Tour to the Nairobi Giraffe Centre & Optional Elephant Orphanage

Nairobi’s Giraffe Centre gives you the rare chance to feed endangered Rothschild’s giraffes from a raised platform, then watch them peer back at you with comic confidence. The visit is both hands-on and educational, with staff explaining giraffe behavior, traits, and conservation.

I like the private hotel pickup and chauffeured vehicle, which keep this outing easy to fit into a Nairobi stay. I also like the choice of adding the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust or the socially focused Kazuri Beads Factory without paying extra for transport.

The main caution is the extra-cost structure. The elephant visit requires advance confirmation and a separate fee, while the supplied pricing details list both $15 and $20 per person, plus a $43 conservancy fee. Confirm the exact total before booking.

Key points to know before you go

• Giraffe feeding is the centerpiece: Admission to the Giraffe Centre is included, and you can feed the animals while learning why they are endangered.
• Your group stays private: Only your party joins the activity, with a driver-guide and private transportation.
• The elephant stop needs early planning: The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust accepts only 200 people per day, and its fee is paid separately.
• Kazuri Beads adds a human story: You can see pottery and bead production while learning how the factory supports single mothers from a poor neighborhood.
• The schedule is flexible: The tour lasts about three to seven hours, depending on added stops and lunch.
• The price needs checking: The base cost is $63 per person, but elephant and conservancy charges are not included.

Feeding giraffes at the Nairobi Giraffe Centre

The tour starts with pickup at about 9 a.m. from your Nairobi hotel or residence. From there, you ride in a private, chauffeured vehicle to the Giraffe Centre, with transport handled for your own group rather than a large shared coach.

The centre visit lasts about an hour. That is not a long safari, but it is enough time for the main experience: meeting giraffes at close range, feeding them, and watching their behavior from the centre’s platform.

This is a particularly good stop if you want more than a quick photograph. The educational side explains why the giraffes are endangered, along with their traits and habits. You get a clearer sense of the conservation work behind the encounter instead of simply treating the animals as photo props.

The giraffes are the stars here. They lean in for food, look directly at you, and have an almost absurdly gentle way of inspecting the people around them. The close contact is what makes the centre memorable, especially for children and anyone with limited time in Nairobi.

The visit also works well for first-time visitors who are not ready to spend a full day in a national park. You will not see a broad range of wildlife here, and this is not a substitute for a safari. What you do get is a focused, reliable animal encounter inside the city.

One useful detail is that the admission ticket to the Giraffe Centre is included in the tour price. That makes the first stop straightforward, though the supplied information also mentions a conservancy fee connected with the Giraffe Centre. Ask the operator to clarify whether that fee applies to your booking, since the inclusion details are not fully consistent.

Choosing the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant visit

After the giraffes, you can request a visit to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, also described as an elephant orphanage. The centre is home to rescued baby elephants, and the visit lets you watch them feed and play while hearing the stories behind their rescue.

This optional stop adds emotional weight to the day. The giraffe centre focuses on endangered wildlife and public education, while the elephant visit shows the care given to individual animals that have lost their families. You can expect storytelling about the animals as well as the chance to see young elephants at feeding time.

The elephant stop is not included in the $63 price. The information provided gives two different figures for the admission charge, $15 per person in one place and $20 per person in another. It also lists a $43 conservancy fee per person, payable by card, and says the elephant-orphanage fee is paid in cash.

That is a significant extra cost. For two people, the added fees could change the day from a reasonably priced city outing into a much more expensive wildlife experience. Contact African Beast Tours and Safaris before you go and get the complete current amount in writing.

Timing matters, too. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust accepts only 200 people per day, so you must notify the operator early enough to confirm availability. Do not assume you can decide at the last minute after landing in Nairobi.

The tour provides transport to the elephant centre at no extra transport cost, which is helpful. You avoid arranging another car or navigating between separate bookings. Still, the elephant admission itself is a separate purchase, not a free add-on.

If the elephant visit is your main reason for booking, confirm three things before paying: the available date, the exact admission fee, and the conservancy charge. The information supplied for this experience is contradictory on the elephant pricing, so this check is essential.

Seeing how Kazuri Beads are made

If you prefer a cultural and craft stop, request the Kazuri Beads Factory instead. Transport is included at no extra cost, and the factory visit itself has no separate admission fee.

The factory shows the full process, from the early stages of working with clay to the finished jewelry and pottery. You can watch how the beads are shaped and prepared, then see the finished pieces that give the company its international reputation for colorful handmade work.

What makes Kazuri especially worthwhile is its employment mission. The factory employs single mothers from a poor neighborhood, giving them income to support their families. That makes this more than a shopping stop, though you should still expect a factory setting with products for sale.

I would choose Kazuri if you want to understand a local business and buy a handmade souvenir with a clear social purpose. It also gives the day a different rhythm after the animal encounter. Instead of another wildlife stop, you get an hour focused on craft, work, and family income.

The supplied schedule describes the visit as about one hour. You may request it after the Giraffe Centre, either instead of the elephant orphanage or as an additional stop if your timing allows. Since the total tour length can range from three to seven hours, ask how the chosen combination affects the day.

