Discover Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, Africa's First Community-run Elephant Sanctuary

There are wildlife experiences that you enjoy, and then there are those that stay with you forever. Visiting Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in northern Kenya was one of those moments for me.

For years, Reteti has been on my bucket list and had been a project i’d been donating to.

Reteti is the first indigenous-owned and community-run elephant santuary in Africa, a model that puts local people at the heart of conservation. The Samburu communities have lived alongside elephants for generations, and by empowering them to become the guardians of these magnificent animals, conservation becomes something that belongs to the people who call this landscape home.

For me, that’s exactly how wildlife conservation should work.

And in March 2026, I finally had the opportunity to visit.

A magic moment with one of the Reteti orphans - image ©WalkingWild

What is Reteti Elephant Sanctuary?

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary sits within the spectacular Namunyak Community Conservancy and operates under the wider Sarara foundation. Established in 2016, it rescues orphaned and abandoned elephant calves from across northern Kenya before rehabilitating them for eventual release back in the wild.

What makes Reteti so special is that every aspect of the sanctuary is led by the local Samburu community. The keepers, wildlife teams and conservation staff are all local people whose knowledge, culture and commitment have helped transform elephant conservation in the region. The sanctuary’s rescue philosophy is equally thoughtful. Before any calf is brought into care, rescue teams spend up to 72 hours trying to reunite it with its mother whenever possible Only when there is no realistic chance of reunion is the orphan rescued.

Staying at Reteti

There are three lodges run by Sarara in the Namunyak conservancy, Sarara Treehouses, Sarara Camp and Reteti House, an exclusive-use lodge perched on the hillside just a ten minute walk from the sanctuary. We were lucky enough to spend a night at both Treehouses and Reteti House, with a short visit to Sarara Camp to have a look around.

Guests staying at Reteti House, Sarara Camp or Sarara Treehouses can all visit the sanctuary, while it’s also possible to arrange a visit if you’re flying into the area as part of a wider northern Kenya itierary. Being able to simply walk to the sanctuary from Reteti House felt very special indeed.

The beautiful pool area at Reteti House just 10 minutes walk from the orphanage - Image ©WalkingWild

Meeting the Elephants - A Moment I’ll Never Forget

I’d seen countless photographs and watched documentaties about Reteti, so walking through the entrance felt strangely famiilar.

But in my highest hopes I hadn’t expected what came next.

We were incredibly fortunate to be given access that very few visitors recieve. Rather then go to the usual feeding area i’d seen to many times in pictures, we were ushered into a large enclosure. My heart leapt as we saw some very small calves in the distance and I thought we’d be able to say hello to them through a fence. But then they all appeared in the distance, walking in a little line with their keepers straight towards us, no fences, no barriers, just some very happy looking little elephants.

They broke into a little trot as they got closer and then they were suddenly all around us with their tiny trunks reaching up towards our faces, gently investigating all our smells. One wrapped it’s trunk around my arm before pulling my hand into it’s mouth and sucking on my fingers, like a baby sucking a mothers finger. Even though some of these elephants were only a few months old, each already had a completely different personality. Some were bold and inquisitive, others shy and quietly observant, while one simply wanted constant reassurance from its keepers.

The beauty of it was the interactions were entirely on their own terms. It was a large natural space and if they wanted to wander off they could, but many chose to come over and knowing that they chose to interact with us made the experience feel incredibly authentic and deeply emotional.

One of the best 20 mintues of my life.

And it wasn’t over there…

Meeting the Older Elephants & Long’uro

After our time with the young ones we went in search of the older elephants. They were scattered across the old airstrip, browsing on the surrounding vegetation. They are taken out into the wild throughout the day to browse as they would in the wild and start getting used to life outside of the sanctuary. Already towering above us, we kept a respectful distance, watching them feed, socialise and interact with the keepers guarding them.

One of these elephants help particular significance for me.

I’d been donating to Long’uro’s adoption programme for a year or so. As a young calf, he suffered a devastating hyena attack that left him with only part of his trunk. Against the odds he survived, and today he’s growing into what his keepers describe as one of the gentlest members of the herd.

I’d hoped to get a glimpse of him and as soon as i spotted him got out my camera with the long lens, bent down on one knee to stabilise and get a shot. One of the keepers noticed what I was doing and they started calling Long’uro’s name who to my amazement, turned to walk directly towards me.

This beautiful 6 year old elephant came right up to me as continued to kneel down and gently reached out his shortened trunk to investigate me. He stood there quietly, curious and calm, while i simply tried to take in every second.

It was definitely one of those moments where time slowed down.

Feeding Time

After spending time with the older elephants, we made our way back to the sanctuary for one of Reteti’s most magical twice-daily rituals: milk feeding time.

Rows of large bottles are carefully lined up, each labelled with a different elephants name. Every calf receives it’s own specially formulated milk mixture, tailored to its age, health and nutritional needs.

Then the magic begins..

The Samburu keepers begin to sing, their chanting carries across the sanctuary and, almost instantly, you see clouds of dust appearing in the distance. The elephants have heard the call and within moments they’re running towards the feeding area, full of excitement.

The milk disappears in seconds. Some of the cheekier elephants immediately start looking for a second bottle, trying their luck with a neighbour’s feed while the keepers gently steer them back. It doesn’t take long to realise they all have completely different personalities; some are calm and patient, others are curious, confident and just a little bit naughty.

The younger calves are fed first, followed by the older elephants, giving you the chance to watch the whole herd come through.

One of the highlights was helping to feed Long’uro, holding his bottle while he happily polished off every drop. His keeper told me tht despite everything he’s gone through, he is one of the gentlest elephants at Reteti.

Feeding time at Reteti - Image ©WalkingWild

A Place That Stays With You

Reteti isn’t the easiest place to reach, but I think that’s part of what makes it so special. Tucked away in the Namunyak Conservancy, it’s somewhere you choose to visit rather than somewhere you simply pass through.

I’d followed the sanctuary for a couple of years through documentaties, online webinars, photographs and conservation stories as well as through sponsoring Long’uro so arriving there had a feeling of familiarity. But being there in person was something completely different.

What stays with me isn’t just the chance to get close to elephants. It’s the quiet moments, watching the keepers care for calves that have already overcome so much, seeing the confidence and curiosity of the youngest rescues, hearing the Samburu singing across the sanctuary at feeding time, and watching the older elephants wander freely against the backdrop of the Matthews Range.

Reteti is such a success because it isn’t just about elephants, it’s about the people who have chosen to protect them. The sanctuary has created a model where conservation and community support each other, and you can feel that in every part of the experience, from the keepers and the Milk to Market programme to the women selling their handmade beadwork.

I’ve been fortunate enough to experience some incredible wildife encounters over the years, but very few have had the same level of magic that Reteti did. I left with even more love for these incredible elephants, a huge amount of admiration for everyone involved and an even stronger belief that community-led conservation is the future.

If you’re planning a safari in northern Kenya, I can’t recommend a visit highly enough. It a place that will stay with you long after you’ve returned home.

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary: My Visit to Africa’s First Community-Led Elephant Rescue Centre