David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Day Trip
Experience two of Nairobi’s most celebrated wildlife conservation attractions on this unforgettable half-day adventure. Meet endangered Rothschild’s giraffes and rescued orphaned baby elephants while learning about Kenya’s remarkable conservation efforts.
Pickup & Drop-off: Nairobi hotels or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)
Departure Time: 8:00 AM
Transport: Private pop-top safari minivan
Duration: Approximately 5–6 hours
Giraffe Centre
Your journey begins at the renowned Giraffe Centre, a conservation sanctuary dedicated to the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. Climb the elevated feeding platform for an up-close encounter where you can hand-feed these gentle giants. If you’re lucky, you may even receive a famous giraffe “kiss”!
Established in 1979 by conservationists Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville, the Centre has played a vital role in breeding and protecting Rothschild’s giraffes, helping restore their population across Kenya. Visit the education centre to learn more about the conservation program and the successful reintroduction of giraffes into protected national parks.
The Centre is also a popular destination for Kenyan school groups, making it a lively and educational experience for visitors of all ages.
David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
Next, you’ll visit the world-famous David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, arriving in time for the daily public feeding at 11:00 AM.
Watch as rescued baby elephants eagerly run to their keepers for their milk bottles before enjoying a playful mud bath just a few metres away. This heartwarming experience offers a rare opportunity to observe these remarkable animals up close while learning their individual rescue stories.
The sanctuary provides a safe haven for orphaned elephants rescued after losing their mothers through poaching, drought, accidents, or human-wildlife conflict. It is the world’s most successful elephant rehabilitation programme, having rescued and rehabilitated hundreds of orphaned elephants and several rhinos before returning many of them to protected habitats in the wild.
A visit to this remarkable sanctuary is often one of the most memorable experiences of any trip to Kenya.
Tour Highlights
- Private half-day tour from Nairobi
- Hand-feed endangered Rothschild’s giraffes from the feeding platform
- Opportunity to receive a famous giraffe kiss
- Watch the baby elephants during their daily feeding and mud bath
- Learn about Kenya’s leading wildlife conservation initiatives
- Family-friendly experience suitable for all ages
- Comfortable private pop-top safari minivan transportation
