Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage opening hours allow visitors plenty of time to experience one of Sri Lanka’s most popular wildlife attractions. The orphanage is open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, including weekends and public holidays. During your visit, you can observe rescued and orphaned elephants, watch baby elephants being bottle-fed, and enjoy the famous elephant bathing sessions at the nearby Maha Oya River.
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Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Opening Hours
To make the most of your visit, it is recommended to arrive in the morning when the weather is cooler and the elephants are most active. The most popular activities include the daily feeding sessions and the elephant bathing experience, where large groups of elephants walk to the river and spend time bathing and playing in the water. Visitors should plan to spend at least 2–3 hours at the orphanage to fully enjoy these unique experiences.
Opening Hours
Daily Opening Hours:
8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
The orphanage is open throughout the year, including weekends and public holidays. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds and enjoy cooler weather.
Elephant Feeding Times
One of the highlights of visiting Pinnawala is watching the baby elephants being bottle-fed.
Bottle Feeding Sessions:
- 9:15 AM
- 1:15 PM
- 5:00 PM
These feeding sessions are among the most popular activities and attract many visitors each day.
Elephant Bathing Times
The elephant bathing session takes place at the nearby Maha Oya River and is considered the most spectacular part of the visit.
Bathing Times:
- 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
During these periods, visitors can watch large herds of elephants walk through the town and enjoy bathing and playing in the river.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. This allows visitors to witness both the morning feeding session and the famous river bathing experience.
For photography, the morning hours provide excellent natural lighting and comfortable temperatures.
Private Day Tour Itinerary ( From Colombo and Return)
- 6:00 am: pick up from any hotel in Colombo and drive to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
- 8:30 am: arrive at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
- 9:00am to 12:15pm tour of the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (Entrance Fee Not Included)
- 12:30 pm head towards Colombo
- 2:30 pm drop off at your hotel in Colombo
NOTE: Time may be change depend on traffic and weather conditions.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Entrance Fee & Day Tour Price
- Transport Cost : USD 100 per private tour in an A/C car or van with an English speaking chauffeur-guide
Vehicle Options:
Car (up to 2 persons): Toyota Axio, Prius Hybrid, Premio/Honda Fit Shuttle or similar
Van (3 to 6 persons): Toyota KDH/Nissan Caravan or similar - Entrance ticket fee for Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Fee: US$ 16 / EUR 15 / GBP 12) per foreign adult and US$ 8 / EUR 7 / GBP 6 per foreign child of age 03 – 12 years are applicable.