabaragamuwa Province
Overview
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was established in 1975 to care for orphaned and injured wild Asian elephants. Situated in Kegalle, it has grown to house one of the largest captive elephant herds in the world. The sanctuary simulates natural forest walks, bottle-feeds orphaned baby elephants, and leads the entire herd down to the nearby Ma Oya river twice a day. Watching dozens of elephants splash, play, and bathe in the river is a highly popular highlight for tourists traveling between Colombo and Kandy.
Key Highlights & Things to Do
Watch the entire herd of elephants walk down the village street to bathe in the scenic Ma Oya river.
Observe baby elephants being bottle-fed milk by their keepers inside the main orphanage grounds.
Visit the nearby Pinnawala Open Zoo, Sri Lanka's first open-concept zoological garden.
Support local eco-friendly shops that make handmade paper products out of recycled elephant dung.
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