The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Nairobi Nursery is the most heart-warming hour in Kenya. The Trust was founded by Dame Daphne Sheldrick in memory of her husband David, the founding warden of Tsavo East, and its nursery inside Nairobi National Park has raised hundreds of orphaned elephants, most of them victims of poaching, drought or conflict with people. Every day except Christmas Day, from 11am to noon, the public is invited to watch the youngest orphans arrive for their milk feed, wrestle, play in the mud bath and roll in red earth just a rope’s length away, while the keepers who sleep beside them at night explain each elephant’s rescue and progress. The visit is booked in advance by email with the Trust, and the entry donation is paid in cash on arrival. Because the nursery is inside the national park, you also need a Kenya Wildlife Service park ticket. It is a simple, moving experience, and many visitors leave having fostered an orphan of their own.
How to book: access is strictly by advance booking, made by email to the Trust’s Nairobi office through the contact details on its website. Slots are limited, bookings open up to three months ahead, and same-day bookings are not possible. The Trust is clear that it does not accept bookings made through third-party platforms such as Viator, GetYourGuide or Tripadvisor; if a tour operator or guide books for you, ask them for a copy of the official confirmation email from the Trust and bring it on the day.
Fees and getting there: the entry donation is 20 US dollars for adults and 5 dollars for children under twelve, with lower resident rates, paid in cash at the nursery. Separately, every visitor needs a KWS park ticket bought through eCitizen. Enter at the KWS Mbagathi Gate, also called the Workshop Gate, on Magadi Road, and aim to arrive by 10:30. Taxis and ride-hail cars without park permits drop you at the gate, where a Trust vehicle shuttles visitors in before the visit starts.
Making the most of it: stand along the rope near the mud bath for the best view, and keep your voice low so the keepers can be heard. At the end you can foster an orphan from 50 US dollars a year, and you will receive updates on your elephant’s progress, which makes a lovely gift for children.
What to expect
The experience
A one-hour public visit at a roped viewing area, watching keepers feed and care for orphaned baby elephants while one of them narrates.
Best time
The only public slot is 11am to noon every day except 25 December, so arrive at the gate by 10:30.
How long
One hour at the nursery, plus travel and park-gate time.
Tips
Book by email directly with the Trust, carry cash for the donation and buy your KWS park ticket on eCitizen beforehand.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Animal lovers and anyone who wants to understand elephant conservation in Kenya first-hand.
- Families
- One of the best experiences in Africa for children, who can foster an elephant and follow its progress at home.
- Couples
- A joyful, emotional hour that fits neatly into a morning in the national park.
- Pair with
- An early game drive in Nairobi National Park, then the Giraffe Centre in the afternoon.
- Time needed
- About two hours including the gate, the shuttle and the visit.
Good questions
What time is the Sheldrick elephant orphanage open to visitors?+
The public visit runs from 11am to noon every day except Christmas Day. It is the only daily public slot, so plan your morning around it.
How do I book the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust visit?+
Book by email with the Trust’s Nairobi office, up to three months ahead; same-day visits are not possible. The Trust does not accept bookings from platforms such as Viator or GetYourGuide, so if a guide books for you, ask for the official confirmation email.
How much does it cost to visit the elephant nursery?+
The entry donation is 20 US dollars for adults and 5 dollars for children under twelve, paid in cash on arrival. You also need a separate Kenya Wildlife Service park ticket bought through eCitizen.
Which gate do I use for the Sheldrick nursery?+
Use the KWS Mbagathi Gate, also called the Workshop Gate, on Magadi Road. Taxis without park permits drop you at the gate, and a Trust vehicle takes visitors to the nursery.
Can I adopt an elephant at the Sheldrick Trust?+
Yes, you can foster an orphan at the end of the visit or online, from 50 US dollars a year. Fosterers receive regular updates about their elephant.
