Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Negombo

Negombo, Sri Lanka · Animals, Family Friendly, Food, Day Trips, Private Tours · USD 120

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, the best-known elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka: see elephants bathe and bottle-feeding on private Pinnawala tours. Watch a whole herd walk down to the Maha Oya river to bathe, and see baby elephants bottle-fed. Visit on a private Pinnawala tour from Colombo, Negombo or Kandy. Founded 1975By the Department of Wildlife Conservation Pinnawala, KegalleBetween Colombo and Kandy 2 to 3 hoursfor bathing time and a feeding Open dailyEntrance fee paid at the gate The elephant orphanage Elephant orphanage, Sri Lanka: a home for orphaned elephants The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was set up by the Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1975 to care for baby elephants found alone in the wild, often after losing their mothers. Today it is home to one of the largest captive herds of Asian elephants anywhere, with several generations born right here. It is the best-known elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka and an easy stop on the road between Colombo and Kandy. Twice a day the herd walks through the village to the Maha Oya river, where the elephants bathe, splash and play while you watch from the riverbank. Our private Pinnawala tours include hotel pickup, your own air-conditioned car or van and an English-speaking driver, so you can arrive in time for bathing and feeding and move on to Kandy or back to the coast at your own pace. Plan your day Three easy ways to visit From Colombo or NegomboAbout 2.5 to 3 hours by road, easy to combine with Kandy. From KandyJust over an hour away, perfect for a half day with a spice garden. On the wayStop here on the drive between the coast and the hill country. See booking options ↓ A day at Pinnawala What you will see at the orphanage 01 / Morning River bathing The herd walks down to the Maha Oya river to bathe and cool off, usually from late morning. 02 / Feeding Bottle-feeding Baby elephants drink big bottles of milk at set times through the day, a favourite with children. 03 / The herd Elephants of all ages From playful calves to huge tuskers, you see how a family herd lives and moves together. 04 / Mealtime Fruit and jungle food Watch the elephants munch through piles of jak, kitul palm and other jungle food. 05 / The village Elephant walk The herd crosses the village street between the park and the river, an unforgettable sight. 06 / Riverside Riverbank cafés Restaurants above the river give you a front-row view of bathing time over lunch. Daily routine Bathing and feeding times The day follows a set routine, so plan your Pinnawala elephant orphanage visit around it. Times are approximate and can change, so we confirm them on the day. MorningBottle-feeding of the babies, then the first walk down to the river Late morningRiver bathing in the Maha Oya, usually about two hours AfternoonA second feeding and a second bathing session before the herd returns Looking for wild elephants as well? Pinnawala is not a jeep safari, so for a true elephant safari we recommend Minneriya National Park. Practical tips Pinnawala tours: how to plan your visit Most visitors spend two to three hours at Pinnawala. Arrive before the morning bathing time to find a good spot on the riverbank, then watch a feeding before you continue your journey. - Entry: foreign visitors pay an entrance fee at the gate; children pay less. - Best time: come for the morning river bathing, which is the highlight of the day. - Respect the elephants: keep a safe distance, follow the keepers and do not feed or touch the animals. - What to wear: light clothes, a hat and shoes you do not mind getting muddy near the river. - Photos: the riverbank and the restaurants above it give the best views of bathing time. - Combine it: pair Pinnawala with a spice garden, Kandy or Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Pinnawala elephant safari? Orphanage or safari Many people search for a Pinnawala elephant safari. Pinnawala is an orphanage where you watch the herd up close; for wild herds from a jeep, add our Minneriya safari from Kandy. Book your day out Pinnawala tours with NH Lanka Holidays Every Pinnawala tour we arrange is private, with your own air-conditioned car or van, an English-speaking driver and hotel pickup. Choose where you are starting from. Departing Colombo or Negombo Kandy day tour from Colombo From US$120 per car Pinnawala at the 10:00 am river bathing, then a herbal garden, a tea factory and the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. - Hotel pickup in Colombo, Negombo or the airport - About 2.5 to 3 hours each way - Arrive for the 10:00 am river bathing Departing Kandy Pinnawala and spice garden tour Price on request A relaxed half day from Kandy to see the elephants bathe and visit a spice garden. - Hotel pickup in Kandy - About 1 to 1.5 hours each way - Spice garden on the way Departing anywhere else Pinnawala on a private tour Price on request Add the elephant orphanage to a longer private tour on the way to the hill country. - Pickup from any hotel - Combine with Kandy or Sigiriya - Tailor-made to your plans Entrance tickets and meals are not included unless stated. Pay on the day of the tour or in full in advance, with free cancellation until 24 hours before pickup. Around Pinnawala Make a full day of it About 1 hour away Kandy The hill capital and the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Explore Kandy About 1 hour away Peradeniya Gardens Orchids, giant bamboo and avenues of royal palms just outside Kandy. Wild elephants Minneriya safari See wild herds from a jeep in Minneriya National Park. Minneriya safari from Kandy Good to know Your Pinnawala questions, answered A care centre for orphaned and rescued Asian elephants near Kegalle, set up by the Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1975. It is home to a large herd that bathes in the Maha Oya river every day. The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is in Pinnawala village near Rambukkana in Kegalle District, on the main route between Colombo and Kandy. It is about 90 km from Colombo and 40 km from Kandy. The herd usually bathes in the river once in the late morning and again in the afternoon, each for about two hours. Times can change, so we confirm them on the da