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Protected young elephants at the Sri Lanka Elephant Transit Home

Elephant Transit Home: Witness beautiful wild elephants up close.

Elephant Transit Home: Witness beautiful wild elephants up close.

✈️ Why should you visit Sigiriya?

The Elephant Transit Home (Ath Athuru Sevana) is unique because it is one of the few places in the world that rehabilitates orphaned baby elephants with zero human interaction, ensuring they retain their wild instincts so they can be successfully released back into the jungle.
  • Orphaned Elephant Rehabilitation: The primary and unique mission of the ETH is to rescue, rehabilitate, and ultimately release orphaned elephant calves back into their natural wild habitats.
  • Minimal Human Interaction: To maximize their chances of successful reintroduction, the center maintains a strict policy of minimal human contact, prohibiting touching or posing with the elephants.
  • Public Observation of Feeding: Visitors have the special opportunity to witness the orphaned elephants being fed milk at designated times from a safe distance, offering a unique wildlife viewing experience focused on care.
  • Proximity to Wild Herds: Being located on the edge of Udawalawe National Park allows the orphaned calves to remain familiar with their natural habitat and occasionally interact with wild elephant herds, aiding their eventual reintegration.
  • Caring for Around 40-50 Elephants: At any given time, the transit home typically provides care and shelter for approximately 40 to 50 orphaned juvenile elephants before their eventual release into the wild.

Entity

Government

Entrance

Paid

Wheelchair Access

No

Water

Available

Restaurants

Available

Toilets

Available

District: Ratnapura

Reach

Any vehicle

Road Quality

Good

Public Transport

Available

Rescued elephants enjoying freedom at Udawalawe care center
Elephant calves walking freely in the natural habitat of Udawalawe
Orphaned elephants gathered during feeding time at Udawalawe sanctuary
Nature and wildlife at its best in Udawalawe Sri Lanka

Guidelines

Respect the “No Touch” Policy: To keep the elephants “wild,” visitors are strictly prohibited from touching, feeding, or posing for photos with the calves; you observe them from a viewing platform. Arrive for Feeding Times: The home is only lively during the four daily feeding sessions (9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 6:00 PM). Arrive 20 minutes early to get a good spot on the right side of the platform to see the milk station. Keep Noise to a Minimum: Loud noises can stress the calves or disturb their natural social hierarchy. Maintain a respectful silence so the elephants focus on their feeding and each othe