David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi: Visiting and Adoption

The trust was founded in 1977 by Dame Daphne Sheldrick in memory of her husband David, a Tsavo warden. Its orphans are rescued elephants and rhinos that lost mothers to poaching, drought or conflict. After hand-rearing in Nairobi, the animals move to reintegration centres in Tsavo and eventually join wild herds.

This page explains how a visit works, how fostering supports the animals and how to fit it into a trip.

This guide is part of our animals of Uganda and East Africa guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.

The Daily Public Visit

The orphanage opens to the public for a short period around midday, when keepers bring the orphans to a mud bath and give milk feeds. Keepers explain each elephant's story. Check current opening times and booking rules before you go.

How Fostering Works

From Orphan to Wild

Young elephants live with keepers for years, and in Tsavo they join groups that eventually rejoin wild herds. This process takes years. See Tsavo East and West.

Combining With Nairobi Sights

Many visitors pair the orphanage with the Giraffe Centre and Nairobi National Park. See things to do in Nairobi and elephant facts.

Visiting the Nairobi Nursery

The Nairobi elephant nursery in Nairobi National Park opens to the public for a limited daily hour, when keepers bring orphaned calves out for mud baths and milk feeds. Arrive early, follow staff instructions and respect crowd limits. Many visitors also adopt an orphan through the trust's programme, which supports rescue, rehabilitation and release.

The Wider Mission

Orphans are raised by keepers who act as surrogate families, then move to reintegration units in Tsavo and other areas where they gradually return to the wild. The trust also supports anti-poaching teams, vets and community work. See elephant facts.

Foster and Learn

Visitors can foster an orphan, which helps pay for milk, care and keepers, and receive updates about the calf. Learning about the stories behind each orphan adds depth to the visit. Ask keepers questions, respect barriers and avoid touching the elephants. The experience is educational and moving.

Planning Tips

Plan around the public visiting hour and traffic. See Kenya travel guide and African safari trips.

Planning a Uganda safari? Send us your dates and we will build the route, permits and transport around what you want to see.

Related Tours, Guides and Resources

• Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
• Uganda safari packages
• Uganda travel guide
• How to book a Uganda safari
• Plan your safari with our team