
30/11/2024
Things to Know Before Visiting Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. ๐๐
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, located in the lush region of Pinnawala near Kegalle, Sri Lanka, is about 90 km from Colombo. Established in 1975, this sanctuary is dedicated to caring for orphaned and injured elephants, offering a safe haven where they thrive. Visitors get a unique chance to observe the day-to-day lives of these majestic creatures while supporting conservation efforts.
Best Time to Visit.
The orphanage opens its gates at 8:30 AM daily, but to enjoy the full experience, itโs recommended to visit before 10:00 AM. This will allow you to catch the morning feeding sessions as well as the elephantsโ famous river bath at 10:00 AM. These are peak times when the elephants are most active, offering visitors some fantastic photo opportunities. Another river bathing session takes place at 2:00 PM, giving a second chance for those arriving later in the day.
Entrance Fees (subjected to change)
The entrance fees are divided into two categories based on your nationality. For non-SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) citizens, the ticket prices are:
Adults: $16 USD
Children (3-12 years old): $8 USD
For SAARC citizens (residents of countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc.), the rates are slightly lower:
Adults: $11 USD
Children: $6 USD
Tickets can be purchased at the entrance of the orphanage or through some online platforms affiliated with the orphanage. Itโs recommended to check for current prices and availability before visiting.
Before you make your way to the river side, make sure that you have collected all the tickets including the ticket to bathe the elephants.
Things to Do at Pinnawala.
The orphanage offers several engaging activities:
Feeding the Elephants: During scheduled feeding times, visitors can observe or even participate in feeding the elephants. Baby elephants are bottle-fed, and visitors can purchase fruit baskets to hand-feed them.
River Bathing: One of the main highlights of a visit to Pinnawala is watching the elephants march down to the river for their daily bath. This happens twice a day (10:00 AM and 2:00 PM) and is an unforgettable experience, as the elephants splash, play, and socialize in the river.
Remember that you can enter the water with the elephants along with the guidance of the staff that there are. However, ensure that you have the ticket to do so with you to show to the staff to enter the waters.
Guided Tours: The orphanage offers guided tours that provide more in-depth information on elephant behavior, the orphanageโs history, and the care provided to the elephants. These tours are informative and give visitors a deeper understanding of the conservation efforts in place.
โ๏ธArticle by: Chiran Jayasanka Vithanage
Travel Consultant | Digital Marketing Enthusiast
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