One of the best things to do when visiting Nairobi is to visit the orphaned baby elephants of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
Wildlife conservation is something I am very passionate about.
The baby elephants are so much fun and playful and it’s hard not to want to adopt one.
The elephants are orphaned and rescued from the wild, their mothers having being killed by poachers and from other sad events such as being lost from mother.
The orphanage brings up the orphans until they are around three years old and then releases them back into the wild when they are ready.
You can visit the bay elephants for one hour and the show begins when they are all led in for the morning feeding of milk formula.
They all trot happily along knowing it’s time to be fed.
(Post updated 2019).
Elephant Orphanage Nairobi Feeding Time
They playfully jump over each other, and one splashed some people watching with muddy water from its trunk.
Seriously these baby elephants are so cute.
They’re also so hilarious to watch and they really are cheeky little things.
After an hour or so the show is over and you have to go, but not before some of the elephants come up to you to be stroked on the head.
Seeing into the eyes of these elephants from so close you can see how loveable they are, and how sad it is for these animals.
Poaching is unfortunately a huge problem in Africa, with 10,s of thousands of elephants killed each year for their ivory tusks.
According to statistics if the poaching continues at the rate it is then within 50 years there will be no wild elephants left in Africa.
Think about that. No wild elephants left.
For more information on poaching visit here.
You can find out more about the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust here, and how you could possibly help.
You can donate to their conservation efforts, or simply spread the word to others.
The more people who know about this then maybe people will press governments to do more.
Information for Visiting the Elephant Orphanage Nairobi
The David Sheldrick Trust elephant and rhino orphanage is around 30 minutes by taxi from the centre of Nairobi and should cost you around $20 to get there and back.
There is only one feeding a day for one hour between 11 and 12 in the morning.
In my opinion it’s the best thing to do in Nairobi and your money goes to a very good cause.
Again if you want to help out orphaned baby elephants and rhinos (they have rhinos now as well since I visited) you can see the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust donation page here.
You can even become a foster parent if you want to.
This is an excellent page on their site with links to articles about elephant conservation.
Book a place to stay in Nairobi here
I recommend using SafetyWing Travel Insurance for your trip, just in case, it’s best to be prepared.
If you will be travelling in Kenya for a few weeks then take a look at my 2 weeks in Kenya travel itinerary, for some possible ideas for your trip.
Google Map directions to David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nairobi:
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If you love elephants a share would be appreciated!
Hey Jonny. This post reminded me of a baby elephant I had met at the Jaldapara forest in India. I had begged the ranger into giving him his lunch for the duration of my stay… his lunch was raw rice, pulses and banana all wrapped in young banana leaves. He used to love eating them.
You are right … I did want to adopt him soo much 🙂
Hey Anwesha. Yes I remember seeing baby elephants when I was in Indian several years ago. They are so cute!
Hey very cool website!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing ..
I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally?
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I wonder where David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is. I live here in Nairobi and would love to take my kids out thereto see baby elephants
Hey Jennifer,
It’s been almost 2 years since I was there so I can’t remember the transport details very well, but it’s very close to Nairobi. Check on Google Maps or whatever online maps you may use to find its location.
Your kids will absolutely love it there!