Reteti Elephant Sanctuary

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, situated within the vast Namunyak Community Conservancy in Northern Kenya, is the first community-owned and run elephant orphanage in Africa. Nestled at the foot of the Mathews Mountain Range, the sanctuary was established to rescue orphaned and abandoned elephant calves, rehabilitate them, and ultimately release them back into the wild herds of the northern frontier.

The sanctuary is staffed entirely by keepers from the local Samburu community, including the continent’s first female elephant keepers. Drawing on their ancient pastoralist knowledge and deep intuition, these keepers provide round-the-clock care and form essential bonds with the orphans. They utilize a unique feeding program using goat milk sourced from local women, creating a “milk economy” that directly empowers local households.

Visitors to Reteti gain an intimate window into the rehabilitation process. From a dedicated viewing platform, guests can witness the elephants during feeding times as they return from their bush walks. The experience is educational, with visitors paired with keepers who share personal stories of the elephants’ rescue and the sanctuary’s work, all while maintaining a respectful distance to prepare the animals for the wild.

How to Get There

By Road:

✓ Travel Time: Approximately 8 hours drive
✓ Distance: Approximately 370 km (230 miles) from Nairobi
✓ Vehicle: A sturdy 4WD vehicle with high clearance is essential for the final leg (approximately 9 km / 12 miles) from Sereolipi to the sanctuary, which involves rough terrain and dry riverbeds
✓ Route: The journey takes you north from Nairobi on the A2 Highway via Nanyuki and Isiolo to Archer’s Post. From there, you continue north to Sereolipi, where you turn off the tarmac onto a dirt road leading into the Namunyak Conservancy

By Air:

✓ Flight Time: Approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes from Wilson Airport (Nairobi)
✓ Scheduled Flights: Daily flights operate to Kalama Airstrip or Buffalo Springs Airstrip
✓ Private Charters: Private planes can land directly at the Reteti Airstrip within the sanctuary
✓ Transfer Time: From Kalama Airstrip: approximately 1.5 to 2 hours drive to the sanctuary, from Buffalo Springs Airstrip: approximately 2 to 2.5 hours drive to the sanctuary.

History

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary was officially opened in August 2016, a result of a grassroots movement by the Samburu community. Following years in which warriors attempted to save abandoned calves with limited resources, the community demanded a solution that would allow them to manage wildlife rescue on their own land.

The sanctuary was established with support from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Samburu County Government, but it is owned exclusively by the community. It marked a turning point in African conservation, shifting from external management to a model in which indigenous people are the decision-makers and primary beneficiaries.

Since its founding, Reteti has successfully rescued dozens of elephants and, most importantly, begun rewilding them. It stands today as a global success story, proving that community-run conservation can effectively protect endangered species while simultaneously improving the livelihoods of the people who share the land with them.

Sanctuary Viewing Experiences

✓ Feeding Time: Witness the heart of the sanctuary from a dedicated viewing platform. As the keepers prepare the bottles, a “thrilling pandemonium” ensues as the herd returns from their bush walk. You will watch as the calves rush in, knowing their feeding time has arrived, often identifying their specific keepers with deep recognition and trust.

Seeing the elephants enthusiastically down their formula, fortified with coconut oil and multivitamins, offers a joyful and intimate glimpse into their recovery.

✓ Keeper Interactions: During your visit, you are paired with a dedicated Samburu keeper who will guide you through the experience. These keepers, many of whom are the first female elephant keepers in Africa, share personal stories of the orphans from their rescue to their distinct personalities.

This is not just a tour; it is an educational dialogue where you learn about the complex social structures of elephants and the round-the-clock care involved in their rehabilitation, all while maintaining a respectful distance to ensure the calves remain wild at heart.

Conservation & Community Insights

✓ Rewilding: The experience is designed to minimize human habituation, ensuring that once the calves are strong enough, they can be successfully released back into the rangelands of Namunyak to rejoin the wild herds.

✓ Behind the Scenes: Gain insight into the meticulous care provided to the calves. From pasteurizing goat milk to 24-hour monitoring of the youngest orphans, the sanctuary operates with the precision of a hospital and the warmth of a family.

✓ The Milk Economy: Discover the unique logistics behind Reteti’s success. Unlike other sanctuaries that rely on imported formula, Reteti utilizes goat milk sourced from local Samburu women. You will learn about this innovative “milk economy” where local women deliver fresh milk to collection points, earning a sustainable income that funds education and healthcare. This system turns the survival of elephants into a direct economic benefit for the community, ensuring wildlife is valued and protected.

