11-Day Ultimate Giraffe Safari – Kenya

Stay at Giraffe Manor for two nights and begin your giraffe conservation adventure.

Getting there: Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, a team member will transfer you to Giraffe Manor, a scenic 30-minute drive along the edge of Nairobi National Park.

Experience: Meet the GCF team, including co-founders Dr Julian and Stephanie Fennessy and Dr Arthur Muneza, who will guide you through the world of giraffe conservation. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy your first close encounters with the critically endangered Nubian/Rothschild’s giraffes, perhaps during afternoon tea on the front lawn.

These giraffes are part of a successful breeding program by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), helping bring this species back from the brink of extinction. Visit the AFEW Giraffe Centre next door for an in-depth tour of conservation efforts.

The following morning, hand-feed giraffes over breakfast before heading out to explore Nairobi National Park with GCF experts. Despite being within a capital city, the park offers incredible wildlife sightings, including four of the Big Five, Masai giraffes, rhinos, and over 400 bird species. Learn giraffe identification and survey techniques while assisting the GCF team in data collection. Witnessing wildlife against Nairobi’s skyline makes for truly unique photo opportunities.

Please note: The giraffes at Giraffe Manor are wild, and interactions cannot be guaranteed at any specific time.

Stay at Sasaab for four nights and discover the striking Reticulated giraffes.

Getting there: After breakfast with the Nubian giraffes, you will be driven to Wilson Airport with the GCF team for a scheduled flight to Sasaab. Upon arrival, the lodge team will welcome you and transfer you to Sasaab, marking the start of your Samburu adventure.

Experience: Sasaab combines serene luxury with thrilling wilderness adventures. Enjoy panoramic views, a spa, gym, and swimming pools as your base while exploring Samburu to spot Reticulated giraffes, endemic to northern Kenya. These elegant giraffes are classified as endangered, with fewer than 16,000 remaining in the wild, making this area a must-visit for giraffe enthusiasts.

Engage with local communities and learn how people coexist with wildlife. Participate in GCF’s Twiga Walinzi (Giraffe Guards) program, assisting local pastoralists in monitoring and conserving giraffes.

Daily activities include game drives, bush breakfasts, and sundowner excursions across Westgate Community Conservancy and Samburu National Reserve. Optional activities include quad biking, camel rides, and cultural experiences with the Samburu people. A visit to the 4C Centre offers insights into Samburu culture and the region’s unique geology.

Optional Extra: Take the Jewels of the North helicopter safari—a half-day aerial adventure over volcanoes, lakes, dune fields, and remote wilderness. Touch down to explore hidden landscapes. Cost: US$4,200 per person (minimum four guests per helicopter). Advance booking is essential.

Sasaab provides an unparalleled opportunity to observe endangered giraffes in their natural habitat while contributing to conservation and community initiatives.

Stay at Sala’s Camp for four nights and encounter the majestic Masai giraffes.

Getting there: Depart from Sasaab Airstrip with Steph, Julian, and Arthur for a flight to the Masai Mara, landing at Keekorok Airstrip. A Sala’s Camp team member will meet you, and you will enjoy your first Mara game sightings en route to the lodge.

Experience: Situated on the southern border of the Masai Mara, near Tanzania’s Serengeti, Sala’s Camp offers year-round wildlife viewing. Participate in daily game drives, bush breakfasts, and sundowner excursions while observing the Masai giraffe, the third species on this ultimate giraffe safari. By now, you will be confident in identifying individual giraffes and knowledgeable about conservation challenges in different ecosystems.

Learn about GCF’s Twiga Tracker initiative, the largest GPS satellite tracking study of giraffes worldwide. So far, GCF has tracked over 450 giraffes across 17 countries, using solar-powered GPS units to study movements, habitat use, and territory needs. This vital research informs conservation strategies to better protect giraffes.

For technology enthusiasts, there is a rare opportunity to assist in a tagging operation, fitting Masai giraffes with GPS tracking devices. While this is an optional and highly sought-after experience, it cannot be guaranteed.

Sala’s Camp combines luxury, adventure, and conservation, offering an immersive experience where you can witness giraffes in their natural habitat and gain hands-on insight into the science and strategies that protect them for future generations.

Stay at The Retreat at Giraffe Manor (day room only) and unwind after an unforgettable safari.

Getting there: Depart Keekorok Airstrip on your scheduled flight back to Wilson Airport, Nairobi. A team member will meet you and transfer you to The Retreat at Giraffe Manor, overlooking the same forested giraffe sanctuary you visited at the start of your journey.

Experience: The Retreat offers a peaceful haven in nature, perfect for relaxing, rejuvenating, and reflecting on your safari adventures. Take your last opportunity to observe Nubian/Rothschild’s giraffes as they browse the sanctuary—sometimes even visiting the pool.

Depending on your departure schedule, you can lounge by the pool, indulge in a massage or beauty treatment, enjoy the hot tub, steam room, sauna, or gym, or savor meals prepared from ingredients grown in the organic veggie garden. This serene setting provides the perfect conclusion to your immersive giraffe conservation experience while enjoying luxury and comfort.