Nairobi: Giraffe Centre, Elephant Orphanage & Park Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.99 (106 reviews) 99% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/41

Duration6h–7h

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Meet rescued elephants, feed giraffes and spot lions on a Nairobi day trip

You’ll spot lions and rhinos right outside Nairobi on this day trip, watch rescued baby elephants guzzle their milk at feeding time, and feed endangered Rothschild giraffes by hand at the Giraffe Centre. With private pickup and a local guide handling all logistics, you can just soak up those small moments—the laughter, muddy shoes, or quiet sunrise over the savannah.

6h–7h

Step-by-step itinerary

Nairobi National Park and Wildlife Visits

Pickup from Nairobi hotel at 6:00 AM
Game drive in Nairobi National Park
Visit Ivory Burning Site Monument
Tour ends around 10:30 AM
Visit David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
Observe baby elephants feeding and playing
Optional coffee break
Visit Giraffe Centre observation platforms
Explore nature sanctuary and birdwatching
Drop off at Nairobi hotel around 2:00 PM

The Experience

The first thing I remember is the quiet—well, except for the birds. We were barely out of Nairobi’s city center when our driver, Joseph, rolled down his window and pointed: “Look there.” A pair of giraffes just wandering through the grass, almost blending into the morning haze. I’d expected fences or crowds but it was just us, the pop-up roof open so you could stand and feel the cool air. Honestly, I kept thinking we’d see nothing but then a lioness flicked her tail behind a bush. Joseph grinned like he knew her personally.

After the game drive in Nairobi park (it’s wild how close it is to town), we stopped at this place I’d only read about—the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. The keepers came out with bottles bigger than my head, calling each baby elephant by name as they lumbered over for milk. There was this one calf who kept sneaking sips from another’s bottle—everyone laughed, even the keepers. The mud smelled sweet and earthy; it stuck to my shoes for days after. They told us stories about rescues—some sad, some hopeful—and you could see how much they cared.

I didn’t expect to get so close to a giraffe at the Giraffe Centre. Their tongues are rougher than you’d think—kind of like sandpaper when they grab pellets from your palm. There were school kids everywhere practicing their English on us (“Where are you from?”) and a warthog trotting by like he owned the place. The guides talked about conservation but also joked with us about giraffe selfies (I failed miserably). It was warmer by then; sunlight bouncing off everything.

We wrapped up with coffee at a little café nearby before heading back through Nairobi traffic—Joseph weaving expertly while telling us about his favorite football team (I nodded along; I don’t follow football). It’s funny what sticks with you: that first silent moment in the park or the way an elephant’s ear flaps when it’s happy. I still think about that view sometimes when things get noisy back home.

What’s included

Your day includes private hotel pickup and drop-off in Nairobi, all entry fees for Nairobi park, David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre, transport in a pop-up roof tour van with certified local guide-driver throughout—and plenty of cold drinking water along the way before returning early afternoon.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Wasili Kenya Safaris