Nairobi Animal Orphanage

The park is located just 7 km from Nairobi. It serves as a medical and rehabilitation centre for wild animals. This unique national park is one of the few in the world where wild animals live against the background of tall establishments and urban geographies. The park is 117 square km but open to the Kitengela plains. The animals in the park include rhinos, lions, leopards, hippos, buffalo, giraffes, hyenas, cheetahs, monkeys, baboons, and crocodiles. In addition, the park has different types of birds, e.g., parrots, guinea fowls, crowned cranes, and ostriches. The animals in this orphanage are ill newborns who have lost their parents and need assistance to survive. Therefore, the animals are well fed and taken care of by the animal officer till they are old enough to stay on their own in the park. When I visited the park, I noticed how the officer cared about this animal, but the small cages where animals are kept made it difficult for the animal to move around. Nevertheless, I enjoyed seeing the babies play in the mud and having milk bottles given by the staff. Nonetheless, I had a good time and hope to visit again.

Nairobi Animal Orphanage is set in Nairobi National Park with lush green vegetation contrasting against the red dust and dry clay soil. It was established in 1964 as a refuge and rehabilitation center for wild animals found abandoned or injured throughout Kenya. Animals received at the Nairobi Animal Orphanage undergo a thorough medical examination followed by treatment if necessary, before entering into an appropriate feeding and rehabilitation program. This important educational and training facility is often home to more than 20 exotic different animals and bird species. All this is done by the Kenya Wildlife Service. They have trained and specialized staff to handle wildlife. After my morning activities, we prepared for an adventurous afternoon. To be honest it’s almost taboo to grow up in Nairobi and fail to visit this orphanage. Almost every school-going child in Nairobi will admit that they have been to this place at least once courtesy of school trips arranged by their teachers. Families create time once in a while in order to bring their loved ones to this place. While it’s far from the majesty of seeing these creatures healthy in their natural habitat we were excited to see lions, cheaters, jackals hyenas, ostriches parrots, and more an up-close, if you are lucky to be on time you will witness how the lions are being fed, this experience can be exciting to see at the same time fearful. The friendly staff will guide and help you where need be. Non-residents: Adults US$25, Children/Students Us$15 Kenya residents: Adults Kshs. 350, Children/Students Kshs. 200, WCK (Wildlife Clubs of Kenya) Members Kshs . 60 East African Citizens: Adults Kshs. 250, Children/Students Kshs. 150, WCK (Wildlife Clubs of Kenya) Members Kshs. 60 NOTE: Children: Age between 3-17 years. Student rate requires two weeks’ notice for authorization.