Giraffe Centre is one of Nairobi’s best-known wildlife and conservation attractions, located on Nyumbi Road off Duma Road in the Lang’ata area. The centre is operated by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW Kenya) and is particularly known for its conservation and education work involving the Rothschild giraffe. (Giraffe Centre)
The centre is about 15 kilometres from Nairobi’s city centre, according to its official visitor information. (Giraffe Centre)
For public transport connections from different parts of Nairobi, use the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database. Visitors travelling into Nairobi from elsewhere in Kenya can also consult the Kenya Domestic Flights: Airports, Airstrips & Flight Routes Guide.
Where Is Giraffe Centre Located?
Giraffe Centre is located on Nyumbi Road, off Duma Road, in Nairobi’s Lang’ata area. (Giraffe Centre)
Destination: Giraffe Centre
City: Nairobi
Road: Nyumbi Road, off Duma Road
Wider area: Lang’ata/Karen
Direction from Nairobi CBD: Southwest
Distance from Nairobi city centre: Approximately 15 km
Because the attraction is away from the main CBD transport termini, a public-transport journey may involve a matatu connection followed by a shorter local connection to the entrance.
What Is Giraffe Centre?
Giraffe Centre is an environmental conservation and education centre created by AFEW Kenya.
Its work is strongly associated with conservation of the Rothschild giraffe and environmental education for Kenyan schoolchildren and other visitors. (Giraffe Centre)
Visitors can see giraffes at close range, learn about conservation and explore the centre’s nature sanctuary.
The facility also has a 1.5-kilometre nature trail. (Giraffe Centre)
How to Get to Giraffe Centre From Nairobi CBD
From Nairobi CBD, commuters can travel towards the Lang’ata/Karen corridor before making the final connection towards Nyumbi Road.
The general journey is:
Nairobi CBD → Lang’ata Road → Karen/Hardy area → Giraffe Centre
Tell the conductor that your final destination is Giraffe Centre.
Depending on the service used, you may need a short connecting ride for the final section to Nyumbi Road.
Which Matatu Goes to Giraffe Centre?
Public transport travelling from Nairobi towards Lang’ata and Karen provides the main approach to the Giraffe Centre area.
The most important point is that the attraction is not directly in Nairobi CBD or immediately beside one of the major central matatu termini.
Passengers should therefore confirm with the conductor where to alight for the most convenient onward connection to Giraffe Centre.
For citywide route connections, use the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database.
Where to Board for Giraffe Centre in Nairobi CBD
Use public transport serving the Lang’ata/Karen side of Nairobi.
The exact boarding stage depends on the route and operator.
The Nairobi Bus Stations & Termini: Complete Guide to Matatu Stages and Destinations provides additional information about CBD boarding points and the destinations they serve.
Before boarding, tell the conductor you are travelling towards Giraffe Centre in the Lang’ata/Karen area.
Where to Alight for Giraffe Centre
Ask the conductor for the most convenient point to connect towards Nyumbi Road and Giraffe Centre.
Depending on the matatu service used, the final section may require a short local connection.
Visitors unfamiliar with the area should map the final section before travelling rather than assuming every Lang’ata or Karen matatu passes the entrance.
Getting to Giraffe Centre From Lang’ata
From Lang’ata, travel towards the Karen/Hardy side and connect towards Nyumbi Road.
The general movement is:
Lang’ata → Karen/Hardy area → Nyumbi Road → Giraffe Centre
The exact connection depends on your starting point within Lang’ata.
Getting to Giraffe Centre From Karen
Giraffe Centre is close to the wider Karen area.
From Karen, use an appropriate local connection towards Nyumbi Road and the centre.
The general movement is:
Karen → Nyumbi Road → Giraffe Centre
Travelling through Nairobi CBD is unnecessary.
Getting to Giraffe Centre From Ongata Rongai
Passengers travelling from Ongata Rongai can use the Lang’ata Road corridor before connecting towards the Karen/Giraffe Centre area.
The Route 125 Nairobi–Ongata Rongai guide provides additional information about transport along this corridor.
The general journey is:
Ongata Rongai → Lang’ata Road → Karen/Hardy → Giraffe Centre
Getting to Giraffe Centre From Kiserian
Passengers travelling from Kiserian can use Nairobi-bound public transport towards the Karen/Lang’ata area.
The Route 126 Nairobi–Kiserian guide provides additional information about this corridor.
Tell the conductor that you intend to connect towards Giraffe Centre.
Getting to Giraffe Centre From Westlands
From Westlands, a straightforward public transport option is:
Westlands → Nairobi CBD → Lang’ata/Karen → Giraffe Centre
A cross-city connection may provide an alternative depending on the starting point and current public transport operations.
Getting to Giraffe Centre From Eastlands
Passengers travelling from Umoja, Buruburu, Donholm, Kayole and other Eastlands neighbourhoods can first travel towards Nairobi CBD.
From the CBD, transfer to public transport serving the Lang’ata/Karen corridor.
The general journey is:
Eastlands → Nairobi CBD → Lang’ata/Karen → Giraffe Centre
Getting to Giraffe Centre From Thika Road
Passengers travelling from Kasarani, Roysambu, Zimmerman and Githurai can travel towards Nairobi CBD and transfer to the Lang’ata/Karen corridor.
The general journey is:
Thika Road → Nairobi CBD → Lang’ata/Karen → Giraffe Centre
Allow additional time for this cross-city journey during peak traffic periods.
Giraffe Centre Opening Hours
Giraffe Centre states that it is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, including weekends and public holidays. (Giraffe Centre)
The centre says a typical visit can take around 1.5 to two hours, allowing time for giraffe interaction, conservation information and the nature sanctuary. (Giraffe Centre)
Visitors should check current information before travelling in case operating arrangements change.
Giraffe Centre Entry Fees
The centre currently lists separate admission rates for residents and non-residents, with different rates for adults and children. It accepts M-Pesa and card payments. (Giraffe Centre)
Because admission charges can change, visitors should check the official Giraffe Centre website for the current rates before travelling.
Giraffe Centre and the Lang’ata–Karen Visitor Corridor
Giraffe Centre forms part of a major concentration of wildlife, cultural and recreational destinations in the Lang’ata and Karen areas.
The wider visitor corridor includes Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi National Park, Nairobi Safari Walk, Nairobi Animal Orphanage, Bomas of Kenya and Giraffe Centre.
This concentration makes the Lang’ata–Karen area one of Nairobi’s most important tourism and recreation zones.
Giraffe Centre Public Transport Guide
Destination: Giraffe Centre
City: Nairobi
Road: Nyumbi Road, off Duma Road
Wider area: Lang’ata/Karen
From Nairobi CBD: Travel towards Lang’ata/Karen and connect towards Nyumbi Road
From Rongai: Use the Lang’ata Road corridor and connect towards Karen/Hardy
Where to alight: Depends on the public transport service used; ask for the most convenient connection towards Giraffe Centre
Opening hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM daily (Giraffe Centre)
For additional public transport connections, use the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database.
More Nairobi Sports and Recreation Venues
Giraffe Centre is part of the Nairobi Sports and Recreation Venues database connecting Nairobi’s wildlife attractions, parks, forests, stadiums and recreational destinations with the city’s public transport network.
Other destinations in the series include Nairobi National Park, Nairobi Safari Walk, Nairobi Animal Orphanage, Karura Forest, Nairobi Arboretum and Uhuru Gardens.
The next destination in the series is Bomas of Kenya.
Information last verified: September 2026.
