If you’ve ever dreamed of having breakfast with giraffes, here’s your chance. A giraffe is a non-territorial and very socially-oriented animal. Furthermore, its species of giraffe is unique. Wild grassland plains, woodlands and the savanna are the most common habitats for giraffes in those countries. It is also the best way to appreciate the immense heritage that Africa preserves for the rest of the world. Males can feed on foliage higher up than females due to their greater heights. Book Giraffe Manor, Nairobi on Tripadvisor: See 1,531 traveler reviews, 1,911 candid photos, and great deals for Giraffe Manor, ranked #1 of 375 specialty lodging in Nairobi and rated 5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. In the Giraffidae family, there are two genera: Giraffa and Okapia. Giraffes are a common sight in grasslands and open woodlands in East Africa, where they can be seen in reserves such as Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Kenya’s Amboseli National Park. Africa's giraffe population dropped 40% in the last 30 years. In our expert giraffe guide learn all about these impressively tall mammals, including key species facts, their diet and best places to see them in their natural habitat. The giraffe is native to many African countries, including Kenya, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Uganda, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Angola, and South Africa. All you need to do is to just strategically position yourself near a watering hole. This ecosystem is the world’s most expansive safari destination. By James Karuga on January 17 2018 in Environment. It is such a haven for bird watchers and bird photographers. It’s most distinctive for its long legs and neck. Characterized by its long legs, long neck, and distinctive spotted pattern, many people first believed the giraffe was a cross between a leopard and a camel, which is reflected in its scientific name, Giraffa camelopardalis. Female giraffes with the estrus hormone detected in the taste of their urine will then be mated with. Tourists flock to this location so they can enjoy sharing a precious meal at the table with giraffes. 1. Furthermore, due to the scarcity of running water source, it is much easier to sight giraffes at watering holes. Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya is an exclusive boutique hotel nestled in 12 acres of private land that is home to a herd of resident Rothschild giraffe who visit throughout the day, popping their long necks into windows looking for a treat. They also may eat vines, herbs, flowers and fruits, especially in the rainy seasons. Leaves from trees, shrubs, climbers, vines and some herbs. These knobs are used to protect the head when males fight, which involves swinging their necks at each other in a show of strength called necking. The remains of two stunning white giraffes that lived at a Kenyan wildlife sanctuary were found in a … For a mature giraffe, the legs are about 6 feet in length, as is the neck as well. It has Western African Giraffe which became extinct in West Africa long ago. The giraffe is native to many African countries, including Kenya, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Uganda, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Angola, and South Africa. The okapi is sometimes called the forest giraffe. When one male wants to establish its dominance over others within a herd, it engages in aggressive "necking" behavior. Giraffe Manor … 8333 Douglas Avenue, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75225 Stay in touch with Save the Giraffes … Subscribe to get special offers and the latest offers from the Afrikanza team. Like Serengeti National Park, Maasai Mara National Reserve is part of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. This makes it easy to extend your tour after witnessing one of the world’s largest water blankets falling down. A mature giraffe weighs from 1,750 to 2,800 pounds, and they have an average lifespan of 25 years. If you want to share a dining table with a giraffe, visit Kenya. Hippos are a common phenomenon in the swampy areas while giraffes, zebras, and the Big 5 mammals dot the plains. Discover more: Where Do African Lions Live? They related it to the giraffe because it has certain elements in their appearance that refer them to the being of the mythology so important within their culture. Murchison Falls National Park is home to Murchison Falls which is one of the few waterfall sites along the source of River Nile. You can get in touch with us on support@afrikanza.com. Grass in low quantities also forms part of the giraffe’s diet. This is why a giraffe has to spread its front legs or kneel to reach the ground for a drink of water. It is probably the southern-most point in Africa where you can see giraffes. The video shows the giraffes knock heads until one is defeated. Where To See Giraffes in Africa. In order to determine whether a potential female mate is in heat and ready to copulate, a male giraffe will taste a female's urine. A newborn calf weighs around 220 pounds, with a height of about 6.5 feet. It boasts of one of the largest concentration of the rare and endangered species of Rothschild giraffes in the world. The giraffe is the world’s tallest land mammal. Giraffes possess a brown mane, and a triangular shaped head topped with two hairy horns. Here you can have a boat ride along the River Nile as you get to watch other wildlife species such as the Nile crocodiles, water buffaloes, waterbucks, hartebeest, elephants, among many other citizens of the wild. The average gestation period for a giraffe is 15 months, according to the GCF. Giraffes have no fixed mating season, but during rainy seasons chances for breeding are higher due to food availability. It is located in the eastern Rwanda region. At seven years, a male giraffe will become sexually mature, and can then mate with sexually mature females of four years or older. Chobe National Park is not so far from the world’s famous Victoria Falls. In the 19th century, Charles X of France was given a giraffe by the leaders of Egypt. It is easier to spot the Maasai Giraffe in Mara than in Serengeti due to Mara being drier