Sheldrick Elephant Orphans Safari, November 8-14, 2026
We are aware many of you support Elephant Conservation through the fostering of orphan elephants at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi. The Sheldrick organization does an amazing job sending updates on how the orphans are doing, but how about visiting these special elephants close and in person? Let us take you on a safari adventure that will include visiting three different Sheldrick reintegration locations.
This very unique safari is limited to a very very small group of 6 guests (maximum of 3 rooms may limit the group to only 3 singles)
We will begin our trip in Nairobi by visiting Giraffe Center, Karen Blixen’s house and the Nairobi Elephant Nursery before heading to a very private area within Tsavo National Park, staying at Ithumba Hill camp. Ithumba Hill is where the older orphaned elephants are introduced to wild herds and we get to watch this amazing interaction take place. After Ithumba we make a short drive over to Umani Springs, which is a private camp that is owned by the Sheldrick organization and exclusive to its donors. Umani Springs is rehabilitation center for the older elephants and is a crucial step in the ultimate goal of releasing them into the wild.
The Schedule
November 8, 2026
Karen Blixen Cottages - Nairobi, Kenya
On your arrival in Nairobi, you will be met by our local representative, who will assist you across the terminal and to check in at the hotel.
Karen Blixen Cottages is in the Karen neighborhood of Nairobi, the most recognized neighborhood in the city and for good reason: Karen Blixen lived nearby. The hotel offers easy access to all parts of the city, its national park, as well as to the country’s many diverse attractions via the neighboring Wilson Airport and Southern Bypass. The nearby Langata and Karen suburbs are among the liveliest and most popular in Nairobi with world-class shopping malls and excellent restaurants.
November 9, 2026
Karen Blixen Cottages - Nairobi, Kenya
Today will be a full day of activities! After breakfast we will make our way over to the Giraffe Center, where we will be able to hand feed the Rothschild Giraffe, a subspecies of giraffe that is the most threatened subspecies in Africa. The experience is fun, full of smiles and selfie photographs and it is a great way to start your time in Kenya.
After our time at Giraffe Center we will drive to nearby Karen Blixen’s house, where the famed author of Out of Africa lived. You can see where she lived between 1914 and 1931 and our visit will remind of how iconic the movie Out of Africa was. We will either eat lunch back at our hotel or we will have a light bite to eat at the Blixen Museum before heading over the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust facilities. We have arranged for a private visit to meet with the orphaned elephants. This private visit is a very heart warming experience and will warm your heart at the good work that DSWT is doing for wildlife. The love they have for these baby elephants is apparent in everything they do. You will be up close and personal with orphaned elephants that are under 5 years old.
November 10, 2026
Private Flight to Tsavo National Park
Today we will take private airplane to Tsavo National Park and will have 2 days of accommodation and elephant interaction at Ithumba Hill, a private camp that is located in an off-limits area within Tsavo National Park. Here is the place where the Sheldrick organization slowly starts to introduce the older orphaned elephants back into the wild. Wild elephants and our orphaned elephants greet each other and interact at the local water hole and we will be there to watch this reintroduction take place.
November 11, 2026 - Ithumba Hill
A full day of interacting and observing our orphaned elephants with the process of being reintroduced into the wild. We will walk with these magnificent animals, interact with them up-close and watch them interact with wild elephants down at the water hole. This will likely be the most moving experience in the wild you have ever experienced. It is uplifting, heartwarming and filled with joy. Overnight at our private camp, Ithumba Hill.
November 12, 2026 - Umani Springs
Today we will drive from Ithumba Hill to Umani Springs, the other Sheldrick ‘private house in the bush’. The northeastern slopes of the Chyulu Hills are much more heavily forested than the more commonly visited southern side, whilst the broad valley that lies between here and the Yatta Escarpment in Tsavo East is heavily farmed, with human habitations running right up to the border of the national park.
