Elephants are some of the most amazing creatures you are likely to come across in the wild. Why, you might ask? These animals, also referred to as “Jumbo,” are smart, emotionally aware, and very social. Being a lover of nature and wildlife, every encounter with an elephant is always so surreal and magical, to say the least. So, it goes without saying that when I first heard about the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, which is home to about 16 orphaned elephants and other animals, such as the resident blind black Rhino Maxwell, and cheeky Kiko the giraffe, I knew for a fact that I wanted to visit the place.
For an experience similar to mine, here is everything you should know about what to expect at the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Nairobi.
Where is Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Nairobi?
My visit to Kenya, and particularly Nairobi, was not complete without going to one final destination. I had booked the services of Ravina Tours for my Kenyan tour. One of the places that I had made sure to tell them to include in my itinerary was a visit to David Sheldrick elephant orphanage, Nairobi. It is important to note that you must book your visit to Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage in advance. Hence, Ravina Tourshad made a reservation for me at the elephant sanctuary through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, as per my itinerary, making sure I didn’t miss a chance to see the animals. Below is a breakdown of the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Nairobi, entry fees:
| Visitor Category | Age Group | Nationality/Resident Status | Entry Fee (Minimum Donation) | Payment Notes |
| Adult | 12 years and above | Non-resident | USD 20 per person | USD or equivalent Kenya Shillings (KES). |
| Child | Under 12 years | Non-resident | USD 5 | USD or equivalent Kenya Shillings (KES). |
| Adult | Kenya Residents/Citizens | KES 2000 | Proof of Kenyan citizenship or residency. | |
| Child | Kenya Residents/Citizens | KES 500 | Proof of Kenyan citizenship or residency. |
Notes:
- The entry fee is a donation, as every cent is aimed at supporting the baby elephants in the sanctuary. The entry fees are used to cater for milk and medical supplies for the animals, and also the keepers’ salaries.
- Children aged between 0 and 4 years enter the elephant sanctuary free of charge.
On the day of my half-day excursion, while in Kenya, an Ravina Tours driver guide picked me up from my hotel in the city at around 5.30 am to transfer me to Nairobi National Park for an early morning game drive. Going on a morning game drive at the Nairobi National Park enabled me to view abundant wildlife as the animals were still very active during this time of day. The park is home to four of the Big Five, including Leopards, Lions, Buffalos, and Rhinos. I had paid a park entry fee of USD 80 via the eCitizen platform to enter Nairobi National Park. This entry fee applies to non-resident adults wanting to enter the national park. However, non-resident children pay a fee of USD 40. Different rates apply for East African citizens, residents, and African citizens.
After the morning game drive, we headed straight to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. The public viewing hours at David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Nairobi, are strictly between 11.00 am and 12.00 pm daily. As we drove towards the elephant sanctuary, I was eagerly awaiting seeing the beautiful baby elephants, resident black rhino, and giraffe, that I had read about on the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust website.
Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage is located within the Nairobi National Park, about 11.3 km from the city centre via Langata Road, which took us about 30 minutes to get there. We were able to access the elephant sanctuary through the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Mbagathi gate off Magadi Road, also known as the central workshop gate. Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage is a 15-minute drive from Wilson Airport.
What to Expect at David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
Upon arriving at the elephant sanctuary, established in 1977 by Dame Daphne Sheldrick in honor of her late husband David Sheldrick, the breathtaking view of baby elephants running towards the keeper to take milk in oversized bottles caught my attention instantly. This experience was truly heart-warming and exciting, seeing how the elephants trust the keepers, almost as if they were their moms! How amazing is that? I know!
After the feeding session, the elephants headed to the mud baths, where they rolled and splashed around, having the time of their lives. The mud bath, as the keepers informed us, was part of the baby elephants’ daily routine, and it helped to protect their skin from the scorching sun. I definitely made the moment as the elephants dived in the mud by taking amazing pictures of these priceless moments.
Being a believer in second chances in life, I particularly enjoyed the rescue stories shared by the keepers in the sanctuary, explaining how the elephants were orphaned mostly due to poaching or human-wildlife conflict. While very emotional, the rescue stories were highly educational on the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage’s conservation efforts.
However, while we were very close to the baby elephants, touching them was not allowed. We were just allowed to observe the elephants from behind a rope barrier. However, the experience is still among my most treasured memories.
One thing that blew my mind at the elephant sanctuary was the ‘Adopt an Elephant Program.’ The keepers informed us that the program allows visitors to pay USD 50 per year to adopt an orphaned elephant, upon which they are issued a certificate and sent updates on the elephant’s progress. Adopting an elephant will allow you access to afternoon viewing sessions, which will enable you to have a more exclusive interaction with the baby elephants. While I was not prepared to adopt an elephant on the day, I will definitely do so on my next visit to Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Nairobi, as I believe that just like human beings, orphaned animals deserve a second chance at love and hope.
Not forgettingthe majestic rhinos such as the resident blind black Rhino Maxwell (nicknamed ‘the nursery patriarch’), who is about 19 years old.
At the Elephant Orphanage, Nairobi, I also got a chance to see the and Tytan, a gentle young rhino who is one year old and whose best friend is an orphaned zebra.
I was surprised to see a giraffe named Cheeky Kiko at the elephant sanctuary. According to the keepers, the giraffe was named ‘cheeky’ because she would snatch milk bottles from the keepers, run away with them, and cause mischief.
These close-up encounters with these beautiful animals in the elephant sanctuary gave me insights into their care.
Combining Your Visit to Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage with Other Activities
For me, I combined my visit to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage with a morning game drive in Nairobi National Park. However, you can also combine your visit to the elephant sanctuary with a visit to the Giraffe Centre, the Karen Blixen Museum, or Nairobi Safari Walk. All you need to do is inform the Ravina Tourstour consultant in charge of your trip on time for them to incorporate the activity into your itinerary for a seamless experience.
Best Time to Visit the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
While it is open all year round, the best time to visit the Nairobi Elephant Orphanage is during the dry months, that is, between June and October, and January and February. The dry months are ideal for visiting the elephant sanctuary due to comfortable weather and excellent photography opportunities.
When going to the Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi, plan to leave your hotel or residence early, as traffic in the city can be unpredictable. Arrive at the elephant sanctuary at around 10.30 am for a seamless experience.
Final Thoughts: Why trust Ravina Toursto Plan Your Trip
Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Nairobi, is a must-visit for wildlife and conservation lovers. The elephant sanctuary gives orphaned elephants, rhinos, zebras, and even a giraffe a second chance at love. Here, these animals are taken care of after losing their mothers, ensuring they survive. As such, if you are looking for a seamless visit to Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, contact Ravina Tours at info@ravinatoursandtravels.com or +254722103340. The expert tour consultants at Ravina Tours will handle the planning from A to Z, and craft a personalized itinerary incorporating a visit to the Elephant Orphanage, Nairobi.
