Nairobi National Park & Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage Tour

Adults

Children

Children aged 5–17 use the child increments shown below. Children under five pay no safari-service charge. Those rules apply to NNPT4 transport and guiding; they do not make attraction admission free.

Family totals

Find your adult count and add the number of children aged 5–17. For example, two adults and two children cost US$286 total for the safari service. A dash means the combination exceeds seven guests.

Tell us about every child under five and any child-seat or luggage requirements. Where under-fives are travelling, the planner shows the adult/older-child reference and requests a confirmed family quote.

Included

• Private pop-up-roof Toyota Land Cruiser for your party.
• English-speaking driver-guide and Nairobi National Park game drive.
• Fuel, vehicle insurance and driver/vehicle park entry.
• Drinking water.
• Pickup and drop-off at the agreed Nairobi hotel, residence or airport.

Paid separately

• Personal Nairobi National Park admission: category and date must match each guest.
• Sheldrick public-visit donation, paid to the Trust.
• Meals and drinks other than the supplied drinking water.
• Gratuities, souvenirs and personal expenses.
• Extra stops or itinerary extensions unless included in your written quote.

Use the park ticket guide and confirm the current KWS amount for your party. We have not bundled an assumed park fee into the service calculator.

Admission age rules

Keep two age systems separate: NNPT4 counts ages 5–17 as children for the safari service; Sheldrick charges its adult donation from age 12. A teenager can therefore have a child service price and an adult nursery donation.

Sheldrick currently lists US$20 for ages 12+ and US$5 under 12; resident amounts are KSh2,000 and KSh500 respectively, with proof. Pay the donation in cash on arrival. Check the Trust’s current visitor guidance.

Morning plan

Your guide balances wildlife stops with the time needed to reach the nursery. A distant sighting may have to be left for another safari if reaching it would threaten the nursery visit. This is a focused morning game drive, not a full-park circuit.

The route starts at your agreed pickup, continues through Nairobi National Park and reaches the nursery via Magadi Road and Mbagathi/Workshop Gate, before returning to your drop-off. Exact kilometres depend on the pickup, park route and exit; request the route plan for your address.

Later start

A nursery-first option may be arranged: pickup early enough for the 10:30 AM gate target, the 11 AM visit, an optional lunch stop and an afternoon game drive. Allow a longer day with an evening return.

Request a separate timing and price confirmation. The morning service tables are not a promise that an extended afternoon itinerary costs the same. Lunch, ticket validity and the afternoon park schedule must be agreed.

Airport & layover

Airport pickup can work when your flights leave enough time for arrival formalities, both visits, road delays and your airline’s required check-in buffer. Send both flight numbers, arrival and departure times, terminals and luggage details.

Do not judge the fit from the tour duration alone. A delayed inbound flight can make the fixed nursery session impractical. Ask us to assess the flight schedule before paying; a park-only trip may fit a shorter stopover.

Nairobi National Park

The game drive is a search for free-ranging wildlife. Your guide looks for rhinos, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, antelopes and birds, adjusting stops to what is visible. Lions are possible; no species or sighting is guaranteed.

Nairobi National Park has no free-ranging wild elephants. The elephant experience on NNPT4 is the nursery visit. That distinction makes the two stops complementary, and avoids confusing a rescue facility with a wild elephant safari. Sheldrick explains the park and nursery setting.

Sheldrick nursery

The nursery visit focuses on orphaned elephants in care, with milk feeding, bathing or play and keeper interpretation. The animals attending and their behaviour can vary. It is a public conservation visit, even though your vehicle and guide are private.

Only keepers feed and directly interact with the elephants. Follow the visitor cordon and staff instructions; this tour does not include guest bottle-feeding, rides or private animal encounters.

Families & access

Share every child’s age when you enquire. Maximum capacity is seven guests per vehicle, and child restraints, mobility equipment or large luggage may affect the suitable allocation. Request any child seat in advance; availability needs confirmation.

The Land Cruiser has a step up, and the nursery visit involves an outdoor setting and time outside the vehicle. Tell us about walking, standing or transfer assistance needs so we can check the arrangement before payment. A specific accessible vehicle is not assumed.

Wear seat belts while travelling. Use the roof opening only as directed by the guide, and supervise children around the vehicle and nursery cordon.

Weather & photography

Bring a layer for the early start, a hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. Rain can affect track conditions and make the nursery ground muddy. The guide may shorten or change the driving route to preserve the nursery timing.

Carry a charged camera or phone and a power bank. Use a zoom for wildlife and follow staff photography instructions at the nursery. Avoid promising children a particular animal: the game drive depends on wildlife movement.

Ready-to-go checklist

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