Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Zoo

Address: Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Pinnawala, Rambukkana, Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka

Hours: Daily hours vary; observe the feeding and bathing schedule posted at the site.

Admission: Entrance and feeding schedules are free to observe; donations and paid programs apply for close interaction (prices vary)

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a government-run facility in Sabaragamuwa Province created to care for orphaned and injured elephants. It functions as a nursery and public display centre where visitors can observe elephant care routines.

Founded in the mid-1970s to address concerns for orphaned and injured elephants, the orphanage has since become a focused centre for captive care and public education about elephant conservation.

The facility sits beside a river in the lowland interior of Sabaragamuwa Province and is accessed from nearby towns that serve as regional transport hubs.

• Founding: Established in 1975 as a government-run elephant care facility, it focuses on the rescue, rehabilitation and breeding of orphaned or injured elephants.

Pinnawala is about 90 km northeast of Colombo and a short drive from Kandy; regular buses and private transfers run from both cities. The orphanage sits near Rambukkana and is a common day-trip for visitors based in Kandy.

• Arrive at the bathing times (usually mid-morning or mid-afternoon) to see elephants in the river - the public feeding times can be busy but are engaging.
• If the sanctuary is very crowded, explore surrounding fields and the small museum for quieter interpretation of elephant rehabilitation.
• Consider booking directly with the orphanage's official booking office for combined transport and guided visits.