Baby elephants? Let’s go! Of course we wanted to see baby elephants on our trip to Kenya. Luckily for us, Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust is located just outside Nairobi. My daughter, our traveling companion, and I visited as an excursion from Giraffe Manor, and it was one of our favorite things to do. Here is everything you need to know to visit Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi.
What is Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust?
Also known as “The Elephant Orphanage,” Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust began in 1977 and is one of Africa’s oldest wildlife charities. The Orphan’s Project is the first of its kind in Africa, and the most successful in the world as well. Their purpose is to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned baby elephants, but other wildlife have made their way here, too. A visit to the Elephant Orphanage will allow you to get close enough to pet these sweet animals, and will allow you to get to know their stories. Click here for more details, and to adopt an orphan.
Read on: How to Visit the Rhino Orphanage at Solio Rhino Conservancy
Can I go any time?
You can go any day of the week, but only from 11:00am-noon! And you will need to reserve your spot in advance. We were able to book with just a couple of days’ notice, but if I had it to do over again, I would have booked further in advance to make sure we were able to visit on the most convenient day during our trip. I would recommend booking at least two weeks to one month in advance. Click here to plan your visit.
Keep reading: The Best Reasons Why I Chose to Take my Toddler on a Safari (and would I do it again?)
How much does it cost?
As of 2026, there is no “admission” to the Elephant Orphanage, but guests are required to make a $20 USD donation, per adult over 12 years old, in cash. Admission for children under 12 years old is $5 USD. Note: only bills minted after the year 2000 are accepted. They could easily charge far more than that and still be fully booked every day, so I felt like this was a deal! The Elephant Orphanage is located inside Nairobi National Park, so you will have to pay the National Park fee as well, which you are encouraged to do in advance here. As of February 2026, fees are $80 USD per adult and $40 USD per child.
Read next: Tips for Feeding Giraffes at Giraffe Manor
What will I see there?
Baby elephants are the star, but they are likely not the only animals you’ll see! When we visited in February 2026, we adored the sweet, 13-month-old black rhino and 5-month-old baby zebra. These unlikely friends were rescued around the same time, and they are besties! It was the sweetest thing. We got to see them up-close, and watch their caretakers feed them. Babies of all shapes and sizes are just the cutest!
And then there are… The baby elephants! When we visited, there were 12 resident orphaned elephants, but there may be more or fewer when you visit. During the visit, a keeper introduced each elephant and the story of how it became an orphan. When the residents are rehabilitated and come of age, they are re-introduced to the wild, methodically and ethically. The animals themselves decide when they are ready to fully assimilate into a herd, so they are never pressured to go out before they are ready. Some come back to give birth in a place they know is safe and nurturing, bringing it all full-circle.
More here: What to Do at Giraffe Manor (between giraffe feedings)
Want more? Check out my dedicated Kenya Page!
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