Pinnawala
Sri Lanka · Sabaragamuwa Province · 100 m
Description
Pinnawala (පින්නවල) is best known for the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975 to care for orphaned and injured elephants. Located near Rambukkana between Colombo and Kandy, the facility lies along the Maha Oya River and has become a major tourist attraction. One of the most familiar sights is the elephants gathering at the river to bathe and feed. Pinnawala also operates breeding and conservation programs, although the facility has attracted criticism over animal welfare and the conditions in which some elephants are kept. Visitors interested in ethical wildlife tourism should therefore consider the history of the institution, its current practices and the wider debate surrounding captive elephant management.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 day
Travel season
Best time to visit: December – March
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
- Elephant herd bathing in the Maha Oya
- Elephant feeding sessions
- Elephant calves and breeding programme
- Millennium Elephant Foundation(Day trip)
- Pinnawala Open Zoo
- Maha Oya riverside terraces
- Kegalle town market(Day trip)
- Utuwankanda, the rock of Saradiel(Day trip)
Getting there
- Train stations:
- Rambukkana