Big babies. That’s who you’ll see at the Solio Rhinoceros Orphanage. Lots of big babies! They’re sweet, cute, and I might even say majestic. Visiting the Rhino Orphanage was high on our list of things to do while we stayed at Solio Lodge, and it did not disappoint. Here is your guide to the Rhino Orphanage at the Solio Game Reserve.
What is the Rhinoceros Orphanage?
The Rhino Orphanage is part of the Solio Rhinoceros Game Reserve. As of March 2026, it had only been open about two years, but they have already rehabilitated several animals (not just rhinos!) and introduced them back into the wild. Their rehabilitation and “rewilding” process is everything these animals need to ease back into the wild with others of their kind. The animals themselves decide when they’re ready to go into the wild, and sometimes they come back to the orphanage if they need help, or to give birth. They are always welcomed back.
More here: The Best things to Do at Solio Lodge
Where is it located?
The orphanage is located within the Solio Game Reserve, and is open to all visitors, not just guests staying at the park. It can be reached by car from Nairobi (about 3 hours), Nyeri (about 30 minutes), Nanyuki (about 1 hour), or Nakuru (about 3 hours). Visitors can also arrive by plane into Nanyuki Airstrip, and take a 30 minute drive from there. We flew from Nairobi and stayed at Solio Lodge, so we only had to take a 10-15 minute drive to the Orphanage.
Read next: The Best Trips for Animal Lovers
Is there a charge?
Yes. Admission to the Orphanage is $20 USD per person for viewing only, if you’re on a budget and just want to see the babies. To feed and interact with the animals (which I highly recommend) is $75 USD per adult, and $40 USD per child under age 11. This admission goes toward the animals’ rescue, veterinary care, food, housing, and other needs. Click here to book your visit.
They also have an amazing gift shop–one of the best I saw on our entire trip. Your purchases also go to the care of the animals at the orphanage, of course. I took home authentic Kenyan coffee and hand crafted mugs as gifts for family and friends, as well as handmade stuffed animals (a giraffe and a rhino!) for my daughter, to help her remember the trip.
Keep reading: Tips for Your Safari at Solio with The Safari Collection
Is it just for rhinos?
No! While you’re here visiting, you’ll see plenty of other orphans and even former residents. The Eland in the photo below (the largest variety of antelope) had already been rewilded, but returned! We also saw impalas, and even a baby zebra with a broken leg. He’s the only one my daughter was willing to pet! By the time you visit, some of these may already be rewilded, and new orphans will most likely be living here.
Also this: Everything You Need to Know about Visiting Cinnabar Green Essential Oils Farm
How many rhinos do they have?
At the time we visited, there were six baby rhinos of a variety of sizes and ages! One of the keepers introduced us to each of them and told us how they came to be at the orphanage. The stories were sad, and sometimes shocking, but the babies were so happy and healthy, it was hard to dwell on how they arrived. There were four girls and two boys when we visited, and we fed them separately. More on that below!
Read on: Why I Chose to Take My Toddler on Safari (and would I do it again?)
Can I feed them?
Yes! Definitely take the opportunity to feed the babies. Having grown up on a farm, feeding the baby goats who had been rejected by their mothers (mother goats are not amazing) was my favorite “chore,” which didn’t feel like a chore at all. Feeding the rhinos, zebra, and impala here brought back those fond memories! I forgot how fun it is to feed an animal baby–even one that’s so big! The keepers will tell you how to feed each animal, and you will become fast friends.
The boy rhinos had to be fed first, at the same time as each other, but separately from the girls. They are bigger and more aggressive, and they went off a play for a few more hours after their last feeding of the day. The girls got fed on their own over at their stalls. They went to bed shortly after we fed them.
But that’s not all! We got to feed a baby zebra! This was like a dream come true for me. I have always thought zebras were so pretty. My daughter even wanted to pet him! (I know, I keep saying that, but she literally refused to pet any other animals on our entire trip!) And our friend Leah got to feed the baby impala, who got fed from a literal baby bottle. Every feed was so precious.
Read next: What It’s Like Staying at Solio Lodge by The Safari Collection
Want more? Check out my dedicated Kenya Page!
Love this post? Pin it for later!
