Giraffe Centre Nairobi

The Giraffe Centre was founded in 1979 by Jock Leslie- Melville, a Kenya citizen of British decent. Jock and his wife began the giraffe Centre after discovering the Rothschild giraffe were drastically depleting in numbers. The Giraffe Centre is the only wildlife sanctuary in the world within a capital city that enables you to come into very close contact with the world’s tallest yet endangered animal, the giraffe. As a child growing up in Kenya the giraffe Centre never failed to be on the yearly school trip list. And no matter how many times we went there we never seized to be amazed at these beautiful creatures Situated in a quiet natural environment, whose biodiversity makes it a home to a herd of Rothschild Giraffe, some Warthogs and over a hundred and fifty species of birds. The center is located roughly 12.5 miles (20km) away from the center of Nairobi and can be reached by private vehicle or matatu (public transport) and is open 7 days a week from 9am to 5.30pm

What to do at the Giraffe Centre

You can Pet, Feed and Kiss the Giraffe’s, this is the closest you will ever get to a giraffe!! You can tell my kids are loving it! The educator will hand you some food pellets, these are made from corn, wheat and molasses. They are sweet little snacks and that’s why the giraffe’s love them. When on the feeding deck do be careful as giraffes do swing their necks and if they bang into you or the kids it can be quite painful (more commonly known as head butting!)

There’s an information Centre where you can learn more about these Giraffes and how to take care of them when they are not in their natural habitat. Artwork made by students is also on display.

You will also have access to a 1.5-kilometere nature trail at no extra cost where you may spot several species of bird, and smaller animals such as dik-dik (small deer), warthogs (with their tv aerial tails) and squirrels. The trail takes you down to the Gogo river which is breathtaking. Don’t forget to grab some Kenyan Chai (tea) or Kahawa (coffee) whilst giraffe watching at the tea shop and visit the souvenir shop for some mementos to take home from your memorable day.

You also have the opportunity to visit the Giraffe Manor next door, spend a couple of nights there and have breakfast with the Giraffe's but that's a whole other blog!