Is the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi worth it?

The Giraffe Centre is a compact sanctuary focused on Rothschild giraffes. You stand on a raised platform at eye level with the animals and hand-feed them pellets. The experience lasts 30–45 minutes once you're there. The giraffes are habituated and will come right up, sometimes licking or gently head-butting for more food. It's genuinely fun and gives you very close photos, but it's also quite touristy with a small visitor centre, gift shop, and short nature trail. Don't expect wilderness; it's basically a well-run zoo-like encounter in a suburb of Nairobi.

Best time to visit is early morning (opens around 8am) to avoid crowds and the heat. The dry season (June–October and January–February) is slightly better because the giraffes are more active and the paths are less muddy. Expect to pay around $15–25 for entry if you go independently. Combined half-day tours with the elephant orphanage or city sights usually run $60–120 per person including transport. One honest tip: skip the guided tours that drag on too long and just pay for entry and a driver or Uber. Another: buy a small bucket of pellets but don't feel you need to feed every giraffe; the novelty wears off after the first few.