What is the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi?
The AFEW (African Fund for Endangered Wildlife) Giraffe Centre in Lang'ata, on the edge of Karen, is where you hand-feed endangered Rothschild's giraffes from a raised platform that puts you at eye level with the world's tallest animal. It is one of the most-visited stops on any list of things to do in Nairobi, and one of the few that works equally well for adults and small children. It is open 9am to 5pm every day, and adult entry is KES 1,500 for non-residents and KES 400 for residents and citizens.
The Centre breeds Rothschild's giraffes and returns them to the wild: by its own count, it has released more than 40 giraffes into protected game parks and conservancies across Kenya. It also runs a schools programme, with free entry for school groups that book at least a week ahead.
How much is the Giraffe Centre entry fee?
The Giraffe Centre entry fee is KES 1,500 for non-resident adults and KES 400 for residents and citizens, as published on the Centre's own website and checked on 23 September 2026. Full rates:
| Visitor | Adult | Child (3–12) | Under 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-resident | KES 1,500 | KES 750 | Free |
| Resident / citizen | KES 400 | KES 200 | Free |
The resident rate applies to citizens of East African Community countries and to people holding a work permit in one of them, so carry the ID that proves it. Students under 23 with a valid student ID from a recognised institution pay the children's rate. School groups enter free if they book at least a week in advance.
Payment is by M-Pesa, Visa or Mastercard only. The Centre's FAQ lists no other method, so do not plan on paying cash.
For context against the rest of Nairobi, using our Nairobi attractions entry fees guide:
| Attraction | Non-resident adult | Kenyan citizen |
|---|---|---|
| Giraffe Centre | KES 1,500 | KES 400 |
| Karen Blixen Museum | ~KES 2,200 (USD 17) | KES 550 |
| Bomas of Kenya show | ~KES 2,588 (USD 20) | KES 500 |
The Giraffe Centre is the cheapest headline wildlife attraction in the Karen and Lang'ata cluster, which is a large part of why it stays busy. Nairobi National Park is priced by Kenya Wildlife Service, not the Centre; our Nairobi National Park guide covers how to buy that ticket.
What a Visit Includes
The Centre's own site describes a visit as feeding the giraffes, the wildlife talks, the nature trails of its sanctuary (good for birding) and the tea house, and suggests planning 1.5 to 2 hours to do all of it. There is also a souvenir shop, the Daisy Zoovenir Shop.
Opening Hours and Best Time
Open 9:00am to 5:00pm every day, including weekends and all public holidays.
Best time: The Centre says its busiest weekday period is 11am to 1pm, and that weekends and public holidays are busy throughout the day. For a quieter platform, arrive at 9am on a weekday, or come after 2pm.
If you are also visiting the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nursery (11am to noon, booked in advance with the Trust), do the Giraffe Centre at opening and leave by about 10:15.
How to Get There
The Giraffe Centre is in the Karen and Lang'ata area; the Centre puts it about 40 minutes from Nairobi's city centre. Ride-hail from the CBD is the easiest option. It is well signposted from Lang'ata Road.
Most visitors combine the Giraffe Centre with other Karen attractions: the Karen Blixen Museum, the Sheldrick Nursery, or lunch at one of Karen's restaurants. Public matatus run along Lang'ata Road, but a car makes the day much easier.
Tickets, Payment and Pre-Booking
Walk-in is the normal way to visit. The Centre's FAQ does not describe an advance ticketing system for individual visitors; the only pre-booking it mentions is for school groups, which must book at least a week ahead to enter free.
Three things to have ready at the gate:
- A card or M-Pesa. Payment is by M-Pesa, Visa or Mastercard only.
- Proof of residency if you are claiming the resident rate: EAC citizenship or an EAC work permit.
- A student ID if you are a student under 23 claiming the children's rate.
For anything else, the Centre lists +254 20 807 0804, +254 734 890 952 and +254 723 786 165, and info@giraffecentre.org.
Facilities and Accessibility
Eye-level feeding happens on a raised platform, while the sanctuary trails, tea house and shop are on the grounds around it. The Centre's FAQ does not say whether the platform has step-free access, so if that matters for your group, call or email before you go rather than assuming either way.
Strollers are easiest on the ground level. If you are visiting with a toddler, arriving at 9am rather than in the late-morning peak makes the platform far easier to manage.
What the Experience Is Actually Like
You climb onto a wooden platform at giraffe head-height. The giraffes are habituated and approach confidently. Some will wrap their long purple tongues around your hand, which feels as strange as it sounds.
The "giraffe kiss" photo — placing a pellet between your lips — is the iconic shot everyone takes. The giraffes know the drill. They lean in close, their eyelashes are absurdly long, and the whole thing feels surreal.
The feeding itself is quick; most people are ready to move on after 20–30 minutes on the platform. The rest of the visit is the talks, the sanctuary trails and the tea house, which is why the Centre suggests allowing 1.5 to 2 hours in total.
How Long to Spend
Feeding platform: 20-30 minutes
Talks, sanctuary trails and tea house: the rest of the visit
Total: 1.5 to 2 hours, the Centre's own recommendation
Don't plan a half-day around the Giraffe Centre alone. Combine it with other Karen activities to fill a morning or afternoon.
Practical Tips
Bring a camera. Your phone is fine — the giraffes get close. Very close.
Wear closed-toe shoes for the sanctuary trails.
Go early or late. Weekday mornings at 9am are the quietest; the late-morning peak is 11am to 1pm.
Avoid feeding the warthogs that roam the grounds. They're wild, not tame, and can be aggressive.
Worth It for Adults Without Kids?
Absolutely. The eye-level interaction with a giraffe is one of those "only in Kenya" moments. It's not just for families.
The experience is affordable and photogenic. If you're in Nairobi for more than a weekend and want something beyond safari parks and museums, the Giraffe Centre delivers. It's also a chance to support a working conservation project that breeds Rothschild's giraffes for release into protected areas.
What to Do Nearby
The Giraffe Centre sits at the heart of Karen's main attractions. Two ways to build a half-day:
Morning with Sheldrick: Giraffe Centre at 9am → Sheldrick Nursery at 11am (booked in advance with the Trust; every visitor also needs a Nairobi National Park ticket) → lunch in Karen.
Without Sheldrick: Giraffe Centre at 9am → Karen Blixen Museum at about 11am → lunch in Karen.
Other nearby options: Kazuri Beads, Bomas of Kenya, or a hike in the Ngong Hills.
For dining, Karen has some of Nairobi's best-known garden restaurants, including Talisman, among others. Browse our guide to the best restaurants in Karen for the full list.
Is It Worth It?
For first-time visitors to Nairobi, yes. The Giraffe Centre is a well-run, photogenic, conservation-focused experience that fits into a morning and costs less than most attractions nearby. It's not life-changing, but it's memorable.
If you're staying near Karen or visiting other nearby attractions, it's a no-brainer. If you're based in Westlands or the CBD and trying to decide between the Giraffe Centre and, say, Nairobi National Park, the park offers more depth. But there's no reason you can't do both.
Planning a Karen day trip? Browse our guide to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust or explore more day trips from Nairobi.
Last updated: 23 September 2026. Fees, hours, payment and visiting guidance checked against giraffecentre.org and its FAQ on the same date.
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