Giraffe Center & Elephant Orphanage Guided Day Tour From Nairobi

Exploring the wonders of Kenya’s iconic wildlife is an unforgettable experience for many travelers. This guided day tour from Nairobi promises intimate encounters with the country’s most beloved creatures – giraffes and elephants. Visitors can hand-feed giraffes, observe baby elephants during their bottle-feeding sessions, and even explore a beads factory, all while learning about crucial conservation efforts. With personalized attention and inclusions like entrance fees and lunch, this small-group excursion offers a well-rounded introduction to Kenya’s natural treasures. For those seeking a memorable wildlife adventure, the details of this tour may prove enticing.

Key Points

• This full-day guided tour from Nairobi allows visitors to interact with giraffes at the Giraffe Centre and observe orphaned elephants at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
• The tour includes private transportation, entrance fees, and a maximum group size of 7 for a personalized experience.
• Participants can hand-feed giraffes and witness the bottle-feeding of baby elephants, gaining insights into wildlife conservation efforts.
• Along With the Giraffe Centre and Elephant Orphanage, the tour also includes an optional visit to the Kazuri Beads Factory.
• The tour is not wheelchair accessible, but public transport options are available nearby for those with mobility challenges.

Tour Overview

This full-day, small-group excursion provides visitors an opportunity to interact with iconic Kenyan wildlife.

The tour takes guests to the renowned Giraffe Centre and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where they can feed giraffes and observe orphaned baby elephants.

Along the way, the group will visit the Kazuri Beads Factory to witness the handcrafting of colorful jewelry.

With a maximum group size of 7 travelers, this personalized experience lasts the entire day, starting at 8:00 AM.

The tour includes entrance fees and transportation in a private vehicle with door-to-door pickup and drop-off from Nairobi hotels.

Tour Features

The tour features a maximum group size of 7 travelers, ensuring a personalized experience.

Included in the tour are the entrance fees to both the Giraffe Centre and the Elephant Orphanage. Transportation is provided in a private vehicle with door-to-door pickup and drop-off from Nairobi hotels.

Lunch is provided, and there’s an optional $45 fee for access to the Nairobi National Park. The tour starts at 8:00 AM and lasts the full day.

While the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, most travelers can participate, and there are public transportation options nearby. Pickup is available from Airbnb and private apartments.

Pricing and Booking

The tour starts from ₦8,186.35 per person, with the price varying based on group size.

Booking the tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Confirmation is received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Group size is limited to a maximum of 7 travelers, ensuring a personalized experience.

The tour includes entrance fees to the Giraffe Centre and Elephant Orphanage.

Transportation is provided in a private vehicle with door-to-door pickup and drop-off from Nairobi hotels.

An optional ₦45 fee provides access to Nairobi National Park.

Reviews and Feedback

The tour receives a 4.0 rating based on 12 reviews.

Positive comments highlight the tour’s excellent organization and the high quality of the guide.

However, some reviewers noted issues with the guide’s knowledge and problems with Sheldrick Wildlife Trust ticket availability.

To address these concerns, it’s recommended that travelers check the Sheldrick organization’s website for the latest updates on ticket access.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the tour generally provides a memorable experience for visitors to interact with Kenya’s iconic wildlife at the Giraffe Centre and Elephant Orphanage.

Accessibility and Participation

The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, but most travelers can participate. The tour involves some walking and standing, which may be challenging for those with mobility issues.

However, the tour operator is accommodating and can make arrangements to ensure all guests can fully enjoy the experience.

The tour pickup is available from Airbnb and private apartments, making it convenient for a variety of travelers. The tour location is also near public transportation options, providing flexibility for getting to and from the meeting point.

Giraffe Feeding Experience

Visitors to the Giraffe Centre eagerly anticipate the opportunity to hand-feed these gentle giants. Giraffes gracefully extend their long, blue tongues to delicately pluck pellets from visitors’ outstretched palms. This unique interaction allows guests to get up-close with the world’s tallest land animal. The feeding platform offers three distinct viewing areas, enabling multiple guests to interact simultaneously.

Viewing Area	Height (ft)	Giraffe Accessibility
Elevated Platform	10	Easy
Ground Level	5	Moderate
Wheelchair Accessible	3	Accessible

The Giraffe Centre’s mission is to educate visitors about conservation efforts and protect the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe species.

Elephant Orphanage Visit

After experiencing the up-close encounters with the graceful giraffes, the tour moves to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage.

This renowned facility is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned baby elephants. Visitors have the opportunity to observe these gentle giants during their scheduled feeding time, which is a captivating and heartwarming experience.

The tour includes:

• Watching the baby elephants being bottle-fed by their dedicated keepers
• Learning about the organization’s conservation efforts and the challenges faced by these majestic animals
• Seeing the elephants roam and play in their natural habitat within the sprawling wildlife preserve

This visit to the Elephant Orphanage completes the immersive wildlife experience, allowing travelers to connect with Kenya’s iconic species.

Kazuri Beads Factory Tour

Following the tour of the Giraffe Centre and Elephant Orphanage, visitors explore the Kazuri Beads Factory, a renowned social enterprise dedicated to empowering local women.

The factory showcases the intricate process of handcrafting unique, colorful beads from local clay. Travelers observe skilled artisans meticulously shaping, firing, and painting each bead by hand.

The Kazuri Beads Factory not only produces beautiful jewelry but also provides sustainable employment opportunities for Kenyan women.

Visitors can browse the on-site showroom and shop for one-of-a-kind necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, making it an enriching cultural experience and an opportunity to support the local community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Visitors Get to Touch or Interact With the Giraffes?

Yes, visitors can feed and interact with the giraffes at the Giraffe Centre. The tour provides an opportunity to get close to these gentle creatures and even hand-feed them during their visit.

Is There an Opportunity to Purchase Souvenirs at the Tour Sites?

Visitors have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs at the Kazuri Beads Factory, where they can see hand-painted jewelry. Plus, the Giraffe Centre and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust may offer gift shops for visitors to browse and buy mementos.

What Types of Food and Drink Are Provided for the Included Lunch?

The tour includes a provided lunch, but the specific menu items are not specified. Typically, a local Kenyan meal with dishes like ugali, sukuma wiki, and chapati may be served, along with water and/or soda. Dietary restrictions can likely be accommodated.

Are Professional Photos Taken During the Tour, and Are They Available for Purchase?

The tour doesn’t include professional photography. However, you’re welcome to take your own photos during the experience. Photos of the giraffes and elephants are encouraged, but there’s no option to purchase professional photos.

Can the Tour Be Customized to Accommodate Special Dietary Requirements or Mobility Needs?

The tour can be customized to accommodate special dietary requirements or mobility needs. Travelers should notify the tour operator in advance to ensure the necessary accommodations are made for an enjoyable experience.

Recap

This guided day tour from Nairobi offers an unforgettable opportunity to interact with Kenya’s iconic wildlife. Guests can hand-feed giraffes and observe baby elephants during their bottle-feeding sessions. Personalized attention, entrance fees, private transportation, and lunch are included, providing a fantastic way to learn about conservation efforts while connecting with these remarkable animals.