Visiting the Nairobi Elephant Orphanage

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is world-renowned for its work rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned baby elephants. Our Nursery, located in Nairobi National Park, is where an orphan's journey begins — a journey that will culminate, years down the line, in their reintegration back into the wild.

Friends and supporters can book to visit us in Nairobi, between 11am and 12 noon (7 days a week). During the one-hour visit, a senior Keeper will introduce each of the elephants and why they came to need our help, while the elephants themselves can be watched enjoying a milk feed and mud bath (or dust bath on cooler days!)

We are currently redeveloping our online booking system, during which time all bookings for visits on or after 08 August 2023 must to be made directly with our Nairobi Office. Please be aware that we can only accept bookings for visits that will take place within the next three months. If you wish to book a date that is more than three months from today, please diarise to contact us nearer the time of your intended visit.

When emailing us to make a booking, please state the date you wish to visit, and the number of adult and child tickets you would like to book. Confirmation of successful bookings will be emailed to you, and must be brought with you on the date of your visit. Access will only be granted to pre-booked visitors.

For all bookings, payment is due— in Cash or Mpesa — on the day of your visit. (2,000 Ksh / US$20 per person aged 12 years and above. 500 Ksh / US$5 for children under 12 years of age)

Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to welcoming you to the Nursery and having the opportunity to introduce our Orphans' Project and the individuals in our care. If you would like to meet the elephants in advance of your visit, to discover their rescue stories and our wider conservation efforts to protect Kenya's wildlife, visit our main website.

Pick an event in the calendar to book

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Online Booking is currently unavailable, please email us to make an enquiry.

 

Adults 2,000 Ksh / 20 USD  per person

 

Children 500 Ksh / 5 USD per person

 

Please Note: The rate for all adults with bookings to visit us in March, April, May 2023 will be 1,500 Ksh / $15 USD on the day. From 1st June 2023 onwards, the rate for all adults with bookings to visit us will be 2,000 Ksh / $20 USD. Further details can be found here.

 

(Maximum 10 people per booking. For larger groups, please contact us to arrange your booking)

** Children aged 5-11 years. (Children 0-4 years may enter for free, with a paying adult, and do not require a ticket). All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Payment is due— in Cash or Mpesa — on the day of your visit.

Visiting our Nairobi Elephant Orphanage:

Every day, from 11am to 12pm, we invite those with a booking to join us for an unforgettable hour with the Nursery herd.

Your visit begins as the orphaned elephants converge for their midday milk feed. Afterwards, watch them enjoy a playful frolic in the dust or, if the mood suits them, a full mud bath.

Our Keepers are on-hand to introduce you to each of the orphans, sharing their unique rescue stories and explaining the threats facing elephants. Funds from your visit help support the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned elephants in our care.

Please note: From 1st June 2023, our rate for adult visitors is changing. This is necessary to help us meet the increased costs of the Orphans’ Project and our work to protect Kenya’s wildlife. The new rate for adults will be 2,000 Ksh / US$20 per person 12 years and above. The rate is unchanged for children under 12 years of age, remaining 500 Ksh / US$5.

The updated adult rate will be shown on this website and in booking confirmation emails from the 1st March 2023. However, if you have a booking to visit us in March, April or May 2023, you will pay the current rate of 1,500 Ksh / US$15 per person 12 years and above, and 500 Ksh / US$5 for those under 12 years of age, no matter when you made the booking.

Location:

Nairobi National Park

  • Access to the orphanage is via the KWS Workshop Entrance, off Magadi Road.
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Planning your visit:

To enhance your experience when you visit us, please read our Nairobi Nursery Visiting Details, which contains important information in advance of your booking, and answers to common questions.

We have also produced a special brochure for visitors, providing background on the origins of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and our pioneering work in the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned elephants. Download our SWT Information Brochure and immerse yourself in the Orphans' Project.

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