The Best Places to See Elephants in Sri Lanka

Pinnawella Elephant Orphanage

Pinnawella is an orphanage for baby elephants that have been found abandoned or orphaned in the wild. There are currently 60 small elephants on the site and these are fed, trained and cared for by the orphanage. If you visit Pinnawella during feeding time, you may be given the opportunity to bottle-feed an elephant during your Sri Lankan holiday. Bathing time is also popular with visitors and accompanying a baby elephant to a nearby river is an incredible experience, although you should be prepared to get more than a little bit soaked! It is one of the highlights of many private tours to Sri Lanka.

Colombo Zoo

After seeing an elephant in the wild, seeing one in the zoo may seem a little un-inspiring, however this is one for the children. The Colombo Zoo is famous for its elephant shows, which feature six Indian elephants doing all manner of tricks, from playing the harmonica to shooting basketball hoops with their trunks.

Wasgamuwa National Park

Wasgamuwa National Park is located in the town of Mahiyangana, an ancient city and important site in the Buddhist religion, as it was the first place in Sri Lanka that Lord Buddha visited.

Yala National Park

Yala is the largest national park in Sri Lanka and home to the majority of the islands wildlife, including Indian elephants and the very elusive leopards. Arranging a safari is the best way to spot an elephant, and if you're particularly lucky you may also spy a clouded leopard lounging around on an overhanging tree branch.

Uda Walawe National Park

Uda Walawe is regarded as the best place in the country to see elephants in the wild, and if you're dead set on spotting one in its natural habitat then Uda Walawe is a must whilst on your Sri Lankan holidays. The game park provides camping facilities and it is advised that you stay overnight and catch an early morning safari for the best chance of catching one of these magnificent animals. The elephants here move in large herds and the large expanse of open parkland makes spotting a moving herd much easier.

Minneriya National Park

Bird-watching and elephant spotting seem to go hand in hand in Sri Lanka, and the games reserve of Minneriya is no exception. The ancient city was built by King Parakramabahu and is a beautiful wild habitat for elephants and exotic birds. You can also arrange a jeep safari around the grounds.

Maduruoya National Park

This National Park features a huge reservoir and if you get up before sunrise you may spot a herd of elephants frolicking about in the large expanse of water. Adventure types will be pleased to note that the park provides ample opportunities for camping in the wild. You can also take an elephant safari through the dense forests, which is perhaps one of the stranger forms of transportation to use for elephant spotting on your Sri Lanka holidays.