TAS 17: Half Day Nairobi National Park, David Shedrick Elephant Orphanage And Nairobi Safari Walk.

NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK

A great game viewing experience awaits wildlife lovers against the city backdrop. Common animal species include – Giraffe, leopard, zebra, buffalo, antelope, lion, black and white rhino, hippo, and crocodile. The park is a thriving rhino sanctuary and is one of Kenya’s most successful rhino sanctuaries. The park’s exceptional birdlife records a remarkable over 400 species whose numbers tend to swell up between March and May when a host of European migrants make the park their home.

David Sheldrick Elephant Trust Orphanage embrace all measures that complement the conservation, preservation and protection of wildlife including anti-poaching, safe guarding the natural environment, enhancing community awareness and providing veterinary assistance to animals in need. The David Sheldrick Elephant Trust Orphanage nursery is located in Nairobi National Park, is where an orphan's journey begins — a journey that will culminate, many years down the line, in their reintegration back into the wild. The public visit takes place every day, except 25th December, from 11am to 12 noon. During this time, we are delighted to welcome those with a confirmed booking to join us for an unforgettable hour with the Nursery herd. Funds from your visit help support the rescue and rehabilitation of the orphaned elephants in our care. Important Update: The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has mandated that Nairobi National Park gate entry fees must be paid by all those visiting the SWT Nairobi Nursery. It is important to note this is separate to our Nursery entry donation, which still needs to be paid to us on the day of your visit. We encourage you to review the information below about these new fees and to arrive early on the date of your booked visit. We cannot delay the start of the public visit, or extend it for late arrivals. The sections below provide additional information about visiting us, including details of the newly imposed KWS fee.

THE DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST ELEPHANT AND RHINO NURSERY IS OPEN DAILY FOR VISITORS ONLY FROM 11:00 TO 12:00 (1 HOUR) THE VISIT CANNOT BE DELAYED OR EXTENDED FOR LATE ARRIVALS.

The public visit takes place strictly between 11am and 12 noon - the visit cannot be delayed or extended for late arrivals. We encourage guests to arrive at or before 10:30am on their booked date, if not before, to allow for time to pass through the KWS Mbagathi Gate.

Mobile phones should be switched to silent and guests are asked not to make or receive calls during the public visit as this will disturb other visitors. Photographs and video can be captured strictly for personal use only. Commercial use of content filmed at the Nursery is strictly prohibited. Every orphan in our care will ultimately be reintegrated back into the wild. For this reason, we carefully limit their exposure to humans, and only Keepers are allowed to feed and directly interact with them. However, some of the more mischievous elephants may choose to extend a trunk in greeting or bump along the visitor cordon!

The public visit is timed around our Nursery herd’s midday milk feed and mud bath. From a variety of viewing areas, you will see the orphaned elephants run out of the forest in groups for their much-loved bottles of specialist milk formula. Afterwards, all the orphans gather for playtime. Some wallow in the mud, while others challenge their friends to a wrestling match or indulge in a dust bath. Each day is unique among our Nursery herd. One of our senior Keepers leads the public visit, introducing you to each orphan, sharing a bit about their stories and personalities, and teaching you about our wider conservation work across Kenya. We always set aside time for questions at the end.

During your visit, you will see the orphaned elephants who are currently in our care at the Nairobi Nursery and attending the midday mud bath. On our website, we state the location where each orphan currently resides. You can find an up-to-date list of our Nursery herd here. It is not possible to meet Maxwell the rhino during the public visit, as he is blind and prefers a very quiet life.

Yes! Adoptions directly support our Orphans’ Project, funding the specialist care needed to successfully raise orphaned elephants and other creatures. You are most welcome to adopt in-person at the end of your visit, for a minimum contribution of US$50 per year. As a memento of your in-person adoption, you will receive a special adoption packet that is exclusive to the public visit. This includes an adoption certificate, an elephant watercolour print, a printed book copy of the latest SWT Annual Newsletter, and a profile of your chosen orphan.

After the mud bath, we offer for sale a small selection of SWT apparel, souvenirs, and gifts made by Kenyan artisans.

Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the outdoor setting. It can be hot and sunny at the mud bath, so we strongly advise guests to wear sunscreen and a hat. During the rainy season (March- April and October-December), it can be muddy, so bear that in mind when visiting. We do not offer refreshments on-site. Bring plenty of water for yourself, but leave other drinks and snacks at home.

There is no public Wi-Fi available at the Nairobi Nursery.

Donate: As a non-profit, our conservation projects are entirely funded by donations. Every contribution makes an enormous difference. You can support us directly in Kenya, as well as through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust USA, a 501(c)(3), and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust UK, a registered charity in England & Wales. Find out more Adopt: If you are in a position to give, adopting an orphan in our care is an engaging and deeply impactful way to support our work. You will receive monthly updates on your adopted orphan and our wider orphan herd throughout the year, along with exclusive access to the latest Keepers’ Diaries and other special content.

Nairobi Safari Walk is characterized by three simulated major ecosystems namely; wetland, savannah and forest, it is the closest you can get to the wild. You would sample the menu of the country’s rich fauna and flora including the white rhino, Big cats, Crocodiles, Pigmy Hippo, antelopes and primates. It is also home to some 150 indigenous trees.

Departs daily from Nairobi City hotel at 06:00 for an early morning game viewing drive which facilities spotting nocturnal animals like the leopard, aardvark, porcupine and civet, mongoose and many others including of course all the resident animals. Such animals are active during the night or at very early in the morning and can easily be see during this early morning game viewing drive.

DAVID SHELDRICK ELEPHANT TRUST ORPHANAGE

Then further carry on until at 10:00 time for proceeding to David Sheldrick Elephant Trust Orphanage where you would experience in this world renowned Orphanage cute baby (calf) elephants wallow in their mud baths. Learn about them and have the opportunity to adopt one. Seeing their mascara-like eyelashes from just inches away, feeling the roughness of their dark tongues and witnessing their different personalities is fascinating.

NAIROBI SAFARI WALK

You would further tour Nairobi Safari Walk within Nairobi National Park where you would discover the flora and fauna closest and safe you can get to the wild. Later you would be taken back to your hotel or a place of your interest in Nairobi City for your further destination at 13:00. End of the day trip.