1. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) – Elephant Orphanage
Founded in 1977 by Dame Daphne Sheldrick in memory of her husband, David Sheldrick (a renowned naturalist and founder warden of Tsavo East National Park), the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage rescues and rehabilitates orphaned elephants and rhinos. Located in Nairobi National Park, it is the most successful orphan-elephant rescue program in the world. The center raises baby elephants until they can be reintegrated into the wild, often in Tsavo. Visitors can witness baby elephant feedings and learn about conservation efforts.
2. Nairobi Animal Orphanage
Established in 1964, the Nairobi Animal Orphanage is Kenya’s oldest animal rescue center, located inside Nairobi National Park. Managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), it serves as a rehabilitation facility for injured, abandoned, or confiscated wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and birds. Unlike sanctuaries focused on release, some animals remain here permanently due to their inability to survive in the wild. The orphanage plays a key role in education and wildlife awareness.
3. Giraffe Centre (AFEW – African Fund for Endangered Wildlife)
Founded in 1979 by Jock Leslie-Melville and his wife Betty, the Giraffe Centre was created to protect the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe, which had dwindled to just 120 individuals in the wild. Located in Karen, Nairobi, the center breeds giraffes and releases them into protected areas like Lake Nakuru National Park. Famous for its giraffe feeding platform, it allows visitors to interact closely with these gentle giants while promoting conservation education.