The Kibwezi Forest sector of the conservation area is an ancient groundwater forest renowned for its wealth of beautiful butterflies, many of which are endemic and also for its wide range of bird life. Mammals include elephants, leopards, hyenas, serval cats, civets, mongooses, buffaloes, bushbucks, duikers and klipspringers.
Set around a pretty spring inside the forest, just 5km off the main Nairobi to Mombasa highway, Umani Springs Camp is a lovely place, related to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, who operate the famous baby elephant orphanage in the capital and who use this place as a staging post for their release project at the fabulous Ithumba Hill in Tsavo East. The trust is heavily involved in the conservation of these critically important forests.
The house is an extremely comfortable 'bush home', which can accommodate up to ten guests. In its center is a lovely main building, leading out to a large swimming pool. Guest accommodation is in three lavish bungalows. The home is only available to David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust donors and close friends and we have arranged to stay there for 2 nights. Since Umani Springs is a private home, food services are much different than that of a tourism industry lodge or camp. We will be sending someone to the house to help us prepare all of our meals and we will have an opportunity to participate as well. Or not. It’s up to you, but we find that it is a fun, communal experience to talk about what we have seen so far on the trip as we all participate.
We will arrive by lunch time and will have time to visit the Umani Springs Stockade to visit the elephants by sundown. Overnight Umani Springs.
November 13, 2026 - Umani Springs
We will enjoy another full day at Umani Springs enjoying the luxurious, tranquil, and inspiring surroundings. We will spend time creating and visiting the Umani Springs stockade (within walking distance) for the morning and evening elephant feedings as well as daily mud baths.
November 14, 2026 - Umani Springs to Nairobi
Today we will make the short drive (about 3.5 hours on paved roads) back to Nairobi and will be transferred to Four Points by Sheraton, next to the international airport. We are flexible and would love for you to spend more time with us, either before this unique behind-the-scenes elephant experience or after we are finished. We have planned this trip as a 6-night core that you can build the rest of your time in Kenya around.
NOTE: Customized extensions to this safari, including Tanzania, mountain gorillas in Rwanda, additional time on safari in Kenya, Cape Town, Victoria Falls and other destinations may be arranged through us as desired. Ask us for further information.
The Cost
The cost of this all-inclusive safari is $9,900 per person. This fee includes all in-country ground as well as hotel accommodation (double occupancy) and all meals.
Due to the limited number of spaces available, if a solo guest is willing to share a room and we can match with another guest of the same gender, we will do so. If a solo guest is unwilling to share, then a single supplement will be charged $1,200 (please contact us if you would like to have your own accommodation as we have a very limited number of single slots available).
Please note: We will attempt to adhere to this itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or wildlife migrations) may necessitate changes in the itinerary. We reserve the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will attempt to notify travelers of changes, if they occur, as far in advance as possible. Costs incurred by such changes will be the responsibility of the participant.
What Do I Do Next?
This group will be super small so space is limited. If this exciting trip has your name on it; if you're excited by the thought of becoming a member of this trip, then now is the time to register. Remember, there will be limited space available for this workshop. When they're spoken for, that's it. If you have any questions before registering, send us an e-mail with any inquiries to info@andybiggs.com.
Trip Details
Safari Leader: Andy Biggs
Dates: November 8-14, 2026
Cost: $9,900
Single Supplement: $1,200
What's Included?
•Accommodation on a shared basis (single rooms in Nairobi)
•Private safari vehicles
•Luggage allowance of 66 pounds
•All safari activities and transfers to/from the airports and the hotels
•Daily laundry
•Meet & Assist service on arrival in Nairobi
•All meals and drinks at camp
•The current Tourism Levies and all relevant Value Added Tax or Government Sales Tax
What is Not Included?
•International airfare and/or other transportation between your home and Nairobi.
•Visas
•Travel Insurance (required)
•Personal purchases (including curios, spirit liquors, telephone calls etc.)
•Gratuities for guides and hotel staff (assume $40 per day)
•Pre- and post- safari tours and meals or accommodation before or after the safari