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Giraffe Centre Nairobi: Fees, Hours and Feeding
Feeding Rothschild's giraffes by hand at the Giraffe Centre Nairobi costs $15 (Ksh 1,500) for a non-resident adult, and the Centre opens 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day. The top things to do here are feeding from the platform, the educational talk, the nature walk and pairing the visit with Nairobi National Park and the Elephant Orphanage.
Quick answer Fees, hours and visit length at a glance
Admission is $15 (Ksh 1,500) for a non-resident adult and $7.50 (Ksh 750) for a non-resident child aged 3 to 12. The Centre is open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, including weekends and public holidays, and a full visit takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. Payment is by M-Pesa, Visa or Mastercard only, as cash is not accepted.
Key takeaways
- See fees and itinerary on the Nairobi National Park Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre Tour page
- Prefer a shorter outing, the Giraffe Centre Sheldrick Tour fits a half day
- Landing at JKIA, the airport layover tour works in six hours
- Browse every option on nairobi national park tours
Is the Giraffe Center in Nairobi worth visiting?
Yes, it is described as a fun and educational experience near Nairobi where visitors get up close with the endangered Rothschild's giraffe and support wildlife conservation.
This is the easiest big-animal encounter in the city. You stand on a raised platform, hold a feed pellet at arm's length and a giraffe wraps its long tongue around your hand. The ticket price also funds the breeding programme that saved the Rothschild's giraffe.
What you actually do
The main activity is hand feeding the giraffes from the platform. Staff hand out pellets and explain the animals and the conservation work. After the platform there is an educational talk, a short nature trail and time in the gift shop.
Visitors who want a second wildlife stop the same day usually book a tour such as the Giraffe Centre Sheldrick Tour.
| Activity | Time it takes | Cost | How to do it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand feeding on the platform | Part of the visit, total about 1.5 to 2 hours | $15 (Ksh 1,500) non-resident adult, $7.50 (Ksh 750) non-resident child | Included with admission, pellets provided by staff |
| Educational talk | Part of the visit | Included with admission | Join the session at the platform |
| Nature walk | Part of the visit | Included with admission | Follow the trail on the grounds |
| Pairing with the park and orphanage | About 8 hours on a day tour | $35 per person | Book a shared day tour |
Source: Giraffe Centre.
How much is the giraffe center entry fee?
A non-resident adult pays $15 (Ksh 1,500) and a non-resident child aged 3 to 12 pays $7.50 (Ksh 750), per the Giraffe Centre fee schedule.
The fees depend on where you live and the age of everyone in your group. East African residents pay much less than overseas visitors, and very young children enter free.
Full fee table
The table below lists the rates published by the Giraffe Centre for 2027. Dollars are shown where the Centre gives a dollar conversion.
Residency matters. The resident rate applies to citizens or work permit holders of East Africa Community countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo and South Sudan. Students under 23 with valid ID qualify for the child rate.
School groups enter free if booked at least one week in advance.
| Visitor | Fee |
|---|---|
| Non-resident adult | $15 (Ksh 1,500) |
| Non-resident child aged 3 to 12 | $7.50 (Ksh 750) |
| Resident adult | Ksh 400 |
| Resident child | Ksh 200 |
| Children under 3 | Free |
| Students under 23 with valid ID | Child rate |
| School groups booked one week ahead | Free |
Source: Giraffe Centre.
What are the Giraffe Centre Nairobi opening hours?
The Giraffe Centre is open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day, including weekends and public holidays.
The Centre keeps the same hours all week, which makes it easy to slot into any itinerary. Timing your arrival matters more than the day you choose.
When to arrive
The Centre is busiest between 11 AM and 1 PM on weekdays, with weekends and public holidays busy throughout the day. Arrive at opening time, 9:00 AM, for the shortest wait at the feeding platform and the best light for photos.
A morning visit pairs naturally with the Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre day, which covers both stops in six hours.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily |
| Busiest time | 11 AM to 1 PM on weekdays |
| Weekends and holidays | Busy all day |
Source: Giraffe Centre.
How do you book Giraffe Centre Nairobi tickets?
No prior booking is required, one reviewer noted, and payment at the gate is accepted only by M-Pesa, Visa or Mastercard because cash is not accepted.
You can turn up, pay and enter. The one thing to sort out in advance is your payment method, since notes and coins are not taken at the desk.
Paying at the gate
Bring a card loaded for M-Pesa or a Visa or Mastercard. Arrange this before you travel because there is no cash option. School groups are the exception and must book at least one week ahead for free entry.
If you would rather have the transfer and the entry handled for you, the private Giraffe Centre Elephant Orphanage tour collects you from your hotel.
