Sheldrick Wildlife Trust ~ A Legacy of conservation
The story of Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is one born from passion and commitment. It began decades ago with David Sheldrick, the first warden of Tsavo National Park and a pioneering voice in wildlife conservation. Alongside him was his wife, Daphne Sheldrick, who shared in David’s deep love of the wild places and its inhabitants. It was Daphne who took on the first orphan elephants and developed a milk formula and fine tuned husbandry practices that would work for these large but fragile babies.
Today, SWT is one of the most respected wildlife conservation charities in Africa with Daphne’s daughter, Angela, still playing a vital role in her mothers work.
The Heart of the Mission: The Orphan’s Project
Perhaps the most well-known initiative under SWT’s umbrella is the Orphan’s Project, which has rescued and raised over 235 orphaned elephants. These babies, many of whom lost their mothers to poaching, human-wildlife conflict, or natural causes, are given a second chance thanks to the round-the-clock care they receive at SWT’s facilities.
Their journey often begins at the Nairobi Nursery, located on the edge of Nairobi National Park. From there, as they grow stronger and more independent, the young elephants graduate to one of three reintegration camps: Ithumba in Northern Tsavo, Umani Springs in the Kibwezi Forest, or the original reintegration unit in Voi, Southern Tsavo. Each of these locations provides a safe, supportive environment that allows the elephants to spend time in the wild and to reintegrate with wild elephants at their own pace.
While the Trust is perhaps most famous for rescuing and raising orphaned elephants, their conservation impact reaches far beyond.
🌳 Habitat Protection and anti-poaching patrols are active across Tsavo and other vital ecosystems. Their De-snaring Teams remove deadly wire traps, while Aerial Surveillance Units and Mobile Veterinary Teams respond quickly to emergencies in the bush.
🚑 Veterinary Intervention Units treat injured wildlife, often saving lives in the field—from elephants wounded by poachers to lions entangled in snares.
🎒 Community Outreach and Education Programs build vital relationships with local communities, fostering a culture of coexistence and long-term conservation.
🐕 Canine Anti-Poaching Unit: SWT’s highly trained sniffer dog teams play a crucial role in protecting wildlife. These talented dogs, alongside their expert handlers, track down poachers, detect illegal wildlife products, and help recover stolen ivory and bushmeat. Deployed in key locations, they’re an essential part of SWT’s frontline defense against poaching.
Our Part in the story…
Early in our safari travels, I found comfort in a quiet ritual each time we were preparing to leave the countries we had come to love. At the airstrips, just before takeoff, I’d pause to really look at the travelers arriving as we were departing.
There was something deeply comforting in that moment — a peaceful joy in knowing that some of those lucky safari-goers were about to experience the same breathtaking wildlife encounters that I had just had the privilege of photographing.
The magic was continuing, even as my time was ending.
Over time, we began to realize that our presence—our travel choices—were doing more than just filling us with wonder. Our tourist dollars were helping support local communities and the critical work of protecting wildlife. And so, now with our own travel company, giving back is becoming an important part of our mission.
This marks a new chapter for us, and we’d love for you to be part of it. In the coming days, weeks, and months, we’ll be sharing more about how you can join us in supporting this extraordinary cause and sharing our mutual love for Africa’s wildlife.
We believe that travel should not only transform the traveler, but also uplift and protect the wild places and creatures that inspire us every day.
Keep a sharp eye out on our facebook pages this week for some exciting news!
Tali the newest orphan rescued by Sheldrick Wildlife Trust