Is Sheldrick Elephant Nursery Worth Visiting?
- Justine
- Mar 20
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 23
What is the Sheldrick Elephant Nursery?
If you're searching for animal-related activities in Nairobi, the Sheldrick Elephant Nursery is sure to appear in your results. It is one of the most popular elephant orphanage in Kenya. Sheldrick Elephant Nursery caregivers are dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating baby elephants. When national park rangers find young elephants that have been orphaned due to poaching, injuries, or getting lost from their herd, the nursery steps in. The experienced staff care for these elephants, nursing them back to health until they are ready to return to the wild.
Things to Know Before Visiting
No Tour Needed: You don’t have to book an expensive tour to visit Sheldrick Elephant Nursery. Many companies charge high fees for this experience, but entry to the nursery itself costs only $20 USD.
Getting There: You can take an Uber to the entrance of Sheldrick, and from there, the orphanage provides a car to transport visitors to the site.
Entrance Fee: Since the nursery is located within Nairobi National Park, you must pay the park’s entrance fee to access it, even if you don’t plan to explore the rest of the park (you might as well make it a day trip and do both).
What to Expect During Your Visit
Your visit to Sheldrick Elephant Nursery will be a unique and heartwarming experience.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
The tour takes place daily from 11 AM to 12 PM, during the elephants’ feeding time.
You’ll witness baby elephants being bottle-fed, taking mud baths, and playing in their enclosure.
If you stand close enough to the fence, you might even get the chance to touch their rough, wrinkled skin.
The head caregiver will introduce each elephant by name, sharing their rescue story, where they were found, their condition upon arrival, and how they’ve progressed.
Some elephants arrive at the nursery in critical condition—malnourished, injured, or severely dehydrated. In extreme cases, they are airlifted by helicopter to receive urgent care.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the visit is learning about the elephants’ incredible memory. The caregiver explained that some rehabilitated elephants return to the nursery years after being released into the wild. Whether they are injured or struggling to find food, they remember the kindness they received and come back for help—an incredible testament to their intelligence.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth Visiting?
Yes, Sheldrick Elephant Nursery is absolutely worth visiting! Even though the experience lasts only an hour, it is incredibly rewarding. Watching the elephants up close, hearing their stories, and engaging with the caregivers makes for an unforgettable experience. It’s also an opportunity to support a meaningful conservation effort dedicated to protecting these gentle giants.
If you're in Nairobi, don't miss the chance to visit this incredible sanctuary—it’s a must-see for animal lovers and responsible travelers alike!
Did you find this blog helpful? Let me know in the comments, or share your experience at Sheldrick Elephant Nursery! If you want me to share more videos of the baby elephants, let me know in the comment too.
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