Reteti Elephant Sanctuary

A Beacon of Community-Led Conservation in Northern Kenya

Nestled within the arid foothills of the the Matthews Range, in Samburu County’s Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, Reteti Elephant Sanctuary stands as Africa’s first community-owned and -operated elephant sanctuary.

where to stay at Reteti: Reteti House, Sarara Camp,Sarara Tree Houses and Sarara widerness

Founded in 2016, Reteti was born of a bold vision: to empower local Samburu communities to lead in the rescue, rehabilitation, and rewilding of orphaned elephant calves. Today, the sanctuary provides a safe haven for vulnerable juveniles, bringing them back to health and, when possible, reintegrating them into the wild.

Beyond its core elephant work, Reteti embodies holistic conservation: integrating community benefit, education, sustainable tourism, and wildlife protection. Its model demonstrates that conservation can thrive when local stakeholders are central to decision-making.

What to Expect on a Visit

The Experience

As a visitor, you’ll be paired with one of Reteti’s keepers, who will guide you on the sanctuary’s program and answer your questions.
From a dedicated viewing platform, you can watch the elephant calves as they walk in to receive their milk bottles, enjoy “mud baths,” or simply roam around under supervision.
Reteti takes care to limit direct contact between visitors and the elephants. Only trained keepers and staff interact physically with the animals, to preserve the calves’ wild instincts.
The visit is often structured around the elephants’ feeding times.

Visiting Hours & Booking Requirements

Because Reteti functions primarily as a working sanctuary rather than a tourist attraction, its hours and visitor slots are more constrained than those of traditional wildlife parks. Here’s a summary:

The sanctuary uses designated “feed time windows” for visitor viewing, which align with when the elephants come in to feed.
According to Reteti’s official FAQ, there are four time slots:
- Sunrise Feed (for guests of Sarara / Reteti House only): 5:30 am – 7:00 am (feeding at ~6:00 am)
- Morning Feed: 8:30 am – 10:00 am (feeding ~9:00 am). This is when most non-exclusive groups visit.
- Noon / Midday Viewing: Some sources mention a slot around 11:30 am – 1:00 pm (feeding ~12:00 pm)
- Evening Feed: For guests of Sarara / Reteti House: ~5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Public viewing (for non-resident guests) is often limited to the “morning” or “noon” windows, unless no exclusive group has booked earlier.
A PDF rate schedule notes the two principal feed times as 9:00 am and 12:00 pm.
One touring company cites visiting windows 08:30–10:00 and 11:30–13:00.
Public viewing capacity is quite limited (often only ~15–20 guests) in these slots, so advance booking is strongly recommended.

Fees / Donations

The standard visitor fee for international guests is US $35 per person.
For Kenyan residents, the rate is Ksh 350 per person.
Children under 8 may have reduced rates (e.g. US $20 for international, Ksh 35 for Kenyan) per the official site.
For exclusive group visits (e.g. when an entire time slot is booked privately), there is an additional group charge — e.g. US $500 per group.

Scheduling Notes & Tips

Because slots are limited and visitor capacity is intentionally low to minimize disturbance, early booking is essential.
Guests of Sarara / Reteti House may gain access to additional “sunrise” or “evening” feeding experiences not open to the general public.
The sanctuary is open year-round, though the dry seasons (e.g. December–February, June–October) are considered more favorable for roads, wildlife visibility, and access.

How to Reach Reteti

Reteti lies deep in northern Kenya, within the Namunyak Conservancy.
It is about an eight-hour drive from Nairobi, although many visitors opt to fly into a closer airstrip and connect via road.
The sanctuary also maintains its own airstrip for charter flights.
Some safaris in the Samburu / northern Kenya region include Reteti as a side trip. One itinerary suggests departing early morning from Samburu, arriving in time for an 8:30–10:00 am visit, then returning.

Nearby Accommodation Options

While Reteti itself does not host a public lodge, there are a few accommodation choices nearby—some very close—that integrate with the sanctuary’s programming. Below are key options to feature:

1. Reteti House (Sarara / Namunyak Conservancy)

This is the most intimate and convenient option for visitors wanting to stay as close as possible to the sanctuary.

Located just a 10-minute walk from Reteti Sanctuary.
The lodge is generally available via exclusive-use bookings, accommodating up to ~16 guests.
Features include: standalone suites with outdoor showers and private decks, a family suite option, open-plan lounge and dining areas, and an infinity pool overlooking a waterhole where elephants may appear.
The house operates off-grid, powered by solar systems.
Guests here often get exclusive or additional feed-time access, behind-the-scenes interactions, or visits outside the standard public windows.

2. Sarara Camp

If you prefer a more conventional camp experience a little further out, Sarara Camp is a popular option.

Approximately a 45-minute drive from the sanctuary.
Offers a full safari camp experience, with guided activities, game drives, and the ambiance of wilderness living.
Guests staying here can make day trips to Reteti, typically timing their safari itinerary to coincide with the morning lighting and visit windows.

3. Sarara Treehouses

Another option under the Sarara ecolodge umbrella.

Also roughly 45 minutes by road from Reteti.
The treehouse lodgings are nestled into forested terrain, offering a more secluded, romantic or nature-immersed experience.
As with Sarara Camp, guests may schedule a visit to Reteti as part of their daily program.

4. Other Safari Lodges in Samburu / Nearby Region

If these options are fully booked or you prefer to stay in the broader Samburu area, consider:

Saruni Rhino — Some itineraries suggest combining a stay here with a Reteti visit.
Saruni Samburu — Another lodge in the general region that may be paired with Reteti excursions.
Other Samburu lodges / tented camps or private conservancy lodges — Many may be willing to incorporate a Reteti day-trip into a multi-day safari.