Nairobi Elephant Orphanage

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is a fantastic organisation to visit when in Nairobi

Ben
Ben
Africa Specialist and CEO
Published on
16 May 2018
Updated on
25 Apr 2025
Elephant dust bath!

If you have a day or two to explore the Nairobi Elephant Orphanage is a must do experience. The orphanage is a place of inspiration and they have achieved wonderful things in their fight to save orphaned elephants.

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Daphne Sheldrick (David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust)

Public Visiting

The orphanage is open to the public between the hours of 11:00 and 12:00. It can be very popular so we suggest you arrive at 10:45 am. You can't book a public visit in advance, so make sure you turn up on time!

During your visit you can get close to the action whilst the elephants are bottle fed and take their morning dust baths. Whilst you can't feed the orphans during your stay you can touch and pet the elephants if they come close enough.

How much does it cost... The entrance fee is 500 Kenyan Shillings (Approx. $5/£3.50). Great value for the experience and all money goes to helping the orphaned elephants.

Public viewing at the orphanage
Up-close and personal

Adopt an elephant

You can adopt an elephant at the centre for $50 a year. The adoptions make a great gift and help the charity to continue to care for the orphans. To find out more about adopting click here.

Adopting an elephant also brings some extra perks. There is an additional hour in which you can visit the orphans 17:00 - 18:00. Visitors can see orphans running back to the stockades for their milk feed. Once they are inside their stockades, they can then go ‘door to door’ to see them. This is a more personal experience than the public visit

As a fostering fee has been paid there is no entrance fee for this experience however Far and Wild recommend that visitors give a donation at this visit (donation guide $10-20 per person). Fostering one elephant covers access for to a couple, an individual or a family of two parents and two children of school age.

Please note that you can't adopt an elephant on the day. This has to be done in advance of your visit.

Orphaned Elephants - Sheldrick Trust
Sheldricktrust 11
Elephant and keeper - Sheldrick Trust

Private visits

Private visits to the elephant orphanage can be arranged. During this visit visitors can experience a scheduled milk feed for the orphan elephants. It's a much more intimate encounter outside with the orphans and their keepers. An employee of the trust would be present to explain the Orphans’ Project and the individual rescue stories of each orphan in the care of the Nursery.

Private visits last for 30 minutes and start at 15:00. They are suitable for a private group of up to 10 guests. A group fee of $600 is charged for a private visit. Visitors don't have to adopt an elephant for a private visit, but it must be booked well in advance as it's very popular.


Time for a drink  (Business Insder)
It's thirsty work being an elephant

Round up

Fantastic place to visit and well worth it.

  • Public visiting hours
    • Time - 11-12:00
    • Cost - 500 Kenyan Shillings (Approx. $5/£3.50)
  • Adopt An Elephant
  • Private viewings
    • Time - 15:00 for 30 minutes (booked in advance)
    • Cost - $600 for up to 10 guests


Elephant football
Always time for a bit of football

How to get there

The Orphanage is in south west Nairobi, on the edge of Nairobi National Park.

  • 20 minutes drive from Karen Residence
  • 45 minutes drive from Nairobi International Airport
  • 20 minutes drive from Nairobi Wilson Airport

All traffic dependant of course!

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Shirley Newman

What can I say….my son and myself had the most wonderful time in Kenya thanks to the first-class itinerary that Ben and Louise put together for us. We spoke with Ben many times to ensure he ‘got it right’. This was our 2nd visit to Kenya, and it certainly lived up to our expectations and memories. We stayed in four locations, firstly at the wonderful El Karama Lodge, Laikipia Wildlife Conservancy, where we even had a visit from Ruth from Far and Wild! Then, for a return visit, to Saruni Samburu, which is absolutely stunning and still one of our favourite places in the world. Next came Basecamp Mara Camp, where we saw our first Cheetah, the only animal we didn’t see on our first visit. After that, onto the wonderful Leopards Hill in the Naiboisho Conservancy, what a way to spend the last four days of this trip. Here we finally spent many hours with a beautiful leopard. Throughout our time in Kenya, we saw many lions, giraffes, elephants, ostriches, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards, to name just a few. Nothing was too much trouble for all the staff; we cannot have been looked after any better. Since our return again Ben phoned to see how it went in addition to emails. I would highly recommend Far and Wild; they are so knowledgeable and have personally visited the lodges and areas. We are already planning another visit, and we cannot wait.

16 Aug 2025
Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

17 Sept 2025
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

31 Jul 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

3 Jul 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

28 Jun 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

5 Jun 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

5 Jun 2024
Stodge

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5 Jun 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

5 Jun 2024