Leading Wildlife Sanctuaries

East Africa

Greetings from Kigali!

For many who go on safari, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit some of the most sought after safari locations in the world and to discover the wildlife that call these spectacular places their home. Each year, thousands of visitors flock to East Africa to explore world-famous safari destinations such as the Maasai Mara, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Volcanoes National Park.

East Africa has made significant strides in reducing the risks faced by the wildlife residing in these parks over the recent years, although there are still a multitude of daily threats which wildlife has to grapple with, including drought, disease, poaching, injury and human-wildlife conflict.

Many travellers are unaware of the incredible work which is being done in the background and out of sight to safeguard Africa's wildlife. This is why, we at Travulous, try to encourage our guests to include at least one visit to an East African wildlife sanctuary whilst on safari. It is exceptionally rewarding to meet the inspiring individuals who tirelessly work for these organisations and to learn about the incredible work they are doing to protect and conserve Africa's wildlife.

For this month's newsletter, we have compiled a list of some of East Africa's most reputable and popular wildlife sanctuaries. It is worth noting that the region is also home to other famous wildlife organisations such as the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and Gorilla Doctors, and whilst they are not directly involved with operating wildlife sanctuaries, they are at the forefront of conservation and definitely worth a visit if you are looking for a rewarding Behind the Scenes experience.

Talk to us if you would like to find out more, and explore the possibility of adding any one of these Wildlife Sanctuaries into your next safari itinerary.

Giraffe Centre

Located in Nairobi, the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (A.F.E.W.) was founded in 1979. In 1983, funds raised by A.F.E.W. USA helped build the Giraffe Centre (GC), an educational centre built on a 24.3 hectare (60 acre) plot of land. GC opened in the same year.

Home to the endangered Rothschild's Giraffe, GC's main purpose is to educate the school children and the youth about Kenya's wildlife and environment, and to enable local and international visitors to meet with and learn about the world’s tallest species, the giraffe.

GC opens daily to the public from 9:00am to 5:00pm, including weekends. Whilst visiting, visitors have the opportunity to feed and interact with the giraffes, attend an informative lecture on the giraffe (and other wildlife), and enjoy a walk in GC's Nature Conservancy.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

The Chimpanzee Trust was launched in Uganda in 1998. Surrounded by the waters of Lake Victoria, Ngamba Island Chimp Sanctuary (NCS) was established in the same year, supported by its founding trustees the Born Free Foundation and the Jane Goodall Institute.

The Chimpanzee Trust helps to conserve chimps in their habitats and provides care to those who cannot survive in the wild. Home to 53 chimps rescued from the illegal pet and bushmeat trade, NCS consists of 38 hectares (95 acres) of natural forest where the chimps roam and forage.

NCS opens daily to visitors, who are permitted to observe the feeding of the chimps from a viewing platform. The chimps also have the freedom to stay in the forest at night or to return to their night-time enclosures where they can build nests and receive an evening meal.

Ol Jogi Conservancy

Founded in 1980 as Kenya's second private rhino conservancy, Ol Jogi (OJ) is located on the Laikipia plateau. In 1986, OJ opened its wildlife rescue centre followed by a veterinary clinic in 1995. In 2005, the rhino sanctuary was expanded to cover the entire conservancy.

23,472 hectares (58,000 acres) in size, OJ focuses on wildlife conservation by providing a safe habitat for indigenous and critically endangered species. Its wildlife rescue centre looks after injured or orphaned animals which have been brought to OJ for care.

There are many experiences for visitors to enjoy at OJ such as visits to the rhino orphanage, wildlife viewing tunnel, veterinary clinic & research centre, and community projects that OJ is part of, including a visit to the local primary school to meet the children.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Based in Central Kenya's Laikipia County, Ol Pejeta Ranch was purchased in 2003 by Fauna and Flora International, supported by a generous benefactor. Ol Pejeta Ranch is 100% owned by Ol Pejeta Conservancy (OPC), which in turn operates as a not-for-profit.

36,422 hectares (90,000 acres) in size, OPC is East Africa's largest black rhino sanctuary, and home to the last remaining northern white rhinos. It is the only place in Kenya to see chimps, in a sanctuary which rehabilitates animals rescued from the black market.

Activities such as lion tracking, meeting the northern white rhinos, visiting the endangered species enclosure, "Ride The Wild", and Behind The Scenes chimpanzees, have been specifically developed for visitors to learn more about the work OPC does.

