Conservation
148 elephants released.
Back into this park.
The Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home was established in 1995 by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. It rescues orphaned elephant calves — mostly found after their mothers were killed or separated — rehabilitates them over 3-5 years, and releases them into Udawalawe National Park.
Unlike elephant sanctuaries elsewhere in Asia, the Transit Home does not allow elephant rides, performances, or prolonged human contact. The goal is always release. Every elephant here will return to the wild.
Calf at the 9am feeding
By the numbers
A real programme.
148
Elephants released since 1995
3-5 years
Average rehabilitation period
4 km
From Udawalawe Safari Camp
9am
Morning feeding (open)
3pm
Afternoon feeding (open)
$0
Extra with your safari booking
What to expect
A feeding, not a show.
Visitors watch from a raised viewing platform. No touching. No riding. No selfies with the animals. The calves are fed milk formula from large bottles through a fence. It takes about 20 minutes.
They are not shy. They are also enormous for orphans — some are 300kg of calf who will become a 4,000kg adult in the park that you will drive past on your morning safari.
Visit information
Practical details.
- 4 km from camp on the Embilipitiya-Thanamalvila Road.
- Open daily: 9am-11am and 3pm-5pm.
- Admission: approx $15 per adult (foreign national).
- Best arrival: 15 minutes before feeding time.