Giraffe Centre Day Tours From Nairobi
Remember, all our itineraries are totally flexible and can be changed to suit you.
Visiting the Giraffe Centre In Nairobi
The Giraffe Centre is currently home to seven female and three male. Six were born at the Centre, while four were translocated from different parks and nature conservancies across Kenya. Also, the Giraffe Centre is the creation of the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (A.F.E.W. Kenya), a Kenyan non-profit organization, with its main purpose – to educate Kenyan school children and youth on their country’s wildlife and environment, as well as give local and international visitors an opportunity to come into close contact with the world’s tallest species, the giraffe.
The Africa Fund for Endangered Wildlife (A.F.E.W.) Kenya was founded in 1979 by the late Jock Leslie-Melville, a Kenyan citizen of British descent, and his American-born wife, Betty Leslie-Melville. They began the Giraffe Centre after discovering the troubles of the Rothschild Giraffe. A subspecies of the giraffe found only in the grasslands of East Africa. The Giraffe Centre plays a key role in conserving the critically endangered Rothschild giraffe (which differ from other giraffe subspecies as they have no patterning below the knee).
Giraffe numbers were declining quickly due to habitat encroachment and mass hunting; before conservation initiatives began, approximately 100 Rothschild’s giraffes remained in the wild. There are now over 300 Rothschild Giraffe safe and breeding well in various top Kenyan National Parks. Herds have been introduced to Soysambu Ranch by Lake Elementaita in the Great Rift Valley, Kigio Conservancy and the Sergoit Ranch in the Mount Elgon region.
Experience A Day Tour to Giraffe Centre In Nairobi
Hands filled with molasses pellets, you nervously drop them one by one onto the outstretched grey tongue of an impatient giraffe. A visit to the Giraffe Centre directly supports the conservation of endangered Rothschild Giraffe, and is a great way to meet Africa’s tallest mammal up close. Experience Nairobi’s Giraffe Centre—feed endangered Rothschild giraffes, explore a nature sanctuary, and combine with a visit to the nearby Elephant Orphanage, a half day morning or afternoon Nairobi national park tour or a combined full day Nairobi national park & Nairobi city tour excursion.
Top 5 Best Things to do at Giraffe Centre In Nairobi
Not sure what to do at the Giraffe Centre? Or maybe you would like to plan your itinerary for the day? Find some important information on the notice board for your consideration too. Aside from the notices that come and go, there is a list of recommendations on how to feed the giraffe. You don’t have to internalise everything, our guide will show you around, and below is a list of the best things to do at Giraffe Centre;
1. Feed the giraffe at the browsing area
The wonder our tall Giraffe friends will lead you right here. An Educator will hand you some food pellets. Made of corn, wheat, grass and molasses, they are what you will feed them as you get up close. To get even closer, go up to the Feeding Platform. Don’t leave without getting a kiss from the Giraffes.
2. Learn about giraffe conservation
Visit the giraffe information Centre where you attend a short lecture on the giraffe to learn how and why there is a team dedicated to taking care of these endangered animals Leave with a whole lot more about wildlife in Kenya. There’s also some artwork for sale on display – made by students, and all the proceeds go towards supporting Ecology Trips for the underprivileged.
3. Go on a short nature sanctuary trail
Go on a short nature walk at the Giraffe Centre, available to you at no extra cost. Take a stroll, or hike if you’re up to it, in our serene 1.5-kilometre nature trail and see how many species of bird you can spot. Watch out for smaller animals such as dikdik and squirrel. The trail goes down to the snaking Gogo River. If you want to see its source, the Ngong Hills, go up to the View Point. An alternative route back to the Giraffe Centre will pass you by the Warthog Den – be careful that one doesn’t come springing after you from the deep black holes!
4. Visit the giraffe centre tea house
Wind down your giraffe visit with refreshments, people and giraffe watching and some mingling here.
5. Visit the giraffe centre gift shop
Walk into the Daisy Zoovenir Shop for some keepsakes on your way out. Remember, the Giraffe Centre derives 90 percent of its funds from the entrance fee collected and sales in the gift shop and Teahouse. Shop around and see what you’ll find.
Planning a Visit to Nairobi Giraffe Centre
Perfectly located in Nairobi’s outskirts, in Langata, the Giraffe Centre is just a short drive (depending on traffic) from the Nairobi City Centre. If your plan is to visit the Giraffes, the Giraffe Centre works well with an early morning game drive in the Nairobi National Park, home to four out of the Big Five.
Next, a stop at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage, between 11 am and 12 pm, when the baby elephants race into the shelter for milk feeding.
Afterwards, you can then go to the Nairobi Giraffe Centre, where you can interact with the endangered Rothschild giraffe, hand feeding them from a raised viewing deck. The three Nairobi excursions together make up a full day tour, and is among the best things to do in Nairobi. You can fit this plan at the start or end of a wildlife safari in Kenya.
When to Visit Nairobi Giraffe Centre
The best time to visit the Giraffe Centre is during its opening hours, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day including weekends and all public holidays, with mornings and midweek recommended due to the fewer crowds. This ensures ample time to enjoy feeding and interacting with the giraffes in a relaxed atmosphere. The best months to visit the Giraffe Centre is during the dry season from December to March and June to October. However, the centre is open to visitors year-round. The rainy seasons from March to May and late October to early December are still fantastic times to visit, the feeding deck is covered by a roof in case it rains, and it will be less busy.
Giraffe Centre Day Tours From Nairobi
You may book a half day Nairobi tour of the Giraffe center, where our driver-guide collects you from your hotel at 9.30am for a transfer to Giraffe Centre. Spend an about an hour or two watching and interacting with the Giraffe here. You may touch, feed and even kiss these gentle giraffes. You are also free to take photos. At 12pm we will transfer you back to your hotel on wards to your preferred drop off location.
Please Note: The Giraffe Centre is open daily for visitors from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day including weekends and all public holidays.
What’s included on the Giraffe Centre day tours;
Return Transfers from any Nairobi Hotel to the Giraffe Centre in a Safari Tour Van or Sedan vehicle in case of 2 persons, Services of an English-speaking Driver-guide, and Entry Fees for yourselves.
What’s not included on a day trip to Giraffe Centre;
Meals, Personal and Personal Effects Insurances and all items not listed as included.
Recommended Nairobi Day Tours & Excursions
Our exciting Nairobi city tour package lets you see all of the top sites in Kenya’s capital within a single day. Book now, these incredible full-day guided city tours which will allow you to explore some of the best attractions of Nairobi. Kick-start your morning city excursions throughout Nairobi’s main areas, including visits to the Museum and significant historical sites in the CBD. Experience Nairobi city through the eyes of street children on a personal storytelling walking tour in downtown which has been ranked best tour in Nairobi. Alternatively, we provide you with the combination of the best full-day Nairobi tour to Nairobi National Park, David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, and Giraffe, among other destinations.