Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

Elephant Conservation

Pinnawala was created as a refuge for baby elephants that lost their mothers, or adult elephants injured in the wild. It started with just five calves and is now home to nearly 100 elephants, making it one of the largest captive elephant herds in the world. Many elephants born here are second-generation, as the herd has bred and grown over the decades.

Daily River Bath

One highlight is the daily river bath when mahouts (elephant keepers) lead the entire herd down to the nearby river. The elephants wade in and start splashing, spraying water with their trunks, and rolling in the river. Baby elephants playfully romp and spray water at each other – it's cuteness overload and a fantastic photo opportunity. Tourists line up along the riverbank terrace to watch this delightful scene.

Feeding and Interaction

Visitors can observe feeding times and often volunteer to bottle-feed milk to baby elephants for a small donation – a very endearing experience. You'll get quite close to the elephants and can appreciate their size, intelligence, and social bonds. The on-site store sells paper made from elephant dung as an eco-friendly souvenir. Allow at least 2-3 hours for your visit.