Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Every late morning, a line of baby elephants trots out of the forest towards their keepers and giant milk bottles. Founded in 1977 by Daphne Sheldrick in memory of her husband David, the first warden of Tsavo East, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has hand-raised hundreds of orphaned elephants and rhinos and returned them to the wild – a moving highlight among Kenya tourist attractions.
Daphne Sheldrick was the first person to successfully hand-rear a milk-dependent newborn elephant, developing a milk formula that made survival possible. After her death in 2018, her daughter Angela took over leadership of the Trust. Its work now extends far beyond the nursery, including anti-poaching teams, mobile veterinary units, aerial surveillance and community projects that help people and wildlife live alongside each other.
Why visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust?
During the public hour the orphans feed, play in the mud and dust themselves just metres from visitors, while keepers tell each calf's rescue story and explain how they are gradually reintroduced to wild herds in Tsavo.
Most of the orphans have lost their mothers to poaching, human–wildlife conflict, drought or accidents such as falling into wells. Keepers stay with them day and night, even sleeping beside them, because young elephants need constant companionship. After several years in Nairobi, the calves move to reintegration units in Tsavo and the Kibwezi Forest, where they gradually join wild herds at their own pace.
Getting there and around
The nursery is inside Nairobi National Park, entered by the Mbagathi Gate on Magadi Road, about 30 minutes from the city centre. The visit lasts one hour; the David Sheldrick Elephant Trust excursion from Nairobi takes care of tickets and transport.
Traffic on Magadi Road can be heavy, so allow extra time. Visitors are only admitted during the set visiting hour, so it is worth combining the trip with the nearby Giraffe Centre or a game drive in the national park.
Highlights not to miss
- Feeding time: Calves gulping milk from oversized bottles, with older orphans holding their own.
- Mud bath: Orphans splashing and wrestling, sometimes spraying the front row of visitors.
- Keepers' talk: Stories of rescue and rehabilitation, with a chance to ask questions.
- Fostering: Adopt an orphan and follow its progress online; foster parents can book an exclusive evening visit to see the calves return to their stables.
Practical tips
Places are limited, so book online in advance and arrive early for a spot near the rope.
Wear clothes you do not mind getting muddy, and bring a camera with a fast shutter speed, as the calves move surprisingly quickly. The entry fee goes directly to the Trust's conservation work.
Best time to visit
Open daily except on public holidays; pair it with a dawn game drive in the surrounding park, as on the Nairobi National Park and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust day trip.
The number of orphans varies through the year, often rising during droughts when more calves are separated from their mothers.
Accommodation and food
Lang'ata and Karen are the closest neighbourhoods, near the Giraffe Centre.
Karen in particular has a good choice of garden cafés, restaurants and boutique hotels, ideal for lunch after the visit.
How does it compare to other Kenya tourist attractions?
Seeing orphans cared for here gives real meaning to the wild herds you will meet later in Amboseli or Tsavo.
It is one of the few places in Kenya where you can see elephants up close outside a vehicle, and families with children find it particularly memorable.
In summary
One hour, a dozen muddy baby elephants and a lasting insight into conservation – an essential stop in Nairobi.
