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Conservation Status: Threatened

Giraffes are the tallest land animals, able to look into a second-story window without having to stand on tiptoes! It takes a lot of leaves to fuel such large animals. Giraffes may eat up to 75 pounds (34 kilograms) of food per day, nibbling on leaves from Africa’s acacia trees. These trees often have thorns that keep most animals from munching on them, but those thorns don't stop giraffes! They just use their long tongue to reach around the thorns.

The Uganda giraffe is the only endangered giraffe subspecies. It survives in a few small, isolated populations in Kenya and Uganda. Yet at the Safari Park, we have had over 100 births so far in our large African Plains habitat!

You can admire our giraffes from the African Plains' Kijamii Overlook, from the Africa Tram, or from a Wildlife Safari, Cart Safari, or Ultimate Safari. Also, check out our new Giraffe Cam , to see livestreaming video of our African Plains giraffes and other wildlife anytime, online.

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10 Best Places To See Giraffe On Safari

herd of giraffe by a lake Chitwa Chitwa South Africa giraffe safari

Giraffe are one of Africa’s most mesmerising animals. Spotting a head peering over the top of an acacia tree or admiring the effortless ease with which they canter across the plains never fails to delight. They are rarer than many would think, with current estimates suggesting around 111,000 individuals – a drop of nearly 45,000 from the mid 1980s. Split into four distinct sub-species, they can be seen in a variety of locations throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

Where can I see the biggest giraffe herds?
Where can I see reticulated giraffe?
Where can I see Masai giraffe?
Where can I take young children to see giraffe up close for a few hours?
Where can I see giraffe up close?
Where can I see giraffes with the Big 5?
Where can I horse ride with giraffe?
Where can I see a giraffe on a walking safari?
Where can I see desert giraffe?
What giraffe charities are there?

1. Where can I see the biggest giraffe herds?

Large herds gather in Selous, Tanzania

You can see groups of up to 50 giraffe in northern Selous, Tanzania, and Murchinson Falls National Park, Uganda. Back to Top

Northern Selous, Tanzania

The Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve) is perhaps the closest Tanzania gets to a true wilderness paradise, a fantastically large, remote region – the size of Switzerland and the biggest reserve in East Africa – and with plenty of water, opening up a whole range of activities other parks can only dream of.

Bailey’s Banda private house and pool, Beho Beho, Selous, Tanzania

Stay at Beho Beho where open plan stone and thatch cottages offer glorious views over the landscape beyond, or opt for Bailey’s Banda, still part of Beho Beho and close to the camp, but a lovely private house for those seeking exclusivity and privacy. As well as wildlife drives guests can go on walking safaris, sleep out under the stars in a tree house or take a boat trip on Lake Tagalala, and swim in the nearby hot springs.

Murchison Falls, Uganda

A giraffe birth at Murchison Falls, Uganda, Giraffe Conservation Foundation

View Rothschild’s giraffe, at Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area. The park is famous as one of the best places to see the extraordinary shoebill as well as a diverse selection of mammals and birds.

Views over the Nile from Baker’s Lodge

Stay in the park on the banks of the Nile River, at Baker’s Lodge and enjoy wildlife drives, river trips on the Nile to the base of the Murchinson Falls. Back to Top

2. Where can I see reticulated giraffe?

Reticulated giraffe on a dry riverbed in Samburu National Reserve, Sasaab , Kenya.

Northern Kenya is home of the reticulated giraffe, the most distinctive and handsome of the species, with polygonal patches divided by a neat grid of bright white lines. You can see them in Meru and Samburu Buffalo Springs in Kenya.

Meru National Park, Kenya

With only a couple of safari camps, Meru is little-visited and you’re unlikely to encounter many other vehicles here. It is one of the most rewarding of all Kenya’s National Parks and certainly a great part of any safari. All the large mammals are found in Meru and, with a bit of luck, you can spot the ‘Big Five’ of lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant, but that’s not really what you come here to see. More rewarding is to search out the ‘northern five’ of gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx and Somali ostrich.

Panoramic views of Meru at Elsa’s Kopje , Kenya, Elewana Collection

Stay at Elsa’s Kopje which takes its name from the orphaned lioness Elsa in the film Born Free. One of the most elegant lodges in Kenya, this lovely property has nine suites, and a honeymoon suite, all offering grand views of the park. Wildlife drives, guided walks, rafting on Tana River, and fishing are all possible here. If you’re after total privacy then nearby Elsa’s Private House would be a great choice.

Samburu-Buffalo Springs, Kenya

For many travellers Samburu is the highlight of a Kenya safari. It’s a wild and beautiful place, and wildlife is easy to spot in the parched landscape. There are large herds of elephant and plenty of buffalo, waterbuck, giraffe and zebra, and also dry-country rarities such as gerenuk, which reach tender shoots by standing on two legs. There’s rarely much grass cover so lion, leopard and cheetah are relatively easy to spot, and the banks of the river Ewaso Ngiro, with its large shady trees, provide plenty of excellent vantage points as the wildlife gathers at the water for an evening drink.

Safari tent at Sassab, Samburu, Kenya

Stay at Moroccan style Sasaab , set on a ridge over the Ewaso Ngiro River and with views of Mount Kenya, where every now and again the pool is used as a water hole by wildlife. Activities here include wildlife drives and walks, day trips to the Samburu reserve for its large herds of elephants and endangered Grevy’s zebra, mountain biking, camel riding, spa and cultural village visits. Back to Top

3. Where can I see Masai giraffe?

The Masai is the most widespread species of giraffe found in Kenya and Tanzania and is famous for its irregular coat pattern of blotches on a yellow fawn background.

Chyulu Hills, Kenya

Beautiful Chyulu Hills offer stunning views of Mt Kilimanjaro, Ol Donyo Lodge , Kenya

If it is views of Kilimanjaro you want then you have to stay in the Chyulu Hills. A wide variety of wildlife can be found in this area but due to low rainfall it is a little sparser than in other regions. It may take a little longer to find them than in the Masai Mara, but you might see gerenuk, hyena, bat eared foxes, lion, huge old tusker elephant, jackal, wild dog and large numbers of zebra, wildebeest, Masai giraffe and other antelope in wonderful privacy and absolutely stunning scenery.

Ol Donyo Starbed , Chyulu Hills, Kenya

Stay at Ol Donyo Lodge where each of the ten guest suites has its own rooftop sundowner or ‘star bed’ to enjoy the dramatic views over the plains and Mount Kilimanjaro. There are two family cottages which have space for four and their own pool. Enjoy beautiful walks as well as day and night wildlife drives, fantastic horse riding, and and mountain biking. Another great option for the more adventurous is to camp out on the plains under the stars.

Naboisho Conservancy, Kenya

The Mara Nabiosho Conservancy – a private 50,000 acre wildlife conservation area adjacent to the Masai Mara Reserve – hosts an impressive amount of wildlife, including what is considered to be the greatest density of giraffe anywhere in Africa. Among other wildlife thriving here are healthy populations of elephant, buffalo, zebra, hyena, and lion. The number of guests within the conservancy is strictly limited so you will never find a queue of vehicles huddled around a sighting. Not restricted by rules with in the Masai Mara Reserve itself, visitors here can enjoy off-road day and night wildlife drives, walking safaris and fly camping.

Young giraffe close to Nabiosho Camp, Nabiosho Conservancy, Kenya

Naboisho Camp is a great place to stay, and since the conservancy is a partnership between local people and the safari camp operators your visit directly benefits the community.

Serengeti, Tanzania

Known by the Masai as the ‘endless plains’ the Serengeti is filled with grazing species, including giraffe, topi, hartebeest, impala and Grant’s gazelle, alongside huge herds of buffalo and plenty of elephant. All these herbivores provide a rich and varied diet for predators and in the Serengeti you get them all. There are lion aplenty, leopard and cheetah as well as smaller species such as serval cat. Unusually, all three species of African jackal are found here, along with spotted hyena. There are aardvark and also aardwolf, a rare and delightful species which dines on the endless termite mounds dotted across the Serengeti.

There are lion aplenty in the Grumeti reserve, Tanzania

Stay at Singita Explore Camp , a private mobile camp located in the Singita Grumeti Reserve. Designed to offer guests a true wilderness experience in complete luxury, there are no set camp sites; rather location is selected for the very best wildlife viewing and scenery for the time of year.

Luxury safari tent at Singita Explore, Serengeti, Tanzania

The camp has just six large tents, each luxuriously appointed with uninterrupted views across the grassy plains. All have en-suite bathrooms with bucket showers and all the little touches synonymous with the Singita brand. The comfortable main mess area and open fire provide the focal point of camp and the perfect place to relax, enjoy a G&T and chat about the day’s adventures. Back to Top

4. Where can I take young children to see giraffe up close for a few hours?

The african fund for endangered wildlife kenya (giraffe centre), nairobi, kenya.

Family fun hand feeding a Rothschild’s Giraffe, Giraffe Centre, Nairobi

Commonly known as the Giraffe Centre this charity was founded to provide free environmental education to the Kenyan youth, and aid the conservation of endangered species. In doing so it gives visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with endangered Rothschild giraffes at its sanctuary in Nairobi.

Giraffes amble right over to you to snack on peanut pellets from your hand. If getting licked by a foot-long tongue and hit with musky giraffe breath isn’t your idea of fun, there’s also a café, a gift shop and a tortoise pen. Back to Top

5. Where can I see giraffe up close?

Giraffe manor, nairobi, kenya.

With ten rooms and two family suites, this luxury house-turned hotel in the Karen suburb of Nairobi is a great place for a night before or after safari proper. Resident Rothschild giraffes join guests for breakfast or can be fed from your bedroom window. Cheeky giraffes have also been known to try and squeeze into the foyer.

Share breakfast with these inquisitive giraffe at Giraffe Manor , Nairobi, Kenya

Rothschild giraffe live in the grounds of Giraffe Manor , Nairobi, Kenya

Guests can feed and photograph the giraffes and the warthogs at the Manor, and also wander through the adjoining primeval forest to view the bushbuck, dik dik, and more than 180 species of birds. Back to Top

6. Where can I see giraffes with the Big 5?

Kruger, south africa.

The wildlife in the Kruger is almost overwhelming, especially in the well-watered south around the Sabi River. The best sightings are probably around the Sabi Sands region as this is where you will also find good rhino populations. It’s a fabulous area to quickly spot the ‘Big Five’ of lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino.

Luxurious accommodation at Chitwa Chitwa, Sabi Sands, South Africa

Chitwa Chitwa ’s stunning location in the Sabi Sands offers a great chance to see leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo, lion, hyena – and if you are lucky, the elusive wild dog. Eight luxury suites overlook the nearby lake which is a popular water hole for a wealth of wildlife. Chitwa Chitwa offers guests the chance view the abundant wildlife on morning and evening drives, or bush walks. Back to Top

7. Where can I horse ride with giraffe?

Okavango delta, botswana.

Riding with giraffe, Okavango Delta , Botswana, African Horseback Safaris

For experienced equestrians, a riding safari with African Horseback Safaris in the Okavango Delta affords a unique way to glimpse this wildlife hotspot. Cantering through the delta floodwaters alongside giraffes is a real once-in-a-lifetime experience. Accommodation with African Horseback Safaris is in a classic safari style twin bedded Meru tents. Each has an adjoining bathroom, as well as a spacious verandah with armchairs overlooking the flood plain. At the heart of the camp there is a large furnished dining tent and tucked away in the trees is a small plunge pool on its own deck. Though this is for confident riders, we can also offer options for novice riders wishing to ride out with giraffes. Back to Top

8. Where can I see a giraffe on a walking safari?

South luangwa, zambia.

Walking safari with giraffes, South Luangwa, Bushcamp Company

You’re never that far from the wildlife in the South Luangwa – it’s one of Africa’s finest wildlife areas with more than 60 animal species and at least 400 different types of bird. When you see a lion, others won’t be far behind as here they tend to roam in prides of up to 30. It’s also home to the Thornicoft giraffe, a sub-species found only in the South Luangwa.

Thornicoft giraffes viewed from Chinzombo , South Luangwa, Zambia, Norman Carr

Stay at Chinzombo Camp , one of the finest in Zambia, where the six private villas with lovely views over the Luangwa River provide a wonderful base for exploring the park on day and night drives. Walking safaris are available too, or you could just watch the wildlife from the comfort of the open plan lounge.

Laikipia, Kenya

Giraffes in the mist, Laikipia, Kenya, Karisia Walking Safaris

Camel supported walks can be arranged in many parts of Kenya such as the Laikipia region, or in lesser travelled areas such as the Mathews Range to the north of Mount Kenya. Giraffes are seen in good numbers in these areas and when walkers are alongside the camels, the giraffes are happy to allow them to get really close.

