Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
Samburu, Kenya
About
A community-run sanctuary in Namunyak Conservancy, Samburu, that takes in orphaned elephant calves and returns them to wild herds.
Visiting
Open to visitors
- How to visit
- Open daily, but book at least 24 hours in advance; same-day visits aren't possible. Anyone can attend the midday feed (11:30am–1pm). Morning and afternoon feeds are reserved for private visits, and the sunrise and evening feeds for Reteti House and Sarara guests. Entry is by minimum donation: US$75 for international adults and US$50 for under-15s, less for Kenyan citizens and residents. Contact bookings@reteti.org for flights, private visits and big groups.
- Getting there
- Allow about 8 hours by road from Nairobi. Leave the Isiolo–Moyale highway at Sereolipi, cross the bridge over the river, go past Sereolipi Secondary School and follow the left-hand road for 19 km; a 4x4 is advised. Charter planes use Namunyak airstrip.
- Booking
- Book only through the sanctuary’s official website. Never pay through social media messages or resellers. Book on their website ↗
Residents
Meet the residents
Long'uro
Long'uro fell into a well in Loisaba Conservancy at a month old in April 2020. A hyena had taken two-thirds of his trunk and he can't see from his left eye, but he has learned to cope with his disabilities. He's proof of how much an elephant can overcome with the right people beside him.
Resident since 2020
Lomunyak
Lomunyak lost his mother at two months old and almost drowned in the Ewaso Nyiro River; camp security staff hauled him out in April 2020. He plays the role of a fun-loving older brother to Long'uro.
Resident since 2020
Bule
Bule was two months old when a driver saw her walking alone near Archer's Post in March 2020. Clever and mischievous, she now heads the nursery group.
Resident since 2020
Lerai
No herds had been seen for days when Lerai was found by herself around Sosian Ranch. She came to Reteti on 15 July 2020 and has a calm, patient nature. She's growing up in the care of the Reteti team, with the hope of one day joining a wild herd.
Resident since 2020
Our research
How it measures up
- No buying or selling animals for profitMeets
- No breeding for tourism or tradeMeets
- No chaining or confinementMeets
- No ridingMeets
- No shows or performancesMeets
- No bathing with visitorsMeets
Reteti does not allow touching or interacting with the elephants in any way.
- Observation-based visitsMeets
Visitors can't touch or feed the calves; only keepers handle them.
- Rescue, rehabilitation and release where possibleMeets
Release is the aim of every rescue: 10 orphans went to Sera Conservancy in 2019–2020 and 13 more in 2024.
- Donations fund animal careMeets
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