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Nairobi: Giraffe Centre Day Tour & Kobe Beads Factory Visit

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.93 (76 reviews) 96% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/6

Duration2h

GroupUp to 100

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Feed giraffes in Nairobi then meet bead makers at Kobe

You’ll stand eye-to-eye with Rothschild’s giraffes at Nairobi’s Giraffe Centre (yes, you can feed them), hear stories from your local guide, and watch bead makers shape clay at Kobe Beads Factory. With hotel pickup included and plenty of time for questions or photos, expect small surprises—and maybe a gentle nudge from a giraffe—that stick with you long after.

Step-by-step itinerary

Drive to Giraffe Centre at 9:00 AM
Learn about giraffe conservation
Watch giraffes roam freely
Optional visit to Kobe Beads Factory
Meet local bead makers
Buy souvenirs at factory
Drive back to hotel

The Experience

First thing I noticed was the sound—birds chattering somewhere above the trees as we pulled up to the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi. Our guide, Daniel, grinned when he handed me a handful of those little brown pellets. “They’re picky,” he warned. He was right—one giraffe just blinked at me before nudging my shoulder with her nose (softer than I thought). The air smelled a bit earthy, maybe from last night’s rain or just all those big animals wandering around. There were school kids laughing nearby, some braver than me about feeding the tallest ones.

I didn’t expect to actually learn so much about Rothschild’s giraffes. Daniel pointed out their pale markings and explained how close they’d come to disappearing entirely from Kenya. He told us stories about the families who started this place—not in a lecture-y way, just chatting while we watched the giraffes move around like they owned it all (they kind of do). At one point I tried saying “twiga” (giraffe in Swahili) and got it totally wrong—Daniel just laughed and said it again slowly.

Afterwards, we had time for the optional stop at Kobe Beads Factory. The drive wasn’t far but felt like another world—suddenly quieter, with women sitting together shaping clay beads by hand. The room was full of color: bowls of painted beads everywhere, sunlight catching on them so they looked almost edible (I didn’t try). One woman showed me how she rolls the clay; her hands moved so quickly I couldn’t keep up. She smiled when I asked questions—even though I probably interrupted her work too much.

On the way back to our hotel I kept thinking about that first giraffe’s eyes—soft and kind of ancient looking—or maybe it was just tired. Anyway, if you’re curious about wildlife conservation or want to see something real in Nairobi with a local guide and easy pickup, this day trip is worth it. Still can’t say “twiga” right though.

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off in Nairobi, all entry fees for both Giraffe Centre and Kobe Beads Factory if you choose to visit, plus guidance from someone who knows both places inside out—and plenty of chances to ask questions or linger where you like before heading back home.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by NIVLEK TOURS