Nairobi is a popular starting point for adventures in Africa, but the city itself offers little to visitors. However, there are a few things you must do while visiting, and the Nairobi Giraffe Center should be at the top of your list.
In the shadow of the city skyline in a quiet suburb of Nairobi, the Leslie-Melville family has been rescuing endangered Rothschild Giraffes since 1979. While in Nairobi, we visited the Giraffe Center to get up close and personal with these adorable giraffes.
How to get to the Nairobi Giraffe Center
The Giraffe Center is about 40 minutes from Nairobi city center. There are a handful of ways to get to the Giraffe Center, but the only ones we recommend are by a licensed and marked taxi, preferably arranged with a trusted hotel or a local guide—or as part of a guided tour. There are several Nairobi day tours that include visiting the Nairobi Giraffe Center. Click here for a complete tour list.
Giraffe Center Address: Duma Rd, Nairobi, Kenya
By Taxi: Every taxi driver in town will know this place; it is a very popular tourist activity. Do not take unmarked taxis in Nairobi or other major cities in Africa (or most places in the world, for that matter). They are uninsured at best and could potentially scam or rob you at worst.
By Tour: There are a number of tours that will take you to the Giraffe Center as part of a longer tour, in combination with other things to do in Nairobi, or just to the Giraffe Center.
Recommended Tours:
- 3 hours Giraffe Center Tour including hotel transfers | Book Now
- Nairobi Highlights tour including Giraffe Center and hotel transfers | Book Now
Giraffe Center Costs & Fees
The rate varies depending on whether you are a resident and your age. Click here for the current rates at Giraffee Center in Nairobi.
What to expect at the Giraffe Center:
When you enter the Giraffe Center, you are put on a large treehouse platform that was created to put you on the same level as the giraffes.
Many giraffes are on the property, and the ones looking for a snack will find their way to the platform to meet you. Buckets of food are provided with the entrance fee, which makes you quick friends with hungry giraffes.
Giraffe Kisses
You can’t leave the Nairobi Giraffe Center without a kiss from a giraffe. To get a kiss from a giraffe you can just hold a treat in front of your face and a giraffe will come to get it an leave you a kiss too. They don’t mind and they are certainly not photo shy.
On this tour with Viator, we visited the giraffes as part of a day trip out of Nairobi. The day was the best we had in Nairobi, and the giraffes were our favorite part.
Things you probably didn’t know about giraffes & the Giraffe Center
- Giraffe tounges are black
- Giraffes can headbutt you or other giraffes
- If a giraffe starts to headbutt your at the Giraffe Center it’s probably a friendly reminder they want some more snacks.
- The Giraffe Center in Nairobi has been saving giraffes since 1979.
- You can actually stay at a ‘giraffe hotel’ in Nairobi that is attached called the Giraffe Manor.
- The Rothchild Giraffe are only found in Kenya and Uganda.
- There are nine subspecies of giraffe one being the Rothschild.
- All of the living Rothschild Giraffes live in protected areas and parks.
Where to stay in Nairobi
The best place to stay if you love giraffes is the property in connection with the Nairobi Giraffe Center, which is none other than the famous Giraffe Manor. If you have ever seen the famous pictures of the giraffes poking their heads into breakfast, this is the place. Some of the same giraffes you see at the Giraffe Center can come to dine with you at breakfast at the Giraffe Manor.
We stayed at the Khweza Bed & Breakfast, which was really affordable and close to the city center. There are hotel options for everyone’s budget and travel style. We would advise against Airbnb in Nairobi, we love using it around the world but in Nairobi only stay in the Karen area.
- Airport Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn, Nairobi Internal Airport 10 minutes away | Check Rates
- City Center Hotel: Best Western Plus Meridian Hotel great deals right in the city center | Book Now
- Luxury Hotel: Tribe Hotel, Nairobi 5 Star Hotel in Gigiri | Check Rates
- Budget Hotel: Kahama Hotel, Nairobi 3 star hotel with great reviews and central location, as low as $29 a night | Book Now
More travel in Africa
If you are looking at taking a safari on your own, we recommend booking with Tour Radar and getting on an Acacia Africa-operated overland safari.
