How about spending every day amidst tropical hills, surrounded by majestic elephants, and immersing yourself in Sri Lankan culture? In the elephant project of our partner organization, you have the chance to make a real difference. Away from mass tourism and the usual elephant riding offers, the focus here is on care, respect and creating an environment in which the elephants can live freely and peacefully. You will help care for the elephants, accompany them on their walks and support the project team in all their tasks and plans. You will not only learn a lot about working with elephants, but also how to take responsibility for living creatures.
In this family-run project, you will immerse yourself directly in local life, discover a new culture and experience the hospitality of the Sri Lankan people at first hand. Unique insights into everyday life and work, unforgettable encounters with people and animals as well as the beauty of the region - all this awaits you on this adventure. In addition, the feeling that you are really making a difference with your commitment, for the elephants and certainly for yourself at the end of your stay.
Our partner organization is completely focused on the physical and mental health of domesticated elephants in Sri Lanka and is determined to improve their living conditions. The organization's goal is to create a paradise for the welfare of elephants, in safety, with endless open space, where they are cared for in all aspects of their health and never have to live in fear again. The project aims to serve as an inspiration to others in Sri Lanka and show that these elephants deserve the utmost respect and that the harsh conditions domesticated elephants are subjected to can no longer be sustained.
The mission is to create an ethical space where elephants are properly cared for. The organization frees elephants from their usual work or tourism and offers them a space with more freedom than ever before. It ensures that the stressors that once defined their lives are removed in favor of their mental well-being. Ongoing work is being done to provide the elephants with the best possible environment.
Founded in 2015 to help elephants exploited in tourism, the project has set itself the task of continuously evolving to become a pioneer in ethics in elephant tourism in Sri Lanka. The belief shared by everyone in the project is that the lives, health and happiness of elephants are far more important than making a profit from them. As a small family-run project, everyone contributes to making the project a success. Activities have been and continue to be consistently developed and new ways to innovate are constantly being sought, with the elephants' welfare always at the center. Unfortunately, this approach is quite unconventional in Sri Lanka and the views are not shared by the majority of the Sri Lankan population. For this reason, the project receives no government funding, making it self-sustaining. The project is therefore dependent on the help of volunteers.
Sri Lanka is home to almost 7,000 elephants, of which around 150 are domesticated. These domesticated elephants are often forced to work long hours every day, have limited access to food and water and are usually controlled by force. Their work involves carrying tree trunks weighing tons and pulling them out of the depths of the forest. They are also used for the popular tourist activity of elephant riding. The tourists usually sit in large, rigid transport boxes that permanently damage the elephants' backs and lungs. Even on missions where only one tourist is transported at a time, the elephants are not spared the harsh conditions. Many suffer from chronic malnutrition, physical abuse and are chained for many hours until they are needed for work. Over time, this lifestyle leads to serious physical damage, such as broken bones, muscle weakness, dangerously high cholesterol levels, irregular blood sugar levels and the gradual loss of normal bodily functions. Added to this are psychological problems such as depression and anxiety. The result is that many domesticated elephants do not live beyond 50 years instead of their natural life expectancy of 80 to 100 years.
The partner organization is working to change this situation. Caring for these elephants is not only important - it is essential. Unfortunately, releasing domesticated elephants back into the wild is not an option. Without the vital maternal lessons passed down in elephant herds, such as migration routes, foraging techniques, breeding behavior and even basic communication, they lack the skills and knowledge to survive on their own. This is why projects like our partner organization's are so important and why the work of volunteers helps to provide a safe, supportive environment for domesticated elephants.
As a volunteer, you will become part of the elephant project, gain unique, instructive insights into the work of the organization and actively support the care and treatment of the elephants. In the midst of the community, you will experience the elephants physically and emotionally and immerse yourself in an authentic Sri Lankan experience, far from the usual tourist trails.
