Because…baby elephants. Irresistible. But what’s more irresistible is the fascinating and touching stories of the elephants. And because it’s the season of giving; we give to Sheldrick’s!

When you adopt an elephant, you get monthly updates (and sometimes more) on how things are going at not only the orphanage in Nairobi (aka The Nursery Unit), but also from the Umani Springs, Ithumba, and Voi Units. While the Nursery Unit arguably has some pretty adorable activity updates, I’ve found that the updates from the other units really give you insight into the true mission and impact of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

The Babies Stay in Nairobi National Park All Day…and When It’s Dinner Time They Come Running In. And I Mean Running. HUNGRY!!

Sheldrick’s takes an incredibly holistic approach to elephants–they rescue abandoned or injured babies through their mobile veterinary teams and airplanes, then nurture them in Nairobi until they become old and well-adapted enough to succeed in a transitional location with stockades. They move them to these sites, which allows them to meet and greet (and linger) with wild elephants, while enjoying safety at night with keepers. With time, these elephants transition to living in the wild, just like any other wild elephant.

But the bond between keeper and elephant often remains: elephants raised and ultimately reintroduced by Sheldrick’s often return to the units. As Sheldrick’s monthly updates indicate, sometimes they come back for medical care (e.g., to have poison arrows removed), visit with the new orphans, or to show off their new, wild-born babies. These are the type of stories included in the monthly updates (and online on their website) that seriously make me melt–I told you I was better at showing affection to animals than to people! Certainly not all updates are happy ones–but they are honest and tactful in explaining when a baby doesn’t make it or something happens in the bush.

The Nursery Babies are Accompanied into Nairobi National Park Each Day by Their Keepers, Who Watch Their Health and Fend of Predators

It’s a pretty incredible operation because not only has Sheldrick’s figured out how to rescue, nurture, raise, and transition these elephants back into the wild as stable, healthy members of the herd, they simultaneously provide aerial surveillance and anti-poaching teams in addition to veterinary units in an attempt to change the situation on the ground. Sheldrick’s has a demonstrated record of success, and it’s hard to argue they aren’t making a significant difference.

When the Tiny Ones Come in From the Park, they Eat and Then Go Fast Asleep, Exhausted from Their Long Day

While other organizations we donate to send me more junk mail in a year (asking for more money) than could fit into Santa’s sleigh, I appreciate that Sheldrick’s provides actual details on their programs, routinely, that are extremely well-written and touching. With an absolute stunning watercolor of an elephant, too! I look forward to receiving the monthly news, which is way more than can be said for my excitement in shredding yet another donation letter. A good organization + good communication? I’m a fan.

Depending on their Mood and Personality, Some Like to Be Touched when in the Nursery; Only Keepers Can Accompany Them into the Park or Stay with Them at Night

If you haven’t visited the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi, but are interested in seeing the elephants and supporting their cause, I’d wholeheartedly recommend it.

[And before someone asks: no, I don’t get anything from Sheldrick’s for writing this post and yes, it is totally unsolicited].

We were warned upon arrival in Nairobi not to let your credit card out of your sight. They were serious. My mom used her card only one time, at this restaurant, to pay. It never left her wallet the entire trip except for that single time, so we know it happened here. And guess what? In the 5 minutes they had the card, they scammed the number.

Lesson learned.

But let’s get to the good part–the food!

While the food was definitely delicious throughout our trip, it was nice to be able to order from a menu again, as most safari camps have a set menu (though they always avoid any strong aversions and allergies).

I had a pot full of seafood. Crab, lobster, shrimp, and some fish. It was delicious, in a very light broth with some butter, garlic, and a touch of lemongrass and other spices. On top of that, I had a calamari salad. The seafood was tender, not at all fishy.

I did at one point think to myself…I have 24 hours of flying ahead of me…if this goes bad, it will go REALLY bad. Fortunately besides that liver fluke I got, I had no problems on the trip home. KIDDING, obviously. The food was spot-on.

DH had a steak and potatoes (steak was a little tough for my liking, but I’m a hard to please steak-eater). My mom had a delicious squash blend soup that I wanted to steal, as well as some fish. The food was piping hot and just generally very good.

