Elephant Freedom Project
Elephant Freedom Project
4.9
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Visit us and experience a special elephant encounter which is suitable for young and old, families, couples and single travelers. This is your chance to get a memorable impression of a day in the life of 2 Sri Lankan captive elephants who are not being used for working nor riding. The small family run Elephant Freedom Project offers refuge, freedom from work and hardship to the 2 elephants both named Kumari. At the project they are free from working in the riding industry and the wood logging. The Elephant Freedom Project aims to give them a good and safe home, which is made possible thanks to your visit! Booking in advance required.
Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.9
1,078 reviews
Excellent
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40
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9
Poor
7
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Teija L
6 contributions
Feb 2025 • Couples
This was my second time visiting the project, and they now have two beautiful elephants. The house the project operates from is a lovely home, where they prepared a fresh lunch for the end of the experience. There is a western style toilet here and water/soft drinks available to purchase.
On arrival we were greeted by the coordinators, Chalini and another whose name escapes me, both who were absolutely wonderful and really made the experience perfect. They had an extremely thorough knowledge of elephants generally, and gave a beautiful insight into the history of their elephants Malike and Kumari. They spoke fantastic English and were more than happy to answers questions about the project and Sri Lanka generally.
Arriving at the project we were asked to complete a sign in form, which needs a photo of a passport, and offered a drink. They encouraged the group to apply sun cream and insect repellent, advising of the expected time we would return to the house. They showed us an introduction video, which explained the difference between the project and other elephant tourist attractions like riding.
Then to the elephants, who are phenomenal. The two elephants have an adorable bond, as do they have with their mahouts. The elephants are free to roam around the large landholding, with the security of the mahouts. The walk with the elephants was on land belonging to the project, and while it is only a short walk it is worth noting that shade can be difficult to find. It is not a strenuous walk.
The area where you feed and bathe the elephants is not shaded, so I recommend a hat and thick sun cream application. Throughout the experience, the coordinators and mahouts were on hand to manage safety, the welfare of the elephants, and even to help take photos and videos.
It is very clear they love the elephants and wish only the best for them. They explained that they must have guests visit to be able to afford the rent of the elephants, since elephants cannot be bought in Sri Lanka. They were open in discussions about their expenses and intentions. The group was around 20 in size, but the coordinators made sure everyone had an equal opportunity to interact the with elephants without interfering with their wellbeing.
On arrival we were greeted by the coordinators, Chalini and another whose name escapes me, both who were absolutely wonderful and really made the experience perfect. They had an extremely thorough knowledge of elephants generally, and gave a beautiful insight into the history of their elephants Malike and Kumari. They spoke fantastic English and were more than happy to answers questions about the project and Sri Lanka generally.
Arriving at the project we were asked to complete a sign in form, which needs a photo of a passport, and offered a drink. They encouraged the group to apply sun cream and insect repellent, advising of the expected time we would return to the house. They showed us an introduction video, which explained the difference between the project and other elephant tourist attractions like riding.
Then to the elephants, who are phenomenal. The two elephants have an adorable bond, as do they have with their mahouts. The elephants are free to roam around the large landholding, with the security of the mahouts. The walk with the elephants was on land belonging to the project, and while it is only a short walk it is worth noting that shade can be difficult to find. It is not a strenuous walk.
The area where you feed and bathe the elephants is not shaded, so I recommend a hat and thick sun cream application. Throughout the experience, the coordinators and mahouts were on hand to manage safety, the welfare of the elephants, and even to help take photos and videos.
It is very clear they love the elephants and wish only the best for them. They explained that they must have guests visit to be able to afford the rent of the elephants, since elephants cannot be bought in Sri Lanka. They were open in discussions about their expenses and intentions. The group was around 20 in size, but the coordinators made sure everyone had an equal opportunity to interact the with elephants without interfering with their wellbeing.
Written February 14, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Culture794136
6 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
What an absolutely amazing experience. They take small groups and have a limit of only 15 people per day. They take 2 tours for the elephant to walk, roam and eat in the forest. Then back to the lake to wash them. They don't force the elephants to do anything at any point and the respect and focus is always the elephants first then the visitors. Skip pinnawalla and come here instead. They end with a delicious srilankan lunch.
Written October 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy W
Portsmouth, UK14 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
A truly wonderful morning at the Elephant Freedom Project. We were made to feel so welcome by the EFP team, who do a fantastic job at explaining and embodying the ethics of the project - that Kumari and Menike are going through a normal day and that visitors just follow them on their walk. It was lovely to see the two elephants rescued from the riding industry being given the freedom and respect they deserve. When Kumari and Menike wanted to eat, we would stop and wait for them to finish grazing, before gently moving on. The time spent helping to bathe them both down at the river was magical. The EFP team are so knowledgeable and passionate about what they do, taking great care to ensure that the elephants' space and freedom is protected during the walk. It was an incredible experience to spend time with two majestic animals, with any points of interaction done at their pace. We would highly recommend the project and would encourage anybody to support the brilliant work they do. It was inspiring to see a project put animal welfare above all else and hope that other elephant projects in Sri Lanka follow their example.
