Picture this: my second day in Kandy, Sri Lanka—where the air is thick with the magic of an elephant sanctuary at Millennium Elephant Foundation. It’s not just any spot; it’s hugged by the Kuda Oya River, making it a double dose of beauty and tranquility. Elephants are the rockstars here, practically everywhere you look. But here’s the kicker—many places in Southeast Asia play the cruelty card with these gentle giants. So, I set out on a mission to find a spot where love and care aren’t just buzzwords but the real deal. Get ready for a wild ride through a sanctuary that flips the script on elephant experiences! But first, let me educate you on what to look out for when choosing the right sanctuary to visit
Picking cruelty-free
Selecting a sanctuary committed to cruelty-free practices is paramount. My quest led me to the extraordinary Millennium Elephant Foundation, where a profound dedication to the well-being of these majestic creatures is evident at every turn. Here, elephants gracefully roam expansive grounds, unburdened by chains, as the sanctuary places their needs above all else. The philosophy is simple yet profound – if the elephants aren’t at ease with human interactions, the sanctuary actively discourages such encounters to shield these incredible beings from any potential distress. Join me as we unravel the tale of a sanctuary that not only cherishes the essence of elephants but also prioritizes their comfort over tourist interests, creating a harmonious haven for both wildlife and wanderers alike.
Elephant riding
Countless reserves pretend to be sanctuaries, but the best way to distinguish them is by the type of activities. True sanctuaries don’t allow riding elephants or any activity that could inflict stress on the gentle souls, so I knew to avoid those typical ‘ride-an-elephant’ reserves.
Circus Entertainment
It’s also best to avoid any parks that romanticize animal entertainment. So avoid reserves, making the elephants do neat tricks and circus stunts to entertain tourists.
Lax security
Most people forget elephants are wild animals that will react negatively if you provoke them, sometimes even without provocation. Most are incredibly forgetful about an elephant’s sheer strength; these creatures weigh several thousand tons and can easily crush you to a mince if you’re not careful.
Yet, countless sanctuaries don’t advertise this because they feel it can affect their business.
However, Millennium was very upfront about its animals, and I’m pretty grateful for that because I knew they wouldn’t be putting me or the elephants in dangerous situations. I liked their honesty a lot, and I’m quite grateful because countless tourists are purposely kept in the dark and later suffer.
But the Millennium Elephant Foundation was as truthful as one could be; they let me know what to expect and how to treat the elephants and strictly guided against injurious or dramatic activities. It really says a lot about their character and proves they aren’t risking anything.
Sanctuary experience: Bliss on earth
Honestly, I’m still quite amazed by how smooth my experience went. I contacted the foundation and booked a tour of their reserve. I was surrounded by refreshing lush trees, and the slight gurgle of the river just added to the serenity.
The elephants were one of the most gorgeous creatures I’ve ever seen. I mean, you don’t know the majesty of an elephant until you’re up close, and I finally understood why safaris and exploration parks are so popular
Although the elephants at the sanctuary were quite docile, I knew not to mess with them since they were used to being out in the open. It was eye-opening because I genuinely felt like I was the guest in their house.
Experience Highlights
Although all the elephants were gorgeous and gentle, I was lucky to meet Pooja, the first elephant born in captivity in Sri Lanka. And she was honestly my favorite part of the trip.
Pooja been raised at the sanctuary, but you could tell she was a free spirit and even a little cheeky. I would be devastated if I decided on a sanctuary that didn’t let its elephants embrace their wild side.
Museum tour
The experience started with a guided museum tour where I learned about the foundation’s history and its efforts for the elephants. The foundation is more than just a sanctuary; it rescues captive elephants and rehabilitates them in the wild
Over the decades, the foundation has cared for more than 80 elephants, 9 living in the sanctuary. The foundation strictly abides by the rules of the Sri Lankan Tourism Development Authority and is the only certified non-profit organization.
The more I learned about their history and how the elephants were treated, the more I realized how caring, compassionate, and kind this foundation was.
Feeding time
Most zoos and reserves have a strict no-feeding policy, but the Millennium Elephant Foundation was much more open-minded. But don’t take it as mistreatment; the fruits they provided were Pooja’s favorite food, Fruits. The fruits were organic and grown on their farms, nothing harmful. After my guided museum tour, I got the chance to feed Pooja. Pooja did not play about her food, she got in her bag when I did not have any more food to give her. One thing I can say about Elephants is they love to eat
Scenic walk
After feeding Pooja, I got the chance to do a guided walk with her. I highly recommend it since it lets you get close to the mighty beings and see their daily routine
Since the elephants typically stayed in one part of the reserve, the foundation was planned around their territory. This made me oddly happy because the sanctuary didn’t drag out the elephants just for our sake.
The walk was roughly 30 minutes, during which I learned more about the elephants, their lifestyle, and their surrounding nature.
Bathing and showering
I headed to the river, where the elephants sprawled on the rocks. Here, with the help of tour guides, I got to bathe Pooja
Pooja’s playful attitude completely erased any fears and anxiety I had. If you’re wondering what fears/anxiety a person can have while bathing the elephants; let me remind you elephants weighs several thousand tons and on top of that, you don’t know what’s in the water with you. But on the other hand, I couldn’t believe I was best friends with an elephant.
Phenomenal staff
The staff was open, honest, and informative. I was baffled by their honesty; they let me know the dos and don’ts and were quite firm.
They didn’t belittle me or make me feel awkward/stupid for asking a question. I kept asking about the elephants, the sanctuary, and their lifestyle, and the guides told me everything in detail.
They’re also fantastic at handling anxiety. If you’re nervous about being up close with an elephant, the guides will help you ease into the environment so you can interact peacefully.
A Bittersweet end
Staying this close with the elephants helped me bond and connect with the problems these majestic giants face in reality. This sanctuary provides the elephants with a safe and accessible home. It was surreal witnessing their happiness and realizing most animals don’t experience such a lavish life in reality
It gives you a closer glimpse into the dangers of poaching and hunting and makes you closer to the elephants.
No matter how many hours I spent with Pooja, it felt like I could never get enough. I was devastated I had to leave. I still recall her adorable antics, playful attitude, and cheerful environment, which made my experience so special. Eventually, I left with so many unforgettable memories and an emotional goodbye. This was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had, and I honestly wish I could return.
