Giraffe Centre Nairobi: Feed Giraffes in Lang'ata
Featured Animals and wildlife in Langata, Nairobi
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The Giraffe Centre in Nairobi lets you feed and meet endangered Rothschild's giraffes from a raised platform in Lang'ata. Resident adults pay KES 400 and resident children (3 to 12) KES 200, while non-resident adults pay KES 1,500 and children KES 750. Under-3s are free. Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, and plan for 1.5 to 2 hours.
GPS: -1.37636, 36.74432
What is Giraffe Centre?
The Giraffe Centre in Lang'ata, Nairobi, is a conservation and education centre run by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW) Kenya. Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville founded AFEW in 1979 after discovering that only about 130 Rothschild's giraffes remained on Soy Ranch in western Kenya. They raised two young giraffes, Daisy and Marlon, at their Lang'ata home and began breeding giraffes in captivity. The centre opened to the public and to students in 1983 on a 60-acre sanctuary, and its breeding programme has since released giraffes into national parks and reserves across Kenya.
Today, families feed and meet the giraffes from a raised platform, attend a short talk on giraffes and Kenyan wildlife, and walk a 1.5 km nature trail down to the Gogo River at no extra cost. A Tea House offers refreshments, and the Daisy Souvenir Shop offers gifts. About 90 per cent of the centre's funds come from entrance fees and shop and Tea House sales, so a visit supports its conservation work and its free school visits.
The Giraffe Centre exists because of the Rothschild's giraffe, a subspecies found only in East Africa. By the late 1970s, its habitat in western Kenya was shrinking, and only about 130 were left on the 18,000-acre Soy Ranch, which was being subdivided for resettlement. Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville raised two calves, Daisy and Marlon, at their Lang'ata home and founded the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW) in 1979.
The centre's website says it has helped move breeding herds to several parks and reserves, and that more than 300 Rothschild's giraffes now live in Kenyan national parks. The centre's second mission is education: it hosts thousands of Kenyan schoolchildren every year, and its guides are Environmental Studies students who volunteer as educators.
The centre calls the giraffe "Rothschild's", "Baringo" and "Nubian" in different places; these refer to the same subspecies.
Giraffe Centre ticket prices 2026
| Visitor type | Adult | Child (3 to 12) | Under 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya / East African resident | KES 400 | KES 200 | Free |
| Non-resident | KES 1,500 | KES 750 | Free |
Students under 23 with a valid student ID also pay the child rate. Resident rates apply to citizens and work-permit holders of East African Community countries (bring a Kenyan or EAC ID, passport or alien card). Pay by M-Pesa, Visa or Mastercard only.
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💡 Money-saving tips for families
- Check the resident rate Kenyan and East African ID (national ID, passport or alien card) gets you KES 400 per adult and KES 200 per child instead of KES 1,500 and KES 750.
- Bring student ID Students under 23 with a valid student ID pay the child rate.
- Under 3s are free Children under 3 do not pay entry.
- Schools visit free School groups that book at least a week ahead through the centre's Contact Us page enter free.
- Come early Weekday mornings before 11am avoid the busiest window and are easier on small children.
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Key details
- Address
- Duma Road, Lang'ata, Nairobi, Nairobi
- GPS coordinates
- -1.37636, 36.74432
- Opening hours
- Daily 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Closed now
- Setting
- Outdoor
- Booking
- Walk-in
- Payment accepted
- M-Pesa
- Card
- Phone
- +254734890952
What to expect when you visit
Start at the notice board. The notice board beside the payment booth maps the whole centre and lists tips on how to feed the giraffes. Educators in khaki outfits are on hand if you have questions.
Feed the giraffes. An educator hands you food pellets made of corn, wheat, grass and molasses. Climb the feeding platform to get even closer.
Catch the talk. A short lecture in the Information Centre explains why the centre protects the giraffe and covers wildlife in Kenya.
Walk the nature trail. The 1.5 km trail is included in your entry. It leads down to the Gogo River, with a viewpoint toward the Ngong Hills and a chance to spot birds, dik-dik and squirrels. Warthog burrows line the return route, so keep children close.
Finish at the Tea House and gift shop. All proceeds from the Daisy Souvenir Shop go toward conservation.
What if...?
The questions every parent asks before booking. Tap to expand.
Can I pay in cash at the gate?
