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Nairobi National Park + Sheldrick Tour
This tour pairs a private Nairobi National Park game drive with a visit to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant nursery — the way to see both wild rhino and rescued elephants in one morning. Because the park has no free-roaming elephants, the nursery completes the picture.
Free quote & itinerary within ~24 hours · reserve with a deposit · enquire at safaricapital.org/contact.
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Key takeaways
- A wild game drive plus the Sheldrick elephant nursery in one morning.
- The park has no wild elephants; Sheldrick adds them, ethically.
- Built around Sheldrick’s 11am visit, which must be reserved.
- From US$175 per person (group of 5–6), park entry included.
- Add the Giraffe Centre to make it the full-day signature tour.
What is the Park + Sheldrick tour?
It is a private tour that combines an early Nairobi National Park game drive with the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant nursery’s daily public visit. You search for wild rhino, lion and giraffe first, then meet rescued orphaned elephants being raised for release.
The pairing solves a real limitation: Nairobi National Park has no free-roaming elephants. The Sheldrick nursery adds the elephant experience — and does so ethically, as a rescue-and-release programme rather than a petting attraction. It’s one of Nairobi’s most rewarding half-to-full-day wildlife tours.
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Why the order matters
The game drive comes first because the Sheldrick nursery opens for just one hour a day, at 11am, by reservation. That fixed visit anchors the whole schedule.
We start at sunrise for the best wildlife, then exit in time to reach the nursery before 11am. Because spaces are limited and can sell out, we secure your Sheldrick reservation before finalising the day. Read the full Sheldrick visitor guide for booking and donation details.
Your morning, step by step
Sunrise · Pickup & park
Early hotel or airport pickup, into Nairobi National Park at first light.
Morning · Game drive
Search for rhino, lion, buffalo, giraffe and plains game.
Late morning · Sheldrick
Exit for the elephant nursery’s 11am visit (reserved).
Midday · Return
Back to your hotel — or continue to the Giraffe Centre.
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What you’ll see
In the park: rhino, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and antelope, with lions possible. At the nursery: rescued orphaned elephants.
| Animal | Likelihood | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Black & white rhino | Common | The park’s flagship sighting |
| Buffalo | Common | On the plains and near water |
| Masai giraffe | Common | Free-ranging across the landscape |
| Zebra & antelope | Very common | Eland, impala, hartebeest, gazelle |
| Lion | Possible | Resident but elusive |
| Ostrich & birds | Common | 400+ species |
| Cheetah & leopard | Rare | Present but seldom seen |
| Elephant | Not present | None wild — add Sheldrick |
How much is the Park + Sheldrick tour?
From US$175 per person for a group of 5–6, up to about US$295 solo, including park entry. The Sheldrick donation is a small separate charge.
| Group size | Price / person | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller (solo) | $295 | Private 4WD, just you |
| 2 travellers | $229 | Most popular — couples |
| 3–4 travellers | $189 | Family value |
| 5–6 travellers | $175 | Lowest per-person rate |
Included: Private 4WD & guide, hotel or airport pickup, Nairobi National Park entry ($80pp), transfers, help with your Sheldrick reservation, and water.
Not included: The Sheldrick donation (US$20 adult / US$5 child), lunch, gratuities and optional add-ons.
Indicative 2026 rates in USD per person for non-resident guests on a private tour. Includes Nairobi National Park entry at the current KWS non-resident fee (US$80 per adult, effective October 2025) and attraction admission where shown; excludes lunch, gratuities and personal extras. Final price confirmed on enquiry. Last checked: July 2026.
What’s included and excluded
In your tour
Not included
Pickup zones
Hotel, JKIA or Wilson Airport pickup is included within stated zones.
| Pickup area | Nearest gate | Approx. transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Karen / Lang’ata | Lang’ata Gate | 10–25 min |
| CBD / city centre | Main Gate | 20–40 min |
| Westlands / Gigiri | Main Gate | 30–50 min |
| JKIA (airport) | East Gate | 20–35 min |
| Wilson Airport | Lang’ata / Main | 15–30 min |
How it compares to other wildlife tours
| Tour | Game drive | Elephants | Giraffes | From / pp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning game drive | Yes | No | Wild only | $139 |
| Park + Sheldrick (this) | Yes | Yes | Wild only | $175 |
| Park + Giraffe Centre | Yes | No | Yes | $179 |
| Park + Sheldrick + Giraffe | Yes | Yes | Yes | $189 |
How to book
1 · Enquire
Email your date, group and pickup to tours@safaricapital.org.
2 · We reserve Sheldrick
We secure your 11am nursery slot.
3 · Review the quote
Schedule, vehicle, price and inclusions.
4 · Deposit & voucher
A deposit confirms; written voucher issued.
5 · Meet at sunrise
Early pickup, game drive first.
Book Park + Sheldrick
We’ll reserve your 11am nursery slot and build the game drive around it. Send your date and group for a free quote.
Frequently asked questions
Why combine the park with Sheldrick?
Because Nairobi National Park has no free-roaming elephants. The game drive gives you wild rhino, lion and giraffe; the Sheldrick nursery adds rescued elephants — together they cover Nairobi’s signature wildlife.
Do I need to book the Sheldrick visit?
Yes. The nursery opens for one hour daily at 11am, by reservation, and can sell out. We secure your slot when you book.
How long does the tour take?
About five to seven hours, depending on your pickup point and how long you spend on the game drive before the 11am visit.
Is the Sheldrick donation included?
No — the donation (US$20 adult / US$5 child) is a small separate charge paid on site. Everything else is in the tour price.
Can I add the Giraffe Centre?
Yes — adding it makes the full-day signature tour.
Is it good for families?
Very — the game drive plus rescued elephants is a memorable, educational combination, and a private vehicle sets the pace.
Related tours & guides
Rhinos and rescued elephants, in one morning.
A wild game drive plus the Sheldrick elephant nursery, timed around the 11am visit. We reserve your slot and build the day around it. Send your date and group for a quote.
Sources & last updated. Updated July 2026
Park facts (established 1946, ~117 km², Kenya Wildlife Service management) and entry fees: Kenya Wildlife Service (non-resident conservation fee effective October 2025). Sheldrick visit time (11am, daily) and donation: Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Prices, fees and hours are variable — confirm before travel. Tour prices are SafariCapital’s indicative 2026 rates, confirmed on enquiry.