Nairobi Animal Orphanage is situated in the Nairobi National Park. It serves as a treatment and recovery center for wild animals. It Also has an animal adoption program meant to rehabilitate hurt and orphaned animals. So the Nairobi animal orphanage’s wonderful sanctuary is a ‘refuge for the wild .’ The Orphanage has animals such as lions, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, serval cats, rare Sokoke cats, warthogs, and leopards.
Main attractions include a close view of the wildlife, birds, and walking tours. If you’re into animal welfare, more information about the adoption program will entice you.
What do to at the Nairobi Animal Orphanage
Game watch
Nairobi animal orphanage is not like other conventional animal parks. It’s not the usual game watch where you can spot healthy animals majestically grazing. In this case, you see animals that have survived illness, abandonment, and injury. These animals are survivors of adversity and it’s amazing to watch them fight for a second chance to live.
Every cage in the orphanage is labeled with info about each animal. So you will not need a guide to interpret anything for you.
Explore the Rehabilitation Program
You’ll get an ideal opportunity to learn more about the animal rehabilitation program. The Nairobi Animal Orphanage has been existing since 1994 and its main aim is to rescue animals. They offer them treatment and rehabilitate them back to the wild after recovery. Further, you’ll catch up with the efforts of the orphanage since they record stories for each animal. They will tell you when they rescued an animal, its ailment, and recovery progress.
Every animal in the orphanage has been rescued rangers and provided with medical treatment. Afterward, they are introduced to an individual rehabilitation program, this offers them a second chance at life. Similar to the Elephant and Rhino Nursery, the park rangers release them to the African wild again.
Moreover, you get to know how they return the animals to the wild again. Their reaction and how they adapt again after leaving the refuge.
Photography
In the age of tech and social media, no trip would be complete without beautiful pictures for the Gram. And the good news is that you can get as many pictures of the park and yourself of course, as you wish. The animals and bushes provide a picturesque backdrop for stunning images – the only limit is your storage.
Bird viewing
The Nairobi Animal Orphanage rescues birds too. So, you’ll find a wide range of bird species, including parrots, ostriches, crown cranes, and guinea fowls, etc.
How to get to the orphanage
The Nairobi animal orphanage is located in Karen, along Lang’ata road, about about 7km away from Nairobi town. So you can either board a matatu to Rongai from the Nairobi Railway Station and alight at the orphanage’s gate or request an Uber. Some tourists opt for a safari land cruiser to pick them from the airports or any location.
Where to stay
Nairobi tented camp is the only lodging facility in the orphanage. It includes 9 luxury tents and is found in the west of the park. They serve meals inside the dining tents or allow you to enjoy your meal in the bushes. Alternatively, you can stay in various lodges and hotels in Nairobi
What to carry
Take with you a bottle of water, sunglasses, and sunscreen especially during the hot season. If you’ll want to take notes about the stories of the surviving animals, then a notebook or tablet is a wonderful idea.
Entrance fee
All people visiting the Nairobi Animal Orphanage will need to pay an entrance fee. According to the Kenya Wildlife Service, the Nairobi Animal Orphanage entrance fee is as follows:
Citizens
Adults: 215
Children: 125
Residents
Adults: 215
Child: 125
Non-resident
Adult: $22
Child: $13
Modes of payment accepted in the park are Mpesa, Visa, and Mastercard. Direct bank transfers to the Kenya wildlife service is also a viable method.
The best time to visit
The best time to visit the Nairobi animal orphanage is during the dry season. Normally dry seasons occur in January to March and July to October. However, Nairobi experiences mild weather conditions even during the cold and rainy seasons. So you can visit this orphanage throughout the year during official opening hours
