Foster & Orphan Elephant Safari

Elephant Safari

Meet your fostered elephants on our Foster & Orphan Elephant Safari! Explore famous wildlife sanctuaries and visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust reintegration units.

Tour Overview

On our Foster & Orphan Elephant Safari we expose you to local culture, learn about conservation initiatives, and support the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. We see lots of elephants while visiting ALL the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust reintegration units in Kenya.

The Foster & Orphan Elephant Safari is designed for elephant lovers who currently or plan to foster elephants with the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust! It’s a shorter version of our In the Shadow of Giants Elephant Safari.

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WHAT YOU WILL SEE

UPCOMING DATES

2023 DATES

FEB. 14 – 23 Full

MAY 27 – JUNE 4 Full

JULY 15 – 23 Full

AUG. 6 – 14

AUG. 18 – 27

SEPT. 22 – 30 Full

OCT. 16 – 25 Full

OCT. 25 – NOV. 2

2024 DATES

FEB. 14 – 23

MAY 27 - JUNE 4

JULY 16 – 24

AUG. 7 - 15

AUG. 16 - 24

SEPT. 22 - 30

OCT. 16 - 25

OCT. 26 - NOV. 3

*Some itineraries may differ slightly due to length of stay at various camps/lodges.

LOCATIONS

  • Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nairobi Nursery
  • Giraffe Centre / Nairobi
  • Umani Springs Lodge/ Kibwezi Forest
  • Ithumba Hill Camp / Tsavo East NP
  • Galdessa Camp / Voi / Tsavo East NP

TRIP LENGTH

9 Days

*Add an extension before or after this tour!

TOUR SIZE

Maximum of 6-8 Guests

*If trip is full you may need to share at Sheldrick properties

INCLUDED:

  • SWT Camps and Lodges All Inclusive
  • All Ground Transportation
  • Airport Transfers
  • Experienced Driver Guides
  • All Park Fees
  • AMREF Flying Doctors Insurance
  • 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser with Power Outlets and Cooler
  • Drinking Water on Game Drives

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Orphanage and Giraffe Centre in Nairobi learning about local conservation efforts.
  • Stay at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust private, self-catering, all inclusive camps in three locations: Ithumba Hill, Umani Springs and Galdessa/Voi.
  • Get a chance to meet the elephants you have fostered through Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
  • This tour is designed for those wishing to visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust reintegration units in Kenya.
  • Consider adding an extension to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, Lewa Conservancy, the Maasai Mara, Serengeti, or experience Gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

TOUR EXTENSIONS

See endangered black rhinos, visit national parks, trekking with Gorillas and other trip extensions we can offer.

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

Please Note:

You must foster an elephant within the last 12 months to go on the private visits to SWT. Elephants can be fostered for $50 (at your own cost) through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust website.

** We will visit all 4 reintegration units during this tour. The order in which we visit each location may change at different times of the year **

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN NAIROBI, KENYA

Upon arrival transport provided to your hotel.

2 Nights Lodging at Tamarind Tree Hotel (or similar)

DAY 2: SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST & GIRAFFE CENTRE VISIT

Visit the Giraffe Center, home of the Rothschild Giraffe conservation sanctuary. Enjoy lunch at The Talisman Restaurant and both public and private visits to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's Nairobi Nursery to see the newest and youngest orphaned elephants. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Please note: Foster visits are not taking place until further notice.

DAY 3 & 4: ITHUMBA REINTEGRATION UNIT

Drive to Ithumba in Tsavo East National Park. Visit the stockades daily in the morning and evening. Watch the orphans play at their afternoon mud bath while they interact with wild elephants.

Lodging and all meals at Ithumba Hill Camp, an exclusive SWT self-catering property.

2 Nights Lodging at Ithumba Hill Camp

DAY 5 & 6 : GALDESSA & VOI REINTEGRATION UNIT

Drive to Galdessa Camp. Daily, enjoy game drives as we travel to and from the stockades and the watering hole at Voi reintegration unit. It’s here you’ll witness the older orphaned elephants and wild elephants sharing afternoon mud baths.

Lodging and all meals at Galdessa Camp, an exclusive SWT self-catering property on the Galana River.

2 Nights at the Galdessa Camp

DAY 7 & 8: UMANI SPRINGS REINTEGRATION UNIT

Drive to Umani Springs, another private retreat reserved only for SWT foster parents. At this Reintegration unit, visit with the more vulnerable orphaned elephants who are in need of special care during their transition to the wild.

Lodging and all meals at Umani Springs, an exclusive SWT self-catering property in the Kibweze Forest.

2 Nights at Umani Springs

DAY 9: NAIROBI & DEPARTURE

Drive to Nairobi and depart. Enjoy a day room at the hotel to freshen up before a farewell dinner prior to departure.

Day Room Use Only at Four Points by Sheraton or Tamarind Tree Hotel

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