David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage Half-Day Tour in Nairobi
Description
Take a day out of Nairobi's hustle and bustle and head to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Witness Visiting the only Elephant Orphanage within the city of Nairobi meeting some of the largest mammals on earth and learn about their lives and how they survive in the wild. The visit takes place during feeding time viewing is strictly between 11:00 to 12:00
Tour Options
Itinerary
The tour starts by picking you from your Hotel/Home within Nairobi 9:30AM. We will drive you to David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust have a walk through the little center from 11am - 12pm in an open space, with a rope fence around it. The youngest elephants come trotting out of the bush to greet their keepers who stand at the ready with giant bottles of milk. For the next 10-15 minutes you can watch each little one slurp and gargle their milk. When they're done, there's water to play with and keepers to nudge and get hugs from. While you get to watch them play and take photos. You find out how old they were when they arrived at the orphanage, where they were rescued from, and what got them into trouble. The most common reasons for getting orphaned being: mother's poached, falling into wells, and human/wildlife conflict. Once the youngest are all fed, they are led back into the bush, and it's the turn of the 2-3 year olds. Some of them can feed themselves, and some are still fed by their keepers. It's very cute to watch them hold their giant milk bottles in their trunks and close their eyes with joy as they make quick work of several gallons of milk.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick up available from airbnb and private apartments
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Reviews(87)
Terrible experience, because the cost of 115 dollars was only for transportation, but the payment for entry to the national park was an extra charge of 86 dollars + 20 dollars for the elephant orphanage. Transportation was cheaper for me on Uber.
My adult children and I visited the orphanage on June 18, 2026. It was quite crowded, but an amazing experience to see. There is an excellent presentation of the history of the facility and the work they do. We were first introduced to Titan a baby black rhino and a baby zebra. Both were adorable. They then brought out the 13 orphaned baby elephants who varied in age. I was impressed with the facility and they had a wonderful gift shop!
The actual visit to Sheldrick was lovely, but at a huge cost. This company make this trip sound like the high cost they charge includes all entrance fees. However you are sprung with an $80USD charge on top of what you have paid to enter the national park. It’s an extortionate cost to have someone only drive you there when they neglect to tell you this hefty park entrance fee is not included. Seems like a massive scam neglecting to tell you on purpose!
Great experience. The orphanage is only open to the public between 11 and 12 and is focused on the background of the animals and feeding. We are not allowed to feed or touch the animals but you are close enough to enjoy the experience. Definitely recommend you get there well before 11 to secure a good viewing spot. The tour driver will ensure this. Also be prepared for a couple of stops to see a market and bead factory. Also be aware that this price does not include park entrance fees which will need to be paid prior to entry to the park. Overall a good and fun experience
Sam was an amazing guide. He really went above and beyond to make sure I had a great experience. They helped us get a good viewing spot at the elephant experience. They accommodated my last minute (day of) booking. He was pleasant, informative, professional, friendly and great at listening to and accommodating what you are looking for. Thank you Sam!
Stephen Mutuku was the best guide!! He got us there early enough so we could have prime viewing, as well as guided us where to stand for the best pictures (with the sun behind us). He was extremely kind and knowledgeable. 10/10 recommend!
Fantastic visit to David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The orphaned elephants are gorgeous and so well looked after by their handlers. Gorgeous Centre to visit and spend time with these magnificent animals. You need to purchase your Nairobi National Park Ticket before arrival to avoid delays.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazing Experience with Armani Tours and Travel – David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage Experience: Booking with Armani Tours and Travel was smooth, professional, and well organized from start to finish. The visit to the was unforgettable. Seeing the rescued baby elephants being fed and playing in the mud was such a heartwarming experience. The guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and ensured we arrived on time before the entry closed. Admission Fee: The admission process was easy and clearly explained in advance by Armani Tours and Travel. Everything was handled professionally, making the trip stress-free. Length of Visit: The visit lasted about one hour, which was enough time to learn about elephant conservation, watch the feeding session, and take memorable photos. Atmosphere: The atmosphere was peaceful, educational, and family-friendly. It was inspiring to see the conservation efforts and the care given to the orphaned elephants. Crowd Size: There were visitors from different countries, but the tour was still enjoyable and well managed. Armani Tours and Travel helped organize the timing perfectly to avoid unnecessary delays. Staff: The staff at the orphanage and the team from Armani Tours and Travel were welcoming, professional, and very informative. They answered questions patiently and made the experience even more enjoyable. Best For: Perfect for families, couples, solo travelers, wildlife lovers, photographers, and anyone visiting looking for a meaningful wildlife conservation experience. I highly recommend Armani Tours and Travel for anyone planning a Nairobi excursion. Their excellent customer service, punctuality, and well-organized tours made the experience truly special.
We got pick up by Steve.. who may I say was an excellent guide. He introduced him self when he first call.. he welcomed up as we arrived at the fan.. he opened the door for us.. on our way to the elephant orphanage he was telling us all about the surrounding areas and telling us interesting facts. We arrived and he showed us the best spot and the orphanage and he even gave us a little briefing on what will happen before it even began. Steve made our day so much better and I just want to thank Steve for a brilliant day
Visiting the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage was an exceptional experience! The work they do to do rescue, rehabilitate, andcrewild orphan elephantsvis amazing. It was so fun to watch the orphansc come out to play and have their afternoon freeding, and the keepers gave a very informative talk about the elephants and the work the orphanage does. Out driver John was fantastic - he contacted us the night before to confirm our appointment and offer assistance with park entry tickets. He was on time in the morning and his commentary during our drive was interesting and informative. He was also a very good, safe driver on Nairobi’s quite congested on roads. We had a wonderful experience and highly recommend this tour.
