Reteti Elephant Sanctuary

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary Africa’s first community owned elephant sanctuary. We rescue, to release. Come visit us at Sarara Camp in Namunyak Conservancy in Northern Kenya.
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Reteti Elephant Sanctuary is located in Namunyak Community Conservancy in Northern Kenya – home to the nomadic Samburu people. Established by the indigenous community in 2016 to care for orphaned elephant calves, the sanctuary’s mission is to release them back into the wild. The facility is the result of a widely recognised and expanding grassroots conservation movement driven by communities acros

s this key region – a movement that is growing new economies, transforming lives, and conserving natural resources. Many elephant calves are orphaned every year in Northern Kenya due to drought, man-made wells, poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and natural mortality. The sanctuary was established in response to urgent requests from the local community to rescue these orphans and bring them to safety. In the past, it was difficult and expensive to rescue orphaned elephant calves in such a remote region, and local communities saw little value in raising the alarm. Today, with Reteti, there’s a strong desire to assist orphaned calves and help them remain in the landscape of their birth. The Kenya Wildlife Service and Samburu County Government have promoted the establishment of the sanctuary, with local communities leading the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of the calves. Reteti’s Keepers are all recruited from within Namunyak Community Conservancy. They are all part of the Samburu community, which has lived alongside wildlife for thousands of years and deeply respect the elephants with whom they share the land and its resources.

10/07/2026

The Reteti Milk Race is on... and Samburu and her herd are charging full speed ahead! 🍼✨

Kimani flies across the finish line in first, Samburu comes soaring in second, Matunda is hot on her heels in third, and Babala races home in fourth ♥️

Watching Samburu race alongside her best friends after everything she has been through fills our hearts with so much joy. It’s a beautiful reminder of what love, patience, and compassion can make possible.

Become part of Samburu’s story by welcoming her into your heart as one of her very first foster parents. Visit reteti.org/adopt-samburu to join her journey today 🫶🏽

09/07/2026

As we celebrate sweet Samburu and welcome her very first foster parents, we wanted to take you back to February, just a few days after her rescue, when she met Kimani for the very first time ♥️

Rescue is only the beginning of an orphan’s journey. Physical and emotional healing takes time, patience, love, and the comfort of others who understand.

Almost exactly one year before Samburu arrived at Reteti, Kimani had begun that very same journey. Now stronger, more confident, and settled into life at the sanctuary, he was there as Samburu took her own first steps into her new world.

For orphaned elephants, friendships like these are about so much more than having someone to play with. They bring comfort, reassurance, and a sense of belonging as each calf learns what it means to be part of a family again.

Today, Samburu and Kimani are growing up side by side, sharing adventures, making mischief, and reminding us every day just how powerful friendship can be.

Become part of Samburu’s story by welcoming her into your heart as one of her very first foster parents. Visit reteti.org/adopt-samburu to join her journey today ✨

Video by Katie Rowe

Our brave little Samburu is ready for her next big adventure... finding her foster family! You can now adopt her and bec...
08/07/2026

Our brave little Samburu is ready for her next big adventure... finding her foster family! You can now adopt her and become part of her story ✨

After losing her mother at just four months old, Samburu was rescued in an incredible team effort between and the Mobile Vet Unit and brought safely to the sanctuary, where she was given a second chance at life.

Today, Samburu is flourishing 🌸 sweet, curious, wonderfully cheeky, and always first in line for her milk bottle! Surrounded by her growing herd of elephant friends and the keepers who have cared for her every step of the way, she is learning, playing, building confidence, and becoming the thriving elephant she was always meant to be.

We would love to welcome you into her foster family as one of her very first foster parents. Visit reteti.org/adopt-samburu to adopt our tiny treasure today 🫶🏽

By adopting Samburu, you will help provide nourishing milk through our Milk to Market program, support the devoted keepers who care for her day and night, ensure she receives expert veterinary care, and give her everything she needs to learn and grow on her journey back to the wild one day.

