giraffe feeding

The most memorable part here is the chance to feed a giraffe at close range, then walk among animals such as zebras, warthogs, ostriches, and tortoises at Bora Bora Wildlife Sanctuary. This is a small 31-acre animal sanctuary, not a wild-game drive, so you get a close, managed encounter rather than a search across open bush.

I like the door-to-door pickup from Diani Beach and the choice of guides who speak English, French, German, Polish, Spanish, or Italian. I also like the simple two-hour walk, which gives you time to take photos without spending all day away from the coast. The main concern is value: at $115 per person, the price feels high for a short visit, especially since some departures have returned to the hotel before 1pm.

Key points at a glance

• Giraffe feeding is the main event: You can feed and, according to the experience details, touch the giraffes under supervision.
• A short transfer from Diani Beach: The drive to Bora Bora Wildlife Sanctuary takes about 20 minutes, with pickup at 10am.
• Small sanctuary, not a national park: The 31-acre setting makes animal encounters easy, but you are seeing animals in managed surroundings.
• Several species in one walk: Expect opportunities to see zebras, warthogs, ostriches, peacocks, monitor lizards, wild boars, tortoises, buffaloes, crocodiles, and birds.
• Multilingual support is included: English, French, German, Polish, Spanish, and Italian are available.
• Price deserves a careful look: Park fees, guide fees, taxes, and transfers are included, but food and drinks are not.

From Diani Beach to a 31-acre sanctuary

Your morning begins with a 10am pickup from your hotel or booked accommodation in the Diani Beach area. The ride to Bora Bora Wildlife Sanctuary is usually about 20 minutes, although one account from Neptune Paradise Beach Resort put the trip closer to 15 minutes.

That short transfer is useful. You do not lose half a day sitting in a vehicle, and the sanctuary works well as a break from the beach. The outing is also easy to fit around lunch or an afternoon at your hotel.

Transport quality may vary. One vehicle was described as low, with poor visibility from the seats and fans that did not work. Air conditioning was also reported as unavailable on that ride, which made the return trip hot. I would not book this expecting a polished safari vehicle. Think of it as a practical local transfer.

On arrival, you check in and receive a short introduction to the sanctuary and its purpose. The setting covers 31 acres, so this is a contained visit rather than a long trek. That can be a benefit if you are traveling with children, have limited time, or want a gentle animal experience rather than a full safari day.

The guided walk and what you may see

The walk around the sanctuary takes about two hours. A guide leads you through the grounds, explains the animals, and points out why conservation matters. Guides can speak several European languages, which makes a real difference when you want to ask questions or understand animal-handling instructions.

The animal list is broad for such a short outing. You may see Maasai giraffes, zebras, African warthogs, Maasai ostriches, peacocks, monitor lizards, wild boars, hinge-backed tortoises, Cape buffaloes, Nile crocodiles, and other birds.

Do keep the word may in mind. The published experience describes opportunities to feed several species, but the actual feeding can be more limited. One visit included feeding the ostrich and giraffe, while other animals were seen but not fed. That does not make the walk pointless, but it is worth setting realistic expectations before you pay.

The giraffe encounter is the clear centerpiece. You can offer food at close range, take photographs, and possibly touch the giraffe under the guide’s direction. This is the part most likely to stay with you, especially if you have never been close enough to see a giraffe’s eyelashes and long, careful tongue at work.

Zebras add another appealing moment. You may be able to feed or touch them, though the exact interaction can change. Warthogs, wild boars, and tortoises bring variety, while ostriches and peacocks provide some of the better photo opportunities.

The presence of monitor lizards, buffaloes, and Nile crocodiles also gives the walk a more varied feel. Still, this is not a guarantee of a dramatic wildlife show. The value is in seeing several African species in a compact setting, with a guide close by to explain what you are looking at.

Why the giraffe feeding matters

A giraffe feeding experience gives you a different sort of animal encounter from viewing wildlife through a vehicle window. You are close enough to notice the animal’s size, movement, and cautious way of taking food. The guide controls the interaction, which helps keep the moment orderly.

I would treat the feeding as a brief, special activity rather than the whole purpose of the sanctuary. The walk comes first, and the giraffe encounter is one part of it. If you want long, repeated feeding sessions or a private encounter, this may feel too limited for the price.

There is also a conservation question to consider. These animals are in a managed sanctuary, not roaming freely in their natural range. Some people will value the educational side and the chance to support animal care. Others will prefer a national park or conservancy, where animals are observed at a distance and hunting for food is not part of the visit.

Neither choice is automatically right for everyone. If your priority is a close photograph and a gentle introduction to African animals, this experience fits. If your priority is wild behavior and natural habitat, look at a proper safari instead.

Guides, languages, and the human side

The guiding is one of the stronger parts of the experience. Park guiding is included, and you are not left to wander around without help. A guide explains the animals and answers questions as you move through the grounds.

English, French, German, Polish, Spanish, and Italian are listed as guide languages. That is a useful advantage for couples or families who do not want to rely on English for every instruction. A French-speaking guide was specifically praised for being friendly, and German-speaking visitors described the driver and guide as kind and helpful.

Adam and Kelvin handled one pickup and were described as pleasant and attentive. Names matter here because the transfer and the walk are both personal parts of a small outing. A good guide can make the difference between a quick animal stop and a worthwhile learning experience.

