Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage , Kandy, Sri Lanka
Wildlife, Adventure
Sinhala, Tamil and English
93m
About Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage has become a victim of commercialization, harming the welfare and health of the many captive native Asian elephants that are kept there. Originally an orphanage and breeding center, Pinanawala was formed to conserve orphaned baby elephants that were lost in the wilderness. However, due to the large inflow of tourists, the ‘zoo’ has now become a money making excuse. The park is overpriced, and the staff often charges large amounts of money for trivial things like taking pictures of the elephants. Visitors often complain about the poor way in which the elephants are treated, be it through lethal chains or deprivation of food. However, watching elephants bathe and play in the river is a pleasant sight, and of course, a free one too! Other than that, every other activity at Pinnawala is chargeable, including feeding the baby elephants.
An interesting attraction at Pinnawala is to see how elephant dung is used to make paper, and tourists can purchase this paper at a souvenir shop. Other than these little attractions, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, is no more an orphanage in its true sense, and one will require just about an hour to finish visiting it.
Location & Places to Visit on Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Map
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Places to Visit near Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

Pilgrimage, Historical
Gadaladeniya Temple, Kandy, Central Province
30.1 km from Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - See map
The Gadaladenia Temple, located Pilimathalawa town in Kandy is the fines example of Buddhist temple architecture. It is a very well-known tourist...
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Pilgrimage, Historical
Lankatilaka Temple, Central Province
33.2 km from Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - See map
The famous Lankatilaka Vihara or Lankatilaka Temple is located at Udunuwara Hiyarapitiya village of Kandy. This temple is built on a huge rock...
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Historical
Kandy War Cemetery, Central Province
38.4 km from Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - See map
The Commonwealth War Cemetery is a melancholic cemetery which is a resting place for the war heroes who dedicated their lives for Sri Lanka during...
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Nature
Arthur’s Seat, Kandy, Central Province
41.4 km from Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - See map
The Arthur’s Seat is a perfect lookout located in the heart of the Kandy city. It is a place from where you can overlook the Kandy Lake, the...
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Pilgrimage, Historical
St. Paul's Church, Kandy, Central Province
41.5 km from Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - See map
The St. Paul’s Church in Kandy, Sri Lanka and is located on the sacred grounds of the Temple of the Tooth Relic. This church serves as a...
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Nature
Kandy Lake, Central Province
43.2 km from Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - See map
Kandy Lake is an artificial lake which was built by the last King of Sri Lanka and of Kandy, Wikarama Rajasinhe. It was originally built to...
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Adventure, Nature, Wildlife
Udawatta Kele Sanctuary, Central Province
43.8 km from Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - See map
Also known as the Royal Forest Park of Kandy, the Udawatta Kele Sanctuary is located on the hillside behind the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Being...
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Pilgrimage, Historical
Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa), Central Province
44 km from Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - See map
As the name already gives it up, the Temple of the Tooth or Sri Dalada Maligawa is a center of Buddhist faith and is believed to house Sri...
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Historical
Royal Palace of Kandy, Central Province
44 km from Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - See map
The reminiscence of the last Kandyan King Wickrama Rajasinhe, the Royal Palace of Kandy is a reminder of the royal past dating as far back as the...
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Historical
International Buddhist Museum, Central Province
44.3 km from Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - See map
The International Museum of World Buddhism is located near to the Temple of the Tooth and is housed in the former High Court building. It is a...
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Historical
National Museum of Kandy, Central Province
44.4 km from Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - See map
The National Museum is yet another tourist destination located in the city of Kandy. It lies beside the Temple of the Tooth Relic and is visited...
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Nature, Historical
Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue, Kandy, Central Province
44.4 km from Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - See map
One of the many things to be toured and experienced in Kandy, the Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue is a huge religious monument. It lies within...
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