It is enlivening experience to visit Giraffe Centre Nairobi. This is the budget version of Giraffe Manor. For those who might not get the privilege to stay at the Manor.
The Entry fee to Giraffe Centre is quite affordable for everyone. However, if you`re booked on the Manor, you have free entry to giraffe Centre Nairobi as a granted complimentary extension.
Even though you will have had a big piece of the cake Already. These gentle giants will visit you in your room or while taking your breakfast.
Giraffe Centre Nairobi is managed by The African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (A.F.E.W). They have made this place home to the most endangered species of giraffe. (The Rothschild).
Rothschild Giraffe was named after the world naturalist known as Walter Rothschild. It is also known as Baringo Giraffe. Sometimes Uganda Giraffe.
The easiest way to distinguish the Rothschild from the rest is that it doesn’t have markings on the lower legs.
Without much ado, let’s delve in and see what Giraffe Centre Nairobi has in store for us.
Where is Giraffe Centre Located?
This doozy and quirky touristic powerhouse near Oloolua Nature Trail is located in Nairobi, Kenya.
It’s 19 km from the CBD. You hit Uhuru highway, exit roundabout onto Langata Road, and continue straight with Langata Road.
Then turn left to Koitobos Road. Continue straight into Gogo Falls road, around 600 meters. Turn to Duma Road and you will have arrived at Giraffe Centre Nairobi.
How to get to Giraffe Centre from Nairobi CBD.
You can request a taxi to take you to your destination. All you have to do is mention your destination and leave the rest to your cab driver.
The 2nd option that I find more adventurous and budget-friendly is using the public means from CBD.
Take Matatu number 24 going to Karen, you will pay less than $1 one way. You will then alight at the Hardy Shopping Centre Stage.
It is approximately 1 Kms from Giraffe Centre Nairobi, you can decide to walk or take a Boda Boda (Motorcycle).
I advise you to walk to exercise as you brace yourself for this exhilarating experience you’re about to experience.
What are the Giraffe Centre Activities?
Well, the main focus for me was this tall but gentle giant, the up-close and personal is an unparalleled experience.
Here is a summary of what to do at Giraffe Centre Nairobi.
Feed the Gentle Tall Giants.
This is the time I was looking forward to feeding and having a Giraffe Kiss. An educator will hand you feeding pellets then make your way to your newfound friends.
You will get to feed them; this feeling was unsurpassable. As I was feeding (Betty) the oldest Giraffe who was named after the founder Leslie.
She has given birth more than twice and one of the newborns known as Salma who is now a grown Giraffe was attacked by a lion that had sneaked out of the park.
The Lion tried to suffocate her by planting teeth around her neck. However, the lion was not successful as the rangers at Giraffe Centre Nairobi were wide awake.
Salma was rescued but up to date if you try to kiss Salma, she might head butt you.
Tip: Always identify Salma before indulging.
The Information Centre.
You have the option of getting to know more about Giraffe Centre in detail. How they take care of the Endangered species and why they do what they do.
They have the artwork for sale whereby the funds go into helping the underprivileged children to do the Ecology Trips.
The Nature Trail.
After you`re done kissing these tall but gentle giants. It is time to go on a nature trail. It is a stretch of up to 1.6 Kms.
You will come across the Gogo River where it originates at Ngong Hills. If you want to see the source just go up to the View Point. It is such a breathtaking view.
As you take a stroll you have the opportunity to have bird-watching spotting sessions along the lush green nature trail.
In tourism we don’t backtrack so you have an option of passing by the Warthog den but be careful they might just spring to you from nowhere.
The Gift Shop.
This is strategically located as you check out of this City Gem. It will be the time to shop till you drop since Giraffe Centre derive funds from Entrance fees and the Gift shop.
So, kindly shop with a purpose and don’t bargain too much since you`re indirectly helping the giraffes plus you will get a nice souvenir.
Giraffe Centre Entry Fee 2022.
