An Amazing Elephant Experience at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Sri Lanka! 

Do you desire to work with elephants every single day and Looking for a volunteer opportunity to support a project that takes care of orphaned, rescued or injured wild elephants? Here is your chance to make a difference and actively support a wildlife conservation project in Sri Lanka! Our volunteer project at Pinnawala elephant orphanage offers you a Life changing elephant experience.

Sri Lanka is a wondrous Island with beautiful natural scenery and rich culture and history, varied landscapes, white sandy beaches and many more.

Pinnawala elephant orphanage is an orphanage, nursery and captive breeding sanctuary which has given home for over 86 (including baby elephants who have been born here) orphaned, injured or rescued wild elephants. The orphanage was originally founded in order to afford care and protection to the many orphaned elephants found in the jungle.

As of 2022, there were 86 elephants. The orphanage is very popular among local and foreign tourists. The main attraction is the opportunity to observe the bathing of the elephants from the broad river bank as the herd interacts socially, bathing and playing.

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A great place to learn more
About these amazing creatures

Volunteers will be learning from the anatomy of an elephant, to the complex history that affected elephant population in Sri Lanka.

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Have an unforgettable experience

Being able to observe these majestic creatures up close is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

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Support a Wildlife Conservation Project

Orphanage takes care of many orphaned, injured wild elephants and all admission fees are used to take care of these elephants.

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Project and Visa Information

Project Overview

Location – Pinnawala Sri Lanka

Arrival Airport – Colombo (CMB)

Start Date – Available all year round. Our placements are very flexible. You can choose your own start and finish dates.

Duration – From 1 week up to 12 weeks, can arrange elephant experience for 1-2 days for short visitors.

Requirements – You do not require any specific qualifications and experiences to work in this project, just a big heart and a love of elephants! You must also arrive with an open mind and with a passion to learn new things in a strange environment. Our volunteer project is suitable for students, school leavers, gap year students, those taking career breaks, families and people in retirement.

Volunteer Program

There are a few elements combined on this program, making it a very interesting, varied and satisfying project. You’ll participate in the following:

  1. Working with the elephants at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.
  2. Helping to teach disadvantaged local children or monks.

 

What’s Included

  • Pinnawala Orphanage Charges
  • Arranging your Program 
  • Meeting you at the nearest airport (airport pick up)
  • All accommodation 
  • Food (All 3 meals a day) 
  • In-country team support and backup (from the very beginning to the last day of the project, in country manager will assist volunteers by supporting them.
  • 24-hour emergency support 
  • Free volunteer T- shirt
  • Certificate of completion
  • Sim card
  • Sightseeing activities (these are arranged for you, but not always paid for).

Not Included

  • Flights    
  • Visa   
  • Basic Travel Insurance  
  • Return transfer to the airport
  • Bottle water
  • Daily transportation to the project site

Visa Information

Securing a tourist visa is the volunteer’s responsibility and we require all volunteers to obtain a tourist visa before departing for Sri Lanka. You can apply for a visa online. Much information can be learned online by searching out Sri Lanka’s embassy or consulate.

You have to have basic travel insurance. It’s a must. You have to provide a copy of your travel insurance and a copy of your passport on arrival.

What to Bring

The list of items given below is a general list of items and is provided as a guide only. 

Mobile Phone to use a Sri Lankan sim card, Copies of your basic travel insurance and the passport – On your first day you need to provide them to the orphanage, confirming that you have the necessary cover in place for working with animals, Gloves, Working boots/ Sneakers – It’s hot and messy work and you will never get the smell out – so go for something that you don’t mind leaving behind at the end, Mosquito repellent, Hat / Cap & Sunglasses , Sun Cream , Daypack (Small Rucksack), A basic medical kit including; Plasters, Paracetamol, Medication for Diarrhea, Antiseptic cream etc, A good torch, Camera, Adapter Plugs

Why should you volunteer at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage?

Pinnawala elephant orphanage is something beyond a typical wildlife orphanage. It is a nursery, captive breeding ground for these gigantic, so this is a great place to learn more about these amazing creatures. Our volunteer project offers you a life changing, affordable and Hands-on elephant experience. Through volunteering you can make a genuine contribution to the conservation and survival of one of the world’s most beloved animals.

