Rothschild giraffe sanctuary, Langata

Giraffe Centre

The Giraffe Centre is a project of the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (A.F.E.W.) Kenya, a Kenyan non-profit founded in 1979 by Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville. Its purpose is conservation education for Kenyan schoolchildren, and visitors can meet and feed endangered Rothschild giraffes.

What makes it special

Started in response to the decline of the Rothschild giraffe, when only about 130 remained on Soy Ranch in western Kenya.
Its breeding programme has helped return giraffes to the wild; more than 300 Rothschild giraffes now live in Kenyan national parks.
Visitors feed the giraffes at eye level from an elevated wooden platform.
The education centre, built in 1983 on a 60-acre sanctuary, teaches thousands of Kenyan schoolchildren about wildlife and the environment each year.

Good to know

Located in Lang’ata, south-west Nairobi, on Duma Road near the Karen area.
A visit usually takes 30 to 60 minutes; a forest nature trail on the sanctuary can add more time.
Listed opening hours are 9am to 5pm daily — check times before you go.
Carry ID or a passport, as resident and non-resident entry rates differ.

Why visit

It offers close contact with the Rothschild giraffe, one of the giraffe subspecies conservationists have worked to protect in Kenya. Entry fees support A.F.E.W.’s conservation education programmes.

Experience it with Mbutu Tours & Safaris

It fits into a half-day or full-day Nairobi tour, often combined with the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Karen Blixen Museum, which are in the same part of the city.

At a glance

Known for
Hand-feeding Rothschild giraffes from a raised platform

Activities
Giraffe feeding, learning centre, nature trail walk, birdwatching, gift shop

TRA Licence No

TRA2/1/C01/47054

Safaris

Safaris and day tours that go here

Nairobi City & Wildlife Experience (Full Day Safari)

Nairobi hotel → Nairobi National Park → City tour → Nairobi hotel

1 day

Starts in Nairobi

From

$370

per person sharing

We make it happen

Plan your safari

Tell us your dates and which parks caught your eye. We will suggest the route.