9 Days 8 Nights David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Kenya Safari

9 Days 8 Nights David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Kenya Safari offers you an opportunity to stay at some of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Eco Lodges, which have exclusive access to visit the orphaned elephants at the Reintegration Unit located nearby.

These lodges are all based in Tsavo East National Park and include  ‘Ithumba Camp’, and ‘Ithumba Hill ’, with annex ‘Ithumba Private‘ in the Northern area, and ‘Galdessa Camp‘ and ‘Galdessa Little‘ on the Galana River, with our sixth ‘Umani Springs’ nestled within the Kibwezi Forest.

By staying at these properties, guests directly support these elephants and the ecosystems they call home. Activities available at the eco lodges include:
✓ Hike and birdwatch
✓ Stargazing from camp
✓ Exercise in the on-site gym
✓ Wildlife viewing at the waterhole in front of camp
✓ Picnics and sundowners in the heart of the Tsavo wilderness
✓ Game drive circuits within the untouched northern sector of Tsavo East
✓ Exclusive visiting privileges to meet the orphaned elephants and keepers at the Reintegration Unit
✓ Relaxing in the pool overlooking the park, picnics and sundowners in the heart of the Tsavo wilderness

Day-to-Day Timing & Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Nairobi Transfer

Morning: Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA); private meet-and-greet
Afternoon: Transfer to luxury/midrange hotel in Karen (e.g., Hemingways Karen / Eka Hotel)
Evening: Relax, unpack, and brief with your private safari guide

Day 2: Nairobi Elephant Nursery & Karen Exploration

0900 Hours – 1000 Hours: Transfer from hotel to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nairobi Nursery
1100 Hours – 12:00 Hours: Public visiting hour/ baby elephant feeding session
1230 Hours – 1400 Hours: Lunch in Karen (local garden cafe or Carnivore/Talwan)
1430 Hours – 1630 Hours: Optional visit to Giraffe Centre or Kazuri Beads

Overnight: Karen/ Nairobi hotel

Day 3: Nairobi to Kibwezi Forest (Chyulu Hills)

0800 Hours: Breakfast and check-out.
0830 Hours – 1300 Hours: Scenic road transfer south toward Kibwezi Forest (foot of Chyulu Hills, ~3.5 to 4 hours)
1300 Hours – 1500 Hours: Check-in and lunch at Umani Springs Bush Home
1530 Hours – 1600 Hours: Forest walk and spring visit where Umani orphans are rehabilitated

Overnight: Umani Springs Bush Home

Day 4: Kibwezi Forest/ Umani Springs Deep Immersion

0630 Hours – 0900 Hours: Early morning forest walk with DSWT keepers and habituated orphans
1230 Hours: Lunch at the bush home
1530 Hours – 1600 Hours: Afternoon wildlife viewing hide/birdwatching in Kibwezi evergreen forest

Overnight: Umani Springs Bush Home

Day 5: Kibwezi to Tsavo East (Ithumba Relocation Unit)

0700 Hours: Breakfast and check-out
0800  Hours– 1300 Hours: Transfer by road/bush track north-east into Tsavo East National Park to Ithumba
1300 Hours: Check-in and lunch at Ithumba Eco Lodge / Camp
1500  Hours – 1730 Hours: Afternoon mud-bath time with the Ithumba elephant orphan herd as they return from the bush

Overnight: Ithumba Camp

Day 6: Ithumba Wilderness & Auxiliary Stockades

0600 Hours – 0930 Hours: Morning game drive in Tsavo East around Ithumba Hill and Galana River lines
1100 Hours – 1200 Hours: Midday orphan visitor interaction (if permitted/scheduled with DSWT staff)
1530 Hours – 1800 Hours: Sunset game drive tracking wild general wildlife (elephants, kudus, gerenuk)