We then got three tasty bites + drizzled chocolate sauce (no charge) for dessert, which was nice as we were all too full to order an actual desert. The writings on the plates were sort of ironic, at best, after my mom found out her credit card number was stolen (one says “honesty is the best policy”…I guess only if it applies to the person eating the chocolate? Idk.)

Plus, DH finally got to try a different beer–Pilsner. Tusker is way, way better. Plus we were served in Tusker glasses. (I want Tusker glasses!)

The courtyard at Tamarind & Tamambo is very cute and it was pleasant to eat outside. Beware of the mozzies, though…they were the only mozzies I had issues with the entire trip!

And be prepared to pay city prices. While not as expensive as DC, Tamarind is expensive. Tamambo is their lunch restaurant (you can order from either menu), and has some reasonably priced sandwiches, burgers, and the like.

All in all, a great choice to finish off a great safari. Just hold that credit card.

I only have one remark. HOLY DISGUSTING SHIT BATMAN. I mean..THANK GOODNESS.

The Heavily Sanitized Ray-Bans

Actually I have a second, preemptive remark. No, I was not drinking Amarula, Tusker, or anything else when I dropped my Ray-Bans in the toilet. These things are really not related.

2. Amarula is better than I remember, and made–I had forgotten–from the Marula plant.

What? There is a liquor that delicious that comes from a plant? NO WAY. And it has elephants on the bottle? It’s love.

3. Tusker comes in two varieties.

A malt (green bottle) and a lager (brown bottle). Both good, definitely different. Worth sampling. Um, also, why don’t we get big bottles of Tusker in the United States? You fail me importers, you fail me.

4. Cheetahs are actually a type of lion.

According to a highly uninformed (I was going to say uneducated but I thought that presumptuous of me), obnoxious (factual, even if offensive), American in the Mara. False, obviously.

5. Traffic in Nairobi is worse than Washington, DC.

There seemed to be less flipping off, though. So there’s that.

There is something so fascinating about elephants, an animal with incredible social dynamics and a memory that most of us would envy.

So I thought Sheldrick’s would be interesting, but I didn’t realize how much I would absolutely, positively, adore watching baby elephants. Sleeping, mostly.

But let’s back up for a moment…

Probably a few years ago, my mom gave me the book on Dame Daphne Sheldrick, entitled Love, Life, and Elephants (I mention it here, too).

It took me probably another year to read it because I’m delinquent, but when I did I was enthralled. Dame Daphne was the first to successfully raise milk-dependent orphan elephants, and also raised a menagerie of other animals, including dik-diks, birds, and rhinos.

Have I mentioned how many dik-diks we saw on this trip?! SO MANY.

Back to Sheldrick’s.

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is what emerged from all of Dame Daphne (and her husband David’s) work on conservation and raising orphaned animals.

And, you can visit in Nairobi. Public visiting hours are from 11-12 each day, I believe, and if you want to adopt an elephant (or visit an elephant you’ve adopted), you can visit from 5pm-6pm.

(We did not know that this 5pm time slot was for elephant adoptions, we just thought there was a $50 entry fee. Now that we know this $50 fee is not for entry, but actually for the elephant adoption…well, it’s a fantastic hour to stare at sleeping (and interactive) baby elephants and also support a great cause.)

If you are in Nairobi, go. It’s totally worth adopting an elephant, as then you get ridiculous amounts of insanely fun (and sometimes sad) stories of their lives and 10-15 year journey back to reintroduction. And a precious wallet size photo montage of them.

Yes, reintroduction. Sheldrick’s works to send ALL of their elephants back to wild herds, and has been doing so successfully for decades. Which is really impressive.

This won’t be the last I write of Sheldrick’s, but I’ll leave you with a few pictures of the babies. And Maxwell, the genetically blind rhino who resides (forever, since he’s genetically blind) at the Trust. There is something lovable about a rhino that looks cuddly.

Obviously, don’t try to cuddle Maxwell on a visit. Though I guess there are worse ways for loved ones to remember you than “she was just trying to cuddle an orphaned, blind, rhino when it accidentally stepped on her!”

That was a bad joke.