Reteti Elephant Sanctuary

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary was officially opened in August 2016 in Namunyak Community Conservancy, in Samburu County in northern Kenya, about an eight-hour drive from Nairobi. It was set up at the request of the local Samburu community to rescue elephant calves orphaned or abandoned in the region, for example after falling into wells or becoming separated from their herds, and it was developed with support from the Northern Rangelands Trust, Kenya Wildlife Service and other conservation partners.

All of Reteti’s keepers are Samburu from within the conservancy, and it was the first elephant sanctuary on the continent to employ women as keepers. The calves are bottle-fed every three hours, taken on daily bush walks to learn to forage, and gradually returned to the wild as release herds in the surrounding landscape: thirteen orphans began their return to the wild in June 2025, and a further ten are being prepared for release. The sanctuary also cares for other orphaned wildlife, including giraffe and buffalo.

Visitors are welcome seven days a week, but must book at least 24 hours ahead; same-day visits are not possible. The public midday feed runs from 11.30am to 1pm, with private morning and afternoon visits also available. A minimum donation is required to visit (US$75 per adult for international visitors, with lower rates for Kenyan residents and citizens).

You can support Reteti by adopting an orphan, donating a milk bottle or giving directly. The sanctuary is community-owned, and its operating partner, The Sarara Foundation, a registered US 501(c)(3) non-profit (EIN 82-2386824), covers its operating costs and receives donations.