The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, founded by Dame Daphne Sheldrick in 1977 in memory of her husband David, runs the most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation programme in the world. Its nursery on the edge of Nairobi National Park cares for calves orphaned by poaching, drought and human wildlife conflict, hand raising them until they can be moved to reintegration units in Tsavo and eventually returned to the wild.
The nursery opens to the public for one hour each day, from 11am to noon, when the orphans come in for their milk feed and mud bath. Keepers introduce each calf by name and tell you where it was found and how it is doing. Orphaned black rhino are sometimes in residence too. It is a short visit but a genuinely moving one, and booking ahead is essential. Entrance donation, transfers, mineral water and a guide are included.
