As one of Africa’s oldest wildlife charities and a leading conservation organisation, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) embraces all measures that complement the conservation, preservation and protection of wildlife.
Born from one family’s passion for Kenya and its wilderness, SWT was established in 1977 and is best known for its Orphans’ Project, the first and most successful elephant orphan rescue and rehabilitation program in the world. SWT is a pioneering conservation organisation, dedicated to the protection of wildlife and the preservation of habitats in East Africa. SWT is based in Nairobi, Kenya, with a field headquarters bordering Tsavo East National Park. It is a separately registered charity in the UK and is directly supported by Sheldrick Wildlife Trust USA, a registered 501(c)(3) in the United States.
Working across Kenya to secure safe havens for wildlife, SWT not only works to protect elephants and rhinos, but entire ecosystems and the diverse flora and fauna sustained in these places of stunning natural beauty. Over the years the work of the SWT has been featured in numerous publications, television productions and films. This has helped more people around the world better understand the nature of elephants, rhinos and other wild species and importantly the efforts being taken by the Trust to protect them.
SWT opens its doors to the public for one-hour every day. This is a special, time-honoured tradition in which the public is invited to learn more about SWT’s conservation work and meet the orphans in their care. Those wishing to visit need to make a booking in advance, to ensure there is availability.
There are two ways you can donate to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and the other organisations we’re highlighting, right here on our website. To support the wonderful and vital work their doing, simply visit Our Mission page and scroll down to their bio, or better yet, send one of our nature-themed ecards to a loved one, and donate to your chosen organisations(s) from the checkout page. Start here to browse our eCard collection.