Help is always needed and the work tasks are varied. These typically include foraging, helping to carry and distribute food, cleaning the "elephant beds", walking with the elephants, replanting grasses, preparing medicine and vitamin balls, and providing the elephants with medication if required.
As part of your volunteer work, a so-called "education day" is organized on Wednesdays, where you will be shown first-hand the problems of dealing with domesticated elephants in Sri Lanka. This allows you to experience everything for yourself and understand why your help is so valuable.
The working hours are Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 16:00. The day starts with breakfast from 07:00 to 08:00, followed by departure and the start of work with the elephants at the project site. There is a lunch break between 12:00 and 13:00 and the day usually ends around 16:00 with the return to the accommodation. The timing of the days depends on the weather, the tasks to be completed that day and the time required. We always try to divide up the days so that a variety of tasks can be completed and it doesn't feel like repetition for you or the elephants. On the first Saturday, your arrival day, you will receive an initial comprehensive orientation to the project. Otherwise, the weekends are free for you.
The project site is located in the Kegalle area about 30 minutes away, surrounded by dense rainforest and a river where the elephants can bathe. Kegalle itself is about 1 hour from Kandy, 30 minutes from Pinnawala and 3 hours from Colombo. The region is characterized by hilly landscapes, river valleys and a mixture of agricultural and forested areas.
In Kegalle you can run larger errands and find everything you need. It is a typical Sri Lankan town with an urban flair, local stores and lots of hustle and bustle. In addition to hotels and local stores, there are several restaurants and cafés for culinary delights. Medical care in Kegalle is also very good and modern.
During your stay, there are also shared activities around the region's lesser-known attractions, including places like Bible Rock, Dewanagala Rock and Thembiliya Waterfall. Weekends are a particularly good time to explore Sri Lanka and have a starting point at the same time. Feel free to ask the staff, they know their way around, share more remote destinations and also give you tips for traveling to other regions.
In general, Sri Lanka is very safe and is considered one of the safest destinations for women in Asia. If you respect the local communities and culture, you will have no problems having a safe and enjoyable stay in Sri Lanka.
Arrival:
Transport to the project location and your accommodation will be provided by the partner organization. They are very keen to make your stay as pleasant as possible, so your comfort is an important concern. The transfer from Colombo is therefore included. You will be picked up directly from the airport with a sign bearing the organization's logo and your name.
You do not need any special skills or knowledge to volunteer in the project. What is expected of you is a willingness to assist in the daily routine of elephants and mahouts (people who know how to handle and give commands to domesticated elephants). If you are open-minded and have an appreciation for the values and way of life of the Sri Lankan culture, then this is the right place for you. For your well-being, it is important to the team that you express and communicate questions and concerns transparently.
The employees in the project speak Sinhala and English. You should also be able to speak English well. This will make it easier for you to communicate with the staff and other volunteers, so you will understand more and get the most out of your stay.
Accommodation for the volunteers is arranged in a hotel complex about two minutes' walk from the founder's house and the organization's offices. The rooms each offer space for a maximum of three to four people, with separate accommodation for each gender. They are equipped with mosquito nets, a western-style bathroom and fans. Washing machines are available. W-LAN is available in the accommodation, not optimal, but sufficient. You will also spend most of the day outside at the project site. It is therefore recommended that you buy a Sri Lankan SIM card when you arrive in the country.
During your stay, you will be provided with three meals a day. Breakfast consists of western options such as bread, eggs and fruit. Some typical Sri Lankan breakfast options are also available on request. Lunch consists of fried rice with small snacks. Dinner consists of authentic Sri Lankan dishes such as rice and curry, kottu, hoppers (rice pancakes) and string hoppers to name a few. Your individual dietary requirements and spice tolerances are also taken into account. So let the staff know what suits your needs before and during your stay. Drinking water is also available to you throughout your stay. You can also have tea, coffee, snacks and fruit at any time. Great importance is attached to ensuring that you are full and healthy. Dinner and breakfast are served in the house by the project founder, giving you a further insight into Sri Lankan culture. The room is also used for socializing.
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