Elephant Orphanage, Giraffe Centre& optional Nairobi NationalPark

A day with giraffes, elephants, and Nairobi wildlife is a fun mix of calm and wow moments. This tour pairs hands-on Rothschild giraffe feeding at the Giraffe Centre with the emotional work of Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for orphaned baby elephants. You also get an optional Nairobi National Park add-on that can bring Big 5 sightings (minus elephant) right against the city skyline.

I like that you get real context, not just selfies: a 40-minute class on giraffe distribution and the stories behind each elephant’s rescue. I also like the practical pacing and guidance; guides such as Sam were praised for being kind, well-informed, and a great driver, which makes the long day feel easier.

One thing to plan for: the listed $95 price doesn’t cover key conservation fees. To access the elephant orphanage area, you’ll need to pay park/conservation fees (paid online via E-CITIZEN, no cash), and the optional Nairobi National Park admission isn’t included either.

Key things to know before you go

• Rothschild giraffe feeding with special pellets, plus a short distribution class
• Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant stories and specially formulated milk-feeding time
• KOBE TOUGH beads and leather craft stop with a charity/community mission
• Optional Nairobi National Park: skyline views and a strong chance at multiple big animals (except elephants)
• Private tour feel with pickup, drop-off, bottled water, and a professional guide

Giraffe Centre: Your up-close moment with Rothschild giraffes

The day starts at the Giraffe Centre, and the big idea here is simple: you’re not just looking at giraffes from a distance. You’re learning how they live, how they move, and what makes the Rothschilds giraffe special. The center focuses on characteristics and behavioral traits, plus where the giraffe species sits across Kenya and East Africa.

Then you get the fun part: feeding time. You’ll use special pellets to feed the giraffes, and this is usually when the experience stops feeling like a tour and starts feeling like a real encounter. Expect them to come close while you watch their calm routine—tongues, reach, and that steady rhythm that makes giraffes look both graceful and oddly comical.

I also like that there’s structured learning built in. You get a 40-minute class session on giraffe distribution in Kenya and East Africa. It’s not a lecture marathon. It’s just enough to help you connect what you’re seeing with the bigger picture: why a species belongs where it does, and how Kenya fits into that story.

If you prefer slower time, there’s also a guided nature walk through the giraffe sanctuary area. It’s a nice balance after the feeding, and it gives you a chance to take photos without the constant rush of the main interaction point.

Practical note: this stop is listed as about 2 hours, so if you’re the type who wants a long photo session, it helps to set expectations early—get your shots during feeding, then use the walk for calmer pictures.

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: Why the milk-feeding moments stick with you

Next is Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, one of the most well-known elephant rehabilitation organizations in the region. This stop hits a different tone than the giraffe center. Here, you’re watching the ongoing care of orphaned baby elephants—and learning what happens after rescue, including how rehabilitation connects to re-introduction efforts.

You’ll see orphaned baby elephants receiving specially formulated milk formula. That detail matters. It turns the experience from a generic animal viewing into something grounded in care. You’ll also hear the stories behind why each elephant ended up at the sanctuary, because not every orphaned elephant story is the same.

If you’re lucky with timing, you may even have a chance to touch the elephants, but the tour does frame this as dependent on closeness. Either way, the real emotional beat is watching their bond and play during a “mad bath” moment. It’s lively, messy, and very baby-elephant. And it’s also a reminder that rehabilitation is about more than feeding—it’s about social development and routine.

This stop is about 1 hour, which is the right length for a strong emotional experience without feeling like you’re stuck in one place too long. You’re also not left wondering what you just saw; the explanations are part of the value.

KOBE TOUGH beads & leather: A quick craft stop with real community impact

Between wildlife stops, you’ll go to Kobe Beads Centre (KOBE TOUGH beads & leather). This is a shorter stop—about 30 minutes—but it has a different kind of payoff.

You’ll go through the stages of bead-making from start to finish. Even if you’re not shopping, watching how materials become finished beads is satisfying. It’s also a useful break from the heat and the intensity of elephant and giraffe encounters.

What I think makes this stop worth including is the charity/community angle. The center is described as employing single mother parents from poorer neighborhoods to earn a living for their families. It’s framed as women empowerment through craft and stable work. The place feels more purposeful than a typical “souvenir factory” because the tour connects the product to livelihoods.

Lunch is optional here. You may have the choice to be driven for lunch and then dropped later at your hotel or near the airport for your flight, depending on the day’s schedule.

Optional Nairobi National Park: Big animals, skyline views, and extra baby-elephant time

If you choose the optional Nairobi National Park add-on, your day changes from a city-side conservation loop to a full-on wildlife-with-a-view outing.

Nairobi National Park sits only about 7 kilometers from Nairobi’s city centre, so you’re often working with the contrast of tall buildings and open plains. The tour notes the chance to see four of the Big Five, with the big missing piece being elephant. That means you’re aiming for rhino, buffalo, cheetah, zebra, lion—and plenty of antelopes and gazelles in the open areas.

You’ll also get birdwatching value. The park is listed as having over 300 bird species, including secretary bird, crowned cranes, vultures, and peckers. If you enjoy noticing details beyond mammals, this can be a real bonus.

The park outing is listed as 4 hours, and then the plan can continue to an elephant sanctuary inside the park area for additional baby elephant viewing. That means you could see baby elephants during both the Sheldrick stop and the park add-on, depending on what you select. If that’s your top priority, it’s a strong option.

