Nairobi Excursion · Nairobi National Park
Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage Tour: Private Nairobi Day Trip
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust runs its Nairobi elephant nursery on the edge of Nairobi National Park. Orphaned baby elephants, rescued from across Kenya, are hand-raised here before being moved to reintegration units in Tsavo and elsewhere. During the public visiting hour in the late morning, you watch the keepers bottle-feed the orphans and the young elephants play in the mud.
C.A.T.S includes the Sheldrick visit in our private Nairobi National Park & City Tour. We plan the day around the visiting hour, add an early game drive and the Giraffe Centre, and handle pickup and drop-off at your hotel or JKIA.
See the full day-by-day plan, inclusions and booking form on the Nairobi National Park & City Tour | Wildlife & Culture page, or browse all Nairobi excursions and day trips.
What You Will Experience
Stop 1
Early game drive
Search Nairobi National Park for rhino, lion, giraffe and buffalo before the Sheldrick visit. Wildlife sightings are naturally unpredictable.
Stop 2
Elephant nursery visit
Keepers bring the baby elephants out for their milk feed and mud bath, and explain each orphan's rescue story.
Stop 3
Giraffe Centre
Hand-feed Rothschild's giraffes from the raised platform in nearby Langata.
Stop 4
Karen Blixen or Bomas
Choose a cultural afternoon at the Karen Blixen Museum or Bomas of Kenya.
Tour at a Glance
- Duration: 1 day
- Starting price: From USD 260 (final quote confirmed by our team)
- Start & finish: Your Nairobi hotel or JKIA
- Vehicle: Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
Good to Know
- The orphanage has a set public visiting hour, so tour timings are planned around it
- Advance visit booking is required by the Trust; we arrange it with your tour
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser, lunch and bottled water included
- Hotel or JKIA pickup and drop-off included
What's Included
- Nairobi hotel/airport pick-up & drop-off
- Transport in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver/guide
- All park entrance fees
- Game viewing drives as per itinerary
- Lunch and bottled water
- Government taxes and levies
Not Included
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Items and services of a personal nature
- Tips and gratuities
Frequently Asked Questions
When can you visit the Sheldrick elephant orphanage?
The Trust opens its Nairobi nursery to the public for one hour in the late morning, usually 11:00 to 12:00. Our itinerary is timed so you arrive before the visit starts.
Do I need to book the Sheldrick visit in advance?
Yes, the Trust requires visits to be booked in advance. Book your tour with us early so we can secure your place.
Can you touch the baby elephants?
During the public visit you watch from behind a rope while keepers feed the orphans. The elephants often come close to the rope, but contact is at the keepers' discretion.
Can I adopt an elephant?
Yes, the Trust runs a fostering programme online. Fosters can also arrange a separate evening visit through the Trust directly.
Is the Sheldrick orphanage inside Nairobi National Park?
The nursery is on the edge of Nairobi National Park, which is why it combines so easily with a morning game drive.
How long does the whole tour take?
It is a full-day private tour, from an early pickup for the game drive to an afternoon return to your hotel or the airport.
Do you pick up from Nairobi hotels and JKIA?
Yes. Pick-up and drop-off from your Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is included in every C.A.T.S Nairobi excursion and day trip. Share your hotel name or flight details when you book and your driver-guide will meet you there.
Is this a private tour?
Our Nairobi excursions and day trips are run as private tours, so the 4x4 Land Cruiser and driver-guide are reserved for your party only. You set the pace, and timings can be adjusted around your flights or plans.
What vehicle will we use?
A 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, driven by a professional English-speaking driver-guide. The pop-up roof lets everyone stand for clear wildlife viewing and photography.
Are park entrance fees included?
Yes. All park entrance fees for the parks in your itinerary are included in the quoted price, together with bottled drinking water and government taxes. The full included and excluded list is shown on each tour page.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes. Our private Nairobi tours are family-friendly. Children under 11 are booked at child rates, and the private vehicle means you can take breaks whenever the family needs one.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable layers in neutral colours, a warm top for early mornings, closed shoes, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and a camera. Binoculars are a good idea for game drives.
How do I book?
Click Book This Tour, choose your preferred date and number of travellers, and send the request. Our excursions team replies with confirmation and payment details. You can also message us on WhatsApp on +254 723 951 388.
How do I pay?
Payment details are sent with your confirmed quote. See our Payment Methods page for the options we accept.
Can I combine this with a Kenya safari?
Yes. Many guests add a Nairobi excursion or day trip before or after a Masai Mara, Amboseli or Lake Nakuru safari. Tell us your safari dates and we will fit it into your plan.
More Nairobi Excursions & Day Trips
Nairobi Excursion · Langata
Giraffe Centre Tour Nairobi
Nairobi Excursion · Karen
Karen Blixen Museum Tour
Nairobi Excursion · JKIA Layover
Nairobi Layover Safari
Day Trip from Nairobi · Rift Valley
Hell's Gate Day Trip from Nairobi
Day Trip from Nairobi · Rift Valley
Lake Nakuru Day Trip from Nairobi
Multi-day
Kenya Safari Packages
Ready to Book?
Choose your date and send your request. Our excursions team confirms availability and replies with your quote.