Nairobi Wildlife & Attractions Half-Day Tour
Enjoy three of Nairobi’s best-known wildlife and conservation experiences in one tour. Start with a game drive in Nairobi National Park, then visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Giraffe Centre. This experience is suitable for visitors with limited time in Nairobi who want to discover the city’s wildlife attractions in a single outing.
Tour availability: Group-joining departures are available Monday to Friday, subject to availability. Private tours are also available on request. The tour is offered on a transport-only basis; all park and attraction admission fees are paid separately by guests.
Group-Joining Half-Day Tour Rates
Join other travellers for a shared Nairobi wildlife and attractions experience. Rates are charged per person and cover transport only.
| Vehicle | Transport rate | Departure days |
|---|---|---|
| Tour Van | USD 70 per person | Monday–Friday |
| Land Cruiser | USD 85 per person | Monday–Friday |
Pick-up: One-way pick-up is available from selected hotels in Westlands, Kilimani and Nairobi CBD. Drop-off is not included but can be arranged on request at an additional cost. Confirm your hotel location and pick-up details when booking.
Important: Group-joining departures and vehicle availability must be confirmed before booking. The rates above exclude Nairobi National Park entry, David Sheldrick admission and Giraffe Centre admission.
Private Half-Day Tour Rates
Book a private vehicle for your group and enjoy the tour without joining other clients. Private rates are fixed per vehicle, not per person. The total guest count includes children.
Private vehicle capacity: Land Cruisers comfortably accommodate 1–6 guests, with a maximum of 7 in some cruisers. Tour Vans comfortably accommodate 1–7 guests, with a maximum of 8 in some vans. Capacity depends on the specific vehicle assigned. Private vehicles are subject to availability.
| Vehicle | Private transport rate | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Tour Van | USD 560 | 1–7 comfortably; up to 8 in some vans |
| Land Cruiser | USD 600 | 1–6 comfortably; up to 7 in some cruisers |
Private rates cover the vehicle and transport only. Park and attraction admission fees are payable separately.
What You Will Experience
Nairobi National Park
Enjoy a game drive in a protected wildlife area just outside Nairobi’s city centre. The park’s open grasslands and varied habitats are home to wildlife including giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes and rhinos. Sightings vary and cannot be guaranteed.
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Visit the elephant conservation and orphan-care centre and learn about its work caring for and protecting orphaned elephants. Admission and visit arrangements are subject to the trust’s booking requirements.
Giraffe Centre
Discover the conservation work carried out at the Giraffe Centre and learn about the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. Guests can observe the giraffes and participate in the centre’s visitor experience, subject to its operating arrangements.
Park & Attraction Entry Fees
Admission charges are separate from our transport rates and are paid by guests. The following are the guide rates supplied for this tour and should be reconfirmed before travel.
Nairobi National Park
| Visitor category | Entry fee |
|---|---|
| Non-Residents | USD 80 |
| African Citizens | USD 40 |
| Kenya Residents | KES 2,500 |
| Kenyan Citizens | KES 1,000 |
Note: Nairobi National Park entry does not include gateway fees.
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
| Visitor category | Admission fee |
|---|---|
| Non-Residents | USD 20 |
| Kenyan Citizens | KES 2,000 |
Giraffe Centre
| Visitor category | Admission fee |
|---|---|
| Non-Residents | USD 15 |
| Kenyan Citizens | KES 400 |
Entry fees are guide rates and may change. The resident/African admission rates for David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Giraffe Centre were not supplied. Please confirm current charges and visitor categories directly before travel.
Planning Your Three-Experience Nairobi Wildlife Day
The three attractions are close enough to combine in one Nairobi outing, but each has its own entry arrangements and timing. The most important point to plan around is the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust public nursery visit, which runs on a fixed schedule and requires advance booking.
Wildlife game drive
Nairobi National Park
Explore open grassland, riverine habitat and seasonal wetlands in a national park set against the city skyline. Wildlife that may be seen includes black and white rhinos, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and a variety of birdlife. Leopards and cheetahs may also be present, but sightings are never guaranteed.
