Giraffe Centre and Sheldrick orphanage: unforgettable animal encounters in Nairobi
The Langata Giraffe Centre
Located in the residential neighbourhood of Langata, the Giraffe Centre is one of Nairobi's most visited sites. Founded in 1979, it is dedicated to the conservation of the Rothschild giraffe, an endangered subspecies of which only 130 individuals remained at the time. Thanks to a successful breeding programme, the population has grown considerably. The centre offers visitors the unique opportunity to feed giraffes at face height from a raised platform, an experience loved by children and adults alike.
The David Sheldrick elephant orphanage
Just a few minutes from the Giraffe Centre, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust takes in orphaned baby elephants and rhinos that have fallen victim to poaching or natural disasters. Every day between 11 am and noon, the gates open to the public for an observation session where you can watch baby elephants being bottle-fed, playing in the mud and interacting with their keepers. It is a deeply moving moment that raises awareness about protecting these endangered species.
A perfect day in Langata
Both sites are located close to each other in the Langata neighbourhood, about 20 km from Jomo Kenyatta Airport. Start with the Sheldrick orphanage visit in the morning at 11 am, then head to the Giraffe Centre in the early afternoon. You can round off your day with a visit to the Karen Blixen Museum, located just a few minutes away in the house where the author of « Out of Africa » lived. Budget around 15 USD per adult for each site.
Practical information
The Giraffe Centre is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. The Sheldrick orphanage visit takes place only during the public hour (11 am to noon) and it is recommended to arrive 30 minutes early. Both sites are easily accessible by taxi or through ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt, which are widely available in Nairobi. A portion of the revenue is directly invested in conservation programmes, giving your visit a tangible positive impact on Kenyan wildlife.