Pinnawala
Where baby elephants are nurtured back to the wild by the riverside
About Pinnawala
Pinnawala is globally recognized for its Elephant Orphanage, established to protect and care for orphaned and unweaned wild elephants found wandering in the forests of Sri Lanka. Visitors can watch the elephants being fed and observe the spectacular daily ritual of the herd marching down to the Maha Oya river for their bath. It is a heartwarming experience and a major conservation effort.
Location on Map
Destination Guide
Year-round. The elephant bathing in the Maha Oya river (10am-noon, 2-4pm daily) is the key event. Weekday mornings are least crowded.
Half-day
Key Highlights
- ✨Elephant Bathing in the River
Twice daily, the entire herd of 80+ elephants is led down the road to the Maha Oya river for a bath — a spectacular and joyful sight.
- ✨Elephant Milk Feeding
Watch keepers bottle-feed baby calves — an opportunity to observe the enormous care given to orphaned young elephants.
- ✨Conservation Mission
The orphanage was established in 1975 and has released many rehabilitated elephants back into the wild — learn the full story in the visitor centre.
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