Elephant orphanage · Sri Lanka
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Watch a whole herd walk down to the Maha Oya river to bathe, and see baby elephants bottle-fed. Visit on a private Pinnawala tour from Colombo, Negombo or Kandy.
Founded 1975By the Department of Wildlife Conservation
Pinnawala, KegalleBetween Colombo and Kandy
2 to 3 hoursfor bathing time and a feeding
Open dailyEntrance fee paid at the gate
The elephant orphanage
Elephant orphanage, Sri Lanka:
a home for orphaned elephants
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was set up by the Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1975 to care for baby elephants found alone in the wild, often after losing their mothers. Today it is home to one of the largest captive herds of Asian elephants anywhere, with several generations born right here.
It is the best-known elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka and an easy stop on the road between Colombo and Kandy. Twice a day the herd walks through the village to the Maha Oya river, where the elephants bathe, splash and play while you watch from the riverbank.
Our private Pinnawala tours include hotel pickup, your own air-conditioned car or van and an English-speaking driver, so you can arrive in time for bathing and feeding and move on to Kandy or back to the coast at your own pace.
Plan your day
Three easy ways to visit
From Colombo or Negombo
About 2.5 to 3 hours by road, easy to combine with Kandy.
From Kandy
Just over an hour away, perfect for a half day with a spice garden.
On the way
Stop here on the drive between the coast and the hill country.
A day at Pinnawala
What you will see
at the orphanage
01 / Morning
River bathing
The herd walks down to the Maha Oya river to bathe and cool off, usually from late morning.
02 / Feeding
Bottle-feeding
Baby elephants drink big bottles of milk at set times through the day, a favourite with children.
03 / The herd
Elephants of all ages
From playful calves to huge tuskers, you see how a family herd lives and moves together.
04 / Mealtime
Fruit and jungle food
Watch the elephants munch through piles of jak, kitul palm and other jungle food.
05 / The village
Elephant walk
The herd crosses the village street between the park and the river, an unforgettable sight.
06 / Riverside
Riverbank cafés
Restaurants above the river give you a front-row view of bathing time over lunch.
Daily routine
Bathing and
feeding times
The day follows a set routine, so plan your Pinnawala elephant orphanage visit around it. Times are approximate and can change, so we confirm them on the day.
MorningBottle-feeding of the babies, then the first walk down to the river
Late morningRiver bathing in the Maha Oya, usually about two hours
AfternoonA second feeding and a second bathing session before the herd returns
Looking for wild elephants as well? Pinnawala is not a jeep safari, so for a true elephant safari we recommend Minneriya National Park.
Practical tips
Pinnawala tours:
how to plan your visit
Most visitors spend two to three hours at Pinnawala. Arrive before the morning bathing time to find a good spot on the riverbank, then watch a feeding before you continue your journey.
- Entry: foreign visitors pay an entrance fee at the gate; children pay less.
- Best time: come for the morning river bathing, which is the highlight of the day.
- Respect the elephants: keep a safe distance, follow the keepers and do not feed or touch the animals.
- What to wear: light clothes, a hat and shoes you do not mind getting muddy near the river.
- Photos: the riverbank and the restaurants above it give the best views of bathing time.
- Combine it: pair Pinnawala with a spice garden, Kandy or Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.
Pinnawala elephant safari?
Orphanage or safari
Many people search for a Pinnawala elephant safari. Pinnawala is an orphanage where you watch the herd up close; for wild herds from a jeep, add our Minneriya safari from Kandy.
Book your day out
Pinnawala tours
with NH Lanka Holidays
Every Pinnawala tour we arrange is private, with your own air-conditioned car or van, an English-speaking driver and hotel pickup. Choose where you are starting from.
Departing Colombo or Negombo
Kandy day tour from Colombo
From US$120 per car
Pinnawala at the 10:00 am river bathing, then a herbal garden, a tea factory and the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy.
- Hotel pickup in Colombo, Negombo or the airport
- About 2.5 to 3 hours each way
- Arrive for the 10:00 am river bathing
Departing Kandy
Pinnawala and spice garden tour
Price on request
A relaxed half day from Kandy to see the elephants bathe and visit a spice garden.
- Hotel pickup in Kandy
- About 1 to 1.5 hours each way
- Spice garden on the way
Departing anywhere else
Pinnawala on a private tour
Price on request
Add the elephant orphanage to a longer private tour on the way to the hill country.
- Pickup from any hotel
- Combine with Kandy or Sigiriya
- Tailor-made to your plans
Entrance tickets and meals are not included unless stated. Pay on the day of the tour or in full in advance, with free cancellation until 24 hours before pickup.
Around Pinnawala
Make a full day of it
About 1 hour away
Peradeniya Gardens
Orchids, giant bamboo and avenues of royal palms just outside Kandy.
Wild elephants
Minneriya safari
See wild herds from a jeep in Minneriya National Park. Minneriya safari from Kandy
Good to know
Your Pinnawala questions, answered
What is the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage?
A care centre for orphaned and rescued Asian elephants near Kegalle, set up by the Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1975. It is home to a large herd that bathes in the Maha Oya river every day.
Where is the elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka?
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is in Pinnawala village near Rambukkana in Kegalle District, on the main route between Colombo and Kandy. It is about 90 km from Colombo and 40 km from Kandy.
What are the bathing times at Pinnawala?
The herd usually bathes in the river once in the late morning and again in the afternoon, each for about two hours. Times can change, so we confirm them on the day.
How far is Pinnawala from Colombo?
About 90 km, roughly 2.5 to 3 hours by road. From Kandy it is about 40 km, just over an hour.
Is there a Pinnawala elephant safari?
Pinnawala is an orphanage, not a national park, so there is no jeep safari. For wild elephants, combine your visit with a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park.
How long should I spend at Pinnawala?
Two to three hours is enough to see river bathing and a feeding.
Can I visit Pinnawala and Kandy in one day?
Yes. Pinnawala lies on the road between Colombo and Kandy, so many of our Pinnawala tours continue to Kandy or a spice garden.
What should I bring?
Light clothes, a hat, sun cream, water and shoes you do not mind getting muddy near the river.
Can NH Lanka Holidays arrange Pinnawala tours?
Yes. NH Lanka Holidays is a licensed, Sri Lankan-owned tour operator based in Negombo. We arrange private Pinnawala tours with hotel pickup from Colombo, Negombo, Kandy or anywhere else. You can pay on the day of the tour or in full in advance, and cancellation is free until 24 hours before pickup.
Keep exploring: Kandy · Minneriya · Day trips from Kandy · Day trips from Colombo · All destinations
Licensed local tour operator
Ready to plan
your Pinnawala tour?
Tell us your dates and where you are staying. Our Negombo-based team will reply within 24 hours with a private, itemised quote.