Experience Kenya Elephant Safari-Gentle Giants Safari

There are 3 visiting time slots at the Nairobi orphanage each day and we recommend planning ahead to ensure you get to spend time with the orphans:

11am: Feeding time and a mud bath open to the public which includes a presentation by the head keeper and a chance to watch the elephants play and interact (entry donation $15pp)

3pm: A feeding time and mud bath which is private for one group of visitors only where you also get to interact with the orphans (donation $1000 depending on group size 1-10)

5pm: Feeding and bedtime at the stockade, where up to 40 foster parents get to spend time with the orphans – you do need to have fostered at least one orphan between two people and bookings are essential.

Fostering an Elephant
The Orphan’s Project exists through donations from individuals and organisations, particularly support provided via the Trust’s Fostering Programme.The Fostering Program, in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, supports an elephant nursery in Nairobi National Park that was overseen by Late Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick who is credited with developing a complex milk formulary, as well as an in-depth understanding of husbandry. The Late Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick who passed away in April 2018 at the age of 93. In 1977, Daphne founded the Trust in memory of her husband David, founding warden of one of Africa’s largest parks, Tsavo East National Park in Kenya. It has become a pioneering elephant rescue and rehabilitation program, over time expanding its reach to protect the Black Rhino and other endangered species.
You can foster a baby elephant for yourself or as a gift at a cost of $50 per year. Select ‘your elephant’ online and receive monthly updates and drawings.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• All elephant adoption fees go directly to the care and feeding of the calf.
• Elephants available for adoption are listed on the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust website, along with their name, detailed biography and place of origin.
• Sponsors regularly receive photos and updates by e-mail, and are considered lifelong members of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust family.

Click here for more information on fostering. https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans

Come join us, as we embark on an intimate Gentle Giants journey in Kenya and follow the “re-wilding” of elephants (orphaned by human-wildlife conflict, poaching and natural disasters) from their (early age), baby-years at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust nursery in Nairobi, to their adolescent years and the stockades of Tsavo East.

This is a 13 days safari dedicated exclusively to encounters with the gentle giants of Africa’s wildlife areas.
Elephants are intelligent, socially complex and utterly absorbing to watch. This thrilling safari combines Amboseli National Park, famous for its large elephant herds and iconic views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the endless rugged beauty of Tsavo East National Park.

Nairobi – Tsavo East National Park -Kibwezi Forest Re-Intergration Camp 13 Days / 12 Nights

Tour Highlights

• Exclusive itinerary to Nature’s Wonderland Safaris Ltd
• Wildlife rich areas
• Small unique and boutique camps
• Optional Fly between parks – maximising time on safari at extra fee-kindly ask if you want that.
• Road transfers between the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Regeneration Camps
• 3 iconic parks in Kenya
• You own and adopted elephant orphan for a year or so with monthly newsletter sent to you.

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi at the Airport:
You will be met by our representative with a signboard “Save the Elephant Safari” or your name. Thereafter you will be transferred to Our Hotel for overnight stay.

Day 2: Nairobi
Early morning breakfast, and later you will be met and transferred by our representatives to the Giraffe Sanctuary where you get the chance to get eye to eye with the endangered Rothschild Giraffe. At 10 o’clock, we proceed to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the famous Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage for a visit.

Between 11 o’clock and 12 o’clock you will have an opportunity to meet the caretakers of the orphanage who will furnish you with detailed information regarding the orphaned elephants currently saved and in the station. This is a great opportunity to take photos of your foster elephant or new additions to the Nairobi orphanage. Here you will learn more about the tremendous conservation efforts and work they do here caring for the elephant orphans. At this point you can make your choice and an elephant will be adopted in your name. Continue on to the Karen Blixen museum for a visit before checking into the lovely Hotel for a one night stay with breakfast included. In the afternoon you will be met and transferred to the Elephant Orphanage for the private afternoon session from 15:00-1630hrs and another one at 17:00 – 18:00hrs. This session is reserved exclusively for foster parents (The public is not allowed in at this time) and is a perfect time to get you know your elephant a bit better and marvel as they go about their bedtime routine.
Accommodation: The Boma Hotel or Eka Hotel

Day 3: Nairobi – Tsavo East – Ithumba Camp

After breakfast, at about 7.00 hrs depart to Ithumba Camp in Tsavo East in our 4 wheel drive vehicle. We will try as much as possible to visit the Elephants frequently and increase our presence at the release station. A meeting with the Keepers and to visit the Elephants is planned late afternoon at 1700 hrs. This Camp is specifically self- catering, without a swimming pool and has only simple but nicely furnished rooms with a beautiful outdoor bathroom. Our Chef cook will take care of you with delicious, freshly prepared meals throughout your stay. (self Catering camp)

Day 4 & 5: Full day in Tsavo East – Ithumba Camp

Spend another 02 nights at Ithumba Camp. Our driver/guide and vehicle will always be at your disposal. The daily visits to the Stockades are also guaranteed.
Popular is the 11.00 am visit and again the 17.00 (5 pm) visit where you can interact actively with your foster elephant that will eventually be released and integrated into the Wild. A number of spectacular and breathtaking wildlife sightings await you during the Safari.(self Catering camp)

Day 6: Tsavo East – Sentrim Tsavo Camp

After an early morning breakfast, we depart to Sentrim Tsavo to arrive in time for Lunch. We will spend the afternoon discovering the Park with extended game drive and a visit to the forth release station of the Orphaned Elephants.