One consideration: this is labeled as requiring good weather. So if skies are bad on your day, wildlife viewing can get slower and visibility can drop. The trade-off is that when conditions are right, you get that rare Nairobi combination: real safari energy without a full day leaving the city behind.

Price and value: What $95 covers, and what you should budget on top

The tour price is $95 per person, and it typically gets booked about 41 days in advance. That’s a good sign of steady demand, especially for people visiting Nairobi with limited time.

Here’s where I tell you to do quick math before you commit. The tour includes:

• Private transportation
• Bottled drinking water
• Professional tour guide
• Pickup and drop-off
• Entry/admission at the Giraffe Centre and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

It does not include:

• Conservation park fee required to access the elephant orphanage: $43 adult / $23 child
• Lunch (available to purchase)
• Tips and gratuities
• Nairobi National Park admission (optional), and it’s explicitly listed as not included

Also, you should plan on paying those conservation fees through E-CITIZEN online. The tour notes no cash is accepted for these statutory fees. That’s an easy detail to miss if you arrive thinking everything can be handled on the spot.

So is it good value? For me, it leans yes when you factor in that you’re paying for guided access to two different wildlife experiences plus a craft/community stop, all with pickup and private transport. But the total cost becomes more meaningful once you add the conservation fee and any optional park admission. If you’re traveling as a family, double-check the adult vs child fee split.

How the timing feels: A full day with the right structure

This is listed as about 8 hours total. The itinerary is built so you don’t spend too long trapped in one activity.

• Giraffe Centre: ~2 hours (feeding, short class, optional nature walk, photos)
• Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: ~1 hour (milk-feeding time, stories, possibly touch depending on closeness)
• KOBE TOUGH: ~30 minutes (bead-making stages and mission)
• Nairobi National Park: optional ~4 hours (wildlife viewing and possibly another elephant sanctuary stop)

Because it’s private transportation with pickup and drop-off, the day stays efficient. You’re also not juggling schedules with strangers. It’s your group, your pace, your guide.

Still, it’s a long day. If you’re prone to getting cranky in the middle of a busy day, you’ll want to mentally treat this as a “do the highlights” outing. You’re not trying to cover every animal in Nairobi; you’re aiming for meaningful encounters with giraffes and elephants plus a strong safari option if you add the park.

Who should book this tour?

This tour fits best if you want:

• Hands-on animal experiences with structured learning
• A serious elephant rehabilitation element (not just casual animal viewing)
• A break in the middle of the day for craft and community impact
• The option to add Nairobi National Park if you want more wildlife variety

It’s also a good match for people visiting Nairobi for a short stay. You get two anchor stops (giraffes and elephants) without needing multiple separate bookings.

If you hate long drives or you’re traveling with extremely small kids who tire easily, consider whether you want the optional Nairobi National Park. The core giraffe + elephant day is already full; adding 4 hours can be a lot.

Quick tips to get the best day

• Bring any money you’ll need to handle online fee requirements ahead of time, since the elephant orphanage access fee is tied to E-CITIZEN and cash isn’t accepted.
• If you love photos, prioritize during the giraffe feeding window, then slow down during the nature walk.
• If you’re sensitive to emotional stories, pace yourself at Sheldrick. The elephant care details are powerful.
• If you choose Nairobi National Park, dress for changing conditions and plan for a longer time in transit and open-air viewing.

Should you book this tour with Rustic Nature Tours?

I’d book it if your Nairobi plan includes both giraffes and baby elephants, and you want a guide who can make sense of what you’re seeing during the day. The combination of feeding Rothschild giraffes, learning about giraffe distribution, and then meeting orphaned baby elephants through the Sheldrick care model is a strong pairing. Add the KOBE TOUGH craft stop, and you get a well-rounded break that doesn’t feel random.

The only reason to hesitate is the add-on cost reality. The elephant orphanage access requires a conservation fee paid via E-CITIZEN, and Nairobi National Park admission is optional but not included. If you’re on a tight budget, price it out before you lock it in.

If you’re flexible and you want meaningful Nairobi wildlife time without wasting hours on planning, this one is a solid choice.

FAQ

Is Nairobi National Park included in the base tour price?

Nairobi National Park is optional. The park admission fee is not included, but the tour describes the wildlife viewing opportunity if you add it.

What’s included in the $95 per person price?

The tour price includes private transportation, bottled drinking water, a professional tour guide, pickup and drop-off, and admission to the Giraffe Centre and the elephant orphanage.

Do I need to pay conservation park fees for the elephant orphanage?

Yes. Conservation park fees are required to access the elephant orphanage: $43 for adults and $23 for children. These fees must be paid through E-CITIZEN online, and cash is not accepted.

How much time do you spend at each stop?

The Giraffe Centre is about 2 hours, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust about 1 hour, and KOBE TOUGH about 30 minutes. If you choose Nairobi National Park, it’s listed as about 4 hours.

Can you touch the baby elephants at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust?

The tour notes that you may have a chance to touch the elephants if you are close by. It isn’t guaranteed, since it depends on closeness during the visit.

What animals can you see in Nairobi National Park if you add it?

The tour says you can see four of the Big Five, excluding elephant. It also lists rhino, buffalo, cheetah, zebra, lion, and plenty of antelopes and gazelles, plus over 300 bird species including secretary bird and crowned cranes.