Giraffe Centre Nairobi at a glance
The Giraffe Centre sits in Lang'ata, on Nyumbi Road off Duma Road. Rothschild's and Nubian giraffes come up to a raised platform, and visitors feed them pellets by hand. Many people search for it as the giraffe park in Nairobi. It is run by AFEW Kenya, so it is not part of the Kenya Wildlife Service parks and has its own rates and its own hours.
The centre is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., public holidays included. Rates for 2026 are listed in Kenyan shillings and are paid without cash, by M-Pesa, Visa or Mastercard.
Our picks: tours with the Giraffe Centre
Two of these include the Giraffe Centre entry and a reserved elephant orphanage visit, one of them in a small group with a fixed schedule. The Safari Walk tour pairs the centre with the boardwalk, and its entries are paid on top.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Elephant orphanage and Giraffe Centre day tour
- Orphanage entry and reservation
- Giraffe Centre entry
- Hotel transfer
A game drive in the park is not part of this tour. An extra conservation fee for access to the orphanage is not in the price.
Check availability →Elephant orphanage and Giraffe Centre in a small group
- Orphanage reservation and entry
- Giraffe Centre entry
- Small group with a guide
The schedule has pickup at 9:30, the elephants at about 10:30 and the Giraffe Centre at 12:30. The park entry fee is extra.
Check availability →
Safari Walk and Giraffe Centre tour
- Safari Walk and Giraffe Centre visit
- English-speaking guide
- Pickup and return
The entries for the Safari Walk and the Giraffe Centre are paid on top. The boardwalk is a separate site at the main gate, not a game drive in the open park.
Check availability →Giraffe Centre and Nairobi wildlife tours
Tours that stop at the giraffes, the elephant orphans or the national park, with live prices and availability.
Giraffe Centre rates and tickets in 2026
Prices per person in Kenyan shillings.
| Visitor | Adult | Child aged 3 to 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Non-residents | KES 1,500 | KES 750 |
| Eligible East African citizens and residents | KES 400 | KES 200 |
| Children under 3 | – | Free |
The lower rate is for citizens, or holders of a work permit, of the East African countries. You need to show proof. Do not assume that a Kenya Wildlife Service category applies here, because the two use different rules.
For most visitors from abroad, plan on the non-resident rate and bring a bank card or a phone with M-Pesa. Cash is not accepted. Schools can visit free of charge, but the visit has to be booked at least one week ahead.
Feeding the giraffes and walking the trail
What you do once you are inside.
The feeding platform
Educators hand out the pellets and explain the rules on the platform. Feed only with the pellets you are given and follow the instructions on site. The giraffes walk up to the platform on their own, so how close they come depends on the day.
The nature trail
A trail of about 1.5 km leads to the Gogo River and a viewpoint. There is no extra charge for it. It is a nature sanctuary and trail, so it is part of your ticket and not a separate park with its own fee.
Getting there
Go to Nyumbi Road off Duma Road in Lang'ata. It is about 15 km from the city centre. A drive time of 40 minutes is only a guide, and traffic in Nairobi can change it a lot, so leave extra time. For the airport run, see our page on getting there from Nairobi airport. Give your driver the road name, Nyumbi Road off Duma Road, and not only the name of the area.
Fitting the Giraffe Centre into your day
Opening times decide the order.
The Sheldrick elephant nursery has a fixed visit from 11 a.m. to 12 noon that must be confirmed in advance. The Giraffe Centre is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., so the centre is the flexible stop. Do not plan more than two stops on one day. Nairobi traffic and the gate queues at the national park can eat the time between them.
A hotel stay nearby is a separate thing from admission to the centre. One does not replace the other, so book your centre visit on its own terms.
Giraffe Centre and the national park: separate tickets
Different operators, different rules.
The Kenya Wildlife Service package for Nairobi covers the national park, the Safari Walk and the Animal Orphanage. It does not include the Giraffe Centre, the elephant nursery or any museum. For non-residents the full package costs $105 for an adult and $55 for a child in 2026, and the Giraffe Centre ticket comes on top.
That is why a day that mixes the park and the giraffes needs two payments, and a day with the elephant nursery needs a third in cash. Keep the confirmations for each one on your phone and do not expect one ticket to open another gate.
Giraffe Centre Nairobi: frequently asked questions
How much is the Giraffe Centre entry fee in 2026?
Non-residents pay KES 1,500 per adult and KES 750 per child aged 3 to 12. Eligible East African citizens and residents pay KES 400 and KES 200. Children under 3 are free.
What are the Giraffe Centre opening hours?
The centre is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., including public holidays.
Can I pay cash at the Giraffe Centre?
No. The centre accepts M-Pesa, Visa and Mastercard. Bring a card or a phone with mobile money.
Do I need to book in advance?
Check the current booking options before you go. Free school visits must be booked at least one week ahead.
Is there anything to do besides feeding the giraffes?
Yes. A nature trail of about 1.5 km runs to the Gogo River, with a viewpoint, and it costs nothing extra.
Where is the Giraffe Centre?
In Lang'ata, on Nyumbi Road off Duma Road, about 15 km from the city centre. Tell your driver the road name as well as the area.
How long does the drive take?
About 40 minutes is only a guide. Traffic in Nairobi changes the time a lot, so leave a buffer, especially if you have a fixed slot elsewhere on the same day.
Is the Giraffe Centre part of Nairobi National Park?
No. It is run by AFEW Kenya and has its own tickets. The Kenya Wildlife Service package for the park does not include it.
Is this the official Giraffe Centre website?
No. This is an independent guide with no connection to AFEW Kenya or the Giraffe Centre. The centre runs its own website for official information.