Overnight: Ithumba Camp

Day 7: Tsavo East Transfer to Voi Relocation Sector

0700 Hours: Breakfast and camp departure
0800 Hours – 1300 Hours: Southern game drive transfer across Tsavo East toward the Voi sector
1300 Hours – 1500 Hours: Lunch en route or at local accommodation base (e.g., Saa Nane House area)
1530 Hours –1800 Hours: Visit/observational linkage with Voi stockade operations

Overnight: Saa Nane House / Voi area

Day 8: Voi Sector Tsavo East Exploration

0630 Hours – 1100 Hours: Full morning game drive in Tsavo East (red-dust elephants, Aruba Dam area)
1230 Hours: Lunch at lodge/camp
1530 Hours – 1800 Hours: Afternoon conservation talk with DSWT Voi team or relaxed game drive

Overnight: Saa Nane House/ Voi base

Day 9: Private Charter Back to Nairobi & Departure

0700 Hours: Breakfast and final camp views
0900 Hours – 1130 Hours: Transfer to local airstrip for private air charter flight back to Nairobi (Wilson Airport / JKIA).
1200 Hours – 1600 Hours: Day-room booking at Karen/Nairobi hotel for freshening up and packing

Evening: Transfer to JKIA for your international departure flight

This is a private 8-night Kenya safari for 2 people, traveling in a private 4×4 vehicle, including chartered flights to and from Tsavo National Park.

The tour offers supporters of David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust a once-in-a-lifetime safari with exclusive access to the Elephant Orphans and also introduces you to the incredible team that makes the Trust’s work possible.

The trip includes full-board accommodation at Hemingway’s Nairobi, Umani Springs Home in Kibwezi Forest, Ithumba Camp, and Saa Nane House in Tsavo East National Park.  Day-rooms are included at Hemingway’s Hotel on your final day back in Nairobi. All conservation and Park Entry fees are included, as are all meals throughout your stay.

This opportunity includes the Nairobi Nursery, Umani Springs relocation Unit within the beautiful Kibwezi Forest, and Ithumba and Voi Relocation Units in Tsavo East National Park.

During this unique safari, you will be expertly guided by the Trust’s Field Managers and introduced to the remarkable elephant orphans, whilst experiencing firsthand the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s varied field projects.

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will allow a lucky few to immerse themselves in David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust work, with the satisfaction of knowing that, while enjoying this unique experience, your Safari will also contribute directly to David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust field efforts.

The highlight of this 9 Day Kenya road & air combined Safari includes;

✓A day-room at Hemingways Hotel on your final day back in Nairobi
✓ All conservation and Park Entry fees are included; as are all meals throughout your stay
✓ Full-board accommodation at Hemingways Nairobi, Umani Springs, Ithumba, and Saa Nane House
✓ All scheduled travel and transfers within Kenya by private 4×4 vehicle, including chartered flight from Tsavo National Park

Day 1: Nairobi Arrival, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport – Transfer to Hemingways Hotel in Karen, Nairobi
Day 2: Nairobi Elephant Orphanage Nursery. Overnight at Hemingways Hotel in Karen Nairobi
Day 3: Nairobi – Transfer by road to Kibwezi Forest at the foot of Chyulu hills. Overnight at Umani Springs Bush Home
Day 4: Kibwezi Forest at the foot of Chyulu hills. Overnight at Umani Springs Luxury Bush Home
Day 5: Kibwezi Forest – Transfer to Ithumba Relocation Unit. Overnight at Ithumba eco Lodge/ camp
Day 6: Ithumba Relocation Unit Tsavo East. Overnight at Ithumba eco Lodge/ camp
Day 7: Ithumba Relocation Unit Tsavo East. – Transfer to DSWT’s Voi Relocation Unit. Overnight at Saa Nane House
Day 8: DSWT’s Voi Relocation Unit Tsavo East National Park. Overnight at Saa Nane House
Day 9: Tsavo East – Transfer by private Air Charter back to Nairobi to a day room at Hemingways Hotel. Depart

Day 1 & 2: Nairobi Nursery Visit

On arrival in Nairobi, you will be transferred from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Hemingways Hotel, a boutique hotel in the leafy suburb of Karen, Nairobi.

