Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage visit

What the visit is

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust runs the world's most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation programme. At the Nairobi nursery, keepers bottle-feed the calves and walk them out onto the plains each day. The public viewing is a fixed one-hour window — the elephants come in from the bush for their midday milk and a mud bath.

It is not a zoo or a petting experience. The calves are wild elephants in the making, and the keepers keep contact brief and structured.

When to go and how long it takes

• Public viewing is daily, midday — typically 11:00 to 12:00 (confirm the exact time when booking).
• Arrive 20–30 minutes early; entry is managed in small groups.
• Allow about 90 minutes in total including travel from the Main Gate area.

Booking — read this before you plan

Entry is by advance online booking only; there is no walk-up ticket. Book no more than 90 days out from the date of your experience — earlier bookings are not accepted. The orphanage caps daily numbers, so once the 90-day window opens, reserve promptly, especially in peak season (July–October and December–February).

Book online directly through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust website.

Entry fee

A modest entry contribution is charged per person, paid online at the time of booking. Children pay a reduced rate. The fee goes directly to the care of the orphans and the wider anti-poaching and habitat protection work of the Trust.

Combining it with Nairobi National Park

• Do the game drive first — enter the park at 06:00, drive the central plains and Athi Basin dams, and be out by 10:30.
• The orphanage is a short drive from the Main Gate / Langata area, so the midday viewing slots in perfectly after a morning drive.
• Add the Giraffe Centre at Langata for a classic Nairobi morning-and-afternoon trio.
• If you have booked a private day safari with us, your guide will manage the timing and transfer between the park and the orphanage.

Practical tips

• Carry the booking confirmation (digital or printed) and the ID used to book.
• Wear neutral colours and closed shoes; mornings are cool.
• No feeding or touching the elephants beyond what the keepers direct.
• Photography is allowed but avoid flash near the younger calves.
• There is a small gift shop; cash and card are accepted.