Giraffe Centre Is a Must-Visit in Nairobi! Here’s What Makes It So Special

You can read about wildlife all day long, but I don’t think there’s anything that really prepares you for standing a few feet from a giraffe. Especially when it reaches over to get a snack and you get this sudden awareness of how massive, and oddly graceful, these creatures are.

I didn’t go expecting much. Just another box to tick while in Nairobi—“ make a quick stop at the Giraffe Centre,”. After all, it’s “Good for photos.” But it wasn’t the kind of place you walk through and forget.

There’s nothing loud or overly polished about it. No choreographed experience. It’s calm. Thoughtful. And strangely grounding. Not to mention, I found myself eye-to-eye with the ICONIC Rothschild giraffe for the first time.

First Impression

The Giraffe center is located in Langata, Nairobi- about a 30-minute drive from Central Nairobi. It’s quiet, green and surrounded by trees, a good breather if you’ve been in the city for a while. The giraffes roam a large open area and there’s a raised wooden platform where visitors can stand at eye-level with them.

The first giraffe I met was Eddy (the dominant male). He can be identified by his darker tone, thick ossicones, and tall structure (taller than the other giraffes). He strolled up like he owned the place, gently nudged the railing, and blinked slowly at me until I offered him one of the food pellets provided.
Feeding him felt weirdly personal. His tongue was long, blue, and slightly slimy. I flinched, but once I relaxed, it was kind of fun. I also got to learn about how to tell the difference between a male and a female giraffe. It’s all in their ossicones (the horns on top of the head). Thick, long, and hairless at the top is the male. The female had thin ossicones.

I spent a solid hour just watching them interact, eat and meander around. The giraffes are calm, curious and surprisingly expressive. They don’t seem bothered at all by the people but you can tell they each have their own quirks.

Home of the Rothschild Giraffe

The Giraffe Centre was established in 1979 by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW) with a very specific mission: to protect the endangered Rothschild giraffe. Back in the late ‘70s, only a handful had remained in the wild. Their habitats had been cleared for farming and without anyone taking urgent action, they would have completely gone extinct.

The team here started with just two giraffes, Betty and Jock, and slowly built a breeding program. Today, the center not only gives people a chance to learn about giraffes up close, it’s also responsible for reintroducing these beautiful animals into safe areas across Kenya.

The Rothschild giraffes seem somewhat different from what you might see during your safari. They have whiter coats and no spots on their legs. It looks almost as if they have white stockings on. They are also one of the most critically endangered species of giraffes, which is why this place exists in the first place.

Best Time to Visit Giraffe Center

The Centre operates every day from 9 AM to 5 PM, even on weekends and public holidays. I went on a weekday morning around 10 AM, which was perfect. Less people, more personal interaction, and a cooler weather.
If you can, visit during weekdays or school holidays when it is less busy. Early morning works the best since the giraffes are more interactive and receptive to eating pellets.

Entry Fees

The entrance fees are quite reasonable.
Residents pay Ksh 400 for Adults, Ksh 200 for Children
Non-residents pay USD 15 for Adults and USD 7. 50 for Children.
You can pay via M-pesa, card or cash. Also, there’s no need to book in advance. Just show up, pay at the gate and enjoy.

What to Expect During Your Visit

You don’t need to block out your whole day. 1 to 2 hours is enough. But don’t be surprised if you end up staying longer than planned.

You’ll likely start at the wooden platform. That’s where the giraffes usually hang out, casually leaning in for snacks.

There are staff and guides around if you’re curious to learn more. They know the place pretty well and seem to care a lot about what they do.

There’s also a short nature trail if you feel like stretching your legs, and a gift shop where you can pick up a few handmade crafts.

If you’re hungry after, there’s a nice café close by. A nice spot to sit and just let the experience settle in.

Final Thoughts

Visiting the Giraffe Centre wasn’t something I expected to stick with me but it did. It was light and joyful, yes, but also unexpectedly moving. One of those moments where conservation doesn’t feel abstract. It feels close. Personal, even.

If Nairobi is on your route, even just briefly, make time. Feeding giraffes is one part of it, sure. But there’s an even bigger picture, knowing that your visit plays a small role in keeping these animals here for generations to come.