Wildlife · Sabaragamuwa Province
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Established in 1975 to care for orphaned and injured wild elephants, Pinnawala is now home to one of the world's largest captive herds. Twice daily the elephants amble down the village street to bathe in the Maha Oya river — a remarkable sight as calves splash and adults spray water from raised trunks.
Full profile & comments →Things to do here
- 1Watch the herd bathe in the Maha Oya river (10am & 2pm)
- 2Attend the calf bottle-feeding session (9:15am, 1:15pm, 5pm)
- 3Riverside lunch at a terrace overlooking the bathing site
- 4Visit the on-site elephant museum
- 5Browse the elephant-dung paper workshop
- 6Combine with Kandy Temple of the Tooth on the same day
Best time to visit
Year-round; bathing at 10am and 2pm
Insider tip
Time your visit for the 10am or 2pm river bathing — the whole herd walks down together.
Exact location
Open in Google Maps →Service providers near Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Accommodation
Restaurants
Tours & Activities
Links open external booking and listing sites. Prices and availability are set by the providers.