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Pinnawala

Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka

Pinnawala

A Heartwarming Encounter with Gentle Giants

Best time
January to April
Ideal stay
1 Day
Travel style
Wildlife & Nature

Updated 1 min read

Located in the Kegalle district, 90 kilometers from Colombo, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was established to provide a natural, protective haven for orphaned baby elephants and injured adults lost or displaced in the wild.

Acquired by the National Zoological Gardens in 1978, the sanctuary launched a scientific captive breeding program in 1982, now recognized as one of the world's most successful Asian elephant breeding initiatives. Caring for the world's largest captive herd, dedicated staff and mahouts provide complete sanctuary, feeding sessions, and twice-daily river baths.

Watching the herd march down to the Maha Oya River to bathe and splash is widely considered one of the most remarkable things to do in Pinnawala. Visitors can observe baby elephants being bottle-fed, watch multi-generational family herds roaming freely across the grounds, and capture unforgettable photographs along the riverbank. For animal lovers and families exploring the island, Pinnawala remains an essential, heart-warming stop on any Sri Lanka travel itinerary.

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