Written November 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sBe115
9 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
We stayed here today on the recommendation of friends and it was great. There are 2 time slots (morning or afternoon) where you can fully engage in the elephant's everyday life. The coordinator ladies are super friendly and competent. Answer all questions, tell and know a lot about the animals and their history. I think it is great that the 2 elephant ladies are allowed a relaxed life with the help of this project. To be able to pay for all this, the whole team makes these tours noticeable with great enthusiasm and passion. In the morning we were only 2nd and then with another couple and could get to know Kumari and Manike (the 2 elephant ladies) really close. The highlight was definitely the wellness program in the river pool :) Just really special!
Automatically translated
Written November 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sirenetta90
56 contributions
Feb 2025 • Couples
Unique experience of its kind: we spent 5 days in close contact with both these wonderful creatures and the fantastic staff that deals with it with love and passion. One of the few projects where elephants are treated with the respect they deserve without chains and without riding them. Congratulations for the great work and determination with which this project continues.
We participated as volunteers carrying out numerous activities always followed by helpful and passionate guides: from feeding and cleaning elephants, to activities with children to the process of paper production from elephant pupus to planting banana trees to ensure their livelihood in the future.
The house we stayed in is a beautiful and elegant typical Sri Lankan house just steps from the elephants. The day is well marked by activities but there is also time to rest and get to know the culture and the beautiful nature that surrounds them.
The very kind and very helpful owner was also concerned to organize our transfers both arrival and departure.
We highly recommend this experience to those who want to get closer to these animals away from the classic and harmful tourist circuits.
If you have the chance, stay 2/3 days to taste the true essence of the project. One day alone is not enough to know and appreciate Kumari and Menike, free and happy elephants.
We participated as volunteers carrying out numerous activities always followed by helpful and passionate guides: from feeding and cleaning elephants, to activities with children to the process of paper production from elephant pupus to planting banana trees to ensure their livelihood in the future.
The house we stayed in is a beautiful and elegant typical Sri Lankan house just steps from the elephants. The day is well marked by activities but there is also time to rest and get to know the culture and the beautiful nature that surrounds them.
The very kind and very helpful owner was also concerned to organize our transfers both arrival and departure.
We highly recommend this experience to those who want to get closer to these animals away from the classic and harmful tourist circuits.
If you have the chance, stay 2/3 days to taste the true essence of the project. One day alone is not enough to know and appreciate Kumari and Menike, free and happy elephants.
Automatically translated
Written February 13, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard M
2 contributions
Mar 2025 • Couples
The Elephant Freedom Project gives a great experience with the elephants in a small group setting. The elephants are put first (rather than us) and are not made to do anything they don’t want to. You can tell the elephants love being bathed in the river and it’s an experience you will never forget. If like me you have ethical concerns about the treatment of domesticated elephants I recommend you book this, you will not be disappointed. Domesticated elephants are a reality in Sri Lanka and at least there are two here who, due to the money from visitors, will live happiest lives possible.
Written March 7, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dimi
3 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
Today we had the pleasure to be a guest at the elefant freedom project!
It was an incredible experience to feed and wash and just be with those beautiful animals!! The project looks after those beautiful animals very carefully so I can recommend everyone booking a tour and taking the time. It was surely the highlights of our Sri Lanka roadtrip! Thank you again to the project 🫶🏻
It was an incredible experience to feed and wash and just be with those beautiful animals!! The project looks after those beautiful animals very carefully so I can recommend everyone booking a tour and taking the time. It was surely the highlights of our Sri Lanka roadtrip! Thank you again to the project 🫶🏻
Written December 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claire
3 contributions
Nov 2024 • Friends
Simply a magical experience in the respect of animals.
The coordinators and keeper made the experience even more beautiful with the information and stories of the two elephants!
Much better to make live projects like this, we do not ride on elephants, we respect their space and their freedom!!!
The coordinators and keeper made the experience even more beautiful with the information and stories of the two elephants!
Much better to make live projects like this, we do not ride on elephants, we respect their space and their freedom!!!
Automatically translated
Written November 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniela K.
14 contributions
Sept 2024 • Family
This is an absolutely amazing place! All the staff are so welcoming and helpful and most important they really care for their animals! We had such a great afternoon with the elephants; feeding, waking around and observing and bathing them. And we got so much explanations and learned a lot!