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary

Located in northern Kenya, Reteti Elephant Sanctuary (RES) was opened in 2016. RES is a partnership between several conservation and governmental organisations, including Samburu County Government, Kenya Wildlife Service, Tusk Trust and Save the Elephants.

RES is Africa's first community owned elephant sanctuary, established to house and care for young elephants. The sanctuary takes in orphaned and abandoned elephant calves with the aim of releasing them back into the wild herds adjoining RES.

Open seven days a week, RES offers visitors four daily opportunities to visit the elephants, all coinciding with their feeding times. Visitors are introduced to the herd, can learn about the work RES does, and can meet with the elephant keepers (based on their availability).

Rubondo Chimpanzee Habituation

Launched in 2016, Rubondo Chimp Habituation (RCH) is located on Rubondo Island in Lake Victoria in Tanzania. Rubondo became a sanctuary in the 1960s when elephants, giraffes and chimps were relocated to the island, in association with the Frankfurt Zoological Society.

Since establishing the island as a haven for endangered species, the population of 16 originally rescued zoo chimps has grown to 60+. As a result of the chimps dividing into two groups, one in the island's north and the other in the south, there are two chimpanzee trekking areas.

Contingent on weather conditions, RCH is open to visitors staying on the island throughout the year. Since 2020, visitors have been successful in observing chimpanzees within close proximity of about 10-15 meters, with most sightings lasting 30 minutes or more.

Situated in Nairobi, Kenya, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) was established in 1977 by Dr Dame Daphne Sheldrick DBE, in memory of her late husband, the well-known naturalist and founding Warden of Tsavo East National Park, David Sheldrick MBE.

As one of the continent's oldest wildlife charities, SWT is famously known for its orphans' project. Specialising in the conservation, preservation and protection of wildlife, SWT protects East Africa's endangered species including black and white rhinos and elephants.

SWT holds a public visiting hour every day from 11:00am to 12:00pm during which time visitors can learn about the organisation's conservation work and meet the orphans which SWT looks after. Only its keepers are allowed to feed and directly interact with the elephants.

Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Ranch

In 1983, Ziwa opened as a cattle ranch in Nakasongola district in Uganda. In 2005, after discussions with the Rhino Fund Uganda, Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Ranch (ZRR) was founded. The project is a collaborative effort between the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the Roy family.

6,880 hectares (17,000 acres) in size, ZRR is the only place in Uganda to see rhinos in the wild. Six southern white rhinos were introduced in 2006, with its numbers increasing to 32 rhinos in 2023. ZRR's goal is to re-introduce rhinos into Uganda's wilderness area.

ZRR's gates are open from 7:00am until 5:00pm, seven days a week. ZRR offers a selection of activities for visitors to enjoy, including nature walks, birding tours, shoebill treks and rhino trekking. Accompanied by trained rangers, visitors can see the rhinos up close.

Mount Kenya Animal Orphanage

Based in Nanyuki, the Animal Orphanage (AO) was established in the late 1960s. In 2004, the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy was formed, comprising of three parts; the animal orphanage, the mountain Bongo breeding program, and a conservation education program.

Located inside the conservancy, the AO is a facility which cares for the young, orphaned, abused, or injured animals. The orphanage provides shelter and professional care with the intention of releasing these animals back into their natural homes in the wild.

The AO is open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Experienced guides provide visitors with a tour of the facility, teaching them about how animals who have been injured, orphaned or displaced by habitat destruction, are treated and rehabilitated for release.

Nairobi Animal Orphanage

Nairobi Animal Orphanage (NAO) is located inside of Nairobi National Park, just 20 minutes away from the centre of Nairobi. NAO was opened in 1964 and operates as part of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). Each year, the orphanage welcomes more than 200,000 visitors.

NAO was set up as a rehabilitation centre for injured wild animals, which it aims to re-introduce to the wild. Home to lion, cheetah, leopard, monkey and baboon, NAO plays a vital role in wildlife conservation, offering visitors guided tours and educational programs.

NAO opens daily from 8:00am to 5:00pm. The orphanage offers its visitors guided tours including animal viewing, educational programs and interactive experiences focused on the importance of biodiversity, wildlife conservation and habitat preservation.

2024 SMALL GROUP TOURS

We are very excited to launch our 2024 Small Group Tours, which visit some of the most sought after safari locations in the world, including the Maasai Mara, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Volcanoes National Park. Our itineraries combine once-in-a-lifetime safari experiences with luxury properties located in some of the most breathtaking, remote and wild destinations in Africa. Stay tuned for our new Uganda itineraries, which will be launched in the coming weeks.

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