Camel safari, Laikipia, Kenya, Karisia Walking Safaris

The mobile camp used by Karisia is very comfortable with walk-in traditional style safari tents. Each tent is furnished with a large mattress on the floor and a table, chair and basin outside. Behind each tent is a loo and a bucket shower, which is filled with hot water upon request. Meals are freshly prepared each day with hand chosen local produce and meats, and all of the cooking is done on a camp fire. Walking through the Kenyan bush with one of Karisia’s expert guides allows guests to experience the smaller things often missed from a vehicle – the tracks, the plants, the sounds, the smells.

9. Where can I see desert giraffes?

Skeleton coast national park, namibia.

Namibia may not have quite the populations of wildlife as its near neighbours, but its desert adapted species are quite astonishing. Elephant, rhino, giraffe, oryx and springbok are among those that have developed to cope with the harsh conditions here. Footage taken near Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp featured in the BBC David Attenborough “Giraffes: Africa’s Gentle Giants.”

Contemporary lounge and bar at Hoanib Camp , Skeleton Coast, Namibia, Wilderness Safaris

Hoanib camp sits unobtrusively in its surroundings, overlooking a small waterhole which is occasionally visited by elephant, oryx and other animals. There are seven twin tents and one family unit, each of which is comfortably appointed and has en-suite facilities. The tents are raised on short stilts with a private, shaded outdoor lounge which is a perfect spot for relaxing in between activities. The camp has a lounge, bar area, dining room, library, fire pit, plunge pool and deck. Guests can experience walking and vehicle safaris. Hoanib also offers a flying visit to the Skeleton Coast if you stay three nights or longer.

Watch a clip of BBC documentary, ‘ Giraffes: Africa’s Gentle Giants ’, in which conservation team strive to relocate 20 wild giraffes to safety from poachers. Back to Top

10. What giraffe charities are there?

Giraffes are endangered – loss of habitat and poaching for bush meet – has led to numbers plummeting in some areas. The Giraffe Conservation Foundation featured in the BBC documentary, Giraffes: Africa’s Gentle Giants is a leading international charity dedicated to giraffe conservation and management in the wild. Back to Top

Any questions?

If you’ve got this far and not found an answer to a question you have that we should have included, please ask in the comments section below, or pop us an email. We’ll be sure to reply and may amend the article to include our answer.

We would be delighted to help you plan a giraffe safari, or answer any questions if you’re at an earlier stage. Our team of experts have travelled widely throughout Africa. They can offer expert advice on every type of safari from family and beach holidays to riding and primate safaris. If you would like to talk to someone who has been there and done it, please just send us an email or give us a call .

3 responses to “10 Best Places To See Giraffe On Safari”

I have seen a place that you can stay in a treehouse and you can view Giraffe come right up to you. Would you know where that would be and the Name! Thank you Mark

Dear Mark, Your enquiry has been passed on to a travel expert who will be in touch. Best regards Renate

Dear Mark, Your enquiry has been passed on to a giraffe treehouse expert who will be in touch. Best regards Renate

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One of Africa’s most recognisable animals, the Giraffe

With their unique and beautiful colouring, giraffes are one of Africa’s most recognised animals. As the tallest animals on the planet, standing at between 14 and 19 feet (4.2 to 5.8 metres) they’re hard to miss. They use there impressive height to browse on leaves and shoots from the very tops of trees that few others can reach – a favourite of giraffes is the acacia tree. The other adaptation that helps giraffes feed on these leaves is their 21 inch tongue – which is very rough, protecting it from thorns. Given their size, giraffes are almost continuously eating in order to consume enough food. As a result, they have cover large distances to find enough.

Common Name – Giraffe

Scientific Name – Giraffa camelopardalis

Current IUCN Red List Status – VU

Estimated no. of mature individuals – 68 ,000 – studies suggest a declining population.

Though there are few predators to worry about, giraffes do keep a look out for big cats – some lions have been known to specialise in hunting giraffe. This is particularly true when it comes to drinking from rivers or shallow pools. Their large hulking frames put them at a significant disadvantage and to drink at a water source, they must spread their legs awkwardly to bend down and drink – making them vulnerable to predators. To combat this need for water, giraffes absorb most of their water from plants and therefore do not need to drink from a water source every day.

Giraffe Viewing on Safari

Giraffe viewing depends on where you are in Africa – as there are 9 subspecies of giraffe. Recent research has suggested however that some of these may actually be distinct species in their own right. Physically, giraffe subspecies differ in their size and pattern. The two most common species in East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania) is the Masai giraffe and the Reticulated Giraffe. The Masai giraffe is significantly darker than other species while their patches have a distinct vine leaf shape with jagged edges. The Reticulated giraffe, found in central, north and north-eastern Kenya is recognisable by its neat and clear orange-brown patches, which are separated by clear white lines.

Contrary to the two species mentioned above, the South African giraffe (found throughout many southern African countries) has distinct patches in varied shapes and sizes that spread down its legs.

Non-territorial, giraffes are gregarious animals that often live in groups (called towers) ranging from 5 or 6 up to 20 individuals – if you spot one giraffe you are likely to spot a few more nearby. They can be found in many national parks and reserves throughout Africa in varying numbers. Renowned Giraffe Manor holds the unofficial title of the most “unforgettable bucket-list breakfast experience in the world” for good reason. The property is a sanctuary for the highly endangered Rothschild giraffe who join guests for a memorable breakfast, poking their heads through the windows in search of a snack.

Best safaris to see giraffes

Ker & downey botswana.

Experience this authentic 7 day Okavango Delta safari with Ker & Downey Botswana, one of the country's most respected operators.

Desert & Delta Safari Botswana

Discover epic wildlife in the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve and Savute with Desert & Delta Safaris, one of Botswana's most respected operators.

Highlights of Kenya

Discover the Highlights of Kenya on this classic safari itinerary, taking in the Samburu National Reserve, Mt Kenya, Lake Nakuru and the renowned Masai Mara.

Best of Kenya and Tanzania

This safari combines the best wildlife experiences of Kenya and Tanzania, including the Samburu, Lake Nakuru, the Masai Mara and Serengeti.

Kruger and The Cape

Discover some of South Africa's best known attractions on this journey that begins with a big game safari in the world-renowned Sabi Sand and concludes in beautiful Cape Town.

Best places to see giraffe

Ultra-luxurious, Moroccan-themed Sasaab is a stylish oasis in the heart of Kenya’s desert-like northern wilderness, lying just west of the breathtaking Samburu National Reserve.

Giraffe Manor

This boutique hotel is a Nairobi icon and offers one of the city’s most unique experiences: the opportunity to feed and walk with rare Rothschild's giraffe.

Selinda Camp

Selinda Camp is located in the breathtakingly unspoilt Selinda Reserve, home to some of Africa’s largest herds of elephant and buffalo, as well as rare African wild dog.

Lemala Mpingo Ridge

Sitting at the top of an escarpment with sweeping views across the perennial Tarangire River and valley below, Lemala Mpingo Ridge offers not just sensational views but outstanding standards of

Mara Plains Camp

In the heart of big game country, ultra-luxurious Mara Plains Camp sits on a bend of the Ntiakitiak River on the northern border of Kenya's Masai Mara.

Elephant Bedroom

Shaded by doum palms on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River, upscale Elephant Bedroom Camp occupies a prime position in the stunning Samburu National Reserve.

Giraffes eating from table at Giraffe Manor

Where is Giraffe Manor?

Giraffe Manor   is one of the most sought-after hotel stays in Africa. It is an exclusive boutique hotel located in the suburbs of the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. Built in 1932 as a colonial hunting lodge, today Giraffe Manor is a Nairobi icon and offers one of the city’s most special experiences. What sets Giraffe Manor truly apart is its herd of endangered Rothschild’s giraffe, who are known to join guests for breakfast or for a cheeky snack through open windows or doors. Giraffe Manor is a fantastic addition at the beginning or end of any Kenyan safari.

Unique Adaptations

Fighting Gravity and adjusting pressure Giraffes have a number of unique adaptations in their circulatory system to fight against gravity in order to pump blood. Elastic and muscular arteries above the heart pump blood up the neck –fighting against gravity. The arteries below are the opposite – narrower with thick walls – that can bear high pressure, preventing blood from pooling. Giraffes have a complex network of elastic vessels that expand when they lower their heads, this prevents blood from flooding the brain.

Super Heart Relative to its size, the giraffe has quite a small heart – weighing just 11 kilograms. Giraffes have extremely high blood pressure (twice that of a humans) as they need to maintain blood flow against gravity. Looking more closely, the left ventricle of the heart has thick muscular walls in order to pump blood up to the head and then around the body. In comparison, the right ventricle is thinner and only pumps blood to the lungs. Their heart beats up to 170 times a minute.

Giraffe Facts:

Tallest Animal Giraffes are the tallest mammals on Earth, standing at between 14 and 19 feet (4.2 to 5.8 metres) they’re hard to miss!

Standing sleepers Adult giraffes require less sleep than other mammals. There is some debate as to the exact amount, but research has suggested it is somewhere between 1 to 3 hours in a 24 hour period. Most of this sleep however is taken in short naps while they stand. They will arch their necks around and rest their heads on their rear end.

Surprisingly speedy Ungainly in appearance and particularly when in motion, giraffes don’t appear at first glance to be the fastest runners. However, their long legs do along them to reach a top speed of 35mph (56 kph), but only for a short time.

Horns? What horns? A giraffes “horns” are actually knobs that are covered with skin and hair. These knobs protect their head and eyes from injury.

Find out more about our tailor made African safaris. Get in touch with one of our Destination Specialists.

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Cape Buffalo

The Cheetah is the fastest land animal on the planet and one of Africa’s most well-known and sought-after sightings when on safari

African elephants are the world’s largest land mammal and were once numerous, roaming across the whole African continent.

With their unique and beautiful colouring, giraffes are one of Africa’s most recognised animals.

Grizzly bear or grizzly is the name given to the subspecies of brown bear that inhabits North America.

Grizzly Bear

The largest cat in the Western Hemisphere, jaguars are strongly built, well-muscled predators native to the Americas

King Penguins don’t actually live on the Antarctic ice shelf, instead they prefer the sandy snowless beaches of the Sub-Antarctic islands.

King Penguin

Lemurs are endemic to the island nation of Madagascar where 107 species can be found. However each individual species is often only found in a

Leopards are graceful cats and still geographically wide-spread across Africa, including isolated parts of Morocco and Egypt.

A member of the “Big 5” and perhaps Africa’s most iconic species, the African Lion is a highly sought after sighting while out on safari.

Meerkats are found in Southern Africa and they are often seen standing on their rear legs, forever gazing out over the sweeping plains.

Orcas, informally referred to as killer whales because of their fearsome reputation, are majestic mammals.

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Impressively large and with horns for a nose, these prehistoric looking creatures are one of the most iconic African animals.

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Celebrating the planet's tallest creature

Tuesday, 7 February 2023

Millennia of evolutionary problem-solving have conferred upon animals a weird and wonderful array of adaptations from trunks to tails and patterned coats to thick fur. Predators have been equipped with offensive weaponry, and prey species are similarly prepared to defend themselves in an eternal evolutionary arms race. The peculiar, unique creatures on the planet have been shaped by innumerable overlapping conditions never again to be repeated – every living thing is the product of circumstance. And perhaps nowhere is this more apparent than the giraffe, one of Africa’s most fantastical offerings.

In the know

As the tallest animal on Earth, giraffes do not exactly keep a low profile and probably need little by way of introduction. Their leggy silhouettes have appeared in some of the most iconic images of the continent, hordes of tourists have marvelled at their outlandish shapes, and cartoon representations abound. Yet despite their rather significant stature, these quiet and unassuming herbivores spent much of the 20 th century flying under the conservation and ethological radar. They are perhaps one of the most under-studied large mammals in Africa, and scientists are only now beginning to unravel the secrets of their social lives and communication. Worse, it is only in the last decade that the reality of their “silent extinction” has made it into the public eye.

Giraffes are possibly one of the most intriguing animals on safari. While we are far from knowing everything there is to know, recent scientific discoveries around their complex physiology and behaviours are endlessly fascinating.

Quick facts

The fast-walking leopard camel.

The common name “giraffe” comes from the Arabic word zarāfah , meaning “fast-walker”, but it is the scientific name that is particularly entertaining. Until recently, all giraffes were considered one species (more on this later): Giraffa camelopardalis . “Camelopard” is an archaic English name for the giraffe, derived from Greek and referring to the giraffe’s physical similarity to a camel and the spotted, leopard-like colouration (from pardus , meaning “spotted” or “mottled”).

The characteristic pattern of dark patches on a lighter background – slightly different for each species – probably serves a thermoregulatory function, as the darker patches are rich in large sweat glands. The camel comparison is particularly relevant to their walking styles – giraffes and camels move both legs on the same side of the body simultaneously in a gait known as pacing. This confers a rocking motion to their movement and means that while they can gallop, they cannot truly trot in the way a horse or zebra can. Naturally, having legs over two metres long implies that even a leisurely stroll qualifies as fast walking. Still, giraffes can also reach speeds of over 60km/hour when forced into a reluctant run.

