Sheldrick Wildlife Trust&Giraffe Center GuidedTour with FEES

Baby elephants make Nairobi feel surprisingly wild. I like the close view of orphaned elephants receiving milk from their keepers, and I like the chance to feed Rothschild giraffes by hand at the Giraffe Centre. The main consideration is price: the $78 tour does not include the additional $43 KWS conservation fee listed for payment through eCitizen.

This guided day trip also includes hotel pickup and drop-off within Nairobi, a bottle of water, and a visit to the Kobe Beads Factory. I especially like that the bead workshop adds a local craft experience to what could otherwise be a quick animal encounter.

You should also prepare for some bustle at the animal stops. The Giraffe Centre can be busy, and entry to the elephant orphanage may feel chaotic before the viewing begins. A flexible guide can make a real difference, as Faith did for one couple who appreciated her friendly manner, humor, and willingness to adjust the day’s plan.

Key points to know before booking

• Milk-fed elephant orphans: Watch keepers feed baby elephants and explain each animal’s name and background.
• Hand-feeding Rothschild giraffes: Use pellets provided by the Giraffe Centre for close-up photos and gentle feeding.
• Kobe Beads Factory visit: See how beads are made and learn about a local craft you might otherwise miss.
• Nairobi hotel transport: Pickup and drop-off are included within Nairobi, which makes the day easier to arrange.
• Extra KWS charge: Budget an additional $43 for the listed conservation fee, paid by card through eCitizen.
• English-speaking guide: The tour is conducted in English and includes a free bottle of water.

A Nairobi day built around conservation

This experience links two well-known animal centers with a small but worthwhile craft stop. It is not a safari through open country. Instead, you get close to animals that are being cared for, learn why that care matters, and see how conservation work connects with education and local employment.

The advertised price is $78 per person. That figure includes the Giraffe Centre entry fee, the elephant orphanage entry fee, Kobe Beads Factory entry, transport within Nairobi, and water. The cost details also list a $43 KWS conservation fee payable through eCitizen, so you should check the final amount carefully before booking.

I see the tour as a useful option if you have only one free day in Nairobi. You get three different stops without having to arrange separate drivers or entry tickets. The trade-off is that the day depends on city traffic, site crowds, and the timing of the animal presentations.

Giraffe Centre: feeding Rothschild giraffes by hand

The Giraffe Centre is the lighter, more playful part of the outing. The center was founded as a rescue and rehabilitation project for endangered Rothschild giraffes. When it began, only about 120 of these giraffes remained on a ranch in western Kenya.

Today, the center also supports conservation education. Its nonprofit organization, the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife Kenya, works with schools through documentaries, contests, pamphlets, brochures, and posters. That gives the visit more purpose than a simple animal photo stop.

You receive pellets that you can offer to the giraffes from your palm. The animals come close enough for memorable pictures, including the familiar shot of a giraffe taking food from your mouth. I would treat that as an optional photo moment rather than the whole point of the visit. The better part is seeing the giraffes at close range and learning why this particular breed needed protection.

The center is about 20 kilometers from central Nairobi. That distance is manageable, but traffic can affect how long the stop takes and how much time remains for the other sites. The experience is also described as busy, so you may need patience around the feeding area.

The nearby Giraffe Manor is the original home of the conservation project’s founders, converted into a boutique hotel. This tour visits the Giraffe Centre, not a stay at Giraffe Manor. That distinction matters because the famous hotel’s breakfast images often appear alongside information about the center.

You should also follow the guide’s instructions and the center’s rules around feeding. The giraffes are the attraction, but responsible contact keeps the experience safe and respectful.

Baby elephants at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

The elephant stop is the emotional center of the day. At the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, you watch orphaned elephants receive milk from large bottles while their keepers explain who they are and how they lost their families.

The trust is located at the western end of Nairobi National Park. Its work began under Dame Daphne Sheldrick, who dedicated the organization to her husband, David Sheldrick, the founding warden of Tsavo National Park. Dame Daphne died in 2018, but the hand-rearing methods and special substitute milk formula she developed continue to guide the work.

The public viewing begins with the young elephants coming into an open playground area with their keepers. The animals may play, join informal football games, or roll in mud. A simple rope barrier runs along one side, giving you a clear place to watch and take photos.

The keepers give short presentations near the animals. Each one explains the elephant’s name, background, and care needs. This personal detail changes the visit. You are not just looking at a group of young elephants. You are hearing how each animal became orphaned and what must happen before it can return to the wild.

The youngest elephants require especially close care. Some are assigned a keeper for round-the-clock guardianship, including sleeping in the stable with the animal. That care provides the substitute family and daily stimulation an orphan needs to survive and develop properly.

The trust explains that without this support, orphaned elephants can fail to thrive. They may suffer fatal infections while teething, and survivors can grow up distressed or poorly prepared for life in the wild. The milk feeding you see is therefore part of a long rehabilitation process, not a show created only for visitors.

You may also have the option to adopt a baby elephant. Adoption supports the trust’s work and gives you a longer connection to the animal’s story. If that interests you, ask your guide or the trust about the current process and available options.

One practical warning: entry can feel disorganized before you reach the viewing area. Build in patience, especially if you are expecting a quick, perfectly timed start. Once the presentation begins, the experience becomes far more focused.

