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The Millennium Elephant Foundation

Randeniya, Hiriwadunna, Kegalle, Sri Lanka
94 35 2265377
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Ranked #1 of 1 attractions in Kegalle
Type: Nature/ Wildlife Areas
46 visitor photos
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75 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    30
    13
    11
    11
    10
Date Rating
Ontario
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 May 2013

Was taken here by my driver/guide from Magical Island Holidays. I should have known better. It is expensive, the staff are rude, they demand tip money, and the animals don't appear to be well treated. The "museum" is just a couple of sign boards, the staff are still pleasant at this point in the visit, then elephant ride... Was to... More

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Bradford, United Kingdom
1 review
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 April 2013

hi my name is joe i am 35 years old i booked to volunteer here with a company called i to i witch is owned by thomson holidays.i thought it was a sancturee. i was there for two months these elephants are totaly exploited they work seven days a week from around 7am till 6pm giving rides all day.. when... More

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France
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 April 2013

Having read the disappointing reviews, since I got back, I can only think that these people are not "animal people" This was one of the most brilliant experiences of my life ( and I am VERY old ! ) I found the museum and information kiosk very interesting. I was delighted to hear that the only way you can ride... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Grenoble, Rhone-Alpes, France
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 April 2013

We went to the Millenium Fundation because we thought the aim was better than at Pinnawella and we hoped we would live a great experience with the elephants. But it was the most wasting money and disappointing visit in Sri Lanka : it is very expensive, you don't get what you pay for, and the mahouts are only interested by... More

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Winchester, United Kingdom
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 April 2013

I worked as a volunteer here for a month. I really expected these elephants to be roaming free, but they are chained up all day. The only time they are not is when they are being bathed or tourists are riding them. Don't be fooled that this "charity" spends all of its money on the elephants. The owner has a... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 2
Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 April 2013

I just got back from this so its fresh on my mind. First we drove to the Elephant orphanage....everyday at 12noon the elephants cross from the river to the orphanage across the road...its a great way to see quite a few elephants without actually having to pay to go in the orphanage. After that we drove to the Foundation. The... More

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Buenos Aires, Argentina
Top Contributor
110 reviews 110 reviews
38 attraction reviews
Reviews in 49 cities Reviews in 49 cities
33 helpful votes 33 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 April 2013

Its difficult to grade this attraction. The interaction with the elephants its amazing but at what price!?! The tickets are expensive with prices starting at 2000, 3000 and 5000 Sri Lankan Rupees. Plus the constant scam of asking you for tips for use of the camera or breathing. The elephants are so nice and to ride with them and to... More

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London, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
39 reviews 39 reviews
6 attraction reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 April 2013 via mobile

I visited here after reading bad reviews of the Pinnewalla Orphanage. On arrival I felt happy with my choice as it felt smaller (only 8 elephants) and less touristy / busy. But as the trip continued I did start to question whether it was ethically right and at times felt uncomfortable and like they were exploiting the animals for money... More

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England
Top Contributor
195 reviews 195 reviews
80 attraction reviews
Reviews in 82 cities Reviews in 82 cities
90 helpful votes 90 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 April 2013 via mobile

We chose this elephant park as two of our friends wanted to ride the elephants bare back which they did and enjoyed. However other than riding there is little to do here. Me and my partner who were not riding paid to feed the elephant but felt the staff were rude and expected more tip than we gave even tho... More

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London
Top Contributor
58 reviews 58 reviews
30 attraction reviews
Reviews in 35 cities Reviews in 35 cities
89 helpful votes 89 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 April 2013

We had a very packed schedule in Sri Lanka in eleven days and our first stop after flying into Colombo was the Millennium Elephant Foundation. I had already read bad things about Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage so decided to give that a miss and was expecting more from this place as it was supposed to be a sanctuary. That's not what... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 3

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