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David Sheldrick, Giraffe Centre, History, Karen Blixen Museum, Nairobi National Park

History

Nairobi is a new city in terms of Africa, only founded in 1899. It started out as a 'temporary settlement' along the new East African Railway as it was being constructed from Mombasa on the coast towards Kampala, in Uganda.

The settlement served as a campsite for the thousands of Indian workers employed by the British to build the railroad. Construction had come to a halt due to the swampy land and steep gradient around the location and the laborers camped here while the engineers figured out how to proceed.

Although no plans were ever in place to make it a permanent settlement, the young town took root. By 1907, it had replaced Mombasa as the administrative capital of British East Africa. Settlers from Europe soon started arriving in large numbers and the local Africans were forced into employment due to tax demands upon them (although they had no representation). Tribes like the Maasai and Kikuyu were removed onto special reserves created for them to the south and north.

Today the city is a mix of cultures, including African, Asian and European, none of which were originally local to the region. This combination of ethnic groups gives Nairobi its current character, one of vitality and modernism.

Nairobi National Park

Originally declared a game reserve by the British colonial government, Nairobi National Park was given full protection in 1946.

It may be surprising to learn that Nairobi National Park, covering just 45 square miles (117 sq kms), offers exceptionally good wildlife viewing opportunities. This is chiefly because although the park is fenced along three sides, which border populated areas, it is open to the south, so wildlife migrates freely in and out of the park. An actual 'mini migration' of herbivores occurs into and out of the park, second-largest in size only to that of the Mara-Serengeti.

Over 80 species of mammals and 400 species of birds have been recorded in the park. There are accommodations along the southern side of the park and anyone with an available afternoon or morning, perhaps before an onward flight, should consider a game drive in the park.

Lion, leopard, cheetah and spotted hyena are commonly seen, as are black rhino, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, hippo and numerous species of antelope. Of Africa's Big Five animals, only elephant are absent (although they can be seen at the Sheldrick Orphanage). July and August are particularly rewarding, when the permanent pools of water attract herds of wildebeest, gazelle and zebras, and predators are never far away.

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Occupying a small plot of land in Nairobi National Park along the western border, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is an elephant and rhino orphanage which is open for daily tours to the public (by advance reservation only) and well worth a visit. The facility hand-rears orphaned baby elephants (and sometimes rhinos) for eventual release back into the wilds in Tsavo National Park.

The staff at Sheldrick have become the world's top experts on hand-rearing baby elephants, and each baby receives a dedicated 24-hour guardian, whose duties include feeding, cleaning and even sleeping with the little elephant.

Without the 'proper' rearing, stimulation and care, baby elephants usually fail to survive and even if they do, often become unhappy and unable assimilate with a herd, lacking the social behaviors that would normally be taught to them in the wild.

The herd in Tsavo are primarily made up of animals that were Sheldrick orphans themselves and are responsible for adopting most of the orphanage's returnees.

The non-profit organization was founded in 1977 by Daphne Sheldrick and it has been highly successful in its mission. The trust is named in honor of Ms. Sheldrick's late husband David, who was the legendary and founding warden of Tsavo East National Park. Guests are encouraged to 'adopt' a baby elephant and will receive regular updates on the baby's progress and hopefully, its eventual release to join the herd in Tsavo.

Pre-booking visits to the facility is suggested, especially to take part in feeding of the babies.

Other Points of Interest

The African Fund for Endangered Wildlife's (AFEW) Giraffe Centre protects and breeds the endangered Rothschild's giraffe, while educating the public, especially children about conservation. The centre is open to the public and is located alongside the wonderful, Scottish-style Giraffe Manor, just west of Nairobi National Park.

Interacting with some of the ambassador giraffes is possible and especially popular with children. There is also a "safari walk" boardwalk offering a glimpse of giraffes and excellent bird watching.

The Karen Blixen Museum, the house where much of her book Out of Africa took place, is open daily to the public. The home and gardens have been painstakingly restored to their original appearance. Visits on the weekends can be very crowded, so try to schedule a visit on a weekday, when you will be more free to wander the delightful gardens.

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David Sheldrick, Giraffe Centre, History, Karen Blixen Museum, Nairobi National Park