Day 7: Tsavo East – Sentrim Tsavo Camp

Enjoy one more day in this magnificent park. Daily visits to the Elephants and unlimited game drives are guaranteed. If time allows, we can undertake an excursion to the famous Lugard Falls on the Galana River where you may leave the vehicle for a while and take a walk to the rapids.

Day 8: Tsavo East – Kibwezi Forest

After breakfast you depart to Kibwezi Forest, which is a conservation area where another release station for the Elephants has been set. You will spend the rest of the day in Umani Springs, a beautiful self-catering house managed and run by the Sheldricks. A visit to the new Stockades is planned for in the afternoon. Our chef will prepare lovely, fresh meals for you. You will enjoy your Lunch at the camp.

Accommodation: Umani Springs Camp (self Catering camp)

Day 9: Full day Kibwezi Forest

Today we will have an early morning Sunrise Stockades visit and thereafter a morning breakfast, here we can do morning walks and head to 11a.m mud-bath before we take lunches and spend the rest of the afternoon seister. In the late afternoon we will take a sunset view point to see famous Chyulu Hills National Park which boasts of magnificent scenery. This is a truly magical area of ragged craters, rolling grassland, exotic aromatic plants and cedar forests not forgetting the diverse wildlife.

We will end the day’s activities with one visit to the Stockades before returning to Umani Spring for overnight.

Accommodation: Umani Springs Camp (self Catering camp)

Day 10: Kibwezi Forest- Amboseli National Park

While on your game drives learn more about The Amboseli Trust for Elephants (ATE) Research conducted by ATE over a period of more than four decades in Amboseli has highlighted the long-term conservation and welfare of Africa’s elephants as well as the ethical implications of human needs and pressures. Through scientific research, training and community outreach this knowledge base has helped to ensure the survival of the elephants as well as the Amboseli ecosystem. Witness this extraordinary story in the animals and ecosystems of Amboseli.

Day 11: Amboseli National Park

You will have two full days in Amboseli National Park. You will have a 0630hrs game drive that will offer you the opportunity to catch the glorious snowcapped Mt. Kilimanjaro offering the best photography back drop. You will return to the lodge later for breakfast and time at leisure before an afternoon game drive from 1600hrs until sunset. The animals are mainly found around the swamps. If the weather is clear and there is no low cloud cover, you may see the peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, which forms a beautiful backdrop to the park. Meals and overnight: Ol Tukai Lodge (Full Board)

Day 12: Amboseli – Nairobi

After breakfast, depart to Nairobi to arrive in the city afternoon hours. Proceed to the Elephant Orphanage for the last one hour foster parents visit at 1700 hours. Dinner at a local restaurant. (own account) This is a good opportunity for participants to say their “goodbyes” before their international flights. After dinner we transfer you to the Airport for your international flight departing from Nairobi or your accommodation choice in Nairobi.

Day 13: Nairobi- Free Optional Day

You will have the day at your own leisure awaiting your flight timing. You will later be picked from the hotel for a drive to the airport for your early afternoon or evening flight back home.

18th October to 29th October 2022/2023 (8 spaces remaining)
02nd November to 13th November 2022/2023 (8 spaces remaining)
17th November to 28th November 2022/2023 (8 spaces remaining)

We offer a number of ORGANIZED and SET departure Date Itineraries. Our Save The Elephant Safaris are among the best booked and they tend to sell out very fast. The idea is to sponsor & foster one or more orphaned elephants with support of the Daphne Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, based in Nairobi.

• This Safari is a GROUP Safari, where individuals can join and experience meeting their sponsored elephants at various locations in Kenya.
• Accommodation is on shared basis mostly and the number of maximum / minimum participants is 6 – 8 persons at one time.
• You can also book this Safari on INDIVIDUAL BASIS and you do not need to join a group departure. Simply contact us with your preferred dates!

Price Includes

• Airport transfers in Nairobi on arrival / departures,
• All accommodation & transport as per itinerary,
• All meals and all game activities as indicated,
• 2 nights on bed & breakfast at the Nairobi Hotel
• 3 nights on full board at Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust Ithumba Camp
• 2 nights on full board at Umani Springs
• 2 Nights at Tsavo East National Park Sentrim Camp or Similar
• 2 nights on full board at Amboseli Oltukai Lodge
• All park entry fee as per itinerary
• All park entry fee for driver and vehicle
• Game drives in 4×4 vehicles.
• Mineral water during game drives
• 3 meals per day at Ithumba Camp and Umani Springs
• Services of a Chef cook at Ithumba Camp and Umani Springs
• 3 visits to the orphaned Elephants at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi
• Emergency Evacuation insurance
• A selection of alcoholics & non-alcoholic beverages during your stay at Ithumba & Umani Springs
• AMREF flying doctor service within Kenya only

Price Excludes

• visa fee, additional entrance fees,
• Gratuities,
• Comprehensive travel insurance,
• Drinks,
• Laundry unless specified,
• Purchases of personal nature,
• Telephone calls,
• Additional activities and medical precautions

Price Notes:

Luggage restriction of 15 kilograms per person in soft bags only for local flying-in option.

Prices and accommodation is strictly subject to availability at the time of booking.