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This place is very expensive. Activities there are not worth the price. It was a good experience, however you can do this activity at fraction of the cost in Kandy or other places. We enjoyed giving food to elephant. One has to pay separately for feeding the elephant.
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
The Millennium Elephant sanctuary didn't seem much like a sanctuary on the day we visited. As mentioned in other reviews, they offer rides, walks and baths with the elephants. None of these appeared to be optional for the elephants. All wear collars and show signs of chaining, although this could be from before being "rescued", and the handlers all used canes and sticks to coax the elephants to where they needed to go. If you have never seen a sanctuary before then I'm sure you'll like it, it wasn't to my taste as these elephants didn't seem free to choose their activities.
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
I believe it is an honourable thing to protect the elephants which are being commercialised as tourist attractions.
The sanctuary is built to protect these giant animals which became defenceless to humans. However we still can’t agree that the elephants were also carrying humans on their backs albeit without the heavy carrier, it is still inhumane.
It is nice to interact with the elephants in their habitat; bathe them and scrub them.
It is still a nice and short visit but definitely make a stop to next door Maximum to see how elephant dung is made into paper.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
Took an elephant on a forest walk. I had a basket of fruit ... I was a 'fruit magnet'
Rescued elephants live out their days here. Apparently, in the wild, elephant herds walk about 20 kms a day. Here, with all their needs being met, they would just stand still. Even if there are no tourists, their mahout will walk them about 10 km a day.
Visitors can take them on a forest walk ... I loved it !
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
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Trip type: Travelled solo
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.
We went because our feltrinelli guide of sri lanka wrote this was one of the most ethical centers in the area. We missed that everything is relative.
Whay did i see? exploited animals, bred for profit (literally.. i ask if they breed elephants and they said yes..)
When you enter there is a very unpleasant lady who asks what package you want to buy and then asks you if you want to ride the elephants.
To be fair, they do natural riding, but i saw with my own eyes 3 people on the back of the elephant, when they say the max is two.
They literally do things ONLY for tips: they don’t even bother to smile.
Don’t do the same mistake we did! Don’t go and don’t give money to these centers!
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Avoid going. Be happy to see the elephants on the side of the road or in the parks.. those are...
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.
My most favourite day of my Sri Lankan tour . Learning about elephants in the little museum first first .. then feeding him .. then walking around the estate and finally giving him a bath
Brilliant
Would recommend anyone to put on their agenda
Like the previous poster was disappointed to see people still bare back riding elephants . For Gods sake give them a break !!!’ Havent they had enough abuse over the years ???
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Â Imagine it would get busy there in season
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.
This is not a sanctuary and not an orphanage!!! There are elephant rides. The elephants are tied by a chain in the leg They have chains on their necks The manhuts have sticks with a sharp metal edge. We also found out the uk firm of responsible travel does not recommend coming here. Are kids were literally in tears telling us to leave
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
My friend visiting from Australia had a wish to see elephants so on limited time we drove 2.5 hours from Colombo to see the elephants. We were not disappointed. Our guide who had worked at the foundation for 33 years was very knowledgeable and showed us how the elephants are cared for and some history about elephants in Sri Lanka. We walked with our mahout kumara and rani the elephant. Such a gentle creature who loved pats and rubs. We walked the park and watched as she munched with her friend pooja. After the walk we bathed and scrubbed her in the river. A wonderful experience for both my friend and kids. We had a sumptuous Sri Lankan meal with our ticket and the food was fresh and filling. Such an enjoyable day where elephants are respected and cared for in the way they deserve to be.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
It angers me to see the so called ‘animal lovers’ berating this place. These elephants are rescued elephants that cannot survive back in the wild having been mistreated earlier in life. I fail to see how taking a short elephant ride is harming these beautiful creatures, but it’s okay to ride a horse all day long. Where does that make sense? We can use whips on horses and muzzles on dogs but we can’t wash an elephant down? These elephants can tear a tree down and you’re upset because the mahout is carrying a stick to control it?
If you don’t want to see elephants in captivity and get a hands on experience then don’t go here! Go on safari or something. Or better still, stay at home and watch a documentary, otherwise keep your opinions to yourself and do your research on what you are visiting.
MEF are doing a fantastic job for the elephants and getting close to them is a dream for many people. And yes, if you want to feed it, it costs a little extra, but it is literally pennies for an unforgettable experience.
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
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Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
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Neither I nor anyone in my group liked it. There was a chained elephant with which we took a thousand photos, now I regret it. I had previously been to an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, and honestly, I didn't have much to do with it.
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
There are more places to choose from in the Rambukkana area.
LOCATION
Sri LankaSabaragamuwa ProvinceRambukkana
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