Every tourist dreams of seeing the Big Five on a Kenyan Safari. However, unknown to many, there is a gem hidden inside the Nairobi National Park where you can adopt a baby elephant for as little as US$50.
Yes, you read that right, 50 bucks!
In partnership with Kenya Wildlife Service, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust runs the Nairobi Elephant Orphanage.
Plus, through its Orphan’s Project, the Trust operates the world’s most successful orphan elephant rescue program.
Brief History Of The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust was established in 1977 by Dr. Daphne Sheldrick in honor of her husband, David Sheldrick.
David, a life-long conservationist, transformed the Tsavo National Park into a national and international treasure during his tenure as head warden.
Despite rampant poaching in his heir years, Tsavo still has the largest elephant population in Kenya thanks to his efforts.
After his untimely death, Daphne took up the burden and is immortalized as a trailblazer in wildlife conservation globally beyond her passing in 2018.
In 2001 – Their daughter Angela Sheldrick took over the reins of the Trust and has since continued with her parents’ work.
The Trust rescues these elephants across sub-Saharan Africa from poachers, human-wildlife conflicts, and starvation stemming from unpredictable rainfall patterns.
To date, the Trust has successfully raised over 200 baby elephants, with a majority released back into the wild.
It has also offered veterinary services to more than 2800 elephants on the brink of demise.
The Trust has expanded its operations to the UK and the US to increase awareness and funding for elephant adoption and rehabilitation programs.
It also lobbies for a ban on the ivory trade, which will significantly decrease poaching activities not only in Kenya but Africa as a whole.
How To Adopt A Baby Elephant
The digitization of the adoption procedures has simplified and hastened the process.
Here are quick and simple steps to make an adoption:
- Visit the adoption page on the Trust’s website
- Search for your suitable baby elephant based on age, gender, rescue location, and place it currently resides.
- Read through the in-depth profiles of the shortlisted candidates and make your selection
- Set up your Sheldrick Wildlife Trust account
- Select the Amount (the minimum is US$50 per year), Adoption Duration, and the date you would like the adoption to start
- Fill in your billing details and subscribe to the newsletters you would like to receive
- Review your details
- Make your payment via Debit/Credit card or use PayPal
Please note that the $50 is only a minimum donation fee.
You can add to your donation, which will help support other wildlife programs.
You will have successfully adopted the baby elephant if your payment goes through.
You are then entitled to the following:
- Certificate of Adoption – personalized details
- Images of your adopted elephant – you can download them for personal use
- Keeper’s diaries – latest reports and videos on your adopted orphan
- Exclusive Orphans’ Project updates – monthly email updates from the four orphan units
- Exclusive Watercolors by Angela Sheldrick – downloadable
You can also adopt a baby elephant on behalf of someone and gift them to make their birthday, wedding, graduation, or anniversary more memorable.
When To Visit The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
You can visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust all year long except on Christmas day.
The visiting hours are strictly 11 am to 12 noon.
However, this one hour is full of activities and definitely worth your while.
It coincides with the orphans’ midday feeding schedule, which fuels their euphoria.
A playful session in the dust follows with mischievous calves venturing towards the fence where you can see them up close.
Competent keepers keep an eye on them, sharing the rescue stories of each of the orphans with eager tourists.
To maximize your visiting time, always arrive earlier than the stipulated time to give the staff ample time to verify your booking details.
Besides, it helps you get acquainted with the Trust’s code of conduct during your visit.
Note – The venue has a daily limit capacity, and you have to book in advance to reserve your slot. No admissions are made at the gate, no matter how noble your course might be.
Luckily, you can make a reservation up to 3 months prior to your visit.
With most days fully booked, we recommend that you first check on their website for availability to match your traveling itinerary.
How To Get To The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
The Trust’s headquarter is inside the Nairobi National Park.
It is 16.6km and a 30-minute drive from Nairobi’s CBD.
You can access the Elephant Nursery through the KWS Central Workshop Gate off Magadi Road(C58).
The entry fee is US$15/ Ksh 1,500 for any visitor above 12 years old and US$5/Ksh 500 for those below 12 years.
Similar to the adoption fee, this is just a minimum amount, and any more significant amount will be highly appreciated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose a name for the elephant I Adopt?
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust predetermines the elephant’s name for easier identification and maintaining the animal’s heritage.
Usually, the names refer to the places the Trust rescued them from or the ethnic tribal names in that region.
Can I interact with an elephant I have adopted?
The Trust minimizes the elephant’s exposure to humans to facilitate easier integration into the wild.
As a result, only the keepers can physically interact with these baby elephants. You can only view them from the edge of the fence, where they occasionally reach out for a greeting.
Can I adopt more than one baby elephant?
Absolutely, we even encourage it. Nursing these orphans is quite expensive, and the orphanage welcomes any additional assistance.
Your donation will help fund the day-to-day feeding program, building shelters for the specialist care the elephants require before they are fit to survive on their own.
How long does the adoption last?
You can adopt a baby elephant for up to 10 years when it is usually sent back into the wild.
The Trust allows you to renew your adoptions annually, or you can make a one-off donation for the entirety of the period.
For an annual renewal, the Trust will send a prompt to you via email, usually a month before the anniversary of your commencement date.
Final Word
In a fast-evolving world, human development is gradually encroaching on the natural habitats of wildlife.
Besides, poaching and climate change are putting more stress on the already dwindling elephant population.
Now more than ever, we need a collaborative effort to save these animals from the threat of extinction.
Caring for these elephants is a demanding job that requires a lot of commitment, passion, and motivation.
Adopting a baby elephant is the little we can do.
The donations will go a long way in helping the charity take proper care of these calves before they are integrated back into the wild.