The game-drive route and duration are planned around the Sheldrick appointment and the time available for the Giraffe Centre.
Advance booking required
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
The Nairobi Nursery cares for orphaned elephants rescued from across Kenya. During the public visit, guests can learn about the Trust’s rescue, care and rehabilitation work and observe the young elephants during their midday mud bath and milk feed.
The public visiting hour is 11:00 am–12:00 noon. Visitors must have a confirmed advance booking. The Trust advises guests to arrive by 10:30 am to allow time for the KWS gate process.
Conservation & education
Giraffe Centre
Visit the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife’s conservation and education centre, known for its work with the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. Guests can learn about giraffe conservation and, under the centre’s guidance, enjoy the elevated visitor platform experience.
The centre’s published general opening hours are 9:00 am–5:00 pm daily. Allow enough time for the visit and confirm current visitor arrangements before travelling.
A coordinated itinerary
One outing, three different visits
This is not simply a continuous game drive. It combines a national park visit, a timed conservation nursery appointment and a separate giraffe conservation centre visit. The order of visits, pickup time and game-drive duration must be agreed in advance to make the schedule workable.
Important timing note: Sheldrick’s public nursery visit is fixed at 11:00 am–12:00 noon and cannot be delayed or extended for late arrivals. The Trust requests visitors to arrive at or before 10:30 am. Because the three stops have separate entry processes, the exact itinerary and total duration will be confirmed against your Sheldrick booking and the Giraffe Centre’s operating arrangements. Do not assume every booking will fit into the same half-day schedule.
Suggested planning sequence
- Before travel: Secure the Sheldrick Nursery booking first, then confirm the park entry requirements, Giraffe Centre visit and transport arrangements.
- Pickup and park access: Your pickup time and route will be set to allow for Nairobi traffic and the relevant park gate procedures.
- Sheldrick visit: Arrive early for the confirmed 11:00 am–12:00 noon public visit. Late arrivals cannot be accommodated by extending the session.
- Giraffe Centre: Include the centre at a time that fits its opening hours and the confirmed route. The centre recommends allowing around 1.5–2 hours for a fuller visit.
- Return: Drop-off arrangements and the expected return time will be agreed before confirmation.
Visitor Requirements and Helpful Tips
- Book Sheldrick in advance: The nursery visit is strictly by advance booking. Same-day visits are not accepted, and daily visitor capacity is limited.
- Carry identification: Bring the identification documents needed to support your visitor category for KWS and attraction admission.
- Allow time at the gate: KWS park entry is required for visitors accessing the Sheldrick Nursery in Nairobi National Park. Arrive early for the gate process.
- Keep to the nursery rules: Follow the Trust staff’s instructions, keep mobile phones silent and respect the animals’ space. Photography and video are for personal use only, subject to the Trust’s visitor rules.
- Wear comfortable clothing: Bring a light layer for an early start, comfortable shoes, sun protection and drinking water.
- Families with children: Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult throughout the visits. Confirm any age-specific admission or visitor requirements directly with each attraction.
- Allow for traffic: Nairobi traffic can affect travel between the park, the nursery and Lang’ata. We confirm pickup and return estimates based on the date and route.
Official Visitor Information & Entry Links
Each attraction manages its own visitor arrangements. Use the official links below to check current requirements, make the relevant advance booking and confirm admission charges before your tour.
Kenya Wildlife Service
Use the official eCitizen portal for Nairobi National Park entry tickets. KWS park entry fees are separate from the Sheldrick Nursery admission/donation and from our transport charges.
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Check the Nairobi Nursery visiting requirements and secure your public visit booking directly with the Trust. The public visit is by advance booking only.
Giraffe Centre
Check current opening information, visitor rates, age categories and visitor guidance with the centre before your visit.
Admission fee reminder: The rates displayed in the admission tables on this page are guide figures supplied for this tour and are not a substitute for the attractions’ current official charges. KWS park entry is a separate payment from the Sheldrick Nursery entry donation. Confirm all visitor categories and amounts with the relevant organisations before payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in this Nairobi wildlife tour?
