A famous sanctuary for orphaned and injured elephants, home to the world's largest captive herd, best seen at its twice-daily river bathing.
🕑 08:30–18:00
⏱ ~2.0 hr
🎟 Entry: LKR 2800
Pinnawala
A riverside village in the Kegalle District famous for its elephant orphanage, where a large herd of rescued elephants bathes daily in the Maha Oya.
Overview
Pinnawala is a small village near Rambukkana in the Kegalle District, set among coconut plantations on the banks of the Maha Oya. It is best known worldwide for the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, home to the largest herd of captive elephants in the world, whose twice-daily river bathing draws visitors from across the globe. The nearby Millennium Elephant Foundation and Sri Lanka's first open-air zoo round out an area entirely built around its elephants. Lying roughly midway between Colombo and Kandy, Pinnawala makes an easy and memorable half-day stop.
History
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was established in 1975 by the Department of Wildlife Conservation to care for orphaned and injured wild elephants, and moved to its present coconut estate beside the Maha Oya in 1978. Over the following decades the surrounding village grew into a cluster of elephant-focused attractions, becoming one of the most visited spots on the Colombo-Kandy road.
Attractions
A small charity sanctuary near Pinnawala caring for a handful of rescued working elephants, with an ethical, hands-off visitor experience.
🕑 08:30–17:30
⏱ ~1.5 hr
🎟 Entry: LKR 2000
Sri Lanka's first open-air zoo, where animals roam in large landscaped enclosures mimicking their natural habitats.
🕑 08:30–17:30
⏱ ~2.0 hr
🎟 Entry: LKR 2500
Where to eat
Halal and Vegetarian-friendly options are tagged below. Kosher food is not commercially available here; observant travellers usually self-cater or contact a Chabad house.
Alimankada Paradise of Food
Sri Lankan · Budget
A well-loved family restaurant near the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage with a clean dining room, hearty Sri Lankan buffets and a picturesque outlook towards the Maha Oya river where the elephants bathe.
Nai Kochchi Cafe & Family Restaurant
Sri Lankan, Cafe · Budget
A highly rated cafe and family restaurant in Rambukkana, a short hop from the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, serving flavourful Sri Lankan rice and curry, kottu and short eats at local prices.
Hotel Elephant Park
Sri Lankan, International · Mid
A riverside hotel restaurant directly opposite the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, where diners watch the herd bathe in the Maha Oya from the terrace while enjoying Sri Lankan and international buffets.
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Travel tips
- Plan your visit around the river-bathing times (around 10:00 and 14:00), when the whole herd is walked down to the Maha Oya.
- Buy tickets at the official orphanage ticket counter rather than through touts, and check current bathing and feeding times on arrival.
- Riverside restaurants overlook the bathing spot; arrive early to grab a table with a clear view.
- Keep a respectful distance from the elephants and follow the mahouts' instructions at all times.
- Carry cash in rupees for entry tickets and tuk-tuks, as card facilities are limited.