Despite this (admittedly tenuous) similarity, camels and giraffes are only very distantly related as members of the Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates). The closest relative of all giraffe species is a bizarre and endangered animal called an okapi , found only in the highland forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Why the long neck (and legs)?

The famous question that has dominated scientific interest in giraffes since the Galapagos finches first lit the fire of Darwin’s interest in evolution. Giraffes proved to be the textbook example of how a physical trait of some individuals (height, stripes, spots) conferred an advantage and, over many thousands of years, became the signature look of a species. So, during times of nutritional stress, slightly taller giraffe ancestors could reach leaves above the reach of their competitors. Thus, they survived and passed the “tall gene” onto their offspring.

This is, of course, a massive oversimplification and a bit unfair to Darwin to boot. For a start, Darwin was more impressed by the giraffe’s tail as a perfectly designed flyswatter and only focussed on the giraffe’s neck in a later argument with a staunch critic . Extracting the “reasons” why an animal evolved to look the way it does will invariably produce competing theories and disagreements. It is also impossible to look at the contemporary advantages of an evolved trait and assume these explain its evolution.

As it turns out, long necks confer several advantages. For example, they increase the momentum and power of the devastating blows delivered by fighting males to rivals, suggesting a sexual competition element. A long neck (and good eyesight) is also helpful for keeping an eye out for predators. The increased surface area may aid heat dissipation to assist thermoregulation in warm climates. In simple terms, we don’t fully understand how the giraffe came to stand as tall as it does.

Gotta keep your head up

We know that the evolution of the giraffe’s six-metre height necessitated several further physiological adaptations to deal with the resultant physics. Though a full exploration of these features is beyond the scope of this article, it essentially comes down to fluid dynamics and gravity. Each of the seven cervical vertebrae can be over 28cm long, and together, these neck vertebrae comprise over 50% of the entire length of the vertebral column, raising the brain two metres above the heart. The hooves lie roughly the same distance below the heart on the opposite end.

Giraffes have relatively large hearts (though not that much heavier than would be expected for an animal of their size) and mean average blood pressure twice that of other mammals . Their heart rate ranges between 40-90 beats per minute, which is also quite fast for an animal of their size (a resting horse’s heart rate rarely goes above 20 beats per minute, by comparison). This ensures that the brain is well supplied, despite its lofty position. Tight, thick skin around the legs prevents fluid from accumulating and encourages its return to the heart via the venous network. Enormous neck veins, a muscular jugular and robust valves also help prevent the giraffe from fainting when assuming its awkward straddle to drink.

Blood flow aside, a neck that long results in several other challenges. The amount of “dead space” (the parts in our respiratory system not participating in gas exchange – the trachea, bronchi, etc.) increases due to the long trachea. As a result, giraffes have a much larger tidal volume (air breathed in and out) to compensate. As ruminants, they also have an unusually muscular oesophagus to transport the balls of cud back into the mouth.

Giraffes have a highly developed nuchal ligament that runs from the back of the head to the spinal processes of the shoulder vertebrae. The stiff band of elastic tissue helps support the muscular and heavy neck without the giraffe having to invest any energy in holding its head up. However, they need to contract these muscles against the force of the ligament to lower the head. This may have led to the misconception that giraffes sleep very little and seldom lie down. However, research shows that giraffes sleep roughly the same amount as other ruminants (a couple of hours a day – though generally in short bursts) and usually do so lying down, with the head tucked to the side and resting on their hip.

The journeys of giraffes

The life of a giraffe begins dramatically with a two-metre drop to the ground below the standing mother. Once the tiny creature has recovered from the shock of its brutal entry into the world, it immediately tries to stand; a feat made all the more challenging as a giraffe calf is already around two metres tall at birth. They are born with their ossicones folded down on the skull – these will become erect a few days later. A closer look at a giraffe calf also reveals that they are oddly disproportionate, with a (relatively) short neck, which allows them to suckle comfortably.

Giraffe calves are most vulnerable to predators during their first few weeks. Still, giraffe cows are formidable protectors and will attempt to fight off even the largest predators with potentially lethal kicks. It is not uncommon to encounter slightly older calves in a “calving pool” under the care of one female. The calves suckle for up to eight months and remain with their mothers for just over a year.

It was generally assumed that giraffes formed no lasting social bonds, but research now shows that their social dynamics are far more complex than initially believed . Females live in matrilineal societies, and associations between mothers, daughters, and grandmothers may last for years. These small kinship groups may link up with other herds for a while before separating again – a more typical fission-fusion society. Distress signs have also been observed in cows that have witnessed the death of another cow’s calf, suggesting a degree of cooperation in calf raising.

Naturally, any social structure requires communication and giraffe are not the mute creatures they were once believed to be. They have been recorded humming, snorting, grunting, moaning and even growling. Fascinatingly, they can also use infrasonic sounds to communicate below the level of human perception, like elephants.

Boys are smelly

Unlike the females, the bulls seemingly form no lasting social bonds. Once they disperse from their mothers, they may temporarily join bachelor herds but become increasingly solitary as they age. Sexual maturity is attained at around four years of age, but it may take several years until they can compete for mating rights.

A fight between two equally matched males is one of Africa’s greatest spectacles. The process is (perhaps somewhat deceptively) termed “necking” and involves swinging the neck round in powerful arcs and using the ossicones to club the flanks of a rival. The blows can be exceedingly violent, and while it is rare, such fights can be lethal. For this reason, the ossicones of bulls are far thicker, more rounded, and hairless than those of the females.

All giraffes smell somewhat pungent, but mature bulls are downright malodorous. This is because their skin is coated with copious amounts of a secretion containing 3-methylindole, a chemical responsible for the smell of mammalian faeces, and para-cresol. These substances discourage the growth of fungi and bacteria on the skin.

The Silent Extinction

Currently, the IUCN Red List recognises only one giraffe species, which is classified as “Vulnerable”. However, the most recent genetic research shows that there are four species of giraffe, three of which have several different subspecies. These are:

West African giraffe – G. c. peralta
Nubian giraffe (including the Rothschild’s giraffe) – G. c. camelopardalis
Kordofan giraffe – G. c. antiquorum
South African giraffe – G. g. giraffa
Angolan giraffe – G. g. angolensis
Masai giraffe – G. t. tippelsirchi
Luangwa giraffe (often termed the Thornicroft’s giraffe) – G. t. thornicrofti
Reticulated giraffe ( Giraffa reticulata)

Though there has been considerable academic debate over the exact species/subspecies designations, the discussion is essential as it goes to the heart of conservation efforts. While giraffes across Africa may only be “vulnerable”, many species and subspecies face potential extinction due to habitat loss, bushmeat poaching, and snaring. It is helpful to consider the distinction between the four species as one might of the difference between white and black rhinos to understand how vital it is for their future.

For those wishing to make a meaningful contribution to giraffe conservation, you can visit the Giraffe Conservation Foundation’s page on our app (see instructions on how to get the app below this story).

Final thoughts

In the Southern Hemisphere, the Southern Cross constellation (Crux) revolves its way through the night sky, pointing out south for weary travellers and excited novice stargazers. In a much more exciting interpretation from some traditional Bushman stories, these four stars are two giraffes, forever wandering the inky black of night. And just as the stars are an essential element of the sky, so too are giraffes a vital part of Africa’s ecosystems, which makes it astonishing that we still know so little about them…

description

A giraffe walks on a grassy hill in front of four other herd members in the distance.

Enjoy the view

Giraffes are the tallest land animals. A giraffe could look into a second-story window without even having to stand on its tiptoes! A giraffe's 6-foot-long neck weighs about 600 pounds. The legs of a giraffe are also 6 feet long. The back legs look shorter than the front legs, but they are about the same length.

"Spot" the subspecies

There is only one species of giraffe. The recognized subspecies include reticulated, Nubian, Uganda or Baringo, Masai, Angolan, and southern. The different kinds can be recognized by their spots and also by where they live in Africa.

Masai, Reticulated, Ugandan, and Rothschild giraffe patterns

Seeing spots

Masai giraffes, from Kenya, have spots that look like oak leaves. Other kinds have a square-shaped pattern that looks like the giraffe is covered by a net. Some zoologists think that the giraffe's pattern is for camouflage.

Use your horn(s)

Both male and female giraffes have two distinct, hair-covered horns called ossicones. Male giraffes use they horns to playfully fight with one another.

Eight giraffes along a green hilly landscape

A giraffe's feet are the size of a dinner plate—12 inches across.

WATCH: Giraffes 101

Giraffes are the world's tallest mammals, thanks to their towering legs and long necks. A giraffe's legs alone are taller than many humans—about 6 feet . These long legs allow giraffes to run as fast as 35 miles an hour over short distances and cruise comfortably at 10 miles an hour over longer distances.

Typically, these fascinating animals roam the open grasslands in small groups of about half a dozen.

Bulls sometimes battle one another by butting their long necks and heads. Such contests aren't usually dangerous and end when one animal submits and walks away.

Height and Size

Giraffes use their height to good advantage and browse on leaves and buds in treetops that few other animals can reach (acacias are a favorite). Even the giraffe's tongue is long! The 21-inch tongue helps them pluck tasty morsels from branches. Giraffes eat most of the time and, like cows, regurgitate food and chew it as cud. A giraffe eats hundreds of pounds of leaves each week and must travel miles to find enough food.

The giraffe's height also helps it to keep a sharp lookout for predators across the wide expanse of the African savanna.

The giraffe's stature can be a disadvantage as well—it is difficult and dangerous for a giraffe to drink at a water hole. To do so they must spread their legs and bend down in an awkward position that makes them vulnerable to predators like Africa's big cats. Giraffes only need to drink once every several days; they get most of their water from the luscious plants they eat.

Female giraffes give birth standing up. Their young endure a rather rude welcome into the world by falling more than 5 feet to the ground at birth. These infants can stand in half an hour and run with their mothers an incredible ten hours after birth.

Giraffes have beautiful spotted coats. While no two individuals have exactly the same pattern, giraffes from the same area appear similar.

Up until recently, the consensus has been there is only one species of giraffe with multiple subspecies. In 2016, some scientists released a study that claims genetic differences among giraffe populations indicate the existence of four distinct giraffe species.

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Safari Animals

A guide to african safari wildlife.

Enjoying a game drive in Africa to take in a variety of safari animals must be hands down one of the most thrilling natural attractions in the world.

Sub-saharan Africa – and Southern and East Africa in particular – provides an infinite opportunity for incredible wildlife sightings, with a very broad cast of characters. Over 1,100 mammal species live in Africa, 2,600 bird species spend part of all of their lives in Africa, and the African rivers and great lakes are home to around 3,000 species of fish.

Along with the diversity of wildlife, Africa is a continent where wildlife can be showered with the most superlatives – the biggest animals , the most dangerous animals , the fastest animals , the strongest animals , the largest herds , the longest migrations , and so on.

With this breadth and variety in mind we’ve put together the below list of the 15 most iconic African safari animals to roam the continent, along with the best places to spot each of them:

Iconic safari animals list

a pair of lions - the ultimate safari animals

A pair of lions – the ultimate African safari animals

Leaping in at first place is the lion, also known as the king of the jungle. Lions are the largest and most sociable of Africa’s cats . At up to 225 kg, the lion ( Panthera leo ) really is the king of all savanna animals (not jungle!).

These big cats live in prides of up to 40 lions, and it’s the lionesses who do all the hunting, usually sharing their catches with the males of a pride. Lions are very territorial, and the females generally spend most of their lives within their home ranges.

When you hear them roaring during the night, or the day, you’ll be amazed at how loud and powerful they actually are – don’t worry about not hearing the lions snarls or roars, as they can be heard from up to 8 kilometers away. It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see lions hunting, or lion cubs playing with each other (but watch out for those man-eating lions !).

Best places to see Lion: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa, Kruger National Park South Africa , Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya , Ngorongoro Conservation Area , Tanzania , Okavango Delta , Botswana .

2. African Elephant

elephant standing in river looking directly at the camera head-on

An African elephant – one of the iconic African animals

The African elephant ( Loxodonta africana ) is the largest land mammal and heaviest land animal in the world , weighing up to 6 tonnes. You will be stunned by the sheer size and presence of these creatures, not only on the first time you see one, but each and every time. The good news is, they’re fairly easy to spot!

Elephants play a vital role in the survival of other species by digging waterholes in dry riverbeds, spreading seeds through theirs faecal matter, and creating natural fire breaks in the landscape with their trails, and they do all this on only 2 hours sleep in a 24 hour period!

Best places to see African Elephant: Addo Elephant Park, South Africa, Chobe National Park , Botswana , Etosha, Namibia , Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia.

leopard lies on the branch of a sparse tree, with blue sky behind

A beautiful leopard doing what it does best… lounging in a tree

The elusive leopard is one of the shyest and least sociable animals in Africa (though not one of the ‘shy five’ ), but are still opportunistic hunters and are highly adaptable. Watching a leopard carry its prey up a tree is a fantastic sight and one of the best African safari sightings you could hope for.

Slightly smaller than their lion cousins, leopards ( Panthera pardus ) are less rare than you might think, but rely on camouflage and being active at night to stay hidden.