Source: Giraffe Centre.
Do you need an ID to enter Giraffe Centre Nairobi?
Bring an ID, because the resident rate applies only to citizens or work permit holders of East Africa Community countries and students under 23 need valid ID for the child rate.
The fee you pay depends on proof of residency. Staff can ask for documents at the desk, so carry something that shows your status.
Who counts as a resident
The resident charge applies to citizens or work permit holders of East Africa Community countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo and South Sudan. Everyone else pays the non-resident rate of $15 (Ksh 1,500) per adult.
Students under 23 with valid ID are charged at the child rate, so a student card saves money.
Source: Giraffe Centre.
How long to spend at Giraffe Center Nairobi?
A full visit, including the feeding platform, educational talk, nature walk and snack time, takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
TripAdvisor lists the visit at 15 minutes, which only covers a quick turn on the platform. One reviewer called it a great hour of fun, and the Centre itself allows longer once you add the talk and the trail.
Planning your time
Budget 1.5 to 2 hours for the full circuit. That leaves room to return to the platform if the giraffes move off and to take the nature walk without rushing.
The 40 minute drive from the city centre each way means a standalone visit costs most of a morning. Fold it into a Nairobi National Park 4x4 Safari with Pickup style itinerary and the travel time pays for itself.
| Visit style | Time on site |
|---|---|
| Platform only (TripAdvisor figure) | 15 minutes |
| Casual visit per a reviewer | About an hour |
| Full visit with talk and nature walk | 1.5 to 2 hours |
Source: Giraffe Centre.
Where is the Giraffe Centre Nairobi located and how do you get there?
The Centre sits on Nyumbi Road off Duma Road in Langata, about 15 km from Nairobi's city center, and the trip takes 40 minutes.
The Centre lies in the Langata suburb, close to Nairobi National Park and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which is why so many tours chain the stops together.
Getting there
From the city centre allow 40 minutes by car. A taxi or ride-hailing car is the simplest option, or you take a guided tour that includes pickup. The shared day tour at $35 per person handles all transport between the park, the orphanage and the Centre.
Its position in Langata means it combines easily with the park's game drives, as covered in the half day tour guide.
| Route | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi city centre to Giraffe Centre | About 15 km | 40 minutes |
Source: Giraffe Centre.
Tours That Fit
These day tours include the Giraffe Centre together with Nairobi National Park and the Elephant Orphanage.
Nairobi National Park, Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre Shared Day
Dawn game drive, the 11am baby-elephant hour at Sheldrick and the Giraffe Centre in one shared day. Park, orphanage and giraffe fees extra.
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation 24h
- Operator
- Rumaa Tours and Safaris Africa
Nairobi National Park, Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre Day
Game drive, the Sheldrick elephant hour and the Giraffe Centre, with an audio guide in three languages. Every entry fee is paid on the day.
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation 24h
- Operator
- Gracilie Ventures
Is the Giraffe Centre in Karen?
No, the Centre sits in Langata, on Nyumbi Road off Duma Road, though it is close to Karen and visitors often search for it under that name.
Langata and Karen are neighbouring suburbs and the two names get mixed up constantly. The official address puts the Centre in Langata, about 15 km from the city centre.
Langata or Karen
For directions, aim for Nyumbi Road off Duma Road in Langata. The drive from the city centre takes 40 minutes, and the nearby attractions of Nairobi National Park and the Elephant Orphanage make the area a natural base for a full day out.
Source: Giraffe Centre.
Giraffe Centre Nairobi FAQ
How much is the giraffe center entry fee?
Admission is $15 (Ksh 1,500) for a non-resident adult and $7.50 (Ksh 750) for a non-resident child aged 3 to 12, per the Giraffe Centre fee schedule. Resident adults pay Ksh 400 and resident children Ksh 200.
What time does the Giraffe Centre open?
It opens 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day, including weekends and public holidays.
Can I pay cash at the Giraffe Centre?
No. Payment is accepted only by M-Pesa, Visa or Mastercard, so arrange a card before you go.
Do children enter free?
Children below 3 years enter free, and students under 23 with valid ID qualify for the child admission rate.
Is the Giraffe Centre suitable on an airport layover?
It can be, as the Centre is about 15 km from the city centre. See the layover tour page for a six-hour plan that covers the park and its neighbours.
Which tour covers the Giraffe Centre and the Elephant Orphanage?
The Nairobi National Park, Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre Day covers both stops in six hours for $40 per person.
More Guides
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- Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage Nairobi: The 11am Visit
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- Is Nairobi National Park Worth It?
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