Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
The world’s first Indigenous community-owned African elephant sanctuary.
Located in Northern Kenya. We rescue to release.
Join the Herd & become part of a global movement of supporters protecting wildlife, nature, & people.
At Reteti, we rescue orphaned and abandoned elephant calves with the aim to release them back into the wild herds adjoining Reteti.
Reteti is at the forefront of an expanding grassroots movement of community-driven conservation across Northern Kenya; an effort that is not just protecting wildlife but also growing new economies, transforming lives, and conserving natural resources.
Between 10 and 25 elephant calves are rescued in Northern Kenya each year
Elephant calves in Northern Kenya are orphaned or abandoned due to drought, man-made wells, human-wildlife conflict and natural mortality. Reteti was established in response to demands from the local community.
With the support of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the Samburu County Government, and the entire Samburu community in Namunyak Conservancy, Reteti is testament to what locally-led conservation can achieve.
From an elephant calf’s initial rescue through its journey of rehabilitation, to being ultimately rewilded in the land of their birth, every story of healing and hope depends on collective care and continued support. By joining the Reteti community, you'll help this success story grow and thrive for generations to come.
Our elephant keepers are all from the Indigenous Samburu community
The Reteti keepers are all recruited from within Namunyak Conservancy. The Samburu have been living alongside wildlife for thousands of years and have deep respect for elephants with whom they share the land and its resources.
The keepers have been formally trained in the care, rehabilitation and release of elephant calves.
Adopt a Reteti Orphan
By adopting an elephant, giraffe or buffalo, you will be supporting Reteti in the rehabilitation and release of the orphaned wild animals in our care.
It takes a village to raise a calf
Every donation makes a difference. See a breakdown of our costs below.
$12 | 1 Bottle of Milk
The rescued elephants at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary are each given 8 bottles of specially formulated milk throughout a day.
$25 | 2 Bed-time Blankets
Each elephant at Reteti Elephant
Sanctuary have 2 blankets for comfort and
warmth at night.
$96 | An Elephant’s Milk for 1 Day
The Reteti keepers follow a strict feeding
schedule and milk formula recipe for
the elephants.
$125 | An Elephant’s Care for 1 Day
A day’s care includes specially formulated milk, vet fees, medicine, water and keepers’ salaries.
$288 | An Elephant’s Milk for 3 Days
Each elephant receives a total of 24 bottles of specially formulated milk over 3 days. That amounts to 56 bottles each week and 240 bottles each month.
$575 | A Week’s Veterinarian& Medical Bills
New rescues at Reteti often suffer from trauma, injuries, dehydration or illness. The Vet works around the clock to nurse the babies back to health!
We would not be able to rescue, rehabilitate and release the elephants if it weren’t for your generous donations.
Visit Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
We welcome visitors. The Reteti keepers love to share their knowledge and the conservation work they do.
Reteti is located in the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy in Northern Kenya. It is an eight-hour drive from Nairobi. We also have our own airstrip.
During your visit, you will be paired with a keeper who will tell you about our work and answer any questions. From a special viewing platform, you will watch the elephants come in from their walk to receive their bottles.
Learn more about visiting Reteti.
Which Reteti elephant is your soul twin?
Take the quiz and find out.
Here at the sanctuary, no two elephants are alike. Some tackle new experiences like born leaders, while others observe quietly, thinking deeply. A few are shy, staying close to their trusted keepers, and then there are those who roam with wild abandon – greeting every bird and tree with wide-eyed wonder. Just like people, elephants feel deeply and express themselves in beautifully different ways. One may be playful and bold, while their best friend is gentle and reflective.
And each one has a story worth sharing... From the dreamers to the explorers to the philosophers, these extraordinary beings teach us more than we can ever say.
This quiz is a fun way to meet the personalities behind the trunks, but also stirs a spark of connection and a reminder of who you really are.
Find your kindred spirit in the Reteti herd.
News from Reteti
