Testimonials

You get a great opportunity in Srilanka to get closer to the largest mammals on land. How prity, deasent, gental gieants ere they. I love elephants

Ever wondered what happens to all that elephant dung at Pinnawala? Here's a secret: it becomes beautiful, sustainable paper! Watch as Sri Lankan artisans transform what nature gives into extraordinary art. Each elephant produces about 100kg of fiber-rich dung daily—and it's a treasure trove for papermaking. First, the dung is collected and boiled for hours, killing bacteria and breaking down fibers. Then comes the washing—lots of washing—until only clean plant fibers remain. These gentle giants eat bark, leaves, and grasses, which pass through partially digested, creating perfect paper pulp. The fibers are beaten into smooth pulp, mixed with water, and spread onto screens. As the water drains, magic happens—sheets of unique, textured paper emerge. Sun-dried and pressed, each piece tells a story of sustainability and creativity. No trees harmed. No elephants bothered. Just ancient wisdom meeting modern eco-consciousness. This is Sri Lanka's genius: turning waste into wonder, one sheet at a time. 🌿✨ Visit Pinnawala. Witness the transformation. Take home elephant poo paper (yes, really!).

There's a moment that changes everything—when you stand face-to-face with an Asian elephant and realize how impossibly gentle these 5-ton giants truly are. At Pinnawala, this isn't a distant observation. It's a connection. Watch their wise, soulful eyes study you with curiosity. Feel the surprising softness of their trunks as they reach toward you, delicate as a whisper despite their strength. Hear the rumbling communications between mothers and calves—a language older than civilization. These magnificent beings, who could easily overpower anything in their path, choose gentleness instead. Baby elephants playfully splash in the river while protective aunties keep watch. Elders move with quiet dignity, their presence both humbling and comforting. You'll witness bath time—pure joy as they roll, spray, and play like children. You'll see the trust between elephants and their caretakers, built over years of respect and care. This is where fear transforms into awe. Where misconceptions dissolve into understanding. Where you realize that true power doesn't need to prove itself—it simply exists, patient and kind. Come closer. Meet gentleness in its most magnificent form. 🌿✨

Twice daily, something magical happens along the banks of Maha Oya river in Pinnawala—over 80 elephants march down for their favorite moment of the day: bath time. Picture this: A parade of gentle giants, from tiny calves to wise matriarchs, crossing the road and descending into the sparkling waters. The air fills with joyful trumpeting, splashing, and the rumble of contentment. Watch as massive elephants become playful children—rolling onto their sides, spraying water with their trunks like natural fountains, submerging completely until only trunk-tips peek above the surface. Babies stay close to their mothers, learning the art of the elephant bath. Teenagers splash each other mischievously while elders soak peacefully in the shallows. The Maha Oya becomes their playground, their spa, their sanctuary. Caretakers gently scrub their thick, wrinkled skin while the elephants lean into the attention, eyes half-closed in pure bliss. This isn't a show—it's their daily ritual of joy, health, and freedom. And you're invited to witness nature's most heartwarming spectacle. Stand on the riverbank. Feel the spray. Hear the laughter of giants.

Service feedback from a Japanese girl. Her own experience shared in her mother language