Leopards are solitary, independent creatures, and rarely seen together except during mating, or a mother with cubs. As such they are totally self-reliant, and expert hunters – sometimes killing prey up to twice their size. During the daytime they often lounge around in trees and come to the ground after dark to hunt, taking their prey up into a tree to eat at their leisure.

Best places to see Leopard: Londolozi Game Reserve, South Africa , Moremi Game Reserve , Botswana , Samburu National Park Kenya , South Luangwa National Park, Zambia.

4. Rhinocerous

The most elusive of the big five animals?

Rhinos are something you just need to see in real life to understand how impressive they really are.

Once widespread through sub-Saharan Africa, the rhino has been hunted to the brink of extinction, and is probably the hardest of the big five animals to spot in the wild. There are two species of rhinoceros in Africa – the black rhino ( Diceros bicornis ) and the white rhino ( Ceratotherium simum ).

Whilst white rhinos have made a comeback through conservation efforts across the continent, black rhinos are still very much one of Africa’s most endangered animals , and hardest safari animals to spot. The fundamental differences between the white and black rhino are not color, but rather size, temperament, food preference, and mouth shape.

Best places to see Rhinoceros: Etosha National Park , Namibia ,Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park, South Africa , Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya , Mkomazi National Park, Tanzania .

5. Cape Buffalo

Cape buffalo – the grumpiest of all safari animals!

Weighing in at not too far short of a ton, the African buffalo ( Syncerus caffer ) has a reputation for being bad-tempered and dangerous. Whilst solitary buffaloes can be unpredictable (and dangerous, hence their inclusion in the big five animals), they are usually a docile beast when in a herd… aside from their tendency to stampede en masse when alarmed.

Not sure about the differences between a bison and buffalo ?

Best places to see Cape Buffalo: Chobe National Park , Botswana , Katavi National Park, Tanzania , Kruger National Park, South Africa , Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia.

Cheetah -the fastest land animal

The cheetah is famous for being the world’s fastest land animals , reaching speeds of 120 kilometers per hour and can accelerate from 0 to 95 kilometers in just three seconds. These cats need land and space, and seeing one running at full speed is the highlight of any animal safari. But there is more to this cat than just speed; it is beautiful and graceful, and sadly, it’s endangered.

For an animal that hunts during the day, good eyesight, stealth, a spotted coat, and top-notch speed are crucial for survival. The tear marks are among the top distinctive features used to tell the cheetah and the leopard apart .

Best places to see cheetahs: Etosha National Park, Namibia , Okavango Delta, Botswana , Savuti, Botswana , Ruaha, Tanzania.

hyena walking on track - one of the ugly five animals

A cute hyena strolling…

There are four species in the hyena family , varying in size and shape.

Hyenas are unique and vital components of most African ecosystems, both taking advantage of other animals’ kills for easy meals and hunting themselves. The size of a hyena kill or scavenge is generally determined by the size of the hyena’s clan, which can run to dozens. They often hide extra food in watering holes, since nothing is wasted. Hyenas eat every part of an animal, including bones and hooves.

Best place to see hyenas: Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania , Serengeti National Park in Tanzania , Masai Mara in Kenya , Chobe National Park in Botswana .

Giraffe mother with two young

Perhaps the ultimate icon of the African savanna , the giraffe is an unmistakable land mammal known for their long necks and spotted coat (and super-weird giraffe tongue !). They were known by Arab prophets as the ‘queen of the beasts’ because of their delicate features and graceful poise.

With nine subspecies sharing its distinctive characteristics, this African safari animal is the tallest in the world by some way, and amongst the heaviest and largest animals anywhere . The giraffe’s coat is characterized by dark blotches on lighter hair. With age, male giraffes may become darker, and while calves inherit spot patterns from their mothers, each giraffe has a unique coat pattern that sets it apart.

Giraffes have a sharp sense of hearing and smell, another defense against predators, while it can close its nostrils during sandstorms and against ants.

Best places to see giraffe: Etosha National Park in Namibia, Kruger National Park in South Africa, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

Zebras at a waterhole

Zebra are perhaps the most stylish of African animals, with their characteristically stunning coats of black and white stripes. These distant relatives of the horse are a frequent sight on any African safari and consist of three different species.

There are many theories about why zebras have stripes , and it seems that perhaps the most likely answer is that the stripes function as a way to deter biting insects like tsetse flies and mosquitos.

Plains zebras play a particularly interesting role in the ecosystem, as they are pioneer gazers, nibbling and feeding on the top-most layer of grass, thereby opening up the grassland for more specialized grazers looking for the short grasses tucked below.

Best places to see zebra: Etosha National Park, Namibia, Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana, Masai Mara in Kenya, Okavango Delta in Botswana, Samburu National Reserve in Kenya, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

A hippo – one of Africa’s most dangerous animals

Spending most of their days keeping cool in the water or mud, hippos are semi-aquatic safari animals. They resemble large pigs but are in fact related to the whale species, and despite their large, cumbersome appearance can easily outrun a human, and are known as one of Africa’s most dangerous animals .

Best place to see hippos: Hluhluwe National Park & Kruger National Park in South Africa, Kazinga Channel in Uganda, Liwonde National Park in Malawi, Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, Okavango Delta, Botswana.

11. African Wild Dog

An African wild dog litter

African wild dogs live in packs of around 6-20 and are highly intelligent and sociable. One of the most fascinating sights when watching African wild dogs is the bond they display before a hunt; the wild dogs begin mingling within the group, vocalising and touching each other, working each other up into a frenzy of excitement. Sadly, these animals are highly endangered

Best places to see wild dogs: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, Tswalu Private Wildlife Reserve and Kruger National Park in South Africa, Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, Niassa National Reserve in Mozambique, Kwando, Selinda & Linyanti in Botswana.

12. Crocodile

saltwater crocodile - world's biggest reptile

Nile crocodile on the banks of an African river

Truly prehistoric animals are a wonderful thing to witness, so why would you want to miss out on one of the most prehistoric-looking animals on the planet? Despite this ancient appearance they are biologically complex and have a cerebral cortex a four-chambered heart and a functional diaphragm.

One amazing experience, although tense, is watching as they ambush and catch their prey, their powerful gnashing jaws pulling their victims underwater, yes this may seem tragic, but it definitely is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Best places to see crocodiles: Mara River in Tanzania and Kenya, Kruger National Park in South Africa.

13. Wildebeest

Is the wildebeest one of the world’s ugliest animals ?

Wildebeest are primarily grazers, enjoying grass and the occasional shrub and herbs, living in herds of between ten and many thousands. They’re characterized by a long black mane and a beard of hair hanging from the throat and neck, along with their short curved horns, with males weighing up to 250kg.

Best places to see wildebeest: Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Masai Mara in Kenya.

The majestic male kudu

The kudu is one of the most spectacular African antelopes to be seen on safari. It has been described as one of the most handsome of the antelope family, due to the male’s unique large, corkscrew horns.

The name found its way into the English language courtesy of the Afrikaans of South Africa. The Afrikaans term ‘koedoe’ is a combination of both of zebra and deer.

Best places to see kudu: Across Southern Africa, but particularly likely to spot in Kruger National Park in South Africa, Etosha National Park in Namibia and all the major Zambian parks.

15. Warthhog

The much-maligned warthog, in long grass

Warthogs are normally found in family groups, where they spend most of their time either looking for food or wallowing in the mud at waterholes. At night they shelter in burrows, entering tail first. Warthogs have a wide distribution across sub-Saharan Africa, with a preference for open woodland and savannahs, and are not endangered.

Best places to see warthogs: Found in all national parks and reserves throughout Southern and East Africa.

So there you have our take on the 15 most iconic safari animals you should be looking out for on your next game drive. What do you think – any controversial picks… or African safari animals that are missing from the list? Let us know in the comments section below!

If you’re looking for more in-depth information on any of these – or other – African animals, you can access this via the links in the sidebar on this page, or check out our animal lists or animal comparisons .

Discover more of our wildlife posts…

What are ‘the shy five’ animals, turtle vs tortoise: how to tell the difference, bison vs buffalo: how to tell the difference, tsavo lions: the man-eating lions, collective nouns for animals of africa, why are flamingos pink, birds of africa, wild cats of africa, 17 iconic flightless birds, top countries for safaris.

Botswana safaris
Kenya safaris
Namibia safaris
South Africa safaris
Tanzania safaris
Uganda safaris

Safari basics

Safari animals
How to find the right safari company
When to go on safari
What to take on safari
Safari clothing – what to wear
Safari rules & etiquette
Wildlife spotting tips

Africa’s best game reserves

Chobe National Park, Botswana
Etosha National Park, Namibia
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

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15 Animals to See on an African Safari

The word "Africa" is an evocative one that usually goes hand-in-hand with mental images of vast savanna plains dotted with exotic game. The majority of overseas visitors to Africa will go on safari and, in doing so, discover that there is nothing more magical than a close encounter with the continent's incredible wildlife. Most of the species one sees on safari are unique to Africa, and many of them are instantly recognizable. In this article, we look at 15 of the continent's most iconic animals, including those that make up the African Big Five .

TripSavvy / Felicia Martinez

To see a lion in its natural habitat is one of the most humbling, impressive sights an African safari can offer. However, while witnessing a kill is the ultimate prize, you're more likely to see one sleeping than in active pursuit of dinner. Lions spend up to 20 hours a day at rest and are most active at dusk and dawn. They are the most social of all wild cat species, living in prides consisting of between five and 10 adult lions. Tragically, lions are threatened by human expansion throughout Africa, with experts prophesying that populations could fall by as much as five percent in the next 20 years.

Best Places to See Lions: Head to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on the border of South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana; or to Tanzania's Serengeti National Park during the wildebeest migration.

There is nothing quite like the first time you see an African elephant in the wild. As the largest living terrestrial animal on Earth, their size alone is overwhelming; but many visitors also find themselves drawn by the elephants' tangible aura of wisdom. Elephants are found in various sub-Saharan habitats, including forests, deserts, and savanna. They are herbivorous, processing up to 600 pounds of vegetation per day. Although most elephants are peaceful by nature, they can be dangerous if provoked; however, they are far more at risk from humans than we are from them.

Best Places to See Elephants: Vast elephant herds roam Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and Chobe National Park in Botswana.

As the tallest animal on Earth, you'd think that giraffes would be easy to spot on safari. However, their distinctive brown and white markings serve as excellent camouflage, and it's not unusual for giraffes to materialize out of the bush just a few feet away. There are nine subspecies found across sub-Saharan Africa, all of which boast blue tongues, stubby horn-like protrusions on their heads, and of course, outrageously long necks. To drink without losing consciousness, the giraffe's neck contains unique veins and valves that regulate the flow of blood to its head.

Best Places to See Giraffes: Spot large herds of Masai giraffe in the Serengeti, or head to Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda to see the endangered Rothschild's giraffe.

The elusive African leopard is a subspecies of leopard found only in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite its wide range, leopards are among the most difficult of all safari animals to see, as they are both nocturnal and exceptionally wary of humans. Leopards use trees as observation platforms and for protection, and that is where they are most often spotted during daylight hours. They are solitary animals with exceptional predatory skills, including the ability to climb, swim, and drag prey weighing up to three times their body weight up into the trees. Leopards are classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Best Places to See Leopards: South Africa's Sabi Sands Game Reserve and South Luangwa National Park in Zambia are famous for leopard sightings.

White Rhino

Thomas Halle/ Getty Images

The easiest way to tell Africa's two rhino species apart is by the shape of their bottom lip: wide and square for white rhinos and pointed for black rhinos. The name "white" rhino comes from a mistranslation of the Dutch word for "wide." Although the survival of both species is threatened by widespread poaching, white rhinos are more numerous and therefore easier to spot, especially in Southern Africa, where they prefer grassland and savanna habitats. White rhinos are the largest of five extant rhino species. Adult males averaging around 5,100 pounds are also one of the world's heaviest land mammals.

Best Places to See White Rhinos: Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park and Kruger National Park in South Africa offer a good chance of spotting white rhinos.

Black Rhino

Manuel ROMARIS/Getty Images

Once found across Southern and East Africa, the black rhino is now considered critically endangered, with fewer than 5,000 individuals left in the wild and three subspecies already classified as extinct. Adult black rhinos have no natural predators, and their population collapse is predominantly due to poaching. They are killed for their horns, made of keratin, and exported to Asia for use in traditional Chinese medicine. Unlike white rhinos, which can sometimes be seen living in herds, black rhinos are generally solitary (although the bond between mother and calf is strong). They favor thick scrub and bushland.

Best Places to See Black Rhinos: Etosha National Park in Namibia is a rhino conservation success story with a thriving black rhino population. Kenya's Ol Pejeta Conservancy is another renowned sanctuary for black rhinos.

