classiqueP29

I'll be in Kenya in early November for work, and they've given us time to explore after 12:30pm on the Friday of our departure. I'd really really like to visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Sanctuary that afternoon.

From what I understand, the sanctuary is only open to the public for an hour (11:00-12:00pm) daily. However, private tours can be arranged at 3:00pm. I also went ahead and signed up for their Foster Program, so that I'm donating towards the care of an orphaned elephant.

Has anyone been to the sanctuary and know what my best option is given my time constraints? Also, can anyone help me anticipate how long it would take to get across/around Nairobi National Park to the airport for my flight that same evening?

My fight is slated to depart Jomo Kenyatta Airport at 8:40pm, which means I should be checked in by 6:00pm. I've heard rush hour traffic is horrible, which is about when I'd be trying to leave the sanctuary (assuming I can swing a visit) to make my way to the airport. We'll have a private driver shuttling us around.

HOSYSAFARIS

YES, FROM NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK TO THE JOMO KENYATTA AIRPORT IS WAS OF THE MOST AFFECTED TRAFFIC PARTICULARLY DURING THOSE RUSH HOURS.

WHAT I CAN ADVISE, HAVE YOUR VISIT TO THE ORPHANAGE DURING THE MENTIONED HOURS OR EARLIER AND GET BACK TO YOUR HOTEL TO PREPARE FOR YOUR DEPARTURE.

LEAVE NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK FOR AIRPORT AS EARLIER AS 4 O`CLOCK. 2 HOURS CAN COMFORTABLY GET YOU WITHOUT RISK OF MISSING YOUR FLIGHT.

HOSY SAFARIS

Patty

How long is the private tour? It has taken us an hour and a half to go between NBO and NNP main gate during rush hour before.

DanaPhx

I was interested in the 3pm 'private tour' last year - this is the reply I received:

"Yes, the Trust does offer private visits at 3:00 daily, which is a scheduled feed time for the orphan elephants & a more personalized encounter with both the ellies & their Keepers. The current cost (which may change next year) for these visits depend on the size of the group - 1-10 people is $400, 11-15 is $500, etc. All of these bookings are made via email and fill up very quickly so keep that in mind for any future visits."

The 5pm tours are for ellie adopters only--which is the one that I did in Oct 2015 since the 3pm was sold out way in advance.

Just want to make sure you know the difference.

ShayTay

My Nairobi outfitter always leaves 4 hours to get to the airport and get checked in for an international flight. Yes, the traffic is that bad! Unless you do the expensive "private" tour at 3 pm, I don't think you'll be able to visit. The public and foster parent viewing times won't work for you. What you might do is see if there is a "private tour" scheduled on the day you'll be there and see if that group will allow you to join them. $400 is awfully expensive for a quick visit. You might also see if Sheldrick's would give you a break, price-wise, for a private visit since you're a foster parent and can't do the later visit.