Although it tends to be promoted as a children’s outing, the Giraffe Centre has serious aims. Run by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), it has successfully boosted the population of the rare Rothschild’s giraffe from an original nucleus of animals that came from a wild herd near Soy in western Kenya. The centre’s other main mission is to educate children about conservation.
The Giraffe Centre is the public side of Giraffe Manor, so if you are staying at the latter, you will have an even closer engagement with the giraffes from your table in the breakfast room or even through your bedroom window. If you’re not able to stay at Giraffe Manor, the AFEW Giraffe Centre is a rewarding alternative.
You’ll get some great mug shots from the giraffe-level observation tower (note the viewing platform faces west, so be prepared for the lighting), where the elegant, slow-motion giraffes push their huge heads through to be fed the pellets you’re given to offer them. There are various other animals around, including a number of tame warthogs, and a wooded 95-acre (40-hectare) nature sanctuary across the road, which is a good area for birdwatching.
- You will Provided with pellets that you can feed the giraffes by hand
- Take photos while feeding the animals by your mouth