Visit Reteti
We love visitors! We would be honoured to welcome you to Reteti, introduce you to the herd and share more about the work that we do.
Visiting Hours & Bookings
We are open for visitors 7 days a week. However, visits need to be pre-booked and conservation fees paid prior to visit.
BOOKINGS
Kindly book at least 24 hours in advance to ensure availability, as we have limited slots and capacity. Same-day bookings are not possible, and we request that you do not visit the sanctuary without a prior reservation.
TIME SLOTS
Visiting hours coincide with the elephants’ feeding times. It is important that you arrive promptly for the full experience; as we can’t delay the feeding.
TYPES OF VISITS
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You will be sharing the viewing platform and tour with other guests or visitors.
No more than 3 groups. Max 15 - 20 people in total.
Please note that international groups consisting of 15 or more individuals are considered private groups and will be subject to private group fees.
See time slots and fees below. -
No other group will be visiting the Sanctuary during The Morning Feed slot that you have booked.
Please be aware that international groups consisting of 15 or more individuals are considered private groups and will be subject to private group fees.
See time slots and fees below. -
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How to get to Reteti
Reteti is located in the Namunyak Community Conservancy in Northern Kenya. It is an 8-hour drive from Nairobi.
Coordinates: 1°06'52.9"N 37°27'36.8"E
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From the Great North highway (Isiolo-Moyale highway), three hours from Isiolo town, you will arrive at Sereolipi town. Drive through Sereolipi and cross the river bridge. Once you pass Sereolipi Secondary school, there’s a road to your left that leads to the sanctuary, 19km away.
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We have our own airstrip. Arrive via chartered plane from Nairobi, one of the local airports (Nanyuki, Lewa Downs, or Kalama Samburu) or from the lodge where you are staying. Planes can be chartered through Air Wilderness, Yellow Wings, Tropic Air Kenya, Boskovic Air Charters and Kenya Choppers. If you are flying yourself, please let us know ahead of time so we can clear the runway - it is a bush strip.
Helicopter access only for public visitors. (not Sarara guests)
Accommodation close to Reteti
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Sarara's Reteti House
10-minute walk from Reteti
This exclusive lodge offers guests a front-row seat to the remarkable conservation efforts of the first Indigenous community-owned African elephant sanctuary.
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Sarara Camp
45-minute scenic drive from Reteti
Set on the slopes of the Mathews Mountains, Sarara Camp welcomes continuous connections with this remote wilderness and the wildlife calling it home.
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Sarara Treehouses
45-minute scenic drive from Reteti
Nestled into an ancient forest glade at the foot of Warges Peak, it is the perfect hideaway for anyone seeking stillness in nature, and an exceptional African escape.
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Sabache Camp
90-minute scenic drive from Reteti
With exclusive access to some of the most pristine East African wilderness, guests are ensured a rare opportunity to experience the Kenyan wilderness as it once was.
The Experience
During your visit, you will be paired with one of our expert Samburu keepers who will accompany you at the feeding, introduce you to the herd, and tell you more about our work at the Sanctuary.
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Please wear dark green if possible, otherwise shades of brown or khaki.
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Hat
Sunscreen
We do not sell any food or drinks on site, so please bring along water as it can get very hot and snacks for the drive to and from Reteti - the road can be long
Fully charged camera and cellphone
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Our mission at Reteti is to rescue, rewild and release the elephants, and to prepare them for their release. We only allow keepers to interact with the elephants in order to minimise human interaction.
Volunteering at Reteti
Reteti is a community owned and run project and as such positions at the sanctuary are for the local Samburu community. The elephants are rescued to be rewilded, and so we try to minimise human interaction, to better prepare them for their release and future as wild elephants.
Filming at Reteti
Filming at Reteti requires a film permit.
Fees are tied to project scope. Read more and fill in the application form here.