Reviewed · GIRAFFE CENTRE & ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE
Giraffe Centre and Bomas of Kenya from Nairobi
The most memorable part of this Nairobi day out is the chance to feed Rothschild giraffes under the eye of trained staff. You also get a useful look at conservation, animal behavior, and the reasons these graceful animals remain endangered, rather than simply stopping for a quick photo.
I like the mix of wildlife and culture. I also like the visit to Kazuri, where you can see clay turned into pottery and jewelry while supporting a company that employs single mothers. The main caution is cost: the $50 tour price does not include entry to either the Giraffe Centre or Bomas of Kenya.
Key points to know before booking

- Feed Rothschild giraffes under supervision: The visit includes conservation information and a controlled feeding opportunity.
- See Kazuri production from start to finish: You can watch how clay becomes beads, pottery, and jewelry.
- Add Bomas of Kenya to the same day: The cultural center presents traditions from many Kenyan tribes and cultures.
- Hotel pickup and an air-conditioned vehicle are included: This makes a long Nairobi day easier to manage.
- Budget for separate admission fees: Giraffe Centre and Bomas of Kenya tickets are not included in the $50 price.
- Plan for a full eight-hour outing: The scheduled start is 9 a.m., with the day ending back at the meeting point.
Why this Nairobi combination works

Nairobi has enough sights to fill several days, but many visitors have only one free day for the city. This tour puts three very different stops together: an animal conservation center, a working craft business, and a cultural attraction focused on Kenya’s many communities.
That range is the real strength. You are not spending the whole day in a vehicle or visiting three places that feel alike. The Giraffe Centre gives you close contact with wildlife. Kazuri adds a human and practical side to the day. Bomas of Kenya broadens the picture with cultural displays from across the country.
The schedule runs for about eight hours, beginning at 9 a.m. That is a useful length for a first day in Nairobi, though it is not a quick morning activity. You should keep the rest of your evening light, especially if traffic slows the return journey.
The tour offers hotel pickup and drop-off, along with an air-conditioned vehicle and a professional guide. The published meeting point is on Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi, while pickup is also offered. Because those details can depend on your booking, confirm your exact pickup arrangement before the day begins.
More animal sanctuaries around Nairobi:
- Nairobi: National Park & Optional Elephants & Giraffe Center
★ 4.8 · 874 reviews - Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Center Tour with Options
★ 4.5 · 457 reviews - Nairobi National Park, Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre
★ 4.6 · 365 reviews
Feeding giraffes at the Giraffe Centre
The Giraffe Centre is the emotional high point of the day. You see endangered Rothschild giraffes and learn why conservation matters to their future. The visit also covers behavior, physical traits, and other basic facts about the animals.
The feeding session is done under the supervision of trained staff. That matters. You are not simply handed food and sent toward the animals. The controlled setup gives you a close encounter while keeping the activity organized and focused on the welfare of the giraffes.
I like that the stop includes education rather than treating the animals as a photo prop. You learn about the problems facing the species, then see the animals at close range. That combination helps explain why a conservation center is different from a simple wildlife attraction.
Families should find this part especially useful. One review describes children continuing to talk about the outing afterward, which fits the appeal of seeing giraffes at close range. The activity is also a good choice if you want wildlife contact without committing to a full safari outside Nairobi.
The supplied information does not give a separate visit length for the Giraffe Centre. Since the entire outing includes three major stops and transport, you should expect this to be one portion of a busy day rather than a slow, half-day animal visit.
Admission is not included in the $50 tour cost. Check the current Giraffe Centre fee when you book, since the final price for the day will be higher than the headline amount.
From clay to jewelry at Kazuri

