Visiting Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
Reteti is a community-run elephant orphanage in Namunyak Community Conservancy in northern Kenya. It opened in August 2016. Orphaned elephants are rescued, cared for and prepared for release back into the wild, and the keepers who look after them are local Samburu. A visit is a short, supervised stop at the sanctuary, not a game drive.
Reteti lies in Namunyak Community Conservancy, not inside the Samburu, Buffalo Springs or Shaba reserves, so the visit has its own rules and its own minimum donation. You can combine it with a stay near Samburu and a few game drives. See the Samburu safari options for trips that can include a stop at Reteti, or read how to reach Samburu from Nairobi first.
Visit times and slots
The sanctuary receives visitors seven days a week.
General slot
The shared visit runs from 11:30 to 13:00, with feeding at 12:00. This is the simplest slot for most travellers.
Morning and afternoon
The slots from 8:30 to 10:00 and from 14:30 to 16:00 are private visits for your own group. Ask about the price for a private visit when you reserve.
Early and evening slots
These are kept for guests of certain overnight stays and are not open to day visitors in general.
Reserve ahead
You need to reserve at least 24 hours before, and the sanctuary does not take bookings on the day. Reservations are confirmed once payment details have been sent and your donation has arrived.
Samburu safaris with elephant encounters
Game drives, fly-in safaris and day trips in northern Kenya, with live prices and availability.
Reteti visitor fees 2026
These are minimum donations, not park fees.
| Visitor group | Adult | Child under 15 |
|---|---|---|
| International visitor | $75 | $50 |
| Kenyan resident | KES 1,000 to 2,000 | KES 500 |
| Kenyan citizen | KES 1,000 | KES 500 |
| Private group of about 12 or more | Ask when you reserve | Ask when you reserve |
For most international visitors the shared slot at 11:30 with feeding at 12:00 is the easiest plan. The residents' rate is KES 1,000 to 2,000, so confirm the exact amount in your reservation. The donation is separate from the entry fees of the reserves, which are explained on the Samburu park fees page.
Getting to Reteti
The last stretch is a dirt road.
By road
Turn off after the bridge and the secondary school in Sereolipi, then drive another 19 km. The sanctuary advises a high-clearance 4×4 only for the dirt road from Sereolipi.
Isiolo and Archers Post →By air
The Namunyak airstrip needs a vehicle transfer to the sanctuary. If you fly in on your own, tell the sanctuary in advance so that the bush strip can be cleared.
Check the local situation
Security operations have been under way in parts of Samburu and Isiolo counties, and the Sereolipi area is one of them. The German Federal Foreign Office currently advises particular caution in Samburu. Ask your driver or accommodation about the current situation before you set out, and do not assume the road is open.
Namunyak and the elephants around it
Namunyak Community Conservancy is community land, and Reteti is one of its projects. Its keepers are Samburu people, which makes the sanctuary a good place to learn how conservation works for the community that lives here. Read more about the people on the Samburu people page.
The sanctuary has no guest accommodation of its own. If you want to stay near Namunyak, look at lodges and camps in the wider area and read the where to stay guide. For elephants in the wild, photos from the reserve show animals crossing the river. For a comparison with another elephant destination, see the elephants of Amboseli.
House rules at the sanctuary
Short and strict.
No feeding, no touching
Visitors may not feed or touch the elephants. Only the keepers interact with the animals.
Filming needs permission
Ask before you film, and follow the instructions of the keepers on site.
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary: frequently asked questions
Can I visit Reteti without a reservation?
No. You have to reserve at least 24 hours in advance, and the sanctuary does not take bookings on the day of your visit.
How much does a visit cost?
The minimum donation in 2026 is $75 for an international adult and $50 for a child under 15. Kenyan citizens pay KES 1,000 for an adult, and Kenyan residents pay KES 1,000 to 2,000. Children under 15 pay KES 500 in both groups.
When is the feeding?
Feeding is at 12:00 within the general slot from 11:30 to 13:00. Private morning and afternoon slots have their own times.
Can I touch or feed the elephants?
No. Only the keepers interact with the animals, and filming needs permission.
Can I stay at the sanctuary?
No. Reteti does not offer guest accommodation. Look for lodges and camps in the wider Namunyak area.
Is this the official Reteti website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by Reteti, Namunyak Conservancy, Samburu County or the Kenya Wildlife Service.