Our visit to DSWT in Nairobi - September 2011

After a stressful morning sorting out our paperwork at the Registrars office we visited DSWT. We took 2 large tins of milk for the eles. Edwin, the head keeper took us out to meet the 13 orphans currently in the nursery, he told us that each ele drinks 4 tins per day so next time an empty suitcase is needed! The eles came to the mudbath for their 3pm feed in two groups, smallest first and the the larger ones. Pete and I were able to feed 4 between us, a really memorable occasion, and then we watched them splashing around. White T shirt, ha ha, that was funny, I was a mud splattered red when we left. So worth a visit and Edwin was wonderful showing us around, we also met Max their blind rhino.









Kainuk - an ele we foster for a friend of ours.


Lai Pai

You lucky lucky Guys, that must have been a wonderful feeling, to feed them like that. We would so love to be able to do it. Great pics you all really look as though your having the best time in the world, and that includes the Baby Ele's

WS

Wonderful pictures Lai Pai. Isn't it just the best being able to do that Do you know which eles you fed? I really want to go and do it again!!

I'm glad you asked how much they drank. 4 tins a day I had no idea it was that much. I must put my piccies on too.

Anne-Marie sadly I forgot to make a note, will have to ask Pete. Edwin was such a star he took zillions with my camera, it was on slow continuous!

That was just what Martin was doing Doogs - such an experience.

It was the best and most special experience ever wasn't it Anne-Marie, just amazing.

Looking forward to your photos .............

Lai Pai

Doogs, it was at 3pm, its a private visit which you have to pay a small (ahem) fee. Its all for a good cause though and a wonderful experience so I didn't mind. Its definitely worth doing if you can though.

I'll try and post my pictures tonight, I did do a little diary for my time there. It did make me cry reading it back.

Lai, the ele in the first picture looks roughly the same size as the one I fed first and that was Sities. one of my little family.

(ahem) is just about right Anne-Marie but honestly so so so worth it You could be right about Sities, sadly I was so overcome and despite asking Edwin so many times I have now forgotten!

Pete may know I can check their website and go through the names there.
Lai Pai

Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant piccies Lai Pai what an incredible experience that must have been and one you will remember forever. Mind you Pete looked like he was getting his little ele in a right old mess you can tell you are both so happy feeding them though and what a lot they drink but then they have much bigger bellies than we do They really are spectacular photo's Lai Pai, loved looking at them and am now a tad green in colour
Thanks for sharing them and look forward to your pics AM.

littlewid-x-

Its obviously a male thing, getting the eles in a mess, because Chris was exactly the same.

it looks like you had a great time, the little are so cute

Anne-Marie and Pete's shoes were covered in milk - i had sandals on, wise move!

Lai Pai

I organised it through DSWT in the UK and it's a flat fee, paid in advance. Sadly, they've just changed their policy and now say at the private visit you can't feed the eles, too many people have been upset that they couldn't at the midday and 5.00pm feeds. It's a real shame as it was such a special experience. Anne-Marie and I were so so so lucky.

Lai Pai

Even with the policy changed I would do it in a flash again. Just to be able to interact with the eles on a personal level is amazing. To be able to walk, play and stoke them is just amazing ... and to get muddy We really were so lucky, because we must have been some of the last people to be able to feed them.

Anne-Marie - totally wonderful and we would definitely do it again - mud and all!

Lai Pai

Laikipia, you lucky thing!! How I envy you!! I want to go there too and feed all these beautiful babies!! Its rather unfortunate that you can't feed the babies. But I'm sure that I want to visit. Just looking at the babies thriving and living so happily is a reward in itself!
Really nice pics you clicked there! :)

Thanks Dnyanada - it really was a privilege to feed the baby eles. Even if that is not possible now, you can still visit at midday and as a fosterer you can visit in the late afternoon and see them all being fed and put to bed. It's a truly wonderful experience.

Lai

I can only imagine how amazing that must be! :)