No. The centre only accepts M-Pesa, Visa or Mastercard.
Is entry free for toddlers?
Yes. Children under 3 enter free, and the child rate applies from age 3 to 12.
Do I need to book?
Individual visitors can walk in. Schools should book a free visit at least a week ahead.
Is the centre open on public holidays?
Yes. It is open daily 9am to 5pm, including weekends and public holidays.
Family essentials
- Suitable age bands
- 0–2 years
- 3–5 years
- 6–9 years
- 10–12 years
- 13+ years
- Toddler suitability
- Great for toddlers
- Minimum age
- No minimum age
- Facilities
- Toilets
- Baby changing
- Drinking water
- Cafe or food on site
- Gift shop
- Access and parking
- Stroller friendly
- Wheelchair accessible
- Ramp access
- Accessible toilets
- Free parking
- Public transport nearby
- Safety notes
No age limit, but children need to be closely supervised.
Plan your visit
- Best time to visit
- Weekday mornings, before the busy period from 11am
- Busiest times
- 11am to 1pm on weekdays; weekends and public holidays are busy all day
- How to get there
The Giraffe Centre is in Lang'ata, about 15 km from Nairobi city centre. The centre quotes around 40 minutes by car, so allow longer at rush hour or on weekends. Parking is free. If you're using Google Maps, search for the pin rather than the road name.
- By car
- About 15 km from town, roughly 40 minutes without heavy traffic.
- Public transport
Matatu 24 from Kenyatta Avenue: get off at Hardy Shops, then walk about 1 km.
Matatu 24C: get off at Beacons Inn, then walk about 12 minutes. This is the closer stop.
Matatu 26: go to Magadi Road, then walk via Mukoma Road.
Fares are roughly KES 50 to 100 one way.
Matatus can't go down the road to the entrance, so you'll walk the last stretch. A boda boda can cover that part if you'd rather not.- Combine with
Nairobi National Park's Safari Walk and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant nursery are nearby. Check each one's hours and booking rules first: the Sheldrick public visit is 11am to 12 noon and needs booking.
- What to bring
A payment card or M-Pesa (no cash accepted) and valid ID if you are claiming resident or student rates.
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Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to visit Giraffe Centre?
- Kenya and East African resident adults pay KES 400 and resident children (ages 3 to 12) pay KES 200. Non-resident adults pay KES 1,500 and non-resident children pay KES 750. Children under 3 enter free. Students under 23 with a valid student ID also pay the child rate. Resident rates apply to citizens and work-permit holders of East African Community countries (bring a Kenyan or EAC ID, passport or alien card). Pay by M-Pesa, Visa or Mastercard only. Prices checked 1 Oct 2026.
- What are the Giraffe Centre opening hours?
- Daily 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Busiest: 11am to 1pm on weekdays; weekends and public holidays are busy all day.
- Is Giraffe Centre suitable for toddlers and young children?
- Yes. Giraffe Centre is great for toddlers. Minimum age: No minimum age. Baby changing facilities are available. No age limit, but children need to be closely supervised.
- What payment methods does Giraffe Centre accept?
- Giraffe Centre accepts M-Pesa, Card. It does not accept cash.
- Is Giraffe Centre accessible, and is there parking?
- Access and parking: Stroller friendly, Wheelchair accessible, Ramp access, Accessible toilets, Free parking, Public transport nearby.
- What is the best time to visit Giraffe Centre?
- Weekday mornings, before the busy period from 11am. It is busiest 11am to 1pm on weekdays; weekends and public holidays are busy all day.
- How do you get to Giraffe Centre?
- About 15 km from town, roughly 40 minutes without heavy traffic. Public transport: Matatu 24 from Kenyatta Avenue: get off at Hardy Shops, then walk about 1 km. Matatu 24C: get off at Beacons Inn, then walk about 12 minutes. This is the closer stop. Matatu 26: go to Magadi Road, then walk via Mukoma Road. Fares are roughly KES 50 to 100 one way. Matatus can't go down the road to the entrance, so you'll walk the last stretch. A boda boda can cover that part if you'd rather not. The Giraffe Centre is in Lang'ata, about 15 km from Nairobi city centre. The centre quotes around 40 minutes by car, so allow longer at rush hour or on weekends. Parking is free. If you're using Google Maps, search for the pin rather than the road name.
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