TripSavvy / Jess Macdonald

The cheetah is the most slender of Africa's big cats, a magnificent animal known for its incredible speed. They are capable of short bursts of up to 70 miles per hour, making them the world's fastest land animal. However, cheetahs often have their kills stolen by other, more powerful predators despite their speed. They are a vulnerable species with only around 7,100 individuals left in the wild, including a tiny population of approximately 40 individuals in Iran. Cheetahs are found throughout Southern and East Africa in wide-open spaces that allow them to reach their top speed while pursuing prey.

Best Places to See Cheetahs: The Maasai Mara National Reserve provides the ideal habitat for cheetahs. Alternatively, track rehabilitated cheetah on foot at Okonjima Game Reserve in Namibia.

African buffalo have a robust build and distinctive fused horns. They are grazers, typically moving in herds, with no natural predators except lions and crocodiles. Unlike other species of wild buffalo, the African buffalo has never been successfully tamed, thanks to its naturally aggressive and unpredictable nature. Although seeing a buffalo herd ranging across the savanna is undoubtedly an unforgettable sight, it's crucial to treat these animals with respect. They are responsible for multiple human fatalities every year and are considered one of the continent's most dangerous species.

Best Places to See Buffalo: Katavi National Park in Tanzania is famous for its enormous buffalo herds. Chobe National Park is another good bet.

Hippopotamus

Hippos are a common sight in Southern and East Africa's rivers, swamps, and lakes. Often found in groups of up to 100 individuals, hippos spend most of their life in water, only leaving their aquatic homes to graze on the riverbanks at dusk. They have several fascinating adaptations, including webbed feet, large canine tusks, and the ability to secrete a kind of natural sunscreen. Male hippos are territorial and, like buffalo, can be exceptionally aggressive when provoked. Similarly, take care never to get between a hippo mother and her calf.

Best Places to See Hippos: Zambia's Luangwa Valley is home to the world's largest concentration of hippos. The Okavango Delta in Botswana is also full of them.

Nile Crocodile

After the saltwater crocodile, Nile crocodiles are the world's largest living reptile, with the biggest on record exceeding 20 feet in length. In sub-Saharan Africa, they are found in various aquatic habitats, including lakes, rivers, and deltas. Crocodiles are well camouflaged in the water and are most often spotted sunning themselves on the riverbank. They have been around for millions of years, and with heavily armored skin and powerful jaws, they certainly look prehistoric. Nile crocodiles are perfect predators, employing ambush tactics to take their prey unawares.

Best Place to See Crocodiles: Watch herds of wildebeest and zebra crossing the Mara River during East Africa's annual migration to see Nile crocodiles in action.

There are three species of zebra in Africa; the plains zebra most commonly seen throughout East and Southern Africa , and the rarer mountain and Grévy's zebras. Although they may look like domestic horses, zebras are almost impossible to tame; their distinctive stripe patterns are unique to each individual as a human's fingerprints. Zebras live on grass, and in some areas, form great migratory herds to seek out the best grazing grounds. They often create a mutually beneficial relationship with another African species during the migration, the wildebeest .

Best Places to See Zebra: For sheer numbers, you can't beat the Serengeti or the Maasai Mara during migration season. To see the endangered Grévy's zebra, head to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya.

Thomas Retterath/Getty Images

Easily recognizable by their tan, black, and white fur, African wild dogs are the largest (and one of the rarest) canids in Africa. They are highly social animals, living in packs led by an alpha male and female and communicating with a series of high-pitched twittering sounds. Wild dogs hunt as a team, chasing their prey until it collapses from exhaustion. Unlike other social carnivores, weaned pups are allowed to eat first at the kill to give them the best chance of survival. Nevertheless, African wild dogs are endangered, with populations declining due to habitat fragmentation, human conflict, and diseases spread by domestic dogs.

Best Places to See Wild Dogs: Top destinations for spotting wild dogs include Ruaha National Park in Tanzania, Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa, and Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe.

The most common large carnivore on the African continent, the Hyaenidae family comprises four species of hyena: spotted, brown, striped, and aardwolf. Though their mighty jaws and strong digestive tract are ideally suited for scavenging, hyenas only feed on carrion and other refuse for 30 percent of their meals; for the other 70 percent, they prey on animals of all different sizes and shapes, including wildebeest, antelope, birds, and snakes. Hyena clans can consist of up to 100 members, and individuals will communicate with each other through wailing, screaming, and "laughing." Hyenas (particularly spotted) live in a range of habitats throughout sub-Saharan Africa, from savannas and grasslands to subdeserts and mountains.

Best Places to See Hyena: You can find hyenas in many national parks in Africa, including Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, Namibia's Cape Cross Seal Reserve , and Ruaha National Park in Tanzania. For your best chance at seeing them, plan to sign up for a night safari.

This antelope species can be subdivided into the greater kudu and the lesser kudu subspecies, both of which can be identified by their white vertical stripes, spots, and chevron pattern between their eyes. Greater kudus are most prevalent throughout southern Africa's lowland Bushveld but can also be found throughout East Africa—particularly Kenya and the Horn of Africa region; similarly, lesser kudus tend to prefer the dense thornbush around East Africa. Males, characterized by elongated horns that can grow up to 6 feet in length, can typically be seen alone or with other bachelors, though you may find them with females during mating season. On the other hand, female kudus live in small herds with their offspring.

Best Places to See Kudu: Greater kudus are best seen in Kenya's Tsavo National Park and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

Warthogs thrive in savanna woodland, grasslands, and marshes, taking up natural burrows and abandoned aardvark holes. With the use of their strong neck muscles and padded knees, warthogs will spend the day foraging for food, digging through soil to uncover tubers, roots, berries, and grass. Sows can be found in matriarchal groups comprising up to 40 female warthogs and piglets, while boars prefer to live alone or with other bachelors.

Best Places to See Warthog: Warthogs live all over sub-Saharan Africa but are most common in the eastern and southern parts of the continent. If you want to spot them on safari, consider planning a trip to Kruger National Park , Masai Mara , or South Luangwa National Park in Zambia.

The Top 5 Places to See Leopards in Africa

An Introduction to Africa's Big Five Safari Animals

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania: The Complete Guide

Akagera National Park, Rwanda: The Complete Guide

Top 10 Unmissable African Safari Destinations

The Top 12 National Parks to Visit in Africa

Fun Facts About African Animals: The Cheetah

13 Amazing Trips to Take Before You Turn 40

Okavango Delta, Botswana: The Complete Guide

Best Places to Visit in Tanzania

10 Destinations to Top Your Africa Bucket List

How to Experience the Great Migration in Kenya and Tanzania

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Safari for You

The Best Time to Go on Safari

Fun Facts About Africa's Baby Safari Animals

The 18 Best Things to Do in Tanzania

9 Reasons Why the Giraffe is the Cutest Safari Animal

Published: April 28, 2024

Everything you see on Safari is amazing – even if you’re not a bird person you’ll find yourself shouting “Stop the car!!” when you see something flutter in the bushes. That being said, some things you spot are cuter than others. As for me, the giraffe is clearly the winner of being the cutest safari animal.

Here’s why:

#1 Long Lashes

Giraffes have long, thick eyelashes that not only protect their eyes from the harsh savannah dust but also give them a glamourous look. These eyelashes, measuring up to three inches long, can make anyone envious!

#2 Naturally Curious

Giraffes are naturally curious animals . They often approach vehicles slowly and peer in with a cautious but intrigued expression – which is the perfect opportunity to get the best safari shot.

#3 Awkward Drinking Postures

Even though they have the longest necks in the animal kingdom, they’re still too short to reach the ground and they have to awkwardly spread their legs or bend their knees to drink water.

This adorably awkward pose is known as “the giraffe split.”

#4 Patterns Like Fingerprints

Every giraffe has a unique coat pattern that set them apart, much like a human fingerprint. Just imagine how odd a giraffe would look without its spots?

#5 Surprisingly Speedy

Despite their size and awkwardly long limbs, giraffes move with a surprising grace. Did you know that they can gallop at up to 35 miles per hour? (probably way faster than I can run)

#6 Cuddle Buddies

Giraffes are known to engage in nuzzling and necking behaviors with each other, which is part of their social interaction. Essentially – cuddling is a big part of how they hang out with their friends.

Just when you thought they couldn’t get any cuter, they turn out to be great cuddle buddies.

#7 Soulful Eyes

The large, soulful eyes of a giraffe, rimmed with long lashes, exude warmth and kindness. Their eyes can melt hearts and are often cited as a window into the gentle soul of this towering animal.

There a few other animals that have horns that are this cute. They’re short, stocky, and fluffy. I’m sure that maybe technically they’re for some sort of defense, but how could these cute things cause any real harm?

#9 Blue Tongues

Giraffes possess a striking feature that is as functional as it is intriguing: their long, blue tongues.

This blue-black coloration is thought to help protect their tongues from sunburn as they feed on leaves from tall trees, often under the harsh African sun.

Why the Giraffe Is the Cutest Safari Animal: Wrapping Up

If you weren’t convinced that the giraffe is the cutest safari animal yet – you should be now. What’s not to love about these tall, awkward, cuddly and curious animals?

Thank you for reading this article about why the giraffe is the cutest safari animal! For more safari content, take a look here:

Playful Baby Elephant Surprises Safari Tracker in South Africa
Sneaky Elephant Steals Dad’s Hat on Safari
Minnesota Woman Killed During Safari in Zambia
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Longneck Manor is the home to a “Crash” of three rhinos (Fred, Barney and Justin) as well as a “Tower” of four giraffes (Kafele, Betty, Tana and Kili). Our animal ambassadors help guests connect with animals in the wild and help conservation efforts with our partner organizations.

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Animals Around The Globe (US)

9 Reasons Why the Giraffe is the Cutest Safari Animal

Posted: April 28, 2024 | Last updated: April 28, 2024

Here’s why:

#1 Long Lashes

#2 Naturally Curious

Giraffes are naturally curious animals . They often approach vehicles slowly and peer in with a cautious but intrigued expression – which is the perfect opportunity to get the best safari shot.

<p>Largest among the giraffe species, the Masai giraffe has irregular, jagged spots on their skin. Their long tongue has a dark pigment, which acts as a natural sunblock. Their neck, which forms one-third of their total body height, has seven vertebrae. Being prone to habitat loss and poaching, they have been listed as endangered. </p>

#3 Awkward Drinking Postures

This adorably awkward pose is known as “the giraffe split.”

Even though they have the longest necks in the animal kingdom, they’re still too short to reach the ground and they have to awkwardly spread their legs or bend their knees to drink water.

#4 Patterns Like Fingerprints

Every giraffe has a unique coat pattern that set them apart, much like a human fingerprint. Just imagine how odd a giraffe would look without its spots?

<p>In the end, Gerry’s adventure is a light-hearted reminder of the importance of curiosity and the joy of returning to simplicity after a brief. It’s a tale that brings smiles and laughter.</p>

#5 Surprisingly Speedy

Despite their size and awkwardly long limbs, giraffes move with a surprising grace. Did you know that they can gallop at up to 35 miles per hour? (probably way faster than I can run)

#6 Cuddle Buddies

Just when you thought they couldn’t get any cuter, they turn out to be great cuddle buddies.

#7 Soulful Eyes

The large, soulful eyes of a giraffe, rimmed with long lashes, exude warmth and kindness. Their eyes can melt hearts and are often cited as a window into the gentle soul of this towering animal.

<p>If Gerry could share his thoughts on the ordeal, he might regale us with curiosity, the allure of new experiences, and a word of caution about sticking one’s neck into unknown places. But for now, he’s just happy to return to his usual, tire-less self.</p>

#9 Blue Tongues

This blue-black coloration is thought to help protect their tongues from sunburn as they feed on leaves from tall trees, often under the harsh African sun.

Giraffes possess a striking feature that is as functional as it is intriguing: their long, blue tongues.

Why the Giraffe Is the Cutest Safari Animal: Wrapping Up

The post 9 Reasons Why the Giraffe is the Cutest Safari Animal appeared first on Animals Around The Globe .

Playful Baby Elephant Surprises Safari Tracker in South Africa
Sneaky Elephant Steals Dad's Hat on Safari
Minnesota Woman Killed During Safari in Zambia

Thank you for reading this article about why the giraffe is the cutest safari animal! For more safari content, take a look here:

If you weren’t convinced that the giraffe is the cutest safari animal yet – you should be now. What’s not to love about these tall, awkward, cuddly and curious animals?

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Creator 3-in-1

Wild Safari Animals

Available now

We restrict the limit a household can buy in order to be fair to all of our fans. If you’ve already reached that limit through previous orders your entire order may be cancelled.

3 safari animal playsets in 1 box

Endless play possibilities, lego® creator wild safari animals, posable giraffe.

Animal toy with moving legs, neck, tail and ears.

A roaring good time

Lion toy comes with a colorful butterfly and tree.

Gazelle family

Kids can role-play the gazelle teaching its calf to walk.

Discover other 3in1 LEGO® Creator sets

Enjoy a fun digital experience, specifications, customer reviews.

Additional animal encounters available during checkout! NEW - Sloth and tortoise feedings!

