Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

Pinnawala was set up in 1975 to take in orphaned and injured elephants and has grown into a herd of dozens, many of them born on site, making it one of the largest captive herds anywhere. Twice a day the animals are walked down the road to the Maha Oya and bathe in the river while visitors watch from the bank and from restaurants above. It is one of the most visited places in Sri Lanka and also one of the most argued about.

What to look for

• The river bathing - the herd walked down to the Maha Oya twice daily.
• The herd size - dozens of animals, among the largest captive groups anywhere.
• The road walk - the animals moving through the village between compound and river.
• The bottle feeding - young animals fed at set times in the compound.

When to go

Year round; the bathing times, late morning and mid-afternoon, are when to be there. Weekends and holidays are crowded. The river is high after rain and bathing may be shortened.

What to expect

The welfare here is genuinely contested: animals are chained, mahouts use bullhooks, and researchers have criticised the breeding programme and the handling; some visitors find the reality upsetting. Riding and close contact have been curtailed but paid interactions continue. Anyone uncomfortable with captive elephant tourism should consider Udawalawe's transit home or a national park instead.

Nearby

Kegalle is southwest, and Kandy is east.

Key facts