What the keepers add to the visit

The animals are the obvious draw, but the keepers make the stops meaningful. At the elephant orphanage, they explain the animals’ names, histories, feeding needs, and path toward release. Their role also shows how much human care is required before a young elephant can manage in the wild.

At the Giraffe Centre, the conservation message is tied to school education and protection of an endangered giraffe population. You get a short lesson along with the hand-feeding.

This is why I would not judge the tour only by the number of animal encounters. The useful part is the explanation behind them. You learn why the elephants need substitute families and why the Rothschild giraffe project was created in the first place.

Kobe Beads Factory adds a local craft stop

The Kobe Beads Factory is an unexpected but welcome part of the route. Entry is included, and you can learn how the beads are made rather than spending the entire day moving between animal centers.

The supplied information does not give a detailed workshop schedule or say how long the stop lasts, so you should treat it as a guided visit rather than assume you will take part in a full craft class. Still, the chance to see the making process gives the day a human and cultural side.

I like this stop because it is easy to overlook when planning a Nairobi animal day. One visitor specifically valued it as something they would not have arranged alone. You may find that it becomes the most unexpected part of the experience.

If you want to buy something, remember that personal purchases are not included in the tour price. The package covers entry, not items of personal nature.

Transport, guide style, and the pace of the day

Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels within Nairobi. That is a practical advantage, since you do not need to arrange separate transport to the Giraffe Centre, the elephant trust, or the bead factory.

The tour is conducted in English. The guide’s personality may shape the day as much as the official route. Faith received especially strong praise for being friendly, funny, and flexible with the schedule. That flexibility is useful when one stop takes longer than expected or when city traffic changes the plan.

Another couple had trouble communicating because they flew in the day before the tour and did not receive the itinerary a week ahead. I would contact the operator, Kana Tours & Safaris, before arrival and confirm the pickup details, order of stops, and any required payment steps.

The supplied plan describes the Giraffe Centre and elephant orphanage, but exact departure and return times are not provided. Ask for a clear schedule before the day begins. That small step can prevent confusion, especially if you have a flight or another Nairobi activity afterward.

Lunch is available for purchase, not included. Bring a payment method for food and personal purchases, and make sure you understand the separate KWS fee before setting your budget.

Is the $78 price good value?

The $78 base price is reasonable if you want a guided Nairobi outing with several stops. You receive hotel transport, the Giraffe Centre entry fee listed at $15, elephant orphanage admission listed at $20, Kobe Beads Factory entry, and water.

The important catch is the additional $43 KWS conservation fee listed as payable through eCitizen using a card. That can raise the actual cost substantially. The inclusion section repeats the elephant entry fee, so I would ask the operator to clarify the exact breakdown rather than assume the $20 should be counted twice.

The value improves if you would otherwise hire a private driver and pay separate admissions. You also gain an English-speaking guide who can explain the animals and help manage the route.

The value is weaker if you want a low-cost animal park visit, dislike organized stops, or expect a full safari. This tour offers conservation centers and a craft workshop. It does not promise open-country wildlife viewing.

Who should book this Nairobi experience?

I would recommend it to first-time Nairobi visitors with limited time, families interested in animals, and anyone who wants a simple day with transport included. The elephant presentations are especially suitable for people who want to understand rehabilitation rather than only take photos.

It also suits couples and small groups who enjoy a flexible guide. Faith’s friendly approach is a good example of the kind of guide who can make a fixed route feel less rigid.

You should think twice if you dislike crowds, want a quiet animal encounter, or need a precise return time. The Giraffe Centre may be busy, the elephant orphanage entry can be chaotic, and traffic may affect the schedule.

Drones are not allowed. Bring a card for the KWS conservation payment if required, and plan to purchase lunch and any souvenirs separately.

Final verdict: a strong first-day choice in Nairobi

I would book this tour if my Nairobi schedule allowed one organized day and I wanted both animal welfare and local culture. The elephant orphanage is the strongest stop, the giraffe feeding is memorable and hands-on, and the bead factory gives the outing welcome variety.

Before paying, I would confirm the total cost, especially the $43 KWS fee, and request the pickup time and full itinerary. If you accept the possibility of crowds and a flexible schedule, this is a well-rounded introduction to Nairobi’s conservation work.

FAQ

What is the price of the tour?

The listed price is $78 per person. A separate KWS conservation fee of $43 is listed as payable through eCitizen using a card.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Free pickup and drop-off are included for locations within Nairobi.

Which animal centers does the tour visit?

The tour visits the Giraffe Centre and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant and rhino orphanage.

Can I feed the giraffes?

Yes. The Giraffe Centre provides pellets that you can feed to giraffes from your hand.

Can I see baby elephants being fed?

Yes. Public viewing includes baby elephants being fed milk from bottles by their keepers.

Will the elephant keepers explain the animals’ stories?

Yes. The keepers give presentations that explain the elephants’ names and how they became orphaned.

Is the Kobe Beads Factory included?

Yes. Entry to the Kobe Beads Factory is included, and you can learn how the beads are made.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is available for purchase.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour is conducted in English.

Are drones allowed?

No. Drones are not allowed on this experience.