GIRAFFE RANCH

Florida wildlife park & giraffe farm, wildlife park & giraffe farm in dade city, fl.

CHOOSE A TOUR!

Clock 1.5 hours
Users Per Person All ages

Custom Safari Vehicle Tour

Just like an African Safari, our custom vehicle safari is fully guided on our 4 wheel drive safari vehicles. Participants will enjoy views of zebra, tapir, deer, and more!

Clock 1 hour
Users Per Vehicle

Wildlife Drive-Thru Safari

In response to COVID-19, we now offer guided wildlife drive-thru safari tours on our ranch. View and learn about the animals from the comfort of your own vehicle! Your expert guide, in a lead vehicle, will speak to you through your FM radio through their FM transmitter. This approach is unique among drive-thru safaris.

Users Per Person Ages 3+

Camel Safari Tour

Come experience a Camel-Back Safari! Become a part of the herd and rediscover the experiences our human ancestors had. Led by two experienced tour guides/camel handlers.

Users Per Person Ages 14+

Segway Safari Tour

Segway Safaris are akin to walking safaris done in Africa, minus the sweat and effort. Using this method of transportation, you can stand at eye-level with zebras, pygmy hippos, and more!

OPTIONAL EXTRAS!

Otter feeding.

$35 per guest – Watch Video

RING-TAILED LEMUR FEEDING

$35 per guest – Watch Video

CAMEL MINI-SAFARI

$35 per rider – Watch Video

PREMIUM GIRAFFE ENCOUNTER

$299 per guest (4 guest maximum)

Have you ever fed a giraffe? Have you ever smelled their grassy breath? These are memories that will last you a lifetime. At Giraffe Ranch in Dade City, Florida, you get to experience first-hand the lives of giraffes and other species from around the world living under huge live oaks and open grasslands in a setting that is right out of Africa.

Giraffe Ranch is a licensed working ranch that specializes in exotic species as well as domestic cattle. Learn about exotic animals from an expert guide from the comfort of a specially designed 4-wheel-drive vehicle, camel-back safari, Segway safari, llama trek, or even your own vehicle. Each type of safari offers a unique perspective. We show you our conservation efforts and how we are helping to preserve species that are endangered or extinct in the wild. Visit us for the ultimate eco-adventure!

400+ 5-STAR REVIEWS FROM GUESTS!

Our 2nd time visiting Giraffe Ranch, got to say, this place is like Heaven on Earth for us animal lovers! They take exquisite care of these cherished animals. They are so beautiful and look amazing! They are also quite happy judging by how well they are reproducing! The new drive thru tour was fabulous and I got to see the place from a different perspective as the segway tour from before. Oh, and don't forget to add the lemur and otter feedings! OMG, they are sooooooo cute! I am in love!

The Safari Tour was something fun to do during the pandemic. We got to have the experience of going to the zoo without the crowds. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and it was fun for the whole family!!!!

If you want to get a more personal experience with animals, this is definitely the place to go! We signed up for the Safari Tour to feed the giraffes and lemurs and it was amazing! You literally walk into a cage with the lemurs and get to feed them right out of your hand. The giraffes come right up to the truck and take the cabbage right out of your hands as well. The truck gets so close to these animals and you feel like you are right next to them. It is such a wild experience and I can’t wait to visit again!

Informative, educational and fun. The interaction with gentle creatures like the Lemurs and Giraffes made our day. A clean, well maintained facility where it soon becomes obvious that love for the animals is primary!

I went with a group from a local bank. What an incredible day! You can get face to face with sweet giraffes, camels, etc. Feeding the animals was just awesome. The husband and wife who own the ranch are personable and very knowledgeable. In addition to playing with the animals, I learned a lot. I recommend this excursion for all ages. I just can't say enough about this place. The animals are clearly very happy. It was a delight to get to know them up close. It was well worth the drive from Clearwater.

An incredible close up experience with guides who know and are interested in passing on that information. This is so worth the money and your time. A great experience.

We enjoyed the tour! The owners are so knowledgeable about the animals and places around the world. We first sat down for a little education about horns and teeth and then we went in to feed the lemurs. They were so cute and fun! We then went on the llama tour. If you have never walked a llama, I highly recommend the experience. We saw tons of animals that you would typically see in the wild on a safari. We came back and hopped in the truck for a drive to feed the giraffes. They have two babies. They are beautiful animals. It was a fun adventure.

We did the safari jeep tour and had a great time. Lots of interesting animals to see and feed. The owners were knowledgeable and gave a great tour. Would recommend to anyone.

My mom surprised us with this trip for Christmas. It was incredible to be that close and personal with the giraffes - and to hand feed them cabbage and sweet potatoes. The owners are so knowledgeable and present everything with a refreshing level of humor.

Georgia Safari Conservation Park

Where the Grasslands of Africa meet The Hills of Georgia

The experience of a lifetime.

Welcome to Georgia Safari Conservation Park, where the beauty of nature, amazing animal encounters, and luxurious lodging create an incredible safari adventure. Immerse yourself in the wonders of the wild and embark on a journey that brings you closer to exotic wildlife and illustrates the vital message of preserving our natural world.

Plan Your Stay

For those wanting an unforgettable overnight adventure, we invite you to book a stay with us in one of our luxurious accommodations. You can choose between two distinct lodging experiences, a private suite inside our state-of-the-art giraffe & rhino barn or an escape to Africa in a fully furnished, private safari tent, carefully designed with African charm, modern amenities, and extraordinary views of our animals.

Safari Tents

Escape to Africa in one of our luxurious safari tents nestled amidst the wild beauty of the park. These two-bedroom tents accommodate up to four guests and offer a seamless blend of African charm, modern comforts and exquisite views.

Honeymoon Hideaway

Welcome to the epitome of romance and luxury—a private honeymoon safari tent designed to transport you to a world of enchantment and serenity. An unparalleled experience for couples seeking an intimate and unforgettable getaway.

Giraffe Suite

Step into a world of unparalleled exclusivity in our private, one-bedroom suite nestled within our beautiful giraffe barn. Your private suite is a sanctuary of refined elegance, carefully designed to provide both comfort and a front-row seat to our giraffe.

Plan Your Adventure

Our fun and knowledgeable guides will lead you on an incredible animal adventure that mimics a true African game drive as we bring Africa to rural Georgia, including over 530 acres teeming with iconic African species. You will witness the majesty of wild, exotic animals, get up close to our giraffe and rhinos, and get to know our ambassador animals as you learn about the animal diversity that dwells in the wild.

Note: All images are representative samples. Actual activities may differ in appearance.

Private VIP Tour

Enjoy a private tour with your own guide as you explore an expansive wildlife savanna comprised of the open plains and forests in a 530-acre park.

Safari Wild Encounters

Join us with friends, let us host a corporate retreat for you, or plan your next group event at the Georgia Safari Conservation Park. Whatever the needs of your group, you are sure to enjoy a memorable experience with us.

Guided Safari Tour

Boarding one of our custom safari vehicles, guests will take an immersive and interpretive guided tour of an expansive wildlife savanna comprised of the open plains and forests in a 530-acre park.

The Wild Is Better Up Close

"The Wild Is Better Up Close" is more than just an exciting tagline—it's a unique opportunity to foster a deeper connection with the natural world. Our animal encounters will offer a unique opportunity to witness the beauty, grace, and strength of these incredible creatures firsthand. By seeing these animals up close, we become inspired to protect their habitats, advocate for their well-being, and raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation.

Go Wild With Us

Images are representative.

Commitment To Conservation

At Georgia Safari Conservation Park, we are building a regional zoological culture dedicated to conserving threatened and endangered wildlife. We believe in the power of knowledge and strive to inspire our guests to become ambassadors for conservation. Through our interpretive programs, guided tours, and interactive experiences, we aim to foster a greater appreciation, understanding, and connection to the natural world. We strive to be leaders in sustainable tourism practices, implementing environmentally friendly measures throughout our operations. From renewable energy sources to waste management and water conservation initiatives, we are dedicated to minimizing our ecological footprint and promoting responsible tourism.

Safari Tours

Take a Tour of a Wildlife Safari Zoo in Central Pennsylvania

Guided safari tours in central pennsylvania.

The dry plains of Africa and the woodlands and forests of Australia have never felt closer thanks to the incredible safari tour at Lake Tobias Wildlife Park. Like our other amazing attractions , the safari allows you and your family to see first-hand the various animals native to those lands and learn about their natural habitats. Discover more about our animal safari in Central Pennsylvania and all you can expect to see on your journey.

Guided Safari offered May thru October.

Self Drive-Thru Safari Available Only in April and November

Guests who wish to enjoy our safari tour from the comfort of their vehicles can do so with our self drive-thru option. VEHICLES WITH HARD DOORS AND HARD TOP ROOFS ONLY. Those interested in this experience should first read the Self Drive-Thru Rules to ensure their safety and the wellbeing of our animals. You will be required to sign a vehicle waiver prior to entering the safari fields.

SELF DRIVE-THRU RULES AND INFORMATION PER USDA:

All vehicles MUST have hard tops and doors. Sunroofs and trunks must be closed-USDA requirement (Mesh doors on jeeps are not permitted).

Strict 5 mph speed limit (USDA requirement for animal safety).

You MUST remain in your vehicle during the entirety of the tour.

Pets are not permitted in vehicles.

No riding in the bed of pickup trucks.

No motorcycles, motor homes, buses, or trailers are permitted.

Touching animals is not encouraged.

Feeding animals is prohibited.

LOUD NOISES --honking horns, music and yelling--are not permitted.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The drive-thru trail is an unpaved dirt trail with loose stones, possible animal dung, and occasional mud puddles.

Some animals may not be visible on every drive-thru.

No refunds will be given for any reason after entering the safari fields.

ZOO EXHIBITS ARE NOT AVAILABLE during the weekends of the self drive-thru.

Admission for the self drive-thru will be $9/person ages 3 through adult.

The Self Drive-Thru Safari pre-season/post-season option is available on select weekends only in April and November

from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please note: Only the Safari Tour Fields are open for the Self Drive-Thru option. Zoo exhibits are open during our regular season May 1st through October .

Adventure Awaits at Our Wildlife Safari Zoo

Deer approaching safari bus for guests to reach out to touch

Say Hello to Our Animals

One of the best parts about our safari zoo in Pennsylvania is all the different animals you may see. More than 500 animals roam the safari fields freely at Lake Tobias Wildlife Park. You may meet curious critters that are just as interested in you as you are in them — it is common for animals to approach the tour bus and get close enough for guests to reach out and touch them. Interacting with these animals is sure to be an unforgettable and highly beneficial experience for your party.

Child getting opportunity to touch animal on safari tour

Our New Safari Station

Dedicated to providing our guests with the best possible experience, we are happy to introduce our safari station. Built and launched in 2015, the safari station includes the following:

A comfortable holding area large enough to fit guests as they wait for their turn to hop aboard the cruiser
A snack shop where you can grab a drink, some food for the ride, and even feed to give the animals while on the tour
Well-maintained restrooms for your convenience

Things to Keep in Mind for Your Next Safari Tour

To help guests get the most out of their animal safari in Pennsylvania, we encourage all to be mindful of when the tours begin. Rides go out right when the park opens, and guests are welcome to come early to avoid crowds or waiting in long lines. Our tours last around 45 minutes, providing plenty of time to take in the entire tour without tiring out the youngest in your group. The last tour departs our Safari Station one hour before closing.

Please be advised that we do not accept reservations for our tours as they are offered on a first come, first serve basis. However, even if you miss your preferred time, another is coming up shortly!

Plan Your Visit Today to Our Safari in Pennsylvania

Lake Tobias Wildlife Park welcomes guests from Central Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas to enjoy a first-hand experience with animals from six continents. Our safari tour allows visitors to witness a variety of majestic animals and gain insight into their way of life. Contact us today to learn more about our Pennsylvania safari tours and rates , or to view our park hours .

Safari Times

Safari tours begin when the park opens.
Tours last approximately 45 minutes.
Last tour goes out one hour before closing.
Tours are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis and depart multiple times per day.

Attractions

Zoo Exhibits

Petting Zoo

Reptiles & Exotics

Baby Animal Program

J.R. Tobias Museum & Education Center

Catch & Release Fishing

Dining & Food

New Giraffe Exhibit

Visitor information.

Directions/Parking

Handicapped/Accessibility

Table Reservations

Groups & Parties

Accommodations

About/History

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ZooVenture Summer Camp

Affiliations

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Search LakeTobias.com

Last Updated On
May 2, 2024

Your Family Will Love This Unforgettable Safari Drive-Through Adventure In Florida

For those in the know, the Sunshine State is more than just sandy beaches and theme parks.

It’s also home to some truly unique adventures that are perfect for the whole family.

And if you’re looking to veer off the beaten path, you’re in for a real treat with a safari tour that’s unlike any other.

So buckle up, grab your binoculars, and let’s embark on a journey to the wild side of Florida!

Giraffe Ranch in Dade City is a little slice of the African savanna, minus the long-haul flight and the jet lag.