As Samburu’s foster parent, you will receive a digital Adoption Certificate, exclusive photos, videos, and behind-the-scenes updates, regular emails following her journey, and membership to The Herd - our community of monthly supporters with livestreams, special updates, and more! 🐘

We can’t wait for you to fall in love with sweet Samburu as much as we have. Head to reteti.org/adopt-samburu to welcome her into your heart today ♥️ link in bio

07/07/2026

Nothing quite so sweet as watching a baby elephant come charging in for her bottle 🤍

Samburu puts her whole heart into everything she does, especially milk time! Her determined little dash puts a big smile on our faces every time. Somehow she makes every bottle even cuter than the last 🫶🏽

Something special is on the horizon for little Samburu... we can’t wait to share it with you tomorrow ✨

Video by Katie Rowe

06/07/2026

A little Monday munching to start the week 💚

Lentile is living his best leafy life, reminding us all to eat our greens and savour every bite.

May your week be filled with your favourite things and lots of little moments worth savouring ✨

Rescued at just two weeks old after becoming separated from his mother, Lentile is now flourishing at thanks to the devoted care of his keepers and the incredible support of his foster parents. You can become part of his journey by adopting Lentile at reteti.org/adoptions 🦒♥️ link in bio

Video by Katie Rowe

We are incredibly proud to be included among The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee's 2026 International Partners.A heartfe...
06/07/2026

We are incredibly proud to be included among The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee's 2026 International Partners.

A heartfelt thank you to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee for your support, trust, and commitment to advancing elephant care, conservation, and coexistence around the world. We are deeply grateful to be part of this global community working together to create a brighter future for elephants. 💚🐘

The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee provides elephants a safe haven dedicated to their well-being. Learn more.

05/07/2026

Teeny tiny trunk with mega muddy dreams ✨

Nasuulu is doing her very best to learn to take a mud bath, one tiny splash at a time. It might not be the muddiest mud bath, but it’s definitely the sweetest. One day soon, she will be covered from trunk to tail. We believe in you, Nasuulu!

Help turn tiny splashes into a lifetime of wild adventures. Join the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary herd and support orphaned elephants from rescue to rewilding. Visit reteti.org 🤎🐘

Video by Katie Rowe

A trunk hug is the sweetest kind of love 🤎Matunda and Nemparwai remind us that the best adventures are even sweeter when...
03/07/2026

A trunk hug is the sweetest kind of love 🤎

Matunda and Nemparwai remind us that the best adventures are even sweeter when you have someone to share them with. We hope this little moment inspires you to give someone you love an extra hug today 🫶🏽

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, from all our hearts and trunks at ✨🐘

02/07/2026

If mischief had a mascot, it would be Lawa 🤭

Sweet, clever, and just a little bit cheeky, Lawa is always convinced there’s an extra milk bottle with her name on it. Keeper Dorothy has learned to stay one step ahead, but our lovable bottle thief always has one more trick up her trunk. 🐘

After all, you miss 100% of the milk bottles you don’t try to steal. 🍼

Help keep Lawa’s bottles full and her cheeky spirit shining. Visit reteti.org/donate-milk to donate a bottle today 🫶🏽 link in bio Reteti Elephant Sanctuary

Video by Izzy Clark

01/07/2026

Baby elephants incoming! ✨🐘

No brakes. No worries. Just Wetsgate and Kimani racing downhill with tails swishing, trunks wiggling, and hearts full of joy. Sending lots of baby elephant happiness your way from all of us at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary 🤎

Every rescued elephant deserves the chance to run free like this. By joining The Herd as a foster parent or monthly donor, you help give orphaned elephants like Wetsgate and Kimani the care, nurturing, and love they need to heal and thrive. Visit reteti.org to join the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary family (link in bio) 🫶🏽

Video by Katie Rowe

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Namunyak Community Conservancy, Sarara
Wamba
20600

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