The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, near Kegalle, was established in 1975 to provide care and protection to orphaned, abandoned, and injured elephants found in the wild. It houses the world's largest herd of captive elephants and provides a unique opportunity to observe these gentle giants up close.
The Main Event: Bathing Time in the River
The highlight of any visit is watching the entire herd march down the village street to the nearby **Maha Oya River** for their daily bath. This event takes place twice daily, usually between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM and again from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Watching the elephants splash, play, and interact in the river is a truly joyous and unforgettable sight.
The twice-daily river bath is the most spectacular event at Pinnawala.
Bottle-Feeding the Young Calves
A key part of the orphanage's work involves caring for the youngest elephants who lost their mothers. Visitors can sometimes observe the staff bottle-feeding the calves at scheduled times. These feeding times are typically around 9:15 AM, 1:15 PM, and 5:00 PM within the main compound. These sessions offer a heartwarming glimpse into the dedication required for their rehabilitation.
The History and Role of the Orphanage
The orphanage was founded primarily to house orphaned elephants that were struggling to survive in the wild without their mothers. While it serves a crucial conservation purpose by rescuing animals, it also acts as a breeding center, ensuring the future population of the Asian Elephant. Visitors should be mindful that this is a facility focused on welfare, and should observe the elephants with respect and distance.
Planning Your Pinnawala Visit
Pinnawala is located about an hour's drive from Kandy and can easily be visited as a day trip from the Cultural Triangle or Colombo. To maximize your visit, aim to arrive just before one of the feeding sessions or the morning bath time. The facility is large, and there are many vendors selling local crafts and souvenirs along the path to the river.
Observing the bottle-feeding session is a memorable part of the visit.