What is one of the best things about visiting Kenya? All the animals, of course! If you are visiting Nairobi and want to see elephants, there’s no better place to go than the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage! Why? Well, when you visit here, you know you are not only enjoying seeing baby elephants…but are also helping contribute to their rescue and recovery. What could be better?!
Visiting the elephant orphanage in Kenya is a fun and simple process, but you’ll want to plan ahead on a few points. Read on to learn what you need to know before you go, as well as what to expect while you’re here.
What is the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage?
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is named after the famous naturalist David Sheldrick, and this trust was established in his memory in 1977 by Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick. The Sheldrick family was rooted in wildlife conservation, so this trust is a fitting legacy for them as it continues to care for the animals they loved so well.
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust works across Kenya on anti-poaching initiatives, safe guarding the natural environment, raising awareness, providing veterinary assistance, rescuing and raising elephant and rhino orphans, and much more.
But while the trust focuses on long-lasting impact for all wildlife, it is certainly most well-known for its work with orphan elephants. In fact, Dr. Daphne Sheldrick was one of the most well known international authorities on raising wild creatures and was the first person to perfect the milk formula needed to raise infant elephants and rhinos…which makes the Sheldrick Trust’s Orphans’ Project a definite triumph.
If you’re interested in supporting the trust’s work, just want to discover the elephant orphanage, or simply want to get a closer look at baby elephants, then you will certainly not want to miss this stop while in Nairobi!
What You Will See at the Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi
After entering the elephant orphanage, everyone gathers around a roped off area where the elephants come to be fed. The elephants then come out in shifts, with nine or so in the enclosure at a time.
Because this is a rescue/recover facility for orphans, all of the elephants are in various stages of infancy. There are some really small ones as well as some larger ones who are closer to release. However, regardless of age, all the elephants are fed a milk formula to begin their day.
After the elephants are fed, they go to find where the caretakers have placed leaves and branches and they enjoy eating these as a second meal. It is fun to watch them playing with their leafy meals and coming closer to the edge of the enclosure as they search for new leaves to eat!
When they are full, many of the elephants enjoy playing with toys, playing with each other, or rolling in the mud to take a bath. It is fun to observe this behavior up close…but watch out if you are close to a muddy area! There was a man wearing a suit the day I visited and the elephants kept tossing mud his way 😂
While it is neat to observe all the elephant behavior up close, one of the most special things about going to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage is that you can touch the elephants if they decide to come near you. Many of the elephants love to walk around the line just for the purpose of getting pats and scratches. It was a dream come true to get to touch a sweet baby elephant!
Want to experience more cool animals in Nairobi? Check out the Giraffe Centre!
Behind the Scenes of the Elephant Orphanage
Your visit to the elephant orphanage will give you a taste of what life is like for the elephants and caretakers here, but if you want to know more then you should check out the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust YouTube page.
In this video, take a quick look at what happens behind the scenes at the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage:
Meet the Orphans
Before you go, you may also wish to familiarize yourself with some of the current elephants at the orphanage. Each of the elephants has a name, and many of them also have stories about how and where they were found. You can meet them online before you meet them in person!
Your entrance fee or course goes toward the rescue and recovery of the elephants at this orphanage, but you also have the opportunity to give more by “adopting an elephant” for as little as $50 a year. Sadly, this does not mean you get to take an elephant home 😉 But it does mean your money is going to helping keep this amazing wildlife trust running and helping many more Kenyan elephants and rhinos!
How to Visit the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
Here are a few tips to know before you visit the orphanage!
Where is the Elephant Orphanage?
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is located in Nairobi, Kenya off Magadi Road. You can access the Orphanage via the KWS Central Workshop Gate, or canget directions on Google Maps here.
When Can I Visit the Elephant Orphanage?
The elephant orphanage is open every day of the year (except Christmas) but it is only open for one hour each day from 11am-noon. As such, you will need to plan ahead so you don’t miss out!
As mentioned above, you can watch the elephants enjoy eating and taking mud baths, as well as learning about the work of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. One of the caretakers will give a talk throughout the visit and explain about the stories of the different orphaned elephants as well as the threats they face. Check out the visiting information page to learn more!
What Does it Cost to Visit the Elephant Orphanage?
Visiting the orphanage costs 500 Ksh per person (~$5). The orphanage only accepts cash, not credit/debit cards or M-Pesa, so be aware of this and make sure you bring enough cash to get in!
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