The Rescue and Rehabilitation of Orphaned Elephants in Kenya – Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Nairobi, the only capital city that contains a national park, is like no other in the world. From the moment you arrive in Kenya, you are presented with many wildlife projects including the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, commonly known as the elephant orphanage in Nairobi.

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is located in the Nairobi National Park, about a 45-minute drive from the city center. This is where most visitors on a Kenyan safari make their first stop. The orphanage was established to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned or injured infant elephants and rhinos.

As the most successful elephant sanctuary in the world, SWT was started in 1977 by Kenyan-born Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick, in memory of her husband David whom she had worked with in caring for and rehabilitating many wild species from their home in Tsavo.

So, why should you visit this elephant orphanage in Nairobi? This guide has answers to that. Read on to discover what’s at the SWT and what to do when you reach this amazing elephant sanctuary.

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust visit

Visiting Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is a great opportunity to meet orphaned infant elephants, rhinos, and giraffes separated from their parents because of accidents, natural calamities, or poaching. Young elephants brought here are not only malnourished but emotionally grieving for the loss of their mothers.

When I visited this elephant nursery, a large herd shook the ground. Baby elephants were hurriedly rushing towards their keepers who appeared holding large bottles of milk. Their loud trumpet and thunderous moves showed that they were hungry. It was a scene of overwhelming cuteness.

I realized I was not the only one who enjoyed watching this. Crowds line up for this feeding moment and bathing. And as soon as the baby elephants were done sipping the formula, they appeared jovial and playful. They jumped into pools of mud, joyfully rolling onto their backs.

This eventful day at the Trust culminated my visit to the neighboring Giraffe Manor where I had spent a night for my birthday.

Best time to visit SWT Elephant Orphanage

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is open to the public for one hour, from 11 am to 12 pm every day except the 25th of December. Crowds are common during this time, so it’s best to plan your visit well. You can spend the rest of the day enjoying a game drive in the rest of the Nairobi National Park. 

The park is home to over 100 species of mammals including lions, zebras, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, wildebeest, Nile crocodiles, and many more. White rhinos are easiest to spot as they graze on the open plains but the park is also a successful sanctuary for the endangered black rhinos. 

Migratory and endemic bird species also live here, with nearly 500 species recorded. Notable birds in the park include ostrich, common Moorhen, Black-headed heron, Long-tailed fiscal, Blacksmith lapwing, Basra reed warbler, African crowned Eagle, secretary birds, and many more.

Nature walks are also provided with the help of a guide. Nairobi National Park offers several walking trails. The Hippo Pools Trail offers a chance to see hippos and other wildlife at a close range.  You can also take a walk to the Ivory Burning Site where confiscated ivory is burnt to protest poaching.

How to Get to the Elephant Orphanage Nairobi

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is located in Nairobi, so visitors from outside the country must book a flight to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). Once you are in Nairobi, you have several options to take you to this destination. You can take a taxi or use a ride-hailing service like Uber or Bolt.

Buses, known as matatus, are also a popular option. You can catch one heading to Lang’at or Karen from the CBD (Kenya Bus Station or at Kencom House Moi Avenue) and alight at Nairobi National Park Main Gate. A short walk from the headquarters of KWS should take you to the orphanage.

Many tour operators in Nairobi offer guided tours to the Nairobi National Park. This option might be more convenient in taking you to the sanctuary if you prefer organized transportation. Refreshments, meals, and guided walks can also be provided depending on your package.

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust entry fee

All visitors to Nairobi National Park are required to pay an entry fee. Non-residents are charged US$43 per person above 12 years old, and US$22 for those under 12 years of age. Kenyan citizens and residents pay Ksh430 for adults and 215 for children. These payments are made only through M-Pesa or credit cards.

SWT entry donations also apply to those visiting the nursery. They are entirely separate from the KWS park fees. Persons above 12 years pay US$20 per person and children under 12 years US$5 per person. These donations must be paid directly to the Trust upon arrival at Magadi Gate.

Adopting an elephant program at SWT

Raising and rehabilitating orphaned baby elephants is a costly initiative. It takes more than $10,000 a year to raise each individual. Sheldrick Wildlife Trust seeks donations through the elephant adoption program to fund this noble cause.

For $50 a year, you can adopt a baby elephant at the nursery. Although you’ll not be allowed to take it away, you’ll receive a personalized adoption certificate from the management. keepers will also provide you with monthly updates about the elephant’s progress through your mail.

Understandably, after spending the first formative years in the nursery, rehabilitated elephants are reintegrated back into the wild. Tsavo Conservation Area, located on the south of Nairobi is one of the major reintegration centers in the country. It is a protected and most-visited area in Kenya. 

Final Thought

While visiting Nairobi National Park, remember that you’re in the animals’ habitat. Keep a safe distance from wildlife, and never approach or feed them. Respect their space and observe them quietly without disturbing them. For a more intriguing wild exploration, visit Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to witness the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned infant elephants, rhinos, and giraffes.