Next comes Kazuri, a pottery and bead factory known for handmade clay jewelry and other souvenirs. The interesting part is the production process. You are shown the stages from the beginning through the finished work, rather than only browsing a shop at the end.
The company employs single mothers, giving this stop a clear social purpose as well as a shopping angle. You can look at the items with a better sense of how they were made and who made them. If you want a useful souvenir from Nairobi, this is more personal than buying an anonymous mass-produced trinket.
The factory produces beads, pottery, and jewelry. The tour description says you will learn how pottery and jewelry are made from clay, and the visit includes the production stages. It does not promise a hands-on workshop, so treat it as a demonstration and factory visit unless your guide tells you otherwise.
This stop may be less exciting for children than the giraffes, but it gives the day a welcome change of pace. Adults interested in crafts, local business, and meaningful souvenirs will likely get more from it. You can also use the stop to ask the guide about the materials and methods being used.
The information supplied does not say how much free time you have for shopping or whether purchases are expected. If you are interested in buying something, ask about payment and packing during the visit. Do not assume that a purchase is part of the tour price.
Seeing Kenya through Bomas of Kenya

Bomas of Kenya is the cultural part of the outing. It presents aspects of Kenya’s many tribes and cultures, giving you a wider view after the close focus of the giraffe visit and the factory stop.
This is useful for first-time visitors who want more than wildlife. Kenya is not one single cultural experience, and a center that brings together traditions from many communities can help you understand the country’s variety in one place.
The supplied details do not list specific performances, exhibits, or demonstrations, so I would keep expectations measured. Think of Bomas as a broad cultural attraction rather than booking it for one particular show. Your guide can help explain what is available during your visit.
Bomas admission is also excluded. That makes the total cost an important point when comparing this tour with other Nairobi options. The package is convenient, but it is not an all-inclusive ticket.
The order in the tour description is slightly unclear. It identifies Bomas as the first stop, then describes the Giraffe Centre followed by Kazuri. The practical itinerary appears to be pickup, Giraffe Centre, Kazuri, and Bomas, but confirm the order with Safaris By Suzette before booking if the sequence matters to you.
Other cultural visits around Nairobi:
- Nairobi: Explore Kibera Slum with Local Guides
★ 4.9 · 365 reviews - Nairobi: Day Tour to Amboseli National Park & Maasai Village
★ 4.5 · 310 reviews - Masai village Day Tour Experience
★ 5.0 · 284 reviews - Kevins Kibera Slum Tours
★ 5.0 · 213 reviews
What the $50 price really covers
At $50 per person, the tour offers a useful service package rather than a complete admission bundle. You are paying for transport, hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional guide, and the coordination of three Nairobi attractions over roughly eight hours.
The air-conditioned vehicle is a real advantage in a long city outing. You do not need to arrange separate rides between each stop, and you can return to the same vehicle after each visit. That saves time and removes some of the hassle of navigating Nairobi on your own.
The weak point is the excluded admission. You must pay separately for the Giraffe Centre and Bomas of Kenya. Before committing, ask for the current entrance charges and calculate the full day cost. The tour may still be good value, especially if you are staying at a hotel and want transport arranged, but the $50 figure alone does not tell the whole story.
Group discounts are offered, though the details are not provided. The maximum group size is listed as 100 people. That is a high possible limit, so do not assume you will receive a small private tour unless your booking specifically says so.
For solo visitors and couples, the package is most useful when convenience matters. A private car or independently arranged transport could cost more, but it might give you more control over timing. This option is better suited to someone who values a planned route and a guide.
The guide and the feel of the day

The operator is Safaris By Suzette. Suzette is specifically praised for helping with trip planning and for offering good value, while the guides are described as welcoming and helpful with local information.
No individual guide name is supplied for this specific departure, so I would not book expecting Suzette herself to lead the vehicle. If you want her personally, ask before paying.
Good organization matters here because the day includes several moving parts. Pickup, entry arrangements, vehicle timing, and three different kinds of stops can become awkward if poorly managed. The strongest feedback about this experience centers on organization, warm staff, the animals, and the sense that the price was worthwhile.
You should still be clear about what is included. Ask where your hotel pickup will occur, confirm the Tom Mboya Street meeting information if needed, and verify whether the driver returns you to your hotel or to the listed meeting point. The published details mention both hotel drop-off and an end back at the meeting point.
Who should book this day out

