Nairobi and Beyond Safaris · Hotel pickup in Nairobi
The Sheldrick elephant nursery at its 11am public hour, then the Giraffe Centre and a bead workshop, with hotel pickup. Pick it for the simplicity: the operator reserves the nursery slot with the Trust, and both entries are in the price.
This is the tour for people who want the two animal visits and none of the paperwork. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust takes nursery bookings by email only, with no walk-ins and no same-day visits, and the operator keeps reservations ready for its guests, per the listing. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust opens its nursery to the public from 11am to noon every day except 25 December. The hour is fixed, which is why every tour here builds its morning around it.
After pickup you go to the elephant nursery first, to watch the keepers with the young elephants and hear how each one was rescued. The listing also mentions a baby rhino and a baby zebra in their care. Next comes the Giraffe Centre, home of the Rothschild's giraffe, now usually classified as the Nubian giraffe, for the feeding platform, then the Kobe Beads and leather workshop, where women artisans show how beads, jewellery and leather goods are made. Lunch is optional at a local restaurant; the listing suggests Love Birds Community Restaurant or Utamaduni Restaurant.
The price covers the pickup and drop-off, the nursery entry and reservation slot, the Giraffe Centre entry and water, per the listing. One fee is separate: the park conservation fee the Kenya Wildlife Service charges to reach the nursery, US$80 per non-resident adult under the 2025 KWS rates (Legal Notice 160 of 2025); check KWS or eCitizen before you go. It is paid online through eCitizen, no cash, so bring a card. Ask your operator for the Trust's own confirmation email before the day. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start, and you can reserve now and pay later.
Pickup time depends on where you stay, per the listing. The Trust asks guests to arrive by 10:30am.
The keepers bring out the orphaned calves, and you learn about their rescue, care and the road back to the wild.
A guided visit with time on the feeding platform and the story of the centre's conservation work.
Watch the artisans turn clay into beads and work leather, with a shop for souvenirs.
An optional local lunch, paid by you, then the drive back to your hotel.
★★★★★What a fantastic experience this was! [...] The highlight was definitely seeing the elephants and giraffes; my friend was absolutely thrilled. The stop at the women who make beads was also very special: they showed the entire process, from start to finish. And feeding the giraffes was a fun, unique addition to the day.
★★★★★Sam was excellent. He is so knowledgable about the animals, and Kenya itself. He was very friendly and went at mine and my mother’s pace. I can’t recommend this tour enough!
★★★★★Our driver Titus was very good. No rush and friendly. At the giraffe center, Felipe, was an amazing guide and guy! Very clear and deep explanations, attitude! We loved both activities!
★★★★★Fabulous experience, Sam was an excellent host. Highly recommend seeing both elephants and giraffes.
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Hotel pickup and drop-off, the Sheldrick nursery entry and reservation slot, the Giraffe Centre entry and water, per the listing. It starts from $90 per person on GetYourGuide.
The KWS park conservation fee to reach the nursery, US$80 per non-resident adult under the 2025 KWS rates, paid online through eCitizen. Check KWS or eCitizen before you go.
No. The Trust takes bookings by email and does not accept third-party platform bookings, so the operator reserves the slot with the Trust itself. Ask the operator for the Trust's own confirmation email before the day.
GetYourGuide lists it at 4 hours, built around the nursery's public hour from 11am to noon.
Ready to book
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