An Elephant Experience Project in the Famous Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka

  Sri Lanka

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Trimester, Winter 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months and 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: Available all year round. Our placements are very flexible, you can choose your own start and finish dates.

Description: Walk with, bathe and observe these amazing animals. The Elephant Orphanage is a sanctuary for rescued, injured or abused elephants and attracts visitors from all over the world to view these magnificent animals. Around 70 elephants have found homes at Pinnawala, including some small babies who have been born into the herd.

You'll have a marvelous experience working with these regal animals and the daily highlight is the walk from the Orphanage down to the river to bathe the elephants. It's amazing to watch an entire herd splashing around and rolling in the river ... just feet in front of you!

What you'll gain from doing this project:
- An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into the exotic island of Sri Lanka.
- The enormous satisfaction of helping to contribute to the well-being of previously abused or orphaned elephants
- New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
- An entry on your CV or resumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
- And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

Project Overview:
Working hours on this project are quite short and you certainly won't be overloaded with work, so you'll have plenty of time to sight-see and explore.

You'll have hands-on contact with some of the elephants, but there are some others who are overly large or have not been tamed or trained to a satisfactory level, so you won't be able to safely have full hands-on contact with those.

This is not a conservation project. Rather, the majority of volunteer work deals more with the day-to-day aspects of running the elephant orphanage than more specialized research or veterinary based work, although you will have the opportunity to do some hands-on work. Part of your duties will include:

- Walking with the elephants down to the river every day and supervising their bathing - this takes place twice daily.
- Participating in bathing some of the smaller elephants.
- Mucking out the elephant enclosures in the morning.
- Elephants are very intelligent and need a lot of mental stimulation. You can contribute a lot in this area, thus improving their mental well-being.
- You may be asked to help with possible construction or maintenance projects.
Other Work Responsibilities, Subject to Availability & Experience:
- Washing and feeding the baby elephants.
- On one or two afternoons a week, you will be able to assist and observe the vets in their daily duties.
- Some work, such as the mental stimulation of the elephants, is normally left to the initiative of the volunteers. The Mahouts (dedicated elephant trainers) may assist the individual volunteer in this, but you will need to initiate this work yourself.

What users say:
"Just wanted to drop you a line as my project in Sri Lanka comes to end to tell you that I have had the best time of my life and the project has been amazing, both the teaching and the elephant orphanage. It has been a truly amazing experience." David Constable
"I wanted to end this year by thanking you, and all at Travellers, for making this year so special. As you know, my passion for elephants runs very deep and has done for as long as I can remember, and you were able to help me make my lifelong dream come true, and for that I am so eternally grateful." Travellers Volunteer, Jo 'The Elephant Lady' Harris

Highlights:
What to do next:
Talk to us - We're there to help you. Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!

If you'd like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us!
If you'd like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we'll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen. It's as easy as that.

Accommodation and Living in Sri Lanka:
You'll live in a lovely house with other Travellers volunteers in the nearby town of Kegalle. The house is typical of the Sri Lankan style and you will have all necessary facilities and a comfortable communal living area to socialize in.

Sri Lanka is an exotic island, famous for its 1,600 kilometres of unspoiled, golden beaches and diverse climate zones. It is the proverbial paradise island! This project is an opportunity to experience the world-famous Pinawala Elephant Orphanage in a behind-the-scenes, in depth way that no tourist ever gets.

Food and Transport:
A live-in chef will cook all your meals for you and current volunteers say that the food is delicious!!

Additional Activities you can do while on this project:
- Meditation courses at a Buddhist Retreat for a few days or as long as you choose. Relax and be inspired! This optional extra program can be combined with any project in Sri Lanka.
- Cookery Courses (coming soon) that give you a good insight into how to prepare some typical Sri Lankan dishes.
- 1-week elephant experience in the famous Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, n experience you'll never forget!. You'll stay in our Travellers house in Kegalle with other Travellers volunteers.
- Sight-seeing: As well as the above, all our volunteers use their weekends and free time to do a lot of traveling around the southern part of the island. There are many, many attractive tourist sights to see, ranging from glorious beaches to impressive temples. The towns and villages are fascinating and very different to what we're used to.
This project can also be combined with any of our other projects in Ja-Ela or Kegalle in Sri Lanka. A very popular combination that most of our volunteers do is to teach on one project and follow it with the Elephant Experience conservation in Wasgamuwa. This way you get two or three very different experiences in very different locations.

Qualifications: No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm and a love of these magnificent creatures! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit anyone who wants to make a real difference, wants first-hand experience of a different culture and has initiative.

Cost in US$: From USD 1,460 for 2 weeks

You'll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you'll see them frequently.

Pre-departure you'll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: This placement would suit people who want to make a real difference, want first-hand experience of a different culture and who have initiative. No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm and a love of children! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities.

Age Range: Everyone welcome from 17 years old up to 70+

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Sri Lanka Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Travellers Worldwide's Mission Statement: Travellers Worldwide organises all types of worthwhile and beneficial voluntary placements in local communities. We also provide Work Experience & Internship opportunities, as well as different types of Courses and study abroad options. We have many diverse projects, from teaching underprivileged or refugee children in schools, orphanages and care homes, to conservation and rehabilitation of endangered animals, such as orangutans, lion cubs, dolphins, elephants. Our aim is to make a difference to the communities we work in and to facilitate personal and professional growth in our volunteers. We employ local people in our destination countries and local providers of goods and services, thus ensuring we have a positive impact on the community. Our ethos encompasses mutual respect, cultural exchange, responsible travel and a beneficial outcome for all. Travellers also arranges work experience placements in Journalism, Law, Veterinary, Medicine, Tourism, Architecture, and many more. There are also opportunities to learn languages and other skills such as Capoeira in Brazil, Tango in Argentina or Flying in South Africa. These projects are unique - and tailored to suit you! Our placements are flexible (2 weeks to 1 year) and on most you can choose your own start and finish dates. No qualifications are required, just an enthusiasm to experience a new culture! Full support is provided within the country, with friendly and conscientious staff, ensuring a safe and exciting way to experience a brand new culture! Placements are also very sociable: you'll make friends with the other international volunteers and often volunteers travel together after their placement and during their free weekends. We help you to Make a Difference and have an exciting adventure travel experience!

Year Founded: 1995