Nairobi: Safari, Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Feeding Day Trip

Summary

See lions at sunrise then feed giraffes and meet rescued elephants

You’ll start your Nairobi adventure before dawn with a game drive searching for lions and rhinos in open-roof vans, then meet rescued elephants at Sheldrick’s orphanage and feed giraffes by hand. Lunch is included between stops before visiting local beadmakers—a day full of wildlife encounters and small surprises you’ll remember long after heading home.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to be squinting for lions while still half-awake, but that’s how our Nairobi day trip started. Our guide, Peter, picked us up before sunrise—he had this calm way of talking that made the early hour feel less brutal. The city was quiet for once, just distant horns and the smell of dew on red earth. Driving into Nairobi National Park, I kept thinking it was wild seeing skyscrapers behind acacia trees. We bumped along in the safari van (open roof, so bring a hat), and Peter pointed out buffaloes first—then, suddenly, two lionesses lounging like they owned the place. My camera nearly slipped from my hands.

After four hours weaving through grasslands and watching zebras cross right in front of us (one had a scratch on its flank—I wondered about its story), we headed to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. The keepers there really know their stuff; you can tell by how gently they talk to the baby elephants. The air smelled sweet—maybe from all that formula milk? There was this one little guy who kept bumping into his friend’s legs. I tried to say “asante” to one of the staff and totally butchered it; she just laughed and helped me try again.

Lunch was at Love Birds Café—nothing fancy but decent chicken stew—and then we were off to the Giraffe Centre. Feeding a Rothschild’s giraffe is weirder than you’d think; their tongues are rough and kind of tickly. Kids nearby shrieked every time a giraffe leaned over for pellets. I still think about how gentle those big eyes looked up close. We ended at Kobe Beads factory where women were chatting as they shaped clay—felt peaceful somehow. By late afternoon, traffic was picking up again as we drove back to our hotel, dusty but happy.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Wildlife tour and city attractions

• Pickup from hotel early morning
• 4-hour game drive at Nairobi National Park
• Visit David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
• Lunch at Love Birds Café (own expense)
• Feed giraffes at Giraffe Centre
• Tour Kobe Beads factory
• Return to hotel for rest

Top questions

What animals can I see on the Nairobi safari?

You might spot lions, rhinos, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and many bird species during the 4-hour game drive.

Is pickup included for this Nairobi day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your tour booking.

Can I visit the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage on this tour?

Yes—the tour includes a visit to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage around 11am if space is available.

Will I get to feed giraffes at the Giraffe Centre?

Yes—you’ll have a chance to feed Rothschild’s giraffes by hand during your stop at the Giraffe Centre.

How long does this Nairobi safari tour last?

The full-day trip starts early morning (pickup from 5:20am) and returns in late afternoon after all stops.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

You’ll break for lunch at Love Birds Café (at your own expense) between activities.

Are entry fees included in the price?

The tour includes entry fees for all main attractions visited during the day.

What should I bring for the Nairobi safari?

A hat or cap (for sun), camera or phone for photos, comfortable clothes—you’ll be outdoors most of the time.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Nairobi with an open-roof safari van for game viewing through Nairobi National Park. Entry fees are covered for both Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre visits. Bottled water is provided throughout; lunch is available at Love Birds Café before returning you safely back to your hotel by late afternoon.