Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home – Rescue, Rehab & The Road Back to the Wild

After a peaceful morning safari in Bundala, I made my way to one of the few wildlife attractions in Sri Lanka I had thoroughly vetted in advance: the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home.

Why the research? Because too many places that claim to care for elephants are, in reality, tourist traps masking animal abuse. Elephant riding, chains, selfies, staged "bathing" sessions — all signs of animals being exploited for profit.

I wanted to support something different — and this place is exactly that!

A Mission That Matters

The Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home was established in 1995 by the Sri Lankan Department of Wildlife Conservation with one clear goal: to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned elephant calves so they can one day return to the wild. Over the years, the center has successfully released more than 100 elephants back into national parks across the island — a track record that speaks for itself.

What makes it even more inspiring is that the facility receives ongoing support from the Born Free Foundation, a global wildlife charity known for promoting compassionate conservation and ending animal exploitation. Their backing adds a layer of trust — and hope — to the work being done here.

What Happens Here?

During feeding times, visitors watch from a respectful distance as the young elephants are bottle-fed just enough milk to stimulate their hunger. Why not more? Because a huge part of the rehabilitation process is teaching the calves how to forage. Around the feeding area, caretakers place native plants and branches to encourage them to explore and learn what to eat — skills they'll need to survive in the wild.

Most of the calves are between a few months and five years old — young enough to need help, but old enough to begin learning independence. They're kept in large, open enclosures with minimal human contact, ensuring they don't become too accustomed to people.

And there are no gimmicks here. No close interactions. No petting. No selfies. This is a place that truly puts the elephants' future ahead of the tourists' moment.

DO YOUR RESEARCH — SUPPORT THE RIGHT PLACES

Here's a quick guide for anyone looking to see elephants in Sri Lanka:

✅ Ethical & Recommended:

• Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home

• Minneriya-, Kaudulla-, Wasgamuwa- & Udawalawe National Parks (observe wild elephants in natural settings)

❌ Avoid:

• Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (chained elephants, unnatural conditions)

• Elephant riding & bathing camps (especially near Kandy and Sigiriya)

If you're unsure — ask questions. Ethical places are usually transparent. The shady ones hide behind pretty brochures.

This visit left me both humbled and hopeful. It was a reminder that there are places doing the right thing — even if they don't top every travel list or offer instant Instagram hits.

Next up: a late afternoon safari in Udawalawe National Park, enjoying what I hope will be another peaceful and respectful wildlife experience, before heading westwards back to Beruwala, where I'm based for this trip.