David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust offers a magical, up-close experience with rescued baby elephants that will captivate children and adults alike. During the daily one-hour public visiting session, families watch adorable orphaned elephants play, mud-bathe, and bottle-feed while keepers share each elephant's rescue story and teach valuable conservation lessons in an intimate, interactive setting.

• ✓Watching baby elephants drink from oversized milk bottles held by their keepers
• ✓Seeing the elephants play, roll in mud, and interact with each other like boisterous toddlers
• ✓Hearing the heartwarming and sometimes heartbreaking rescue stories of each orphan
• ✓Learning about anti-poaching efforts and wildlife conservation directly from expert keepers
• ✓Getting surprisingly close to the elephants during feeding time and playtime

1. 1.Arrive at least 30 minutes before the 11am opening to secure a good viewing spot along the rope barrier, as it gets very crowded and operates on a first-come basis.
2. 2.Bring Kenyan shillings for the entrance donation (credit cards not always accepted) and consider adopting an orphaned elephant online before your visit so your child can meet 'their' elephant in person.
3. 3.Wear closed-toe shoes as the ground can be dusty and muddy, and dress in layers since mornings in Nairobi can be cool.
4. 4.The visit lasts exactly one hour (11am to noon), so plan other Nairobi activities around this fixed schedule.
5. 5.Download the Trust's app beforehand to learn about each elephant's story and take better photos without missing the keeper talks.

Visit during Kenya's dry seasons (January to March or June to October) for the best weather and clearer skies for photos. The orphanage only opens from 11am to noon daily, so arrive early. Weekdays tend to be slightly less crowded than weekends, though it's popular year-round.

The entrance fee is approximately $7 USD per person (paid as a donation). There is ample parking on-site. No food is available for purchase, so bring water and snacks. The viewing area is accessible, though the ground can be uneven.

Open daily year-round from 11am to noon, including holidays. The dry seasons (January to March and June to October) offer the most pleasant weather. During rainy season (April to May and November to December), the grounds can be muddy, so waterproof shoes are recommended.

The Giraffe Centre, just 10 minutes away, has a small cafe with kid-friendly snacks and light meals. For a full lunch, Karen Blixen Coffee Garden offers family-friendly dining with outdoor seating in a beautiful garden setting about 5 minutes from the orphanage.