Info

The daily highlight is the walk from the Orphanage down to the river to bathe the elephants. It's amazing to watch an entire herd splashing around and rolling in the river ... just feet in front of you!

Sri Lanka is an exotic island, famous for its 1,600 kilometres of unspoilt, golden beaches and diverse climate zones. It is the proverbial paradise island! This project is an opportunity to experience the world-famous Pinawala Elephant Orphanage in a behind-the-scenes, indepth way that no tourist ever gets.


PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Elephant Orphanage is a sanctuary for rescued, injured or abused elephants and attracts visitors from all over the world to view these magnificent animals. Around 70 elephants have found homes at Pinnawala, including some small babies who have been born into the herd.

Working hours on this project are quite short and you certainly won't be overloaded with work, so you'll have plenty of time to sightsee and explore.

You'll have hands-on contact with some of the elephants, but there are some others who are overly large or have not been tamed or trained to a satisfactory level, so you won't be able to safely have full hands-on contact with those.

This is not a conservation project. Rather, the majority of volunteer work deals more with the day-to-day aspects of running the elephant orphanage than more specialised research or veterinary based work, although you will have the opportunity to do some hands-on work.

Part of your duties will include:
• Walking with the elephants down to the river every day and supervising their bathing - this takes place twice daily.
• Participating in bathing some of the smaller elephants.
• Mucking out the elephant enclosures in the morning.
• Elephants are very intelligent and need a lot of mental stimulation. You can contribute a lot in this area, thus improving their mental wellbeing.
• You may be asked to help with possible construction or maintenance projects.

Other Work Resposibilities, Subject to Availability & Experience:
• Washing and feeding the baby elephants.
• On one or two afternoons a week, you will be able to assist and observe the vets in their daily duties.
• Some work, such as the mental stimulation of the elephants, is normally left to the initiative of the volunteers. The Mahouts (dedicated elephant trainers) may assist the individual volunteer in this, but you will need to initiate this work yourself.


WHAT YOU WILL GAIN FROM DOING TIHS PROJECT

• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into the exotic island of Sri Lanka.
• The enormous satisfaction of helping to contribute to the well-being of previously abused or orphaned elephants
• New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
• An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
• And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!


ACCOMMODATION AND LIVING IN SRI LANKA
You'll live in a lovely house with other Travellers volunteers in the nearby town of Kegalle. The house is typical of the Sri Lankan style and you will have all necessary facilities and a comfortable communal living area to socialise in.


FOOD AND TRANSPORT

A live-in chef will cook all your meals for you and current volunteers say that the food is delicious!!

You will be met at Colombo airport and taken, usually by car, to Kegalle. You will have the same high level of support provided in all our programmes.

You can also combine a one-month placement in the Elephant Orphanage with two months in a teaching placement in Ja-Ela - this way you get the best of both worlds!


ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO WHILE ON THIS PROJECT:
• MEDITATION COURSES at a Buddhist Retreat for a few days or as long as you choose. Relax and be inspired! This optional extra programme can be combined with any project in Sri Lanka.
• COOKERY COURSES (coming soon) that give you a good insight into how to prepare some typical Sri Lankan dishes.
• 1-WEEK ELEPHANT EXPERIENCE in the famous Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, n experience you’ll never forget!. You’ll stay in our Travellers house in Kegalle with other Travellers volunteers.
• SIGHTSEEING: As well as the above, all our volunteers use their weekends and free time to do a lot of travelling around the southern part of the island. There are many, many attractive tourist sights to see, ranging from glorious beaches to impressive temples. The towns and villages are fascinating and very different to what we're used to.

This project can also be combined with any of our other projects in Ja-Ela or Kegalle in Sri Lanka. A very popular combination that most of our volunteers do is to teach on one project and follow it with the Elephant Experience conservation in Wasgamuwa. This way you get two or three very different experiences in very different locations.


WHAT TO DO NEXT

•Talk to us - We're there to help you. +44 (0) 1903 502595
•Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!
•If you’d like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us!
•If you’d like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we’ll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.
•It’s as easy as that.


OUR PARTICIPANTS SAY...

"Just wanted to drop you a line as my project in Sri Lanka comes to end to tell you that I have had the best time of my life and the project has been amazing, both the teaching and the elephant orphanage. It has been a truly amazing experience." David Constable

"I wanted to end this year by thanking you, and all at Travellers, for making this year so special. As you know, my passion for elephants runs very deep and has done for as long as I can remember, and you were able to help me make my lifelong dream come true, and for that I am so eternally grateful." Travellers Volunteer, Jo 'The Elephant Lady' Harris

Duration

Available all year round. Our placements are very flexible, you can choose your own start and finish dates.

Start Dates

Flexible start and finish dates you choose. Our placements are flexible and can be tailored to match your preferences. For availability please contact the office.

Costs / Benefits

Costs vary depending on length of placement, but starts at £895 for two weeks. You can participate for up to one year, subject to visa requirements.

Included is full support from the moment of booking and throughout your placement to your return home. There are support staff 24/7 in all our destinations worldwide and a 24 hour emergency international telephone line direct to the Head Office. All meals are provided, unless otherwise stated. Accommodation is provided (whether a rented house, a hotel/hostel, homestay, apartment or flat).

You’ll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you’ll see them frequently.

Pre-departure you’ll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.

Requirements

No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm and love for elephants! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit anyone who wants to make a real difference, wants first-hand experience of a different culture and has initiative.