It’s an authentic safari experience that’s just a car ride away, offering an up-close encounter with some of the planet’s most fascinating creatures.

Visitors to Giraffe Ranch are greeted by a landscape that feels a world away from the typical Florida vistas.

Towering live oaks draped in Spanish moss give way to open, grassy plains dotted with acacia trees, setting the scene for an unforgettable safari drive-through.

I mean, where else can you see a giraffe ambling alongside your vehicle as if it were the most natural thing in the world?

At the heart of this experience is the chance to learn about and interact with a variety of animals, many of which are exotic and endangered.

The ranch is home to species both familiar and unusual, from the majestic giraffes that give the place its name to zebras, ostriches, and even a few species you might not have heard of before.

Ever met a bongo?

No, not the drum—the strikingly beautiful forest antelope!

Visiting Giraffe Ranch is like attending the most enchanting, open-air classroom you can imagine, minus the chalk dust and pop quizzes.

Here, the safari guides aren’t just spouting off animal trivia.

They’re like your favorite history teacher meets a wildlife detective, dishing out the kind of stories that make you lean in a little closer.

These folks know their giraffes from their gazelles, and their enthusiasm is as infectious as a case of the giggles in a library.

As you bump along in a safari vehicle, it’s not just about snapping the perfect photo of a giraffe mid-chew (although let’s face it, that’s pretty great).

Instead, it’s about understanding the patchwork of the savannah they roam.

The guides will weave you through tales of survival, adaptation, and the kind of roommate squabbles you’d expect in nature’s version of a reality TV show.

Related: This 1945-Established Florida Wildlife Refuge is a Breathtaking Paradise

Related: Visit Butterfly World of Florida to Encounter the State’s Largest Butterfly House and Enchanting Maze

Related: Explore this Little-Known Preserve in Florida for an Unforgettable Wolf Encounter

The real heart-thumper, though, is hearing about the conservation efforts.

It’s like rooting for the underdog in the biggest, most important game of the year.

The dedication to preserving these majestic creatures and their habitats is a reminder that we’re all in this together.

So, while your heart races with excitement, it swells with hope too.

Just try not to get too attached—I hear giraffes make for awkward house pets.

What makes this safari tour truly special is the intimacy of the encounters.

Imagine hand-feeding a giraffe and looking into its gentle, long-lashed eyes, or watching a herd of antelope gracefully bounding across the plains.

These moments create memories that last a lifetime, especially for the little adventurers in your family.

It’s a hands-on learning experience that’s as fun as it is impactful.

As you traverse the landscape in your vehicle, the sense of immersion is palpable.

You’re not just passing by—you’re part of the scene.

Each twist and turn of the path brings a new discovery, from a wallowing rhino to a lounging herd of impalas.

It’s a choose-your-own-adventure book comes to life, with each page turn as exciting as the last.

For those who prefer a more leisurely pace, Giraffe Ranch offers camelback safaris.

Yes, you read that right—camels!

It’s a bumpy ride, sure, but it’s also an unparalleled way to see the savanna.

You’ll feel like a desert explorer, except here the desert is lush and green, and there’s a chance of rain—this is Florida, after all.

The ranch also provides an opportunity to see conservation in action.

The passionate folks here are committed to the well-being of their animals and to the preservation of species for generations to come.

Your visit not only supports their efforts but also educates you about the importance of wildlife preservation.

Safety and animal welfare are top priorities at Giraffe Ranch.

Every interaction is carefully supervised to ensure a positive experience for both visitors and residents.

The animals roam as freely as possible within vast, naturalistic habitats designed to mimic their native environments.

This is no zoo—it’s a living, breathing ecosystem where animals are respected and admired.

Before wrapping up your trip, make sure to capture the moment with plenty of photos.

The picturesque backdrop of the ranch makes for some stunning shots, and who wouldn’t want a selfie with a giraffe?

Just be prepared for some serious photo envy from your friends back home.

To get more information about Giraffe Ranch and plan your safari adventure, don’t hesitate to check out their website or Facebook page .

When you’re ready to set off on your journey, use this handy map to guide you to this one-of-a-kind Florida destination.

Where: 38650 Mickler Rd, Dade City, FL 33523

After spending a day among the gentle giants and the roaming herds at Giraffe Ranch, you’ll leave with a heightened sense of wonder for the natural world.

It’s a place where wild dreams are just a short drive away, and where the call of the wild is answered with a friendly Floridian welcome.

Have you ever had a face-to-face encounter with a giraffe?

What was it like, and would you do it again?

1423 Ward Rd Sequim, WA 98382

SPRING HOURS:

Open 7 days a week M - Su 9 a.m. to 4p.m.

Open all major holidays except Thanksgiving and Christmas Days .

Have a Question? Call Us! 360-683-4295

Commonly asked questions.

Since the 1940s, Olympic Game Farm in Sequim, WA has been dedicated to the welfare and well-being of animals. As a drive-through wildlife exhibit, we are entirely funded by tourists and are a fun place to experience wildlife at your own pace. We strive to be a source of wildlife education for families and tourists!

Letter from Robert Beebe, President

With over 200 animals on-site , our driving tour leaves our visitors with vivid memories of these amazing creatures; experiences which, at first are hard to imagine, become pleasantly surprising. Friendly llamas and yak eat bread from your hand, clowning bears stand up and wave, and the elk and buffalo peacefully graze in the pastures.

Olympic Game Farm worked exclusively for Walt Disney Studios for 28 years, filming here at the farm and on the Olympic Peninsula, as well as on many different set locations. A few popular titles produced with our past animal actors are “Charlie the Lonesome Cougar,” “The Incredible Journey,” “White Wilderness,” and “Grizzly Adams” television and movie series. In 2012, we had used our black bear “Kitty” and wolf “Brutus” in “Serenity Farms”. In winter of 2013, we used “Kitty” once again in a National Geographic documentary on black bear in the city. Summer of 2014, “Leland” a black tail deer was used in the filming of “Captain Fantastic” as well as Olympic Game Farm used as a filming location for a scene.

After the death of Walt and Roy Disney, Disney Studios began to move away from the nature films that had been so dear to Walt’s heart. In 1972, with the approval of the Disney Studios for using the Disney name, Olympic Game Farm, Inc. was opened to the public. Our founders Lloyd and Catherine Beebe retired from the filming industry and focused solely on caring for their animal actors, concentrating on offering “in need” captive bred animals a new and loving home. Olympic Game Farm will continue to accept in-need wildlife, as space permits and with the proper authority approvals. We cannot accept local animals from the wild without proper permission from Washington State Fish and Wildlife.

Lloyd Beebe passed along his trait, his dedication, and his love for wildlife to his grandsons Robert Beebe and James Beebe, along with their uncle Kenneth Beebe, who have taken over the daily operations of the Olympic Game Farm since 2008.

Thank you for your interest,

Robert L. Beebe

President, OGF

Recognitions

We won the Wildlife Conservation of the Year award in 1996 from the Washington Association of Conservation Districts (WACD). Lloyd and Catherine Beebe and Olympic Game Farm were honored through a Senate Resolution 8612 on January 20, 2011. Lloyd Beebe won Filmdom’s Famous Five’s 1960 from Film Daily.

Are pets allowed inside our vehicle while driving?

Yes, pets are allowed as long as they are kept inside an enclosed vehicle and unable to escape your vehicle. All pets must be on a leash when outside the vehicle in permitted areas.

Why was the game farm started?

In the 1950’s to 1972, Olympic Game Farm (then called Disney’s Wild Animal Ranch) was originally designed as a holding facility for the animal actors of Disney Studios. During breaks from filming, the animals were trained, housed, and cared for while waiting for future filming. Disney Studios had asked us to keep the public and cameras out of the Farm.

However, in the summer of 1972 after Roy Disney’s passing, we allowed people in to see what the Farm was all about. This informal opening was also a test to see if we could achieve our long-term goals in caring for the animals without a steady income from Disney Studios—to see if we could make it on our own. After that summer, we let Disney Studios know how well we did. Disney Studios ultimately held a vote from their Board of Directors and decided it was ok to continue to be open to the public and retain any earnings received. That same year, we officially opened to the public as a private wildlife organization and became incorporated in 1973.

Where do the animals come from?

Several of the animals are either rehomed, come as overflow from other licensed facilities, or have been received from other properly licensed individuals.

How do you afford to feed them?

Currently, all proceeds from tourism are put into animal care and feeding. This includes all operating costs (employees, licensing, feed, utilities, repairs, etc.) associated with caring for our animals. In the past, filmmaking and tourism was the mainstay; however, as the years and societal attitudes have evolved the film industry genre, live animal actors are no longer in high demand. We do receive donations from the local dairy farms and equestrians, or from a farm hobbyist. Income made from the summer season carries the Farm through the lean winter months. This presents tough budgeting constraints and is a tremendous struggle each year.

Do you accept random donations?

Yes, the Olympic Game Farm does accept any reasonable donations. Naturally, the best donation is monetarily, but we will consider all other types.

Are you open year round?

Olympic Game Farm is open year round but will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day in order to spend time with our families.

Do the animals come out during the rain or snow?

Yes, most if not all the animals are accustomed to our Northwest weather. All the animals have their own shelters and privacy areas if they need.

When is the best time to view the animals?

We always suggest mornings to early afternoons to be the best times, as most of our animals tend to lounge in the later afternoon times and take naps.

What is the difference between a wildlife park and a game farm?

A wildlife park/zoo is usually publicly funded by city, county, and/or state funds or a group of investors. Game farms are usually in connection with commerce, such as breeding, selling, or trading and are privately funded by the owners. Some game farms are associated with “canned” hunting but Olympic Game Farm does not practice this. In our case, “Game Farm” denotes that there are game animals located and housed here but not for hunting.

Are the animals at the Game Farm still used by the movie industry?

We have used a few of our current animals in several films, “Serenity Farms,” “Captain Fantastic,” and a National Geographic documentary on black bears and city encroachment. However, we are not actively seeking animal work in the film industry.

How long does the tour take?

Typical drive tour takes anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour but it is completely self-paced. The admission ticket is good for all day until closing. On major holiday weekends, wait times and lines can and do occur, thus extending drive tour time.

Are we allowed to bring our own bread to feed?

No outside bread at this time. Throughout the year (depending on the season) other food items will be available for purchase. This is at our discretion . Specific days, food items and other information will be available upon arrival.

Why can’t we bring in fruit or other food items to feed the animals?

You can donate fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, or fresh-caught fish to Olympic Game Farm but U.S.D.A. (APHIS) has a strict rule about customers feeding our animals. Wheat bread is the ONLY type of feed allowed to be given by the customers. Olympic Game Farm will accept fresh fruit and fresh vegetables but it will need to be inspected by us and fed out by us or under strict observation if permitted by senior management. Bread has been proven to be an excellent source of fat and fiber for our animals. Large animals differ from humans and domesticated animals tremendously, with their fat & nutritional needs. Rotten, moldy, or freezer dried items will not be accepted. We cannot accept anything from your personal freezer. Please call and check first about any other food items.

What other type of feed is given to the animals besides bread?

Each animal has a well-balanced nutritional diet based on their nutritional needs by our veterinarian care plan. Meat, poultry, fish, nuts, berries, vegetables, fruit, roots, vitamins, minerals, hay, & grain are fed daily, during business hours and after closing.

We do ask for customers to not take it upon themselves to decide what is best to feed our animals. Any food items other than the bread brought to feed will be held at the gate until the tour is over and it will be returned. Violators will be asked to leave.

We ask this, not only because of the U.S.D.A. rule, but also because each animal is carefully monitored and fed daily. Some of the animals are not allowed certain foods due to medical reasons, dental problems, allergies, being strict carnivores, etc.

For the best interest of our animals, it is important only wheat or whole grain bread from the Game Farm is fed to them. Produce or meat could make the animals sick.

Are convertibles/open vehicles permitted?

All vehicles must be fully enclosed at all times for your safety. Jeeps, Broncos, etc. must have sides and tops on, making it fully enclosed. NO MOTORCYCLES, SCOOTERS, MOPEDS, OR BICYCLES ARE PERMITTED on drive tour.

Can R.V’S or buses drive through the farm?

Yes. We have a delegated road for larger vehicle. The only animals you will not see are the prairie dogs and sika deer.

What was the difference between the original walk tour and the new “Mini Tour”?

The difference between the original walk and the new mini-tour is: • In the original tour, a tour guide would walk visitors through the predator area in addition to the barn and aquarium and was only offered to groups of 10 people or more when scheduled in advance at an additional charge. • In the “mini-tour,” all visitors can enjoy the experience at their own leisure but the predator compound is not included as this area is included in our driving tour.

When are the busiest times? Or what times/days to avoid long lines and traffic congestion inside OGF?

PLEASE plan your trip to Olympic Game Farm prior to your arrival here.

