Kenya: Nairobi Giraffe Centre Visit with Transfer

Visit Nairobi's famous Giraffe Centre, operated by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), for an up-close encounter with endangered Rothschild's giraffes.

Guests can stand on the raised feeding platform and interact with the giraffes while learning about their conservation and the centre's breeding and release programme. The visit also provides an opportunity to explore the centre's educational displays and, where operating conditions permit, the associated nature-trail area.

The Giraffe Centre is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00, including weekends and public holidays.

What the Experience Looks Like

• Eye-to-Eye Feeding: The main attraction is a wooden, elevated observation deck. This structure raises you up to canopy level so you can hand-feed the giraffes directly at their eye level.
• The "Kiss": Visitors receive a small cup of specially formulated nutrient pellets upon entry. If you place a pellet between your lips, a giraffe will gently sweep it away with its long, sticky, purple-blue tongue—a popular photo moment known locally as getting a "giraffe kiss".

The Forest Nature Trail: Across from the main platform lies a tranquil 95-acre (38-hectare) indigenous forest park. You can take a relaxed 1.5-kilometer walk down to the Gogo River, where you can spot birds, warthogs, and small antelope species.

History and Conservation Impact

The sanctuary was founded in 1979 by Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville. They discovered that rapid habitat loss in Western Kenya had driven the Rothschild's giraffe population down to a critical low of just 130 remaining animals.

Starting with two young calves named Daisy and Marlon at their private property, their captive breeding program has achieved immense success. The centre has successfully bred and reintroduced dozens of breeding pairs into various protected areas and national parks throughout Kenya.

Meeting instruction:

Guests should report 30 minutes before the scheduled activity at the designated meeting point.