"To all who foresaw the need to educate the people of Kenya, to participate in efforts of sustaining one of Our most treasured resources, Wildlife."
Continuing with the research into local conservation efforts, we got a chance to interact with several Tour Operators. One thing we picked from the conversations was that: when tourists come, they land in Nairobi, stay a bit and then travel to different destinations in Kenya. However, before that happens, most Tour Operators give a ‘Nairobi Circuit’ to showcase the conservation culture we have. Lucky for the TravelingKenya.com team, the name Giraffe Centre was suggested as a place to visit, so we did.
Continuing with the research into local conservation efforts, we got a chance to interact with several Tour Operators. One thing we picked from the conversations was that: when tourists come, they land in Nairobi, stay a bit and then travel to different destinations in Kenya. However, before that happens, most Tour Operators give a ‘Nairobi Circuit’ to showcase the conservation culture we have. Lucky for the TravelingKenya.com team, the name Giraffe Centre was suggested as a place to visit, so we did.
The History
The year was 1979, the place was somewhere in Western Kenya. There was demand for farm land and an 18,000 acre ranch was the target. The discovery of the sad plight of the only 120 Rothschild Giraffe in that whole area prompted Betty and Jock Leslie-Melville to act before land subdivision and human settlement started.
The first effort they made to save this sub-species was to start the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife Kenya (A.F.E.W Kenya Ltd) and bring two young Giraffes to their property in Langata. Later, funds were raised and four herds of the Rothschild Giraffes were moved to 4 parks namely: Lake Nakuru National Park, Mwea Game Reserve, Nasalot Game Reserve and Ruma National Park.
By 1983, the funds raised by this organization were enough to establish the Giraffe Centre as a tourist destination.
The Long Ones
Although we are told that many visitors have a hard time finding the Giraffe Centre, the lady contact we speak to on the phone gives us clear directions and soon, we arrive.
Like most Conservation Centres we have around, this place is not that big in size, however, parking is a big deal. The many school and tour vans are testament to the popularity this place enjoys.
Lucky for us, the many young school children have already had fun with the Giraffes and are on their way out. The many tourists seem to have finished observations and are now enjoying drinks at the restaurant, so we get the chance to access the Education Officer for questions. After paying a small entry fee, we climb up the stairs of the elevated Visitor’s Centre.
Here, you have a chance to be at eye-level and really notice the tallness (read 19ft) of these beautiful animals.
Feeding them
The highlight of this experience is when you have the opportunity to hand feed the Giraffes. There is a bucket of special pellets from which you can get a handful and watch it disappear into their mouths. Many people would never ever let anything feed from their hand, let alone lick it. This is different. The Giraffe’s tongue can stretch out 15 cm, so you better not clench your fist!
After much photo-taking, we enter a small gallery inside the Visitor’s Centre where an Education Officer teaches us more about Giraffes-that there are three species in Kenya; the common Maasai Giraffe of Southern Kenya, the Reticulated Giraffe of Northern Kenya and the rare Rothschild Giraffe which the Centre specializes in. He also throws in interesting facts (their 10kg heart and 2hrs sleep), and then passes round a heavy leg bone which nobody can lift.
All for good
The inner walls of the Visitor’s Centre are lined with pinup flyers about Giraffes and art pieces created by children to raise funds for community outreach.
Since mid 2000, the Giraffe Centre started raising funds to make underprivileged children have a fun day out at places of wildlife interest- including the Safari Walk, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Mamba Village and finally at the Giraffe Centre.
The Education Officers accompany the children, giving talks about the different species of wildlife seen and lay a foundation for the importance of protecting wildlife and the environment.
You can imagine the true joy and wonder in their minds about their day's excursion! How about you? Go to the Giraffe Centre for a nice day out.
The year was 1979, the place was somewhere in Western Kenya. There was demand for farm land and an 18,000 acre ranch was the target. The discovery of the sad plight of the only 120 Rothschild Giraffe in that whole area prompted Betty and Jock Leslie-Melville to act before land subdivision and human settlement started.
The first effort they made to save this sub-species was to start the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife Kenya (A.F.E.W Kenya Ltd) and bring two young Giraffes to their property in Langata. Later, funds were raised and four herds of the Rothschild Giraffes were moved to 4 parks namely: Lake Nakuru National Park, Mwea Game Reserve, Nasalot Game Reserve and Ruma National Park.
By 1983, the funds raised by this organization were enough to establish the Giraffe Centre as a tourist destination.
The Long Ones
Although we are told that many visitors have a hard time finding the Giraffe Centre, the lady contact we speak to on the phone gives us clear directions and soon, we arrive.
Like most Conservation Centres we have around, this place is not that big in size, however, parking is a big deal. The many school and tour vans are testament to the popularity this place enjoys.
Lucky for us, the many young school children have already had fun with the Giraffes and are on their way out. The many tourists seem to have finished observations and are now enjoying drinks at the restaurant, so we get the chance to access the Education Officer for questions. After paying a small entry fee, we climb up the stairs of the elevated Visitor’s Centre.
Here, you have a chance to be at eye-level and really notice the tallness (read 19ft) of these beautiful animals.
Feeding them
The highlight of this experience is when you have the opportunity to hand feed the Giraffes. There is a bucket of special pellets from which you can get a handful and watch it disappear into their mouths. Many people would never ever let anything feed from their hand, let alone lick it. This is different. The Giraffe’s tongue can stretch out 15 cm, so you better not clench your fist!
After much photo-taking, we enter a small gallery inside the Visitor’s Centre where an Education Officer teaches us more about Giraffes-that there are three species in Kenya; the common Maasai Giraffe of Southern Kenya, the Reticulated Giraffe of Northern Kenya and the rare Rothschild Giraffe which the Centre specializes in. He also throws in interesting facts (their 10kg heart and 2hrs sleep), and then passes round a heavy leg bone which nobody can lift.
All for good
The inner walls of the Visitor’s Centre are lined with pinup flyers about Giraffes and art pieces created by children to raise funds for community outreach.
Since mid 2000, the Giraffe Centre started raising funds to make underprivileged children have a fun day out at places of wildlife interest- including the Safari Walk, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Mamba Village and finally at the Giraffe Centre.
The Education Officers accompany the children, giving talks about the different species of wildlife seen and lay a foundation for the importance of protecting wildlife and the environment.
You can imagine the true joy and wonder in their minds about their day's excursion! How about you? Go to the Giraffe Centre for a nice day out.
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