The experience combines transport for a Nairobi National Park game drive, a visit to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nairobi Nursery and a visit to the Giraffe Centre. The tour rates shown are for transport only. Park and attraction admission charges are paid separately by guests.
Are Nairobi National Park entry fees included in the Sheldrick visit?
No. KWS park entry fees are separate from the Sheldrick Nursery entry donation. Visitors accessing the Nairobi Nursery must also meet the KWS park-entry requirements. Use the official KWS eCitizen portal to check and arrange park entry.
Do I need to book the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage in advance?
Yes. The Nairobi Nursery public visit is strictly by advance booking and same-day bookings are not accepted. The public visit is held from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon, except 25 December. Check the Trust’s official visiting page for current booking instructions and availability.
What time should I arrive at Sheldrick?
The Trust advises visitors to arrive at or before 10:30 am to allow time for the KWS Mbagathi Workshop Gate process. The public visit starts at 11:00 am and cannot be delayed or extended for late arrivals.
Can I visit Nairobi National Park before or after Sheldrick?
The game-drive sequence depends on your confirmed nursery appointment, park access arrangements, traffic and the time available for the Giraffe Centre. We will coordinate the route and timing when confirming the booking. A full game drive should not be assumed to fit around the fixed nursery session without checking the itinerary.
How long does the Giraffe Centre visit take?
The Giraffe Centre recommends allowing around 1.5–2 hours for a fuller visit, which may include the giraffe experience, an educational talk, the nature trail and time at the centre. Its published general opening hours are 9:00 am–5:00 pm daily. Check its official FAQs for current details.
Can I book this tour without visiting all three attractions?
Yes. If you only want a Nairobi National Park game drive, you can book our Nairobi National Park Half-Day Game Drive. That separate product does not include Sheldrick or the Giraffe Centre.
Are the entry fees included in the group-joining or private rates?
No. Both group-joining and private transport rates exclude Nairobi National Park entry and the admission charges or donations payable to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Giraffe Centre. The guide rates are listed separately on this page; confirm current official charges before travel.
Can I visit all three attractions on a weekend?
The group-joining service described on this page operates Monday to Friday, subject to availability. The Sheldrick Nursery public visit operates daily except 25 December, but the combined tour schedule and private transport availability must be checked for your chosen date. Contact us with your preferred date so we can confirm what is possible.
Is this tour suitable for children?
Families can enjoy the attractions, but children must remain under adult supervision and follow each venue’s rules. Admission categories and age-based charges differ between attractions, so confirm the applicable child rates directly before travel.
What happens if the Sheldrick visit is fully booked?
The nursery visit is subject to limited capacity and confirmed advance bookings. If your preferred date is unavailable, we can discuss another date or arrange a Nairobi National Park game drive and Giraffe Centre visit without Sheldrick, subject to availability.
Can I arrange hotel pickup and drop-off?
One-way pickup is available from selected hotels in Westlands, Kilimani and Nairobi CBD as described in the rates section. Drop-off is not included in the stated group-joining arrangement but can be arranged at an additional cost. Private pickup and drop-off details should be agreed before payment.
How do I book this combined experience?
Send your preferred date, number of adults and children, children’s ages, hotel or pickup location, visitor nationality/residency categories, preferred vehicle and whether you already have a confirmed Sheldrick booking. We will check transport availability, coordinate the practical schedule and confirm the transport price and exclusions before payment.
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Important Booking Information
- This is a half-day tour combining Nairobi National Park, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Giraffe Centre.
- Group-joining departures are Monday to Friday and are subject to availability.
- All tour rates are for transport only. Park and attraction admission fees are excluded.
- One-way hotel pick-up is available from selected hotels in Westlands, Kilimani and Nairobi CBD. Drop-off can be arranged on request at an additional cost.
- Private vehicle capacity includes children: Tour Vans accommodate 1–7 guests comfortably (up to 8 in some vans); Land Cruisers accommodate 1–6 comfortably (up to 7 in some cruisers).
- Private vehicles and specific vehicle types are subject to availability.
- Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, as animals move freely in their natural habitats.
- Guests should bring drinking water, comfortable clothing, a camera, sunscreen and personal essentials.
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