David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Center Tour – Nairobi's Top Wildlife Experience
Duration: Approx. 4.5 hours
Start Time: 8:30 AM
Tour Type: Small Group or Private Tour
Transportation: Comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle
Pick-Up: Included – Hotel, residence, or Nairobi airport
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Tour Overview
Get up close with Kenya’s most beloved wildlife at two of Nairobi’s premier conservation centers – the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Center. Learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned elephants and feed the endangered Rothschild giraffes at eye level. This unforgettable half-day tour offers an enriching experience for animal lovers, families, and eco-conscious travelers alike.
Sample Itinerary
8:30 AM – Hotel Pick-Up
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Your driver-guide will collect you from your Nairobi accommodation or airport.
9:00 AM – Visit to the Giraffe Center
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Learn about the endangered Rothschild giraffes.
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Feed giraffes from a raised platform and take great photos.
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Optional short nature walk along the Gogo River Trail.
11:00 AM – Visit to David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
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Enjoy the public viewing hour (11:00 AM–12:00 PM).
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Watch baby elephants during their feeding and playful mud bath.
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Learn about their rescue stories and the long-term conservation process.
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Opportunities to symbolically adopt an elephant.
12:30 PM – Optional Stop at Local Craft Market
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Browse handmade souvenirs, beadwork, and carvings. (Optional and time-permitting)
1:00 PM – Drop-Off
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Return to your hotel, residence, or airport.
The order of visits can be adjusted upon request (e.g., start at Sheldrick if preferred).
✅ What’s Included
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✔️ Entry to David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
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✔️ Entry to the Giraffe Center
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✔️ Hotel, residence, or airport pick-up and drop-off
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✔️ Transport in a private vehicle
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✔️ English-speaking driver/guide
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✔️ Bottled water
❌ What’s Not Included
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✖️ Meals or snacks
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✖️ Personal purchases (souvenirs)
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✖️ Gratuities (optional)
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✖️ Elephant adoption (optional – available via Sheldrick Trust)
Highlights
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Witness the feeding of orphaned baby elephants
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Hand-feed endangered Rothschild giraffes
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Learn about Kenya’s leading conservation programs
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️ Optional stop at local craft markets for authentic souvenirs
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Nature trail experience with beautiful views
Why Book This Tour?
Whether you’re on a short layover or planning a deeper dive into Kenya’s wildlife heritage, this half-day excursion is a must-do in Nairobi. It’s an educational, interactive, and family-friendly experience that supports genuine conservation work.
https://cruzeiro-safaris.com/nairobi-tours/product/nairobi-national-park-tour-and-elephants-orphanage/
https://cruzeiro-safaris.com/nairobi-tours/product/nairobi-national-park-tour-elephants-orphanage-and-giraffe-center/
https://cruzeiro-safaris.com/nairobi-tours/product/nairobi-animal-orphanage-and-giraffe-center-tour/
admin –
Reviewed by: Lori A, September 2015
I enjoyed seeing the elephants feed and play. I really enjoyed hearing the commentary on each elephant – their age, how old they were when they came to the orphanage, and the process for working with the elephants at different ages. Very informative and fun.
admin –
Reviewed by: Barbara D, June 2017
The tour provider was Cruzeiro Safaris and the driver guide was Timothy. We called and extended the booking to also include an afternoon game drive in Nairobi National Park. So, Cruzeiro Safaris was good when I called and extended the booking at the published rate, to also include the afternoon. Timothy was a good driver, but was not very knowledgeable about the Elephant Orphanage or Giraffe Center….the good news is that both of those facilities has a speaker that gives you the background. Where Timothy excelled was on the game drives. He had a good eye for spotting the animals, was on the phone and talking with the other drivers regarding where the animals were at, so we got to see lions, white rhinos, Masai giraffes, common zebras, cape buffalo, ostriches, impala, elan, and hartebeasts. The only downside to the day was the vehicle, while very much enjoyed the roof that opened up, so could stand and see animals, BUT the aircon did not work, so there was times in the morning when driving that had to have windows open to get air in the va