3 Giraffes In Kenya You Would Find At Safari

3 Giraffes In Kenya You Would Find At Safari.

Kenya is a global destination with its expansive savannah, wildlife icon and memorable safari. Some animals that tend to win the affection of the traveller are the giraffes, the long, exquisite, towering creatures, which move calmly around the plains. Kenya is a country that has three different subspecies of giraffe, each having its own appearance, habitat and conservation history. One of the feats of any Kenyan safari is to see them in their natural habitat.

Here is a detailed examination of all three kinds of giraffes that a person might encounter on the safari in Kenya: the Maasai giraffe, the reticulated giraffe, and the Rothschild’s giraffe.

The Maasai Giraffe

The Kilimanjaro giraffe, or the Maasai giraffe, is the most widespread giraffe found in Kenya. It mostly occurs in southern and central Kenya and in the north of Tanzania and is commonly seen in the big parks like the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park and Tsavo National Park.

Appearance:

The Maasai giraffe is easily identified by clear and irregular vine-like patches that are jagged and of a dark brown colour. The markings of the Maasai giraffe are of a leaf-shaped or flame-like appearance as opposed to the clean and geometric markings of the other giraffe species. These distinct patterns give them camouflage during feeding in the woodlands, which are bushy.

Behaviour and Habitat:

Maasai giraffes like open savannah and acacia woodlands, where they feed on tender leaves and branch shoots of trees. They have long necks, which enable them to access food sources that most other herbivores are not able to access. They feed for a massive amount of their day – up to 16 hours – feeding on 30 kilograms of leaves per day.

Maasai giraffes are social and are usually calm, and they live in loose groups of up to 20 animals. Their groups keep varying in composition and constantly congregate around areas rich in food, usually getting temporarily together.

Conservation Status:

Unfortunately, the Maasai giraffe species has been dwindling in recent years because of loss of habitat, poaching, and human-wildlife conflicts. It is now endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The conservation efforts in Kenya, such as the community conservancies of the Maasai Mara, also have a crucial role to play in conserving these iconic animals.

Reticulated Giraffe.

The giraffe species that seems to be the most striking of all the giraffes is the reticulated giraffe, also known as the Somali giraffe, because of its well-defined pattern of coat. It can be found in the northern part of Kenya, especially in the national reserves of Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Meru National Park.

Appearance:

The reticulated giraffe bears a unique geometrical shape of polygon-shaped spots, marked by clear white lines that make its appearance resemble a net; hence the name ‘reticulated‘. It has a vividly coloured coat that is rather smooth compared to the rugged design of the Maasai giraffe. The stunning design is what makes it one of the most photogenic in Africa.

Behaviour and Habitat:

These giraffes survive in the dry areas around the savannah and dry grasslands, on which they feed on acacia and commiphora trees. They are very well adapted to live in semi-desert environments, being able to go long without direct water, as they are able to draw water through their diets.

The reticulated giraffes are said to be very docile and are frequently observed playing with other herbivores like the zebras, oryx and gerenuks. Males have a ritualised necking combat to demonstrate dominance and hammer their long necks. Such competitions may appear brutal, but they hardly lead to severe harm.

Conservation Status:

Reticulated giraffes were once common in the north of Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, but their population has fallen drastically, partly because of habitat degradation and poaching. There are fewer than 10,000 people today who are estimated to be surviving in the wild.

Nonetheless, animal conservation groups like the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) and the Northern Rangelands Trust in Kenya have been collaborating with the locals to conserve these giraffes. Consequently, Samburu and neighbouring conservancies are gradually stabilising in terms of population.

Rothschild giraffe.

The Rothschild’s giraffe, or the Nubian giraffe, is the most endangered and the rarest subspecies of giraffe in Kenya. The species is named after a British zoologist by the name of Lord Walter Rothschild, who initially identified the species at the beginning of the 20th century.

Appearance:

The Rothschild’s giraffes are characterised by having light tan spots that are separated by lines of creamy white. They do not have any markings on their lower legs like other giraffes; thus, they look like they have white stockings. They also have peculiar ossicones (horn-like structures), as they usually have five: two on the top of the head, one in the centre, and two smaller ones behind the ears.

Behaviour and Habitat:

The Rothschild’s giraffes live in the savannah and open forests in western and central Kenya. In the past, they also ventured into Uganda, but currently they are predominantly found in the conservation zones like the Lake Nakuru National Park, Ruma National Park and private game conservancies like the Soysambu Conservancy.

They are mild feeders and feed on acacia leaves and new shoots mainly. Similar to other giraffes, they possess long, prehensile tongues that can reach as far as 45 centimetres to easily grab the thorny branches.

Conservation Status:

The Rothschild giraffes were on the verge of extinction, but conservation efforts have seen the population revive. Translocation projects have been effective in Kenya to develop new herds in the security areas. Their numbers are now in the thousands, as more than 1,600 Rothschild giraffes are found in the wild, with Kenya having the highest population.

There are organisations like the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi, founded by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), which have been instrumental in breeding and educating the people. Visitors can use the centre to get knowledge about the conservation of giraffes and even feed these docile animals.

Why These Giraffes Matter

The three giraffe subspecies in Kenya are all important elements of the biodiversity of Kenya. They are very crucial ecologically, as they trim down trees, sow seeds, and mould their places of habitation. Their existence is not just of great importance to the environment but also to the tourism sector in Kenya because giraffes are some of the most favourite wildlife in the safari.

The sight of these giraffes, the ruggedly patterned Maasai, the graceful Reticulated, and the rare Rothschild’s has added to the enjoyment of the wildlife variety of Kenya.

Conclusion

Seeing the three main giraffe species that are native to Kenya, the Maasai giraffe, the reticulated giraffe and Rothschild’s giraffe, adds a truly magical element to any safari. The three species (the giraffe living in the Serengeti National Park, the reticulated giraffe, and the Rothschild’s giraffe) have distinct patterns, behaviours and habitats, allowing guests to come away with a greater understanding of the diversity of Kenyan wildlife. Whether you’re roving the Maasai Mara savannahs, the arid northern terrain of Samburu, or the sanctuary for the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe, these towering beauties are invariably a big draw.

Viewing them closely not only enhances your safari adventure but also promotes why conserving the wildlife that includes these iconic creatures is so important. To the outdoor enthusiast, photographer or first-time safari goer, both of Kenya’s giraffe species guarantee some of the most unforgettable and mesmerising wildlife moments.