Nairobi: Giraffe Centre, Elephant Orphanage & Kobe Beads Day Tour

Summary

Feed giraffes up close see rescued elephants and craft beads with locals in Nairobi

You’ll feed endangered giraffes eye-to-eye at Nairobi’s Giraffe Centre, hear rescue stories at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust while watching playful baby elephants, then try your hand at beadmaking with local artisans at Kobe Beads—all with hotel pickup included. Expect small surprises and honest moments that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to be so nervous about giraffe tongues. At the Giraffe Centre just outside Nairobi, they’re longer than you think—warm and a little sticky—and the Rothschild giraffes lean right in for their snack. Our guide, Peter, laughed when I flinched (he said everyone does at first). He told us how the center started with just two giraffes and now there’s this whole family wandering around. The sun was still soft and the air smelled faintly of grass—honestly, I could’ve stayed all morning watching them blink those huge eyelashes.

After that we drove over to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. It’s only open for an hour late morning, so there was this quiet excitement as we waited at the fence. When they brought out the baby elephants—some not much taller than me—I felt weirdly protective. Each had a story; one lost its mother to poaching, another got separated during a flood. The keepers knew all their quirks by heart. You could smell milk formula and mud everywhere, and I swear one calf tried to untie my shoelace with its trunk. There’s something about seeing these rescued animals up close that sticks with you.

Kobe Beads was our last stop—a bit further out, so we got to see more of Nairobi’s edges through the window (and a lot of motorbikes). Inside it’s quieter; women sat shaping clay beads by hand while music played from someone’s phone. We tried rolling a few ourselves (mine came out lumpy but hey, it’s harder than it looks). They showed us how each bead gets painted and fired—so much patience goes into every piece. There was chai at the end and a quick dance performance that sort of pulled everyone together for a minute before heading back.

I still think about that moment feeding the giraffes—how gentle they were, even though I was awkward about it. If you’re curious about Nairobi beyond just passing through, this day trip is a good way in. Not perfect or polished—just real people doing real work with animals and crafts that matter to them.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Nairobi wildlife and cultural tour

• Pick up at Nairobi hotel 8AM
• Visit Giraffe Centre and feed giraffes
• Attend giraffe conservation talk
• Visit Elephant Orphanage 11AM-12PM
• See rescued baby elephants
• Drive to Kobe Beads factory
• Watch bead making process

Top questions

What time does the Nairobi Giraffe Centre tour start?

The tour starts with pickup from your Nairobi hotel or home at 8AM.

Are entry fees to Giraffe Centre & Elephant Orphanage included?

Yes, entry fees for both Giraffe Centre and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust are included in the tour price.

Can children join this day trip in Nairobi?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult throughout the tour.

Is lunch provided on this Nairobi wildlife & culture tour?

No traditional lunch is mentioned as included; however, chai is offered at Kobe Beads near the end of the visit.

How long can you spend at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust?

The elephant orphanage is open for visits between 11am and 12 noon only.

Is hotel pickup included for this Nairobi day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included as part of your booking.

Do I need to pay extra for visiting Nairobi National Park on this tour?

The main tour does not include Nairobi National Park; if you want to add it, there is an extra $85 per person conservancy fee.

Will we get to feed animals on this tour?

You can feed giraffes under supervision at the Giraffe Centre but not the elephants at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Nairobi, entry fees for both Giraffe Centre and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, guidance from a professional local guide throughout each stop, plus a hands-on beadmaking session (with chai) before heading back in the afternoon.