40 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER INDIA | MAY 2018
THE ITINERARY KENYABARCROFT/CONTRIBUTOR/BARCROFT MEDIA/GETTY IMAGES(ELEPHANT),DENNIS PRESCOTT(TALISMAN'S FARM)
PET BABY ELEPHANTS
11 a.m. Since it’s in the vicinity of The Giraffe Centre and
Lang'ata is on the city's outskirts, your next stop should be
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT). Part of the
Nairobi National Park, the precinct is amongst the world’s most
successfully run rescue and rehabilitation programmes for
orphaned elephants. It opens to public for an hour a day, between
11 a.m. and noon, but get in early to avoid snaking queues. The
centre allows access to baby elephants during their midday
bath and feeding routine. As you watch the pachyderms—some
of them adorably naughty, refusing to fall in line, rolling in the
mud, and sucking milk from tall feeding bottles—the guides take
you through the trust’s various rehabilitation efforts. Petting
is allowed, and caressing these little ones who have lost their
parents to poachers or other factors feels oddly parental, almost
like soothing a human baby. They are pretty gentle but their
skin is bristly, and kids love the experience. For a minimum of
$50/`3,200 you can also become a foster parent, and on prior
booking you can revisit to watch the little ones ready for bed!
Pro tip: It’s an open enclosure, so carry hats, sunscreen and water
bottles (sheldrickwildlifetrust.org).
RELISH FARM-FRESH PRODUCE
1 p.m. You will fall in love with Talism an even before sampling
its delectable fare. Located in the tony Karen district, 15 kilo-
metres from the city centre, the indoor section of this elegant
gastrolounge exudes a rustic charm with carved wooden pillars
and Afghan rugs. The al fresco seating, on the other hand,
has a very boho feel, with wooden benches and dhurries. With
European, pan-Asian and African cuisines, Talisman’s multi-
cuisine menu features seasonal dishes, a special afternoon
selection, and classics such as the Moroccan Spiced Beef and
5 Spice Yellow Fin Tuna. I tried the Moroccan Lamb Tagine, a
slow-cooked aromatic stew that I embarrassingly polished off
by myself. Similar to an Indian lamb curry, it had only onions
and tomatoes, but got its heady flavour from a tantalising mix of
cayenne, turmeric, cumin, cardamom, and ginger. Unlike an Indian
curry though, it wasn’t heavy and didn’t sit on me for hours. My
kids opted for a Fettuccine Alfredo with mushrooms and loved
the dish—the sauce was light and the dish fragrant. Most of
the produce is sourced from Talisman’s own organic farm. The
freshness of the mushrooms lent credence to the farm-to-table
movement. I’d definitely go back (thetalismanrestaurant.com).