This is a good fit for you if you want a first look at Nairobi without arranging every transfer yourself. Families may like the giraffe feeding, while adults can give more attention to conservation, crafts, and culture.
It also suits anyone with a single free day who wants variety. You get wildlife, handmade goods, and Kenyan cultural material in one scheduled outing.
You may want a different plan if you prefer long visits at each attraction. Eight hours sounds generous, but three stops plus city driving create a full schedule. It is also less suitable if you want a private, flexible route or a tour with all entrance fees already covered.
The group limit of 100 deserves attention. The actual size may be smaller, but the published maximum leaves room for a sizeable departure. Ask about the expected group size if personal attention or quiet sightseeing is important to you.
Most people can participate, and the experience is near public transportation. Still, the day involves getting in and out of a vehicle and moving through multiple attractions. The supplied information does not give detailed accessibility guidance, so ask the operator about your specific needs.
Booking, weather, and cancellation details
You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and mobile tickets are available. The activity starts at 9 a.m. and is generally booked well ahead, with an average lead time of about 75 days. That does not mean you must book that early, but it is wise to reserve ahead during busy periods.
Free cancellation applies if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. A cancellation within 24 hours is not refunded, and changes inside that period are not accepted.
The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same basic choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.
Should you book the Giraffe Centre and Bomas tour?
Book it if you want an organized Nairobi introduction with wildlife as the main attraction and culture as the useful second half. The giraffe feeding, conservation lesson, Kazuri’s women-led production, and Bomas visit give you more variety than a stand-alone animal stop.
Before booking, confirm the two admission fees, the pickup location, the likely group size, and the exact order of stops. Those details affect the final value. If the added ticket costs still fit your budget, this is a practical choice for families, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants a full Nairobi day without managing the transport alone.
FAQ
How long is the experience?
The tour lasts about eight hours.
What time does the tour start?
The scheduled start time is 9 a.m.
Is hotel pickup offered?
Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, although the published meeting information also lists Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi. Confirm your exact arrangement when booking.
What attractions are included?
The day includes the Giraffe Centre, Kazuri bead factory, and Bomas of Kenya.
Can I feed the giraffes?
Yes. You can feed the giraffes under the supervision of a trained staff member.
Are entrance fees included in the $50 price?
No. The Giraffe Centre fee and Bomas of Kenya fee are not included.
What transport is provided?
Transport is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle.
Who operates the experience?
The experience is provided by Safaris By Suzette.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.
What happens if the weather is poor or the minimum group size is not met?
You are offered a different date or a full refund if the activity is canceled for poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not reached.
Just added around Nairobi
- Visit kibera Slum the chocolate city★ 4.8 · 3 reviews
- 3 days maasai mara migration safari★ 4.5 · 7 reviews
- Maasai Mara Day Trip★ 5.0 · 15 reviews
- 4 Days Tour Landcruiser in Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru★ 5.0 · 10 reviews
- 4 Days Safari to Lake Nakuru N/P and Maasai Mara N/R★ 5.0 · 18 reviews
- Vegans special safari★ 4.5 · 4 reviews
- Day Tour to Nairobi national park, Elephants, and Giraffe Center★ 3.5 · 8 reviews
- Wildebeest Migration in Masai Mara and Sightseeing 4 Days Tour★ 4.5 · 6 reviews
Giraffe Centre & Elephant Orphanage, compared.

National Park & Optional Elephants & Giraffe Center
Read our review →
Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Center Tour with Options
Read our review →
Nairobi National Park, Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre
Read our review →
Tour: Giraffe Center and Nairobi National Park
Read our review →
Day tour to Giraffe Center and Karen Blixen Museum
Read our review →Browse the lists this tour appears in