The busiest weekends are Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are the busiest days of those two holiday weekends. Saturday and Sunday can see over 500 cars each day with peak times from ranging from 11 a.m. to 4-5 p.m. Traffic congestion throughout the Farm is always a concern during this time and we ask that all visitors be conscious and courteous to other visitors who are also trying to enjoy themselves as they drive around the Farm. Remember, your receipt is good all day until closing so that you can go around multiple times as needed. Also, our animals do get tired towards the afternoon/evening and can/will start to ignore people as the day wears on.

On a typical summer week, Saturday would be the busiest day and slowly tapers to the lowest day of Wednesday, then building back up each day. Beginning from 11 a.m., the peak traffic begins and eventually lessens after 3 p.m. as the animals grow tired and head to their sleeping areas for the evening.

Our employees do work as fast as possible to keep the entry traffic lines moving smoothly and quickly; however, the lines move as fast as our patrons allow us to work. We encourage that our visitors already have family plans/arrangements (such as who is paying and with what form of payment, also to know the ages of children, any discounts, etc.) made prior to entering the Farm.

Have questions about the history of our farm or admission ? Contact us today at (360) 683-4295 and we will be happy to help

Visitors, please note:.

Farm hours for the Spring effective February 19th 2024.

Hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m Monday – Sunday

We ask visitors to arrive NO LATER than 45 mins before closing time to ensure entry and have time to fully enjoy the park.

The Farm, on occasion, does close for inclement snowy weather. Please be sure to call ahead to speak with a team member and ensure that we are open. Thank you, stay safe!!

Effective June 5, 2020 In compliance to U.S.D.A federal regulation 4.12.4 NO OUTSIDE BREAD PERMITTED. NO EXCEPTIONS. THIS IS PERMANENTLY IN EFFECT. Bread can be purchased onsite, and we will limit bread purchases as needed and appropriate. Anyone sneaking in and feeding outside bread or other food items will be asked to leave with no refund.

NO RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. WE OPERATE ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS. TICKETS SALES ARE ONSITE AT THE TICKET OFFICE UPON ARRIVAL (NO ONLINE TICKET SALES) Cash or card payments only, we do not accept Apple Pay.

We are looking forward to your visit!

Find the zoo hours and the cost of admission

Download a map of the zoo so you don’t miss a single exhibit

Registration

Please support Zoo Idaho with a monetary donation

Zoo Idaho’s Mission

Preserving intermountain west wildlife and habitat through conservation and education..

Conservation and Education Zoo Idaho is dedicated to preserving intermountain west wildlife and habitat through conservation and education. It plays a crucial role in raising awareness about the importance of wildlife preservation.

Rehabilitation of Non-releasable Wildlife The zoo provides a home for non-releasable wildlife that would otherwise struggle to survive in the wild. This helps in maintaining biodiversity and preventing the unnecessary loss of animal lives.

Partnership with Idaho Fish and Game The collaboration with Idaho Fish and Game ensures that Zoo Idaho is aligned with state wildlife management efforts, contributing to the overall well-being of Idaho’s wildlife.

Birds of Prey

Deer, Elk, & Pronghorn

ZOO IDAHO STATISTICS

Annual attendance.

Grizzly Bear Exhibit

The Grizzly Bear exhibit set attendance records the year it opened! Come experience it. Hundreds have made return trips with their families to sit in the viewing gallery and observe the natural activity that Stripes and Shoni exhibit. They roam a half acre of trees, grass, and lava boulders set against a backdrop of the Portneuf Gap and Scout Mountain.

Come see the wonderful exhibits at Zoo Idaho!

Chiropractor adjusts giraffe’s neck: ‘He absolutely loved it’

ARDMORE, Okla. (CNN) – A chiropractor in Oklahoma had a special patient with a lot of neck to adjust.

Not only does Dr. Joren Whitley work on humans, but he treats animals, too.

That’s why he was called in to relieve a jaw problem on Gerry the giraffe, who was having an issue with chewing.

Gerry’s owner, a private rancher, said the animal’s jaw was not moving to the left but he did not seem to be in any pain.

Whitley, who has adjusted other animals, said working with a giraffe was a dream come true.

“Being able to work on a giraffe is a chiropractor’s dream. I mean it’s the largest neck in the world,” Whitley said.

Whitley sees human patients but has also treated dogs, chickens bats, and even a sedated lion in South Africa.

Skeptics say chiropractic has no basis in science, that there’s no proof it works on humans or animals.

But Gerry’s owner told The Washington Post the giraffe’s chewing improved after his adjustment by Whitley.

The doctor said the giraffe seemed pleased, too.

“He absolutely loved it. I mean he was rubbing all over me. He was licking all over me,” Whitley said.

In Oklahoma, it is legal to own a giraffe. Gerry’s owner purchased him five years ago from a Texas wildlife safari park when Gerry was 2 months old after his mother had rejected him, she told The Washington Post.

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IMAGES

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VIDEO

Giraffe Safari ride at Animal Kingdom
Giraffe Death in Chobe: Nature takes its prize
Taking Out A SICK GIRAFFE!! #shorts @HighRoadHunting
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COMMENTS

Giraffe
The Uganda giraffe is the only endangered giraffe subspecies. It survives in a few small, isolated populations in Kenya and Uganda. Yet at the Safari Park, we have had over 100 births so far in our large African Plains habitat! You can admire our giraffes from the African Plains' Kijamii Overlook, from the Africa Tram, or from a Wildlife Safari ...
Giraffe
giraffe, (genus Giraffa), any of four species in the genus Giraffa of long-necked cud-chewing hoofed mammals of Africa, with long legs and a coat pattern of irregular brown patches on a light background. Giraffes are the tallest of all land animals; males (bulls) may exceed 5.5 metres (18 feet) in height, and the tallest females (cows) are about 4.5 metres.
10 Best Places To See Giraffe On Safari
10 Best giraffe safari spots in Africa. See Rothschild's giraffe, desert-adapted, Thornicroft giraffe on driving, walking & riding, & boating safaris. 01980 849160. Home; ... it's one of Africa's finest wildlife areas with more than 60 animal species and at least 400 different types of bird.
Giraffe: A Complete Guide To The Giraffes Of Africa ️
Perhaps the ultimate icon of the African savanna, the giraffe is an unmistakable land mammal known for its long neck and spotted coat. Read on for a few interesting facts about this intriguing animal. Latin name: Giraffa camelopardalis. Group name: Tower. Size: 4.3 meters to 5.7 meters tall.
Giraffe- Best Giraffe Safaris in Africa
Go on safari and search for one of Africa's most recognisable animals, the Giraffe. Even head to Giraffe Manor for a unique experience. ... Giraffe Viewing on Safari. Giraffe viewing depends on where you are in Africa - as there are 9 subspecies of giraffe. Recent research has suggested however that some of these may actually be distinct ...
Giraffe
The giraffe is a wonder of evolution, and a vital part of Africa's ecosystems. Read all there is to know about the planet's tallest creature. safari experts, since 1991. See how we earn 5 stars. Skip to content. ... Giraffes are possibly one of the most intriguing animals on safari. While we are far from knowing everything there is to know ...
Giraffe
The giraffe is a large African hoofed mammal belonging to the genus Giraffa.It is the tallest living terrestrial animal and the largest ruminant on Earth. Traditionally, giraffes have been thought of as one species, Giraffa camelopardalis, with nine subspecies.Most recently, researchers proposed dividing them into up to eight extant species due to new research into their mitochondrial and ...
Giraffe
Giraffes are the tallest land animals. A giraffe could look into a second-story window without even having to stand on its tiptoes! A giraffe's 6-foot-long neck weighs about 600 pounds. The legs of a giraffe are also 6 feet long. The back legs look shorter than the front legs, but they are about the same length.
Giraffe
Giraffes are the world's tallest mammals, thanks to their towering legs and long necks. A giraffe's legs alone are taller than many humans—about 6 feet . These long legs allow giraffes to run as ...
Safari Animals: 15 Iconic Animals To Spot On A Game Drive ️
Iconic safari animals list. 1. Lion. A pair of lions - the ultimate African safari animals. Leaping in at first place is the lion, also known as the king of the jungle. Lions are the largest and most sociable of Africa's cats. At up to 225 kg, the lion ( Panthera leo) really is the king of all savanna animals (not jungle!).
Giraffe Safari
Monarto Safari Park is home to the largest giraffe herd in Australia and is the most successful giraffe breeding institution in Australasia, welcoming 48 calves. The giraffe has one of the shortest sleep requirements of any mammal, averaging just two hours daily. Giraffe have a unique pattern on their coat which, just like humans ...
Giraffe Encounter
Giraffe Encounters - Get Close to Nature's Tallest Marvels| African Safari Wildlife Park. Book your 30-minute giraffe encounters at our safari wildlife park now! Meet our gentle giants Matata, Rudy and Poptart Get up close and personal with the worlds tallest land animals! Book your experience now!
Africa's Top 15 Safari Animals and Where to Find Them
Although most elephants are peaceful by nature, they can be dangerous if provoked; however, they are far more at risk from humans than we are from them. Best Places to See Elephants: Vast elephant herds roam Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and Chobe National Park in Botswana. Continue to 3 of 15 below. 03 of 15.
Giraffe Experience
The giraffe house tour (during colder months) is suitable for children aged 5+ years only (under 5's can enter the house, but not go up to the upper platform, or feed the giraffes). Under 5's are not allowed to feed the giraffe (due to the strength of the animals), but can accompany on the Land Rover experience. All prices shown include VAT.
9 Reasons Why the Giraffe is the Cutest Safari Animal
Everything you see on Safari is amazing - even if you're not a bird person you'll find yourself shouting "Stop the car!!" when you see something flutter in the bushes. That being said, some things you spot are cuter than others. As for me, the giraffe is clearly the winner of being the cutest safari animal. Here's why: #1 Long Lashes
Longneck Manor
The goal of Longneck Manor is to provide a fun personal experience while helping to save animals in the wild. We do this by combining the best elements of a good zoo with that of a good conservation organization. So you get to meet some real live conservation ambassadors (both four and two legged species) as well as contribute to a non-profit ...
9 Reasons Why the Giraffe is the Cutest Safari Animal
The post 9 Reasons Why the Giraffe is the Cutest Safari Animal appeared first on Animals Around The Globe. Playful Baby Elephant Surprises Safari Tracker in South Africa Sneaky Elephant Steals Dad ...
Wild Safari Animals 31150
3 safari animal playsets in 1 box Kids go on an adventure with this LEGO® Creator Wild Safari Animals 3in1 set and build 3 different animal toys. ... LEGO® Creator Wild Safari Animals. Posable Giraffe. Animal toy with moving legs, neck, tail and ears. A roaring good time. Lion toy comes with a colorful butterfly and tree.
Giraffe Ranch
Giraffe Ranch is a licensed working ranch that specializes in exotic species as well as domestic cattle. Learn about exotic animals from an expert guide from the comfort of a specially designed 4-wheel-drive vehicle, camel-back safari, Segway safari, llama trek, or even your own vehicle. Each type of safari offers a unique perspective.
Home
You can choose between two distinct lodging experiences, a private suite inside our state-of-the-art giraffe & rhino barn or an escape to Africa in a fully furnished, private safari tent, carefully designed with African charm, modern amenities, and extraordinary views of our animals. Note: All images are representative samples.
Experience a Safari in Central Pennsylvania
Lake Tobias Wildlife Park has been providing visitors with the opportunity to see wild animals since 1965. This unique experience encourages guests to widen their understanding of creatures in environments that mimic their natural habitats. Your safari begins once you climb into our open-air cruisers, which provide riders with breathtaking 360 ...
Your Family Will Love This Unforgettable Safari Drive-Through Adventure
Visiting Giraffe Ranch is like attending the most enchanting, open-air classroom you can imagine, minus the chalk dust and pop quizzes. Here, the safari guides aren't just spouting off animal trivia. They're like your favorite history teacher meets a wildlife detective, dishing out the kind of stories that make you lean in a little closer.
Moscow Zoo
Moscow Zoo Museum[edit] Founded in 2008 in a two-storey building of the 19th century, built in the late XIX - early XX centuries, located on the territory of the zoo. Since 2015, the museum has been open to the public and everyone. In the central and side halls there is an exposition devoted to the history of the Moscow Zoo and a natural ...
Drive Through Safari & Petting Zoo in Sequim, WA
In the 1950's to 1972, Olympic Game Farm (then called Disney's Wild Animal Ranch) was originally designed as a holding facility for the animal actors of Disney Studios. During breaks from filming, the animals were trained, housed, and cared for while waiting for future filming. Disney Studios had asked us to keep the public and cameras out ...
Zoo Idaho
Zoo Idaho is dedicated to preserving intermountain west wildlife and habitat through conservation and education. It plays a crucial role in raising awareness about the importance of wildlife preservation. Rehabilitation of Non-releasable Wildlife. The zoo provides a home for non-releasable wildlife that would otherwise struggle to survive in ...
Chiropractor adjusts giraffe's neck: 'He absolutely loved it'
Dr. Joren Whitley was called in to relieve a jaw problem on Gerry the giraffe. ... other animals, said working with a giraffe was a dream come true. ... a Texas wildlife safari park when Gerry was ...