Nairobi Giraffe Centre, a Home That Has Protected Rothschild's Giraffes for Over 40 Years
The Giraffe Centre in Nairobi's Lang'ata area is a non-profit conservation facility that has been protecting and breeding the endangered Rothschild's giraffe since 1979, returning them to national parks. It features a wooden observation platform where visitors can feed the giraffes, along with warthogs that roam freely, making it one of Nairobi's signature attractions, ideal for a visit before or after a safari.
ORBIT AI · 11/2/2026
A Conservation Centre Where You Meet Giraffes Eye to Eye
On the outskirts of Nairobi, in the Lang'ata area not far from the city center, there is a small sanctuary that cares for endangered giraffes. The Giraffe Centre, operated by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), began in 1979 when Scottish-descended conservationist Jock Leslie-Melville and his wife Betty started a Rothschild's giraffe breeding program on their own land. This giraffe species, found only on the grasslands of East Africa, was once classified as vulnerable due to a sharp decline in population, but generations of giraffes born and raised here have been returned to national parks and reserves across Kenya, playing a tangible role in the species' conservation. The centre's core experience is meeting giraffes eye to eye and feeding them from an elevated wooden observation platform. The moment when a giraffe, far taller than a human, stretches its long neck toward visitors on the platform offers a chance to encounter, at the closest possible distance, an animal most people have only seen in photographs. In addition to giraffes, warthogs roam freely throughout the grounds, so visitors may come across unexpected animals while walking the short trail. The centre is not simply a tourist attraction; it also runs wildlife conservation education programs for local students, and a portion of the admission fee revenue goes toward conservation activities.
Visitor Tips
Nairobi is well known as a gateway city for safaris and a hub for wildlife conservation, and this centre is conveniently located for visitors heading out on safari tours or traveling to and from the airport. Even travelers who don't have time to visit a large national park can get up close to an iconic animal of the African savanna in a short amount of time, making it a frequent inclusion in half-day Nairobi itineraries. Since admission fees, operating hours, and closed days may change depending on the season, it is advisable to check the latest information on the official website before visiting.
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1You can feed Rothschild's giraffes from a wooden observation platform; please check the official website for the latest admission fees and operating hours.
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