elizj - Best to ask for prices Porini, Kicheche or Ol Pejeta Bush Camp, to compare what you're paying for Sweetwater's... believe they'll vary. Then you can make your decision.

For adopting the ellees, USD$50 for the year per chubby, see the www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/ site for details. Once you have, you'll need to pre-arrange your visit, either direct, or better have your tour operator handle along with your transport to/from. Visiting hours are from about 4:45pm-6pm.

If you have a full day in NBO upfront for sightseeing you can do this at the end of that day. Otherwise, arrange to visit on their last day, have dinner somewhere and then off to the airport and home.

Do you have a guide/vehicle arranged for your day in Nairobi? If so, just let them know where you want to go. If not, you can also hire a taxi for the day to take you to all of those places.

Keep in mind that both you and your friend will need to adopt an ele (or rhino) in order to visit in the late afternoon. Otherwise, they generally only allow you to bring immediate family as they don't want to overcrowd the afternoon visits with non-adoptive parents. You can adopt online and then email them with the date you'd like to visit and they'll put your name on a list.

I don't know if you're driving or flying to Ol Pejeta, but there's a women's cooperative, Nanyuki Spinners & Weavers, that makes wool rugs, shawls and other products nearby. If you're driving it's easy to stop by. If you're flying, don't know if they'll take you, maybe it can be arranged on your way to/from the airstrip.

Aloha Sandi and Patty--OMG---just went to Sheldrick's web site--only read the story behind the first baby orphan and immediately wanted to adopt them all! Thank you for the information.

Still looking into Ol Pejeta options. Is the Nanyuki Spinners and Weavers co-op open all days of the week? I think we will be flying in (if we get to stay there) --do you know how far it is from the airstrip?

We are looking at possibly staying at Sosian if Sweetwaters is not available. Do you have any info/experience with it? If we do go with Sosian, then our itinerary would eliminate Sweetwaters and Tortilis--what do you think of that option? Too limited (2 sites other than Nairobi vs 4)for a good experience?
Thanks!!!

I'm not sure if they're open daily. I'd have your operator check. The airstrip is south of Nanyuki town and Spinners & Weavers is in town. It's not far between the airstrip and town.

I've never stayed at Sosian but enjoy the Laikipia area in general.

Thanks, Patty!

sandi - I've fostered a 'chubby' and will be going there in September. Do I have to 'pre-arrange' it, or just show up?

tinydancer - you have to make an appointment to visit at 5pm. Your agent can do this, or I believe, you may be able to so direct on the Sheldrick site.

If you visit during the 11:00-noon public hour, you can just show up. For the late afternoon visit, I've just emailed Sheldrick to arrange.