Lunch and the flexible three to seven-hour schedule

After the selected stops, the driver can take you somewhere for lunch before dropping you back. Lunch is not included, and the information does not specify a restaurant or set menu, so you should treat this as a flexible arrangement rather than a planned dining experience.

The length of the outing depends heavily on your choices. The basic giraffe visit can fit into a shorter half-day, while adding the elephant centre, Kazuri Beads, and lunch can push the day toward seven hours.

This flexibility is useful if you have a free morning or a long Nairobi stopover. You can keep the plan simple, or build a fuller outing around several attractions. I would confirm the intended route and return time if you have an afternoon flight, meeting, or other fixed booking.

A private vehicle also makes the timing easier to manage. You are not waiting for a large group at every stop, and the driver can take your party between locations. The tour is private, but the optional elephant centre itself has a daily capacity limit, so private transport does not mean unlimited access.

What the $63 price really covers

At $63 per person, the tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, private transportation, a driver-guide, and admission to the Giraffe Centre. For someone staying in Nairobi who wants a simple wildlife outing without arranging several separate rides, that is a reasonable package.

The value comes mainly from convenience and privacy. You get door-to-door transport, your own group in the vehicle, and the chance to adjust the day around an optional stop. You also avoid paying a second transport charge for the elephant centre or Kazuri Beads.

The price does not include lunch, tips, or the elephant-orphanage charges. The supplied details also mention a $43 conservancy fee per person, payable by card, and separately refer to a Giraffe Centre conservancy fee. Because the wording is unclear, do not judge the final value from the $63 headline price alone.

For the most predictable cost, book the Giraffe Centre and Kazuri Beads only, then pay for lunch separately. If you add the elephant visit, budget for the extra fee and confirm whether the applicable charge is $15 or $20 per person, as well as how the conservancy fee applies.

Group discounts are offered, though no discount amount is given. Since this is a private tour, it may make more financial sense for several people sharing one vehicle than for a solo visitor. Ask for the group rate before booking.

Guide Calvin and the personal side of the tour

The experience includes a driver-guide, and Calvin is specifically associated with one particularly well-regarded outing. His role appears to include managing the route while adding context at the wildlife and craft stops.

The strongest praise focuses on the mix of fun and education. That is the right way to think about this tour. You are not simply being driven to take pictures. At the Giraffe Centre, you learn why the animals need protection. At the elephant orphanage, you hear rescue stories. At Kazuri, you learn how clay becomes jewelry and pottery, along with the factory’s work supporting single mothers.

That balance makes the tour useful for families, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants a gentle introduction to Kenya’s conservation work. The giraffes provide the immediate appeal, while the explanations give the day more meaning.

The overall rating is 4.8 from nine reviews, which points to a strong early record but is still a small sample. I would put more weight on the clear itinerary and the practical details than on the score alone, especially because the additional fees need confirmation.

Who should book this Nairobi wildlife outing

I recommend this tour most for you if you want a private, manageable introduction to Nairobi wildlife without committing to a full safari. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value pickup, a private car, and a schedule that can include animals, crafts, and lunch.

It is also a good fit if giraffes are high on your list. The close feeding encounter is the main attraction, and the one-hour visit gives you direct contact plus conservation information.

Choose the elephant option if you are comfortable paying extra and can confirm availability well in advance. It adds a powerful conservation story, but it is not part of the advertised base price and may add a large amount to your bill.

Choose Kazuri Beads if you want a lower-cost cultural stop with no extra admission fee. The factory visit is less dramatic than watching elephants, but it offers a useful look at handmade production and local employment.

I would not book this as a replacement for a safari. The tour is centered on two conservation facilities and an optional craft factory, not open-country wildlife viewing. It is best seen as a city-based wildlife and culture day.

The booking includes free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the 9 a.m. start are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Giraffe Centre tour?

Book it if you want an easy private outing with one excellent main stop, especially if feeding giraffes is a priority. The included admission, hotel pickup, and private vehicle make the basic $63 package practical for a Nairobi stay.

Add Kazuri Beads for a thoughtful cultural angle and a look at work that supports single mothers. Add the elephant orphanage only after confirming space and the complete extra cost. With those details settled, this is a flexible and appealing half-day experience, not a full safari, but a strong way to meet Nairobi’s conservation efforts up close.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a driver-guide, private transportation, and admission to the Giraffe Centre.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $63 per person. Group discounts are available, but the exact discount is not specified.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins at 9:00 a.m. from your Nairobi hotel or residence.

How long does the experience last?

The tour takes approximately three to seven hours, depending on the stops you request and whether you include lunch.

Is the elephant orphanage included?

No. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant visit is optional and must be paid for separately.

How much is the elephant orphanage fee?

The supplied information lists both $15 and $20 per person, so you should confirm the current amount with the operator before booking. A $43 per-person conservancy fee is also listed as payable by card.

Can I visit Kazuri Beads instead of the elephant orphanage?

Yes. You can request transport to Kazuri Beads Factory at no extra transport cost, and the factory admission is listed as free.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, and private transportation is provided.