Visitor Guidelines & Information

Feeding & Visiting Times

To ensure the elephants maintain a natural routine, visitor entry is strictly scheduled to align with their feeding times. 

✓ Morning Visit: 08:30 AM – 10:00 AM
✓ Midday Visit: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Note: The calves are fed at three-hour intervals around the clock, but these specific windows allow guests to witness the process without disrupting the herd’s daily bush walks

Visitor Rules & Ethics:

✓ Photography: You are welcome to take photos from the viewing platform. Please ensure your camera and cellphone are fully charged before arrival, as there are no charging facilities at the sanctuary.
✓ Interaction: The ultimate goal of Reteti is rewilding. To minimize human habituation and ensure the calves can eventually return to the wild, guests are not permitted to touch or feed the elephants. Only the dedicated keepers are authorized to make this contact.

What to Wear & Bring:

✓ Sun Protection: High-SPF sunscreen is essential, as the northern sun can be harsh
✓ Essentials: Bring plenty of drinking water and snacks for the drive. It can get very hot, and no food or drinks are sold on-site
✓ Attire: Please wear dark green, khaki, or shades of brown. Bright colors should be avoided to keep the animals calm. A hat is recommended for protection against the sun

Visitors to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary can choose from three outstanding eco-properties located within the surrounding conservancy. These community-owned lodges not only offer luxury and comfort but also directly support the sanctuary’s operations.

Loimugi House

Loimugi House is a private, exclusive-use villa located within the Sarara Camp grounds, explicitly designed for families and small groups seeking privacy. It is known for its private plunge pool, a favorite drinking spot for resident elephants, offering guests incredibly intimate, up-close encounters with these majestic giants from their deck.

The house features two spacious tented en-suite bedrooms connected by a central living and dining area. It offers the best of both worlds: the seclusion of a private home with access to all the amenities and activities of the main Sarara Camp.

Accommodation Features:

✓ Capacity: 2 en-suite bedrooms (Sleeps 4–5 guests)
✓ Amenities: Private plunge pool, private viewing deck, library, and private dining area
✓ Experience: Guests can enjoy private meals on their deck or join the main camp for a more social atmosphere. The highlight is the “armchair safari” experience, where visitors can watch wildlife visit the house’s private waterhole and pool

Reteti House

Reteti House is a spectacular, exclusive-use lodge situated just a 10-minute walk from the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. It is the ultimate destination for those wishing to immerse themselves in the conservation story of Northern Kenya.

Designed to blend seamlessly with the landscape, the house offers uninterrupted views of the Mathews Range and overlooks a waterhole frequently visited by wildlife. This property is ideal for multi-generational families or groups of friends, offering total exclusivity and a private team to cater to every need.

Accommodation Features:

✓ Capacity: 7 bedrooms total (Sleeps up to 16 guests). Includes four standalone en-suite suites, one family suite, and a family room
✓ Amenities: Stunning infinity pool, private lounge and dining areas, and solar-heated outdoor showers with expansive views
✓ Experience: Staying here offers exclusive access to the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, including private visits and behind-the-scenes opportunities to witness the keepers feeding and caring for the orphaned elephants

Sarara Camp

Sarara Camp is the conservancy’s flagship eco-lodge, perched on a rocky escarpment overlooking a permanent waterhole and the vast theatre of the African bush. Known as a “meeting place” in the Samburu language, Sarara captures the magic of the Mathews Range, blending canvas luxury with raw wilderness.

The camp is renowned for its high engagement with the local culture, including the ancient “Singing Wells” tradition. It operates entirely on solar power and serves as a vital engine for the community, with revenue funding education and healthcare initiatives.

Accommodation Features:

✓ Capacity: 6 luxury tents (Sleeps 12 guests)
✓ Amenities: Each tent features high ceilings, a private terrace, and a unique open-air bathroom with views of the hills. The main area features a natural rock infinity pool and a communal mess deck, ideal for wildlife viewing
✓ Experience: Activities include guided bush walks, hiking Mount Ololokwe, rock sliding in natural mountain pools (seasonal), and fly-camping expeditions. It offers a communal, vibrant safari atmosphere compared to the private houses

Mobile: + 254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com