Why visit the Nairobi Giraffe Centre?

Reasons to Visit the Nairobi Giraffe Centre | Kenya Safaris | Kenya Tours | Kenya Wildlife Safaris.

Home to the Rothschild giraffes, the Nairobi Giraffe Centre is a thrilling destination to visit for wildlife enthusiasts. Here, visitors get extremely up close and personal with the world’s tallest species. Up on the feeding platform, the towering giraffes love to interact with visitors, reaching out with their long, inquisitive tongues in hope of a treat. Seeing their long eyelashes from just inches away, feeling the roughness of their dark tongues and witnessing their different personalities is a fascinating experience.

Also known as the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife Giraffe Centre, the Nairobi Giraffe Centre was founded in 1979 as a breeding centre for the endangered Rothschild giraffe. In 1983, the centre was later opened as an environmental education centre for the Kenyan youth. The centre’s mission is to educate schoolchildren about their country’s incredible wildlife and environment, alongside its breeding programme of the endangered Nubian giraffe.

The Nairobi Giraffe Centre plays a crucial role in conserving the critically endangered Rothschild giraffe (this giraffe species is different from other subspecies, as they have no patterning below the knee). Due to habitat encroachment and mass hunting, the numbers of the Rothschild giraffes were dwindling quickly, with approximately 100 Rothschild giraffes remaining in the wild; that was before the start of the conservation initiatives and drives. In 1979, Betty and Jack Leslie Melville (a grandson of a Scottish earl) raised a Rothschild giraffe, Daisy, in their Langata home. Due to the current conservation efforts, the population of these beautiful giraffe species has tripled to 300 across Kenya.

What are Rothschild giraffes?

The Rothschild giraffes are a rare subspecies of giraffe and one of the three giraffe species found in Kenya; the other two species are the Masai giraffe and the reticulated giraffe. All of them are endangered.

What separates the Rothschild giraffe from other giraffe species is the number of ossicones, or horns, on its head. Most giraffes have a single pair of ossicones right below their ears, and a few giraffe species have a third, small ossicone in the middle of the forehead. But Rothschild giraffes are born with five ossicones.

Also, Rothschild giraffes have two-toned spots, while most giraffe species have spots that are just one colour. The edges of the Rothschild giraffes’ spots are rust-coloured. The centres are dark brown and get bigger with age.

Reasons to Visit the Nairobi Giraffe Centre: A visit to this giraffe centre offers one of the most unique wildlife experiences in Africa.

The Nairobi Giraffe Centre is a must-visit destination in Kenya, whether you are heading on a Kenya safari holiday or to the beach. If you are in Nairobi for a day or even just a few hours on a layover, then the Giraffe Centre is a fascinating place to spend a few hours before catching your flight. The centre is a world-famous nature education site where you can see environmental conservation in action, as well as get up close and personal with these towering animals.

What to Do at the Giraffe Centre

Feeding the Giraffes

The browsing area at the Nairobi Giraffe Centre is where you can feed the giraffes with pellets of corn, wheat, grass and molasses. For an even more friendly interaction with the giraffes, head over to the Feeding Platform, and for the brave, there is a possibility of a special giraffe kiss.

Around the centre, you can also find the khaki-clad “educators”, ready to answer your questions and guide you through the different areas so you won’t get lost.

Visit the information centre.

While on your Nairobi Giraffe Centre visit, attend a short but informative talk on the Rothschild giraffe to understand more about this endangered animal and how the staff are caring for them. Also, there is a range of interesting artwork on display, and if interested, you can purchase some of the beautifully made art pieces. All the proceeds are going towards supporting ecology trips for the underprivileged.

Visit the Nature Sanctuary for a Guided Walk

There is a 1.5km scenic nature trail at the Nature Sanctuary, a peaceful place to take a wander and see how many different bird species you can spot. On one walk, you can see over 60 bird species. Smaller animals like the dik-dik and squirrel can also be seen here, and there is a chance you might come across warthogs by the Warthog Den on your way back.

The relatively small trail is maintained by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife and is available to all visitors at no extra charge. The trail is pleasant and very easy to walk through, providing incredible sightings of several small animals, birds and giraffes. The trails in the sanctuary are marked, and they include Ndege Trail and Jocks Trail.

Visit The Tea House

The Tea House is worth visiting on your visit to the Nairobi Giraffe Centre; here you get to enjoy a well-deserved cuppa and some more giraffe-watching. Much of the funding of the Giraffe Centre comes from the gift shop, so be sure to linger here and choose some souvenirs to take home.

Visiting the Giraffe Centre

Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm – seven days a week

Cost: Adult Kshs 1,000 (approximately 5 Euros), Child Kshs 500 (approximately 3.50 Euros)

You can purchase your tickets at the Giraffe Centre’s website if you have a local number using MPESA; card payments are also available.

Best Time to Visit the Nairobi Giraffe Centre

The Nairobi Giraffe Centre on a Kenya safari is open all year round; however, the dry season months, June to October and January to February, are ideal. During these months, the weather is generally sunny and pleasant, making it easier to take a walk around the centre, enjoy feeding the giraffes and take clear, vibrant photographs. Usually, the skies are bright, the trails are dry, and the giraffes tend to be more active, thus enhancing the overall Nairobi Giraffe Centre experience.

The best time of the day to visit is early morning, as the centre is less crowded and the giraffes are livelier during feeding sessions. Visiting in the morning allows you to have a calm and relaxed experience while capturing beautiful photos. Late afternoons are also enjoyable, offering softer lighting and a quieter atmosphere, especially for those interested in a slower-paced visit or who wish to combine the tour with other nearby attractions like the Sheldrick Rhino Orphanage and the Nairobi Museum, among others.