We are travelling with our 5 years old son and where looking for a place where he could see elephants which are in good care. We red about different places in Sri Lanka and that some of these places just use it as another way to get money from the tourists using the elephants but not really take care of them and treating them well. That‘s not what we wanted to support and show our son.
The food was delicious and even our son loved it (it was not spicy at all).
For our son (and us!) it was an incredible experience, the staff and the Mahout took so good care of him.
We would absolutely recommend the Elephant Freedom Project if you would like to get close to elephants but knowing, that they are in good care.
And yes, they are chained during the night because otherwise they would probably wander off to neighbouring properties (the mahouts can’t stay with them 24h). But Elephant Freedom Project is saving money to build them a closure for the night (they started years ago but Covid postponed the planes and they had to use the money for food, medicine, staff).
We are travelling with our 5 years old son and where looking for a place where he could see elephants which are in good care. We red about different places in Sri Lanka and that some of these places just use it as another way to get money from the tourists using the elephants but not really take care of them and treating them well. That‘s not what we wanted to support and show our son.
The food was delicious and even our son loved it (it was not spicy at all).
For our son (and us!) it was an incredible experience, the staff and the Mahout took so good care of him.
We would absolutely recommend the Elephant Freedom Project if you would like to get close to elephants but knowing, that they are in good care.
And yes, they are chained during the night because otherwise they would probably wander off to neighbouring properties (the mahouts can’t stay with them 24h). But Elephant Freedom Project is saving money to build them a closure for the night (they started years ago but Covid postponed the planes and they had to use the money for food, medicine, staff).
Written October 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
515clarem
4 contributions
Nov 2024 • Family
This is the best elephant experience we have ever had. We leant so much and being able to walk and wash the elephants was an experience of a lifetime. The staff and elephant keepers clearly love the elephants and their passion for a kinder way to look after and for tourists to experience elephants is inspiring snd infectious.
Written November 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi,
Me and my sister are travelling in June and would love to visit we are staying in cinnamon bey hotel, what would the best way of getting there be?
Written February 14, 2020
You will want to hire a car driver. It was a very slow 2 or 2.5 hours for us to drive there from Colombo through lots of traffic, and that time will be longer in a tuk-tuk. I believe The Elephant Freedom project has a recommendation on their site for a car booking. Just keep in mind most of the drivers you hire will be from the area you are driving from (so in this case, Colombo). They will be driving you to the Project and then driving back home again. You are paying for that, too.
Written February 20, 2020
Hello,
My girlfriend and I were wondering whether it is possible to just visit the area? We are driving from Colombo to Kandy and would love something meaningful to break the day up.
Thank you,
Aaron
Written September 18, 2019
That would not be possible, sorry. We like to minimize the amount of visitors and therefore require an online booking in advance. See our website to book.
Written September 18, 2019
Does anybody know where you get on the bus from Negombo to the elephant freedom project?
Written March 3, 2019
I got on at the main bus station. I was originally planning to go all the way to Kandy and it cost me 200rupees. I jumped off at Kegalle and got a tuk tuk from there but you may be able to get closer ie at the turn off road.
Written March 3, 2019
Hi All,
We are hoping to go to Sri Lanka and Maldives for our honeymoon. Can I ask how you built going to the Freedom project into your itinerary? Did you organise separate hotels in local areas? Did you go straight there from the airport or work your way over?
I'm just trying to figure out the best way to do it! we would like just one day at the project.
thanks very much!
Lynne
Written February 24, 2019
We stayed in Bentota (2 hrs from Colombo) and booked a driver to take us to EFP and back, it was 3hrs from there and back and cost around $100. From Colombo it is around 2 hours. EFP say they can arrange transport from Colombo or Kandy, worth contacting them depending on where you want to stay
Written February 24, 2019
Hi ! Is it better to visit in afternoon or morning?
Thank you.
Written February 21, 2019
I think the only difference is that in the morning session you are also cleaning the elephant bed, it means you are picking up her poo and throwing it away. In the afternoon there is nothing like that.
We stayed in EFP for all-day experience and it was by far the best as we had a complex experience together with visiting a local school and preparing a lunch with the owners.
Written February 28, 2019
Car, bus and train are all possible and easy to do. When you book I will explain how to reach us.
Written January 29, 2019
How do you get there from Katunayake by bus? And how much time does it take?
Thank you!
Written January 26, 2019
Hi , From Katunayake > Negombo > Nittambuwa Junction > and then Kandy Road. I think there are Negombo Kandy buses. But not sure about prices though, less than 500LKR
Written February 5, 2019
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