I wasn’t sure what to expect at an elephant sanctuary Nairobi, but I can’t quite remember when I fell in love with elephants. What I do remember is the first time I stood close to one and realised how fitting the phrase gentle giant really is. For animals that can weigh several tonnes, elephants have a remarkable calmness about them. There is a gentleness in the way they move, interact with each other, and respond to people that catches you by surprise.
That is probably why visiting the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust was one of the highlights of my time in Nairobi. We combined the visit with a game drive through Nairobi National Park and a stop at the Giraffe Centre, creating a full day dedicated to some of Kenya’s most iconic animals. By the end of it, we were exhausted, but it was one of the most memorable days of the trip. You can get your tickets here 🙂 From what we understand, you have to prearrange this experience because it only happens at specific times of day and once or twice for a limited number of people.
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned elephants, many of which have lost their mothers due to poaching, human-wildlife conflict, drought or natural causes. Visitors have the opportunity to learn about these elephants and the work being done to care for them before they are eventually returned to the wild.
You can actually see how much care each of these elephants receives, and so the experience is both educational and surprisingly personal. As the elephants are brought out for feeding, the keepers introduce them one by one, sharing their stories, where they were rescued from, how old they are, and the progress they have made since arriving at the sanctuary. Some of the stories are so heartbreaking, but at the same time, we felt a lot of hope knowing that even though it may seem like no one is looking out for the elephants, the staff here were doing exactly that.
Elephant Sanctuary Nairobi
Watching the feeding session was fascinating. I’ve fed elephants fruit in Knysna, South Africa, before, but I never expected to see baby elephants drinking from enormous bottles of milk. That quickly became one of the most memorable parts of the visit. Between feedings, the elephants wander around, play with one another, roll in the mud, and splash themselves with water.
It is impossible not to be entertained! What struck me most was seeing their personalities emerge. Some seemed playful and curious, while others were more interested in food than the people standing nearby.
I was lucky enough to have one of the elephants approach close enough for me to touch it. One thing I immediately noticed was how hairy it was. For some reason, I had never imagined elephants having so much hair. Standing next to one also gives you a renewed appreciation for just how majestic these animals are.
Before leaving, visitors have the option of adopting an elephant. The adoption programme helps support the sanctuary’s conservation work and allows you to receive updates on the elephant’s progress as it grows and recovers. There is also a small gift shop where you can pick up souvenirs, with proceeds helping support the organisation’s work.
For anyone planning a trip to Nairobi, I would strongly recommend including the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in your itinerary. Beyond being an opportunity to see elephants up close, it offers a deeper understanding of conservation and the effort required to protect these incredible animals.
Set aside a few hours for the visit. It is time well spent.
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