Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
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Port
Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$159.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 9 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
An air-conditioned motorcoach is your transportation for the three-hour journey to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.
Established in 1975, the facility began with seven orphaned elephants. Today, some of these original orphans enjoy seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective of establishing the orphanage was inclined more toward attracting tourism, but it soon became a conservation and educational center. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive breeding program for elephants. Freedom of movement for the herd increased the chances for individuals of both genders to get together and mate, and in 1984, the first Pinnawela baby was born. The success story of Pinnawela has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawela have been published in several languages. The members of the Pinnawela herd have been filmed, videoed and photographed thousands of times by professionals.
During your time at the orphanage, you will watch these gentle giants playing, eating and bathing in the river before enjoying your own riverside lunch.
Notes:
Travel time to Pinnawela is approximately three hours each way by coach. Shade is limited; to avoid sunburn, wear light, long clothing suitable for use as a cover-up. Bring a hat and sunglasses; wear biodegradable sunscreen. Bring bottled water. The opportunity to bottle-feed the elephants depends upon the current baby elephant population.