Pinnawala Travel Guide

 
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  •   Pinnawala
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  • Bank of Ceylon, Pinnawala
      Bank of Ceylon, Pinnawala
    by Mozumbus
  • Elephants Wandering in Pinnawala
      Elephants Wandering in Pinnawala
    by Mozumbus

Explore Pinnawala

Things to Do  

Pinnawela elephant orphanage

Pinnawela elephant orphanage, Pinnawala

 Sambawalk Says:  Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage - started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded, the orphanage has grown to be a big family today.There are 4 feeding time. The first one is 9am. Then you can stroll around the open area where you can take pictures with the elephants.... 

Bathing time

Bathing time, Pinnawala

 yumyum Says:  What a pleasure to watch these animals enjoying themselves in the river! One wishes almost to join them. 

On the way to the bath

On the way to the bath, Pinnawala

 yumyum Says:  You have to be in place when the elephants start coming down the alley to take a bath in the river. It's just amazing how close you get to so many elephants. It's quite a sight when they all but stampede down to the river. 

Elephant orphanage

Elephant orphanage, Pinnawala

 yumyum Says:  This elephant orphanage is one of the cutest places I've ever been to. So many elephants at such close range is hard to find, except maybe in Chobe National Park in Botswana. Anyway, there is an entrance fee to the orphanage and if you want to take your picture with an... 

Elephants Bathing

Elephants Bathing, Pinnawala

 Sambawalk Says:  There are 3 elephant bathing time. The first one is around 11am. Then you can stroll around the open area where you can take pictures with the elephants. After that, you can proceed to the riverside for viewing the elephants to bath. Admission is Rs500.My driver knows a good... 

MORE SPACE

MORE SPACE, Pinnawala

 cazz38 Says:  Over sixty Elephants are free to roam around,the baby ones are gorgeous and so hairy.This picture lets you see how much room there is at the orphanage its amazing. 

Restaurants  

Pinnawala Restaurant

Pinnawala Restaurant, Pinnawala

 yumyum Says:  Since I came here with a tour group, our tables were already reserved. I don't remember what exactly I ate but I remember that there was a buffet.The entrance to the restaurant is a giant elephant. 

Pinnawala Restaurant: River Elephant views

Pinnawala Restaurant: River Elephant views, Pinnawala

 freya_heaven Says:  We only had a drink here. The restaurant is next to the river where the elephant come to bathe twice a day. Get there early if you want to have a ring side seat to watch the bathing. To be honest it really doesnt matter what the food is like when the elephants are are... 

Transportation  

Transport an elephant

Transport an elephant, Pinnawala

 yumyum Says:  Sometimes an elephant has to be transported somewhere. Therefore a vehicule has to be found that takes its weight and is big enough to tie up an elephant. We were fortunate enough to see such a transport. 

REALLY COMFORTABLE

REALLY COMFORTABLE, Pinnawala

 cazz38 Says:  we hired this bus for a whole week it was a package deal with our tour operator,It came with a fantastic driver and tour guide. 

Shopping  

Souvenirs

Souvenirs, Pinnawala

 yumyum Says:  Just when you enter the orphanage there is a shop to the left of the cashier. I bought a lot of notebooks with elephants on them there. They make good presents and the paper inside is special.If you want more commercial souvenirs then you may buy them in the alley that takes... 

ELEPHANT DUNG PAPER

ELEPHANT DUNG PAPER, Pinnawala

 cazz38 Says:  At the elephant orphanage there is a shop selling paper,writing books envelopes etc all made from elephants dung. 

Warnings and Dangers  

Watch out!
yumyum profile photo

3 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

yumyum 2677 reviews
don't risk your life

You may get the impression that elephants are very peaceful. Most of the time they are, nevertheless you always need to watch out for the unexpected and if you are next to the elephant obey its mahout.

Written Aug 5, 2007

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Tourist Traps  

Not the Elephant Orphanage you're thinking of!

Not the Elephant Orphanage you're thinking of!, Pinnawala

 Mozumbus Says:  We took a rikshaw from the Pinnawala junction of Colombo-Kandy road to the Elephant Orphanage (for LKR 100). The young Tuk-Tuk driver found us an easy target and took us to a fake place! He was not that wrong in assessing poor us!! He also remained around to make sure that... 

eephants

eephants, Pinnawala

 edward.martin Says:  you should must see activity the elephant bathelephant feedingelephant ridingmaking of elephant poo paper factory (just opposite to the entrance of the pinnawala elephant orphange.the hotel was amazing (hotel elephant bay)fantastic activity in pinnawala cheers 

You're not alone

You're not alone, Pinnawala

 yumyum Says:  Of course, there are busloads of tourists here and you are not alone. I suggest that you just ignore all the other tourists and enjoy the experience with your favourite big five! 

What to Pack  

TAKE LOTS OF WATER
cazz38 profile photo

3 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

cazz38 363 reviews
Inside the orphanage.

Miscellaneous: I would say wear really comfy shoes,light clothes and take lots of drinking water and dont forget your video camera and your normal cameras.

Updated Mar 24, 2005

Related to:
 Adventure Travel
 Eco-Tourism

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Off The Beaten Path  

LOVELY CASHEW NUTS
cazz38 profile photo

4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

cazz38 363 reviews
outside the shop

After leaving Kandy just before we arrived at the elephant orphanage there is a shop along the roadside,it sells the best cashew nuts we tasted it also sells bottled water, fizzy drinks and those lovely red bananas.There is also a toilet which you can use.

Updated Mar 24, 2005

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Favorites  

Currency Exchange

Currency Exchange, Pinnawala

 Mozumbus Says:  There is a branch of Ceylone Bank just inside the entrance of the Elephant Orphanage where one can exchange the currency. We found the rates comparable to what we found outside Colombo airport. Service was fast and the staff was friendly. 

PAYING EXTRA!!

PAYING EXTRA!!, Pinnawala

 cazz38 Says:  While paying to get into the Elephant orphanage you will be charged extra for either a normal camera or a video camera. 

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Map of Pinnawala