Welcome to the FAMOUS Giraffe Park Nairobi in Kenya.
Recently, we visited the Giraffe Centre and had an AMAZING experience.
However, there are some things we wish we had known before we visited it.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The Giraffe Centre is a conservation centre located in Nairobi, dedicated to protecting the endangered Rothschild’s giraffes.
- You may touch, feed, and even kiss the giraffes, but beware of their slimy tongues!
- Stay overnight at the luxurious boutique hotel Giraffe Manor, where you can dine with giraffes!
Location of Giraffe Park Nairobi
The Giraffe Centre is located in Lang’ata, 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the centre of Nairobi, Kenya. It’s a perfect itinerary when you have some spare time when ending your 5 day itinerary in Kenya.
To get there, the best way is to take a PRIVATE CAR. Public transport is available, but we do not recommend it. The drivers of the buses are quite reckless and accidents are not uncommon.
There is a lot of parking space available, but you also need to be lucky. At peak hours (4 pm) the parking lot fills up quickly. We just managed to secure a spot.
Another option is to get an UBER which there are many in Nairobi so you’ll never have to wait long!
About Giraffe Park Nairobi
The Giraffe Centre, born from the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (A.F.E.W. Kenya), has become famous as an education centre, educating thousands of Kenyan schoolchildren and international tourists annually.
Established in 1979, the Giraffe Center was founded by Jock Leslie-Melville and his wife Betty to protect the endangered ROTHSHIELD GIRAFFE, one of the three Giraffe species (the other ones are the Maasai giraffe and the rectangular giraffe), facing habitat loss in Western Kenya.
With only 130 (!) INDIVIDUALS REMAINING at the time, the Leslie-Melvilles rescued two young giraffes, Daisy and Marlon, bringing them to their home in Lang’ata, near Nairobi (where the centre still is).
This was the beginning of a successful BREEDING PROGRAM.
By 1983, they had raised enough money to establish the Giraffe Visitor Center as a tourist destination which is recommended by Lonely Planet.
There are now over 300 Rothschild giraffes that are safe and breeding well in various Kenyan national parks. FYI: About 2,098 Rothschild giraffes are remaining in the wild worldwide (IUCN, 2018).
You can acces the official Giraffe Centre website here.
DO YOU KNOW: Giraffes are the world’s tallest animals?
The Giraffe Centre
What to Expect? Rothschild Giraffe
At the entrance of the Giraffe Centre, you’ll receive a BOWL with molasses pellets. You can hand-feed giraffes by dropping the pellets one by one onto their grey tongues. Spending time with them shows just how gentle they are, and understanding how friendly giraffes can be makes the experience even more magical.
Before you can feed the giraffes, you will follow a short route with interactive displays, explaining the context of the giraffes and the work of the conservancy.
When you get to the viewpoint, you can even try to receive a kiss from their long tongue (SPOILER ALERT: it’s very slimy).
After interacting with you, the giraffes always retreat to their forest sanctuary. This emphasizes the importance of conservation and education efforts.
Once you have finished with the giraffes, you can head out on a self-guided forest walk (just cross the street, the gate is free to open) in the Gogo River Sanctuary, a 1.5-kilometer trail with some views of Nairobi and the Ngong Hills. The trail is a nice addition, but do not expect too much of it.
Please make sure you adhere to the Leave No Trace Principle and don’t leave any trash at the visitor center!
Giraffe Center Entry Fee
The entry fee is USD 15 per person or Ksh 1,500 per person in Kenyan shillings. NEW: you need to pay by card, they do NOT ACCEPT cash anymore.
Visiting times are 9 am to 5 pm daily.
DO YOU KNOW: 90% of the funds for the giraffe centre are derived from the entrance fee? This makes good use of the high entrance fee.
Giraffe Manor
The Giraffe Manor is a luxury boutique giraffe hotel built in the 1930s, characterized by large windows, green creepers, and sunny terraces.
The hotel is special because of the presence of Rothschild giraffes, who will often pop their heads through the open windows (making the perfect Instagram picture).
Features & Amenities of Giraffe Manor
- Accommodation: 12 luxurious rooms and suites, each with a unique décor.
- Dining: Gourmet meals are served in the dining room in the evening, with the possibility of dining alongside the giraffes (at an extra fee).
- Activities:
- Giraffe Interactions: Feed and interact with the giraffes directly from the windows of your room or the breakfast table.
- Nature Walks: Explore the forest with guided tours.
- Spa Services: Relax in the manor’s spa.
Booking Information for Giraffe Manor
- Price Range: $1,000 to $1,500 per night, depending on the room and season. Even though many activities are included, you’ll have to pay extra to receive the VIP treatment.
- Booking Link: Giraffe Manor
Reviews
- TripAdvisor: 4.8/5 stars rated as “Excellent”
- Google Reviews: 4.9/5 stars based on over 2,000 reviews
- Highlights from Reviews:
- People are excited about the experience of dining with giraffes.
- The manor’s charm and environment are mentioned as features.
- Many people note that the high price is reflective of the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Take a look at some of the other amazing accommodations near the Giraffe Centre!
How to Plan Giraffe Park Nairobi into a FULL DAY-TRIP?
Early Morning Game Drive at Nairobi National Park
- Start your day with an early morning (6 am) game drive in Nairobi National Park, the closest national park to any capital city. Here, you can witness the wildlife, including four of the Big Five, against Nairobi’s skyline.
Visit to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage
- Around 11 am, head to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage. This is the perfect time to see baby elephants as they rush in for their midday milk.
Explore the Nairobi Giraffe Centre
- End your day with a visit to the Nairobi Giraffe Centre.
These three activities make for a full day. Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop at each location to purchase unique souvenirs and support conservation efforts.
When to Go and What to Expect
The best time to visit Giraffe Park Nairobi is during the dry season from December to March and June to October to avoid rain. The centre is open to visitors year-round.
You can expect to spend about an hour or two at the centre.
Tips and Insights
- Visit the Tea House for refreshments and giraffe viewing, including the Rothschild giraffe.
- Shop at Daisy Zoovenir Shop for giraffe-themed memorabilia.
- Explore the Nature Trail and learn about conservation practices.
- Stay at Giraffe Manor, a unique boutique hotel with giraffe viewing.
- Consider visiting the centre with Kenyan school children to learn about conservation efforts.
Conclusion
Giraffe Park Nairobi is a must-visit attraction in Kenya, for anyone interested in wildlife conservation and giraffes.
You can expect a unique and educational experience, with opportunities to feed the endangered Rothschild giraffes.
The Giraffe Park Nairobi is dedicated to protecting endangered wildlife and their habitat, and you can support conservation efforts by visiting and learning about the centre’s work.