During your stay in Nairobi, you will have unprecedented access to the Nairobi Nursery outside public visiting hours, including an intimate experience with the elephant orphans while they browse in the forests of Nairobi National Park.

This will include encountering the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s resident orphaned black rhinos. Your time at the Nursery will enable you to meet the Keepers and the Sheldrick Family.

Overnight at Hemingways Hotel in Karen, Nairobi

Day 3 & 4: Nairobi – Transfer to Umani Springs Kibwezi Forest Reserve

After a morning transfer from Nairobi, you will arrive at Kibwezi Forest, Kenya’s last remaining groundwater forest and one of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s flagship Saving Habitats initiatives.

You will discover the forest and its surrounding wilderness from your exclusive home away from home, the Trust’s Umani Springs Lodge. Umani Springs is now home to the most recently created Orphans Relocation Unit, where we presently have nine baby elephants learning the ropes of how to live like wildlife once more.

These babies still remain keeper-dependent and return to the safety of their stockades each evening, but are exposed to the wild elephants within this area almost daily.

In addition to enjoying the orphans, you can meet one of David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s anti-poaching teams and join them on patrol.

Overnight at Umani Springs Luxury Bush Home

Day 5 & 6: Umani Springs Lodge – Transfer to Ithumba Camp (Northern Area of Tsavo East)

After the delights of the Kibwezi Forest, you will be driven by road to the remote wilderness of Tsavo East’s northern area to our Ithumba Relocation Unit, home to over 63 orphaned elephants.

Here you will stay at the Trust’s newest eco Lodge, perched high on Ithumba Mountain with commanding views of the beautiful northern area of Tsavo. Sleeping under canvas in comfortable safari-style tents, you can shower under the stars and immerse yourself in the sounds of nature.

To experience this vast expanse of wilderness and all its wild denizens is unforgettable. While at Ithumba, you will have the opportunity to meet and enjoy the Ithumba orphans and their wild-born babies and elephant friends.

Overnight at Ithumba eco Lodge/ camp

Day 7 & 8: Ithumba – Drive to Saa Nane House (David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Headquarters Tsavo East)

Driving through the Tsavo Conservation Area, you will arrive at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Saa Nane House situated on the stunning Athi River.

Built in memory of David Sheldrick, this house sits within a beautiful 3000-acre private conservancy where the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Field Headquarters is located, bordering Tsavo East National Park, with commanding views of the Athi River.

Here you will be exposed to many of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s field operations and have a chance to meet more of the team, whilst also having the opportunity to visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Voi Relocation Unit, spending time with the Voi elephant orphans and their Keepers.

Overnight at Saa Nane House

Day 9: Saa Nane House – Fly to Nairobi

After breakfast on your final day, you will be transferred by private Air Charter back to Nairobi to a day room at Hemingways Hotel to await the departure of your international flight.

Day Rooms at Hemingways Hotel in Karen, Nairobi.

9 Days 8 Nights David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Kenya Safari Rates Include

✓ A day room at Hemingways on your final day in Nairobi
✓ One-way domestic chartered flight from Tsavo to Nairobi
✓ All scheduled travel and transfers within Kenya by private 4×4 vehicles
✓ All conservation and Park fees are included, as is full catering throughout your stay
✓ You will be guided throughout your safari by one of the Trust’s experienced Field Managers
✓ Full-board accommodation at Hemingways Nairobi, Umani Springs, Ithumba Camp, and Saa Nane House

Notes

* Private safari based on 2 Guests
* All profits go to The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Orphans’ Project
* This itinerary is subject to small alterations at the discretion of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, and dates are limited and will be determined by the availability of the various properties

9 Days 8 Nights David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Kenya Safari Rates Exclude

✗ International flights are not included

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