The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage should be on any travel itinerary while in Sri Lanka
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is situated in the hills of central Sri Lanka northwest of the town of Kegalle, halfway between the capital, Colombo, and the ancient royal city of Kandy. This orphanage, on a 25-acre coconut property, was established to care and protect elephants found in the jungle.
The orphanage is a very popular tourist destination when in Sri Lanka, with the 'main' attraction being to observe the elephants bathing and playing in the river. These elephants are well behaved as they need to move in a large herd from the orphanage to the river, passing many shops and tourists who gather around. The orphanage also offers tourist safe interact to carefully feed the elephants.
The orphanage is also home to a special resident, an elephant named Sama. She is blind and she lost part of her leg after stepping on a landmine. Unfortunately, Sama is no longer with us.
On our most recent visit with my kids, their first time to Sri Lanka, my daughter had the opportunity to experience these majestic animals close up with the opportunity to hand feed an elephant.
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage should be on any travel itinerary while in Sri Lanka. Experience first-hand the orphanage's work caring for the beautiful elephants.