Nairobi Animal OrphanageBefore you head to the Nairobi National Orphanage, try the quiz below - ugh!
Find out the answers to these and other nagging questions when you visit the Nairobi Animal Orphanage, located by the Nairobi National Park's main gate.
Because you get up close (but not personal – that would be a one-way ticket) to the animals, the orphanage offers a refreshing alternative to national parks where, because of safety concerns and sheer practicality, animals must be viewed from a distance. Interesting biographical information is pinned outside each animal's cage so don't let the excitement of the Kenya safari tempt you into skipping the opportunity to flip through it. The orphanage is home to a wide array of animal species and there are plenty of parrots (whose favorite word seems to be "bye"), ostriches, guinea fowl and crested cranes...
The key attractions though are the leopard...
The gorgeous cheetahs...
And the LIONS... In fact, my family refers to the orphanage as "the Mini Lion Country" because 14 of Kenya's 2,000 lions live here (yeah, even "the king of the jungle" needs a little help from time to time!). Of course, all these animals are in cages but it's for a good cause. Their indefatigable ward, David Mascall puts it best, "most of these lions are emaciated when we find them and they wouldn't stand a chance in the jungle." Nevertheless, inspired by the highly acclaimed motion picture Born Free, plans to reintegrate these big cats – which will be moved to the nascent Lion Sanctuary in Tsavo National Park – into the wild are underway. But more on that later as the story unfolds... You can count on seeing these lions (and lionesses) growl, snarl and slap, gobble their dinner, pace the cage's length and with some luck, snatch each other's dinner. The highlight of our recent visit was when a lioness snatched her brother's dinner causing David to taunt him, "you twit... Pavarotti, be a man – take whats yours!" I hope he at least sings:-). Enough said – am sure you will have your own anecdotes to share with us when you visit. In the meantime, here is Charlie, the undisputed king of the orphanage (at least judging by the size of and the furnishings in his cage)...
Best time to go?Even though the orphanage is open daily from 8am to 6pm, plan to arrive in time for lunch (the animals', that is :-) at 2.30pm.Charges?Well, it depends on your status... Here is the info lifted off the entry fee board (I'd hoped I would upload the photo I took but it's not clear – my sincere apologies!).
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