Sri Lanka is known as the land of elephants among other things. The Islandwide census of 2011, calculated a number of elephants close to six thousand around the island. However, the count is said to have risen after the war, and the many conservation efforts run by the Lankan government.
Here are our top five picks of where to visit elephants in the island.
- Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
This makes it to the top of our list simply because of the convenience of the enclosure. Run by the department of wildlife the orphanage houses young elephants, and disabled elephants who will not be able to survive alone in the wild. During the war-torn years, many elephants affected by landmines were treated at the Pinnawala orphanage. The orphanage allows tourists to volunteer and help in taking care of the elephants. This is the one place to see tame elephants in a well-care for environment.
- Minneriya National Park
The Minneriya National Park is the best place to observe wild elephants in their natural habitat. Groups of wild elephants arrive at the Minneriya Lake and the surrounding grazing ground early in the morning, and during sunset. Mother elephants gather around their young and sprinkle them with water from the lake. The scenery is indeed a sight to sore eyes! It is often pictured in Sri Lanka on post cards, if you visit Sri Lanka, visiting Minneriya should be a priority in your bucket list.
- Udawalawe National Park
The Udawalawe National Park is another home to Sri Lanka’s wild elephant. Though the elephants don’t gather in large flocks like in Minneriya, if you are lucky enough you will be able to sight small groups of elephants, and possibly mothers with little babies. Once we were lucky enough to see a territorial duel among two giants, who were at the peak of their sexual arousal.
- Kaudulla National Park
The Kaudulla National Park is situated between an elephant corridor, in between Wasgamuwa and Minneriya. Therefore, the national park often has large herds of elephants travelling from Wasgamuwa to Minneriya. If you are lucky enough you will be able to see the largest herd of elephants you’ve ever seen.
- Kandy Esala Perahera
Though the best place to see elephants is in the wild, the Kandyan Esala perahera is one occasion to see hundreds of tame elephants in the country. Though often criticized for the ill-treatment of the animals, the processions revere the elephants carrying the caskets as much as the casket. Nadungamuwe Raja, currently carries the tooth relic of Lord Buddha in the Esala Perahera, and he sets on foot to Kandy for five days. He is revered by devotees along the way, as they believe of great merits of the animal. The elephants in the Perahera are glad in magnificent garments and lights and they add an unwavering glory to the Perahera.
Note: Only permit holders are allowed to raise an elephant in Sri Lanka, and they are required to show income sources and means of feeding and taking care of the animal. Often a single mahout takes care of the animal from an early age.