Visiting the
Orphans
Orphan visits are available exclusively to foster parents who are booked at our Eco Lodges. The experience is observation only; human interaction is kept to a minimum, as the main purpose of our work is to successfully reintegrate our orphans back into the wild. Direct contact (walking or playing with the orphans, feeding them, putting them to bed, etc.) is not allowed. Our Head Keeper is always present and guests must adhere to his instruction at all times.
Information for guests at Umani Springs or Ithumba
Morning visit →
The morning visit takes place at 6:00 am at the stockades. The orphans emerge from their bedrooms and the Keepers feed the milk-dependent elephants their morning bottles. The orphans generally spend some time outside the stockades, mingling with friends, before they head out into the bush with their Keepers for the day.
Midday visit →
The midday visit takes place at 11:00 am at the mud bath. The Keepers feed the milk- dependent orphans their midday bottles, while the older orphans drink from the waterhole. Weather-dependent, the herd may choose to wallow in the mud or dust themselves. Occasionally, the orphans are joined by ex-orphans and their babies, along with visiting wild elephants.
Evening visit →
The evening visit takes place at 5:00 pm at the stockades. After a day spent exploring the wilderness, the orphans return ‘home’ for bed. The Keepers feed the milk-dependent elephants their dinnertime bottles, while the older orphans drink from the water trough. Sometimes, ex-orphans and wild elephants also visit the stockades
A typical experience at Umani or Ithumba:
Day 1:
Midday visit at the mud bath (11:00 am)
Evening visit at the stockades (5:00 pm)
Day 2:
Morning visit at the stockades (6:00 am)
Midday visit at the mud bath (11:00 am)
Evening visit at the stockades (5:00 pm)
Day 3:
Morning visit at the stockades (6:00 am)
(Attending the midday visit is not available on check-out day)
Information for guests at Galdessa
For guests booked at Galdessa Camp or Galdessa Little, only those who wish to visit the orphans at Voi are required to be foster parents. Foster parents must request a permission letter from the SWT Nairobi Office three weeks prior to their date of arrival.
Midday visit →
The midday visit takes place at 11:00 am at the mud bath. The Keepers feed the milk- dependent orphans their midday bottles, while the older orphans drink from the waterhole. Weather-dependent, the herd may choose to wallow in the mud or dust themselves. Occasionally, the orphans are joined by ex-orphans and their babies, along with visiting wild elephants.
Evening visit →
The evening visit takes place from 5:00-6:00 pm at the Voi stockades. After a day spent exploring the wilderness, the orphans return ‘home’ for bed. The Keepers feed the milk-dependent elephants their dinnertime bottles, while the older orphans drink from the water trough. Guests must return to Galdessa by 7:00 pm at the latest.
Adopting an
orphaned elephant
Adoptions directly fund the specialised, long-term husbandry required to raise the orphaned elephants, rhinos, and other wildlife in our care. The cost to adopt one orphan for one year is $50.00 USD. You can adopt an orphan online in a few easy steps:
1 →
To set up an adoption, please visit sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/adopt
2 →
On this page, you can select the orphan you would like to adopt. Use the search bar and filter features to choose the species (elephant, rhino, or giraffe), gender, and location of your orphan. If you prefer, you can also let our website select an orphan for you.
3 →
If you are a first-time foster parent, we suggest choosing a Nairobi Nursery orphan from the ‘Current Locations’ drop-down list. This allows you to become part of your orphan’s journey from the very beginning. Nursery babies have 24/7 Keeper care and as such, their entries in the Keepers’ Diaries will be more frequent. Whoever you choose, please know your donation will benefit all orphans in need, not just your adopted baby.
4 →
Once you have added an adoption to your basket, you will be asked to set up an Account. This will allow you to access your exclusive foster parent content, which includes: personalised adoption certificate, monthly watercolor, photos and videos, and access to the latest Keepers’ Diaries. This is all available the moment your adoption begins. 5. Once you have completed the checkout process, you will receive a confirmation order email and an email asking you to confirm your Account. Then, on the date your adoption is due to start, you will receive a welcome email which will enable you access to all your exclusive foster parent content.
sheldrick
Sheldrick Lodges are reimagining unique experiences for conscious travellers. Our intimate safaris, warm and attentive staff, and understated luxury offer guests a grounding yet immersive experience. By blending high-touch hospitality with 50 years of pioneering wildlife conservation, our not-for-profit properties act as stewards of conservation in the ecosystems in which they sit. Sheldrick Lodges are an extension of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the organisation behind decades of transformative conservation across Kenya. When you stay with us, you aren’t simply visiting; you are directly supporting the preservation of these wild spaces.
Copyright Sheldrick Wildlife Trust 2026. All rights reserved. Site and brand by Alexander Baxter Studio.