What are the Giraffe Centre Nairobi entry fees? Probably the most asked question when it comes to this city Gem.
| Resident | Adult | Kes400 |
| Child | Kes200 | |
| Non-Resident | Adult | $15 |
| Child | $7.5 |
| · NB// Sch Groups are free so long as you book in advance like a week before.
· Kids below 3 years is free · They don’t accept cash, the payment mode is through Mpesa, Master or Visa Card. |
Giraffe Centre Booking.
You can book and buy your ticket directly but there is an easier way you can do this. Hire a vehicle of choice from Incredible Kenya Adventures. With an Option of booking an entry ticket for you.
Pick up from Hotel or Place of Residence within Nairobi. Price includes Fuel and Driver.
| Tour Van Max 6 Pax | Toyota Noah Max 5pax | Saloon Car Max 3Pax |
| $120 | $100 | $80 |
After the visit to the Giraffe Centre, you can choose where to go for lunch in this list of restaurants. If you need more than Giraffe Centre here are other 24+ Touristic Places in Nairobi.
The Best Time to Visit Giraffe Centre Nairobi?
Giraffe Centre Nairobi is open 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. However, I tend to divide the time into two as follows-:
There is the morning Session between 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
The Afternoon Session is between 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Also, note their busiest hours during the week is between 11:00 AM – 1:00 pm.
Hotels Near Giraffe Centre Nairobi.
Apart from the Giraffe Manor, there are other Budget-friendly hotels near Giraffe Centre Nairobi.
| Hotel Name | Distance from G | Book Hotel |
| Kepro Farm | 3 Kms | Check Prices Now |
| The Siron Place Hotel | 2.4 Kms | Check Prices Now |
| Top Tier Home | 2.9 Kms | Check Prices |
| Park Place Hotel | 2.5 Kms | Check Prices |
| Corat Africa Hotel | 2.7 Kms | Check Prices |
| Long View Suites | 2.7 Kms | Check Prices |
| Osoita Lodge | 4.5 Kms | Check Prices |
| Hotel Rudi | 3.6 Kms | Check Prices |
What Giraffe Centre Nairobi is all About.
The aim of starting this Rescue Centre back in 1979 by the late Jock Leslie-Melville a Kenyan Citizen of British Descent and his American wife Betty.
They started this rescue Centre after noticing the plight of the Rothschild Giraffe Species was deteriorating.
At the time there were only 130 Rothschild Giraffes across Kenya. However, the numbers have continued to rise.
We now have more than 300 Rothschild Giraffes across national parks in Kenya. Basically, the number has Tripled.
FAQs about Giraffe Centre.
What is the best time to Visit?
Giraffe Centre is open every day including weekends and holidays from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Any time is good but according to my experience. The best time is before the harsh sun (9:00 – 11:00 AM – 4:00 – 5:00 PM).
How far is Giraffe Centre from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport?
The Distance from Nairobi Airport to Giraffe Centre is 23 Kms/15 Miles.
Is Giraffe Manor the Same as Giraffe Centre?
Well, Giraffe Manor is a Boutique Luxury Hotel which is beside (100 Meters) the Giraffe Centre. The Difference is, Giraffe Centre is a raised platform whereby you can feed the giraffes while the other is a Hotel. However, they all share the same giraffes.
Final Thoughts.
Visiting Giraffe Centre Nairobi is awe-inspiring and a way of funding the rescued calves released to the wild after 3 years when they are independent.
This has kept the Rothschild numbers raising every other day. A.F.E.W is a Non-Profit organization and their main source of income is buying tickets.
They also have an engrossing initiative whereby; they take lead in Ecology trips. These are trips whereby they take needy children from the slums.
The kids who cannot afford to pay to go to a national park in Kenya. So, they cater for food and transport to create awareness and the importance of National parks and wildlife welfare. This impacts society positively.
Have you ever been to Giraffe Centre Nairobi? Let me know your experience in the comment section.
Until next time Ta-Da.
