As one of Africa’s most established and respected wildlife conservation organizations, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) has spent decades dedicated to protecting animals and the fragile ecosystems they call home. Since its founding, SWT has remained at the forefront of conservation efforts, pioneering innovative strategies to safeguard wildlife across Kenya and beyond.
The Trust plays a vital role in rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned animals—especially elephants—while also tackling broader environmental challenges such as habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. Through its extensive field projects, anti-poaching operations, habitat protection initiatives, veterinary programs, and community outreach, SWT works tirelessly to preserve natural landscapes and ensure that endangered and vulnerable species have a secure future.
Driven by a deep commitment to the harmony between wildlife and people, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust continues to shape conservation practices throughout Africa, setting standards for sustainability, compassion, and long-term ecological stewardship.
As one of Africa’s longest-standing wildlife organisations, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) is dedicated to safeguarding animals and the wild landscapes they depend on. For decades, SWT has led the way in conservation, championing innovative solutions that protect wildlife, preserve habitats, and secure a future for some of the continent’s most vulnerable species.
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust was founded nearly five decades ago, inspired by one family’s deep connection to Kenya’s wilderness. Today, it is internationally recognised for the Orphans’ Project—the world’s first, and still the most successful, rescue and rehabilitation programme for orphaned elephants.
From these roots, SWT has grown into a pioneering conservation force committed to protecting wildlife across East Africa, restoring ecosystems, and ensuring that endangered species have a fighting chance at survival.
SWT’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, supported by a major field base at Kaluku, on the border of Tsavo East National Park.
To expand its impact globally, SWT also operates:Sheldrick Wildlife Trust UK, a registered charity in England & Wales
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust USA, a registered 501(c)(3) organisation
These offices work together to support conservation projects and raise awareness around the world.
The Trust collaborates with a wide network of conservation partners who play an essential role in safeguarding Africa’s wildlife. From organisations protecting endangered habitats to corporate partners who contribute through donations, expertise, and fundraising initiatives, each partnership strengthens the collective mission to protect the natural world.
SWT operates across Kenya, creating and protecting vital sanctuaries for wildlife. Their preservation efforts extend far beyond elephants and rhinos—they encompass entire ecosystems, from vast savannahs to dense forests, ensuring that the diverse species within these fragile habitats can flourish.
Every day, for one special hour, the Nairobi Nursery opens its doors to visitors. This cherished tradition allows the public to see the orphaned elephants up close, hear their stories, and learn about the Trust’s conservation efforts.
Advance booking is essential, as space is limited and demand is high.
Kenya’s wildlife faces increasing pressures—from habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict to poaching and climate change. Few ecosystems remain untouched by human influence, and many species are at risk. SWT works tirelessly to confront these threats and secure long-term survival for wildlife across the country.
The Trust focuses on several threatened and endangered species, including:
African elephants
Black and white rhinos
Numerous other keystone animals essential to the balance of their ecosystems
By protecting these species, SWT helps ensure the survival of countless others that share their habitats.
