Sri Lanka is home to over 15 national parks that shelter wild elephants, yet Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage has become one of the country’s most visited elephant sites. While the orphanage claims to care for orphaned elephants, it has largely become a major tourist attraction, especially popular on organized Sri Lanka travel routes. Its fame has grown even more with stunning photos shared by social media influencers, drawing crowds from around the world. Despite the high expectations, our visit to Pinnawala was ultimately a heartbreaking experience rather than the magical encounter we had hoped for.