Giraffe Center, Nairobi

The Giraffe Center is situated in Langata, approximately 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) away from the center of Nairobi. Its primary purpose is the conservation of the endangered Rothschild giraffe, known as Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi, which is exclusively found in the grasslands of East Africa.

Jock Leslie-Melville, a Kenyan descendant of a Scottish Earl, initiated the Giraffe Center. He and his wife Betty began a giraffe breeding program by capturing a baby giraffe at their residence in Langata, which eventually evolved into the present-day center. Over time, this program has achieved significant success, leading to the introduction of numerous breeding pairs of Rothschild Giraffes into Kenyan national parks.

In 1979, Leslie-Melville incorporated an educational component into his privately-run giraffe sanctuary. By 1983, he had gathered sufficient funds to establish the Giraffe Visitor's Center as a popular tourist attraction in Nairobi.

The primary draw for visitors is the opportunity to feed giraffes from an elevated observation platform. Additionally, the center is home to several warthogs that freely roam the area alongside the giraffes.