A Safe Haven for Baby Elephants

In many occasions the mother of the orphaned baby elephant had been killed or there have been accidents of baby elephants falling in to pits and losing out to the herd.

There were also instances the mother elephant had fallen in to a pit and died leaving the baby elephant lost in the jungle. There are instances of adult elephants being killed by farmers to protect their paddy fields and crops resulting in baby elephants being orphaned.

Become a volunteer

Volunteer at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

Do you desire to work with elephants every single day and looking for a volunteer opportunity to support a project that takes care of orphaned, rescued or injured wild elephants? Here is your chance to make a difference and actively support a wildlife conservation project in Sri Lanka! Our volunteer project at Pinnawala elephant orphanage offers you a Life changing elephant experience.

Become a Volunteer

Get An Elephant Experience You’ll Never Forget!

At Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, you’ll have the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with these gentle giants. Come and enjoy a day of watching them play, bathe and feed. It’s an experience you’ll never forget!

Learn More

A Safe Haven for Baby Elephants

In many occasions the mother of the orphaned baby elephant had been killed or there have been accidents of baby elephants falling in to pits and losing out to the herd. 

There were also instances the mother elephant had fallen in to a pit and died leaving the baby elephant lost in the jungle. There are instances of adult elephants being killed by farmers to protect their paddy fields and crops resulting in baby elephants being orphaned. 

Become a Volunteer

Get An Elephant Experience You’ll Never Forget!

At Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, you’ll have the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with these gentle giants. Come and enjoy a day of watching them play, bathe and feed. It’s an experience you’ll never forget!

Learn More
WHAT VOLUNTEERS SAY ABOUT US

Me and my daughter Flora came to volunteer at PEO for a week and it was an incredible experience.Getting up so close such as interact with baby elephants, washing elephants in the river and personal with all the elephants amazed us. We highly recommend this project to all and you won’t regret it.

Patricia Diaz
Spain

Being with these majestic Beings is a feeling I can not fully describe in words! It is truly an honor being in their presence and definitely an experience I will treasure forever! The pictures and memories I have from that two weeks are priceless to me! Thank you, Rasika, for making all that happen for me!

Rossane Brekken
USA

I ‘ve been at pinnawala elephant orphanage for 2 weeks in summer 2022. It was an amazing experience… Everything was good. Stay 2 weeks in contact of nature and elephants. At orphanage all the staff is Kinde and care to give you a great and safe experience. Rasika and his family are very kind and helped me in everything I need.

Christian Lenzi
Italy
WHAT VOLUNTEERS SAY ABOUT US

Me and my daughter Flora came to volunteer at PEO for a week and it was an incredible experience.Getting up so close such as interact with baby elephants, washing elephants in the river and personal with all the elephants amazed us. We highly recommend this project to all and you won’t regret it.

Patricia Diaz
Spain

Being with these majestic Beings is a feeling I can not fully describe in words! It is truly an honor being in their presence and definitely an experience I will treasure forever! The pictures and memories I have from that two weeks are priceless to me! Thank you, Rasika, for making all that happen for me!

Rossane Brekken
USA

I ‘ve been at pinnawala elephant orphanage for 2 weeks in summer 2022. It was an amazing experience… Everything was good. Stay 2 weeks in contact of nature and elephants. At orphanage all the staff is Kinde and care to give you a great and safe experience. Rasika and his family are very kind and helped me in everything I need.

Christian Lenzi
Italy

Testimonials

We really love how each and everyday these people share thier Positive experience

She packed her seven versalia, put her initial into the belt and made herself on the way. When she reached the first hills of the Italic Mountains.

Kathrine Tessa

The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because there were thousands of bad Commas, devious Semikoli, but the Little Blind Text didn’t listen.

Bruce Wayne

The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because there were thousands of bad Commas, devious Semikoli, but the Little Blind Text didn’t listen.

Jessica Jones

Project Inquire

Please get in touch if you have any questions about this project and we will be happy to answer. Either fill out the form below, or send an email directly to the project coordinator.

+94-778-767-598

    Address

    52/c, Daluggala, Rambukkana, Sri Lanka.

    Email

    [email protected]

    Call Us

    +94-778-767-598