How much does it cost to visit the elephant orphanage in Nairobi?

Entry costs approximately $20 to $25 for non-residents, with lower rates for residents and citizens.

What time can you visit the elephant orphanage in Nairobi?

The public visiting time is strictly between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM each day.

Can you touch the elephants at the orphanage?

No. Visitors are not allowed to touch the elephants, but they can observe them closely during feeding and playtime.

Is the elephant orphanage worth visiting?

Yes. It offers a unique opportunity to learn about elephant conservation while observing them up close.

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David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

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Starting from

$ 60/ person

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A visit to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust offers one of the most meaningful wildlife experiences in Nairobi. Located within Nairobi National Park, this conservation centre focuses on the rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration of orphaned elephants. The experience provides a rare opportunity to observe young elephants up close while learning about conservation efforts in Kenya. As reflected in your source material, the visit combines education, conservation, and close wildlife observation within a structured and time-limited experience.

Experience Overview

The visit to the elephant orphanage is centered around a strictly timed one-hour public session where visitors observe feeding, playtime, and interactions between the elephants and their keepers.

The experience is structured and takes place at a fixed time each day, making advance booking and careful planning essential.

What to Expect

✅ Feeding Session: The main highlight occurs during the scheduled visiting hour where young elephants are bottle-fed by their keepers. Visitors observe the feeding process at close range, with each elephant displaying distinct behavior and personality.
✅ Mud Bath and Playtime: Following feeding, the elephants play and interact with each other, roll in mud baths, and move freely within the enclosure. This stage allows visitors to observe natural behavior in a controlled environment.
✅ Educational Talk: Keepers provide a guided explanation covering the individual rescue stories of the elephants, the rehabilitation process, and conservation challenges and successes.

Who This Experience Is For

This experience is suitable for first-time visitors to Nairobi, families and children, wildlife enthusiasts, and travelers with limited time.

Nearby Experiences

The elephant orphanage can easily be combined with a game drive in Nairobi National Park or a visit to the Giraffe Centre, allowing for a structured half-day or full-day itinerary.

Itinerary

Arrival and Entry

Arrive early at the Nairobi National Park gates to ensure you reach the orphanage before the strictly timed 11:00 AM session begins.

Feeding Session

Watch as the youngest orphaned elephants run into the enclosure to be bottle-fed specialist milk formula by their keepers.

Mud Bath and Playtime

Observe the elephants as they interact with one another, play in the dirt, and roll in the mud baths.

Educational Keeper Talk

Listen to the keepers share the rescue stories of the elephants and explain the broader conservation challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is a conservation organization that rescues and rehabilitates orphaned elephants before releasing them back into the wild.