Pinnawala is a small village approximately 90km to the east of Colombo. It is most famous for its elephant orphanages. The small area is noted for having the largest captive herd of elephants in the world. The village of Pinnawala itself is a reserved and pleasant town, so travelers shouldn’t just pass through or overlook it, but instead take advantage of its charisma and magic.

Where To Stay
There aren’t many options for accommodations in the Pinnawala area, but (in my opinion) THE place to stay for endless elephant entertainment is Elephant Park Hotel. Each morning and afternoon, the elephants parade past the hotel and walk to the neighboring river for their daily baths and enjoyment of the water. I’m not kidding when I say they march directly outside your window down the walkway to the river. The experience is surreal. Pricing for the hotel is moderate and furnishings aren’t swanky, but being able to be a part of the elephant parade is worth every since cent.

What To Do

• Elephants
  The main reason most tourists to Sri Lanka visit Pinnawala is for the many experiences offered with elephants. There are countless elephant orphanages, safaris and parks for you to choose from. I personally chose to not visit any of these attractions because I had read that the elephants were in chains, and I never condone chaining up such gentle animals (let alone paying to support such actions). Instead, I went to the river in the morning and the afternoon (there are scheduled times) to watch these incredible animals bathe themselves and play together in the water. I was even lucky enough to get in and help a baby elephant with his bath. It is a memory that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

• Pinnawala Open Zoo
  The first open-air zoo in Sri Lanka, and the second in the country, was opened in April 2015, just in time for the locals to celebrate their New Year. Pinnawala Zoo's location is near the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.