At the same time, the quality of the guiding does not solve the price question. You are paying for transport, park entry, taxes, and a guide, not just the time spent feeding a giraffe. Those included costs add convenience, but they may not add enough value for independent visitors comfortable arranging a tuk-tuk and hiring a guide at the sanctuary.

Timing: a three-hour booking with a shorter reality

The stated duration is three hours. Pickup is scheduled for 10am, the drive takes around 20 minutes, the sanctuary walk takes about two hours, and return to Diani is planned for about 1pm.

In practice, some outings have been shorter. One group was back at the hotel around 11:50am, despite a planned 10am to 1pm window. That means the actual experience may amount to roughly two hours including transport, depending on the pickup point and the pace of the visit.

This matters because $115 per person is a substantial cost for a short activity. If you are measuring value by convenience, the package is straightforward: you do not need to negotiate transport, find the entrance, or arrange a guide. If you are measuring value by minutes inside the sanctuary, the calculation is less favorable.

I would ask your hotel pickup time, expected return time, and estimated time inside the sanctuary before booking. It is also sensible to confirm which animals you are likely to feed that day. The giraffe encounter appears to be the safest expectation. Feeding every animal named in the description should not be assumed.

Transport, comfort, and what to bring

The transfer within the Diani Beach area is included, both to the sanctuary and back to your hotel. That is helpful if you want a simple morning with no local transport planning.

Bring water, since drinks are not included. Food is also excluded, although the activity finishes around lunchtime, so you can eat back at your hotel or make your own arrangements.

Wear light clothing and comfortable shoes for the walk. The return transfer may feel hot, especially around midday, and one vehicle was reported to have no working fans or air conditioning. A hat and sunscreen are sensible choices for the open parts of the sanctuary.

Keep your phone or camera ready for the giraffe feeding, but listen to the guide before approaching any animal. Buffaloes and crocodiles are not harmless photo props, and even smaller animals should be treated with care.

There is one further point to watch for. A German-speaking visitor felt the visit became too focused on selling products after the animal encounters and felt pressured to buy. If that happens, a clear but polite no should be enough. You are not required to purchase anything described in the activity details.

Price and the independent option

The price is $115 per person. It includes the return transfer from Diani Beach, park fees, government taxes, and the guide. That all-in setup is convenient, particularly if you are unfamiliar with local transport or want a multilingual guide arranged in advance.

But the price is also the weakest part of the package. Several visitors judged it too expensive for the length of the outing and the fact that the animals are in captivity. One suggested that arranging a tuk-tuk independently and paying the sanctuary entrance fee could cost much less, with extra money available for a local guide.

I cannot confirm the independent prices for your travel date, so you should check them directly before deciding. The key comparison is simple:

• Choose the organized option if you want hotel pickup, return transport, taxes, park admission, and language support handled in one booking.
• Consider going independently if you are comfortable arranging a tuk-tuk, waiting for the driver, and accepting an English-speaking park guide.

The organized tour is easier. The independent route may be cheaper. At this price, ease needs to matter to you.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this for families, first-time visitors to Kenya, and anyone staying in Diani who wants a short animal encounter without committing to a full safari. Children are likely to remember feeding the giraffe, seeing zebras up close, and watching an ostrich move through the sanctuary.

It also suits people who value a multilingual guide and door-to-door service. The short drive means you can return to the coast before the afternoon is gone.

I would be more cautious if you have already visited major Kenyan parks or expect a wild safari setting. The small, managed environment may feel limited, and the price is hard to justify if your main goal is time among free-roaming animals.

The experience also may not suit anyone uncomfortable with captive-animal encounters. That is not a minor detail. The animals are presented for close viewing and feeding, so decide first if that style of visit matches your own idea of responsible wildlife tourism.

Should you book the Bora Bora giraffe feeding?

Book it if close contact, convenience, and a short schedule matter more to you than a low price. The giraffe feeding is a memorable feature, the guides can be arranged in several languages, and transport from Diani Beach is included.

Think twice if you are paying mainly for duration or wild scenery. The visit can finish early, the vehicle may be basic, not every listed animal may be fed, and $115 per person is a lot for a compact sanctuary visit.

My practical advice is to confirm the pickup vehicle, expected time inside the sanctuary, and exact feeding schedule before payment. If those answers suit you, this can be a pleasant morning near Diani. If the cost still feels uncomfortable, compare a self-arranged visit before committing.

FAQ

Where does the giraffe feeding take place?

It takes place at Bora Bora Wildlife Sanctuary in Kenya’s Coast Province, about 20 minutes from Diani Beach by vehicle.

How long does the activity last?

The advertised duration is three hours. The usual plan runs from a 10am pickup to a return around 1pm, with about two hours walking inside the sanctuary. Some outings have finished earlier.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels or booked accommodation within the Diani Beach area.

What animals can I see?

You may see Maasai giraffes, zebras, African warthogs, Maasai ostriches, peacocks, monitor lizards, wild boars, hinge-backed tortoises, Cape buffaloes, Nile crocodiles, and other birds.

Which animals can I feed?

The main feeding experience is with the giraffes. The activity also describes opportunities to feed zebras, warthogs, ostriches, monitor lizards, wild boars, and tortoises, but the exact animals available for feeding can vary.

Are park fees included?

Yes. Park fees, government taxes, guiding fees, and the transfer to and from Diani Beach are included.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Which languages are available?

Live guiding is available in English, French, German, Polish, Spanish, and Italian.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option allows you to keep your plans flexible and pay nothing at the time of booking.