than Serengeti and thus allowing the giraffes to be more exposed. According to Giraffe Conservation Foundation, (GCF) the giraffe can adapt its diet depending on the plant or tree species available in each region. (CNN) They were among the rarest giraffes to walk the planet, and now they are gone. The male is both taller and heavier than the female. When happy, giraffes will engage in playful tussles engaged with their necks, or gallop about open spaces. Female ossicones are smaller and have a small tuft of fur on top while male ossicones are bald on the top. Maasai Mara is famed for its Wildebeest Migration. Apart from the Maasai Giraffe, Mara game reserve is famous for its lions, buffaloes, antelopes and so many other wildlife species common within the Savannah grassland. The Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis meaning ‘fast walking camel leopard) is an African even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest of all land-living animal species. According to the National Geographic Society, from head to toe, the height of a mature giraffe typically ranges from 14 to 19 feet. Giraffes are the tallest mammals in the world. The rest compromise of other subspecies. The giraffe is related to deer and cattle, however, it is placed in a separate family, the Giraffidae, consisting only of the giraffe and its closest relative, the okapi. Etosha National Park is established in a semi-arid environment of Namibia. Thanks to the conservation effort by a special village community in Niger that West African Giraffe has not only avoided complete extinction but also is now experiencing a remarkable rise in population. Conservationist Symon Masiaine, left, searches for giraffes at Loisaba conservancy in Laikipia, Aug. 5, 2019. Their favourite grub is the acacia tree, and they use their long … The Park is characterized by savannah, swamp, and montane habitats. The female adults bond in groups of 10 to 12 without a male, not counting their suckling young, and male giraffes stay in their herds. When courting, a male rests its chin on the back of the female. The most famous giraffe species that dots this ecosystem is the Maasai Giraffe – named after the Maasai community in Kenya and Tanzania who are the native inhabitants of this region. Related Read: Best Places to See Hippos In Africa. Like most of Africa’s game reserves, you are more likely to see lions, leopards, elephants, among other species interacting with these giraffes. The West African giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis peralta), Niger giraffe or Nigerien giraffe, is a subspecies of the giraffe distinguished by its light colored spots, which is found in the Sahel regions of West Africa.. What type of mammal is a giraffe? These extraordinary herbivores boast many unique qualities, most … Herbivores, giraffes only eat plants. The Maasai Giraffe is distinguishable from others due to its long strip of reddish-brown fur that spreads along the top of its neck. SAVE GIRAFFES NOW is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, IRS Charitable Organization Number 83-4423842. They can reach 55 kilometers per hour (35 miles per hour) at full speed, but only can sustain such in brief spurts. According to GCF data, globally there are less than 80,000 giraffes remaining, essentially halved from the figures in 1999 when the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimated their numbers to stand … Giraffes tower above the bush in many African parks and conservation areas. Kouré is a unique place for giraffes because it is one of the rarest places outside east, central and southern Africa where you can spot giraffes. Within the green lush bushes, giraffes dominate the heights of this national park, occasionally outcompeted by tall trees but which still allow an easy view of these tall giant mammals. It is just the Kenya-Tanzania border that splits this ecosystem into two parts – Serengeti (Northern Tanzania) and Mara (Southern Kenya). The Giraffa genus has recently had a shake-up after a recent study recognized four species, not just one.The 2016 study was published in the journal Current Biology. How many vertebrae are in that long neck? The giraffes were found on March 2 after a thunderstorm in Rockwood, a private nature reserve located about 112 miles (180 kilometers) to the west of Kimberley, South Africa. Kruger National Park is the most famous game park in South Africa. Both sexes have skin-covered knobs, called ossicones, on the top of their heads. The giraffe towers over these species. Learn surprising giraffe … Giraffes Are Being Killed for Their Tails Poachers are wiping away a rare subspecies of giraffe found in central Africa. Giraffes only need 5 to 30 minutes of sleep in a 24 hour period. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions © 2020 worldatlas.com, South African Animals — Animals Native to South Africa, The 10 Coldest Cities In The United States. Males have thicker horns than females, and are taller. A truly a unique species, giraffes are found only in sub-Saharan Africa and can reach unbelievable heights. It is home to the exotic Maasai Giraffe species which was introduced there from Kenya. From shop BestCanvasEver. To feed, the giraffe uses its tough, dexterous long tongue and lips, in order to pluck leaves and shoots, even from the thorniest of plants. Serengeti National Park is part of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. A female giraffe will typically birth only one calf, although occurrences of twins are possible. Giraffe Manor is a unique giraffe sanctuary hosting the endangered Rothschild giraffe species. There are also the Big 5 land mammals. In the 19th century it ranged from Senegal to Lake Chad, yet in 2011 this subspecies only survives in a few isolated pockets containing about 400 individuals in total. This makes it quite easy to observe giraffes in this park as they compete to browse for twigs from the few tall canopies. The papyrus swamp occupies one-third of the park making it Eastern and Central Africa’s largest protected wetland. Recently, 13 giraffes from South Africa were released in the Malawi Wildlife reserve, Africa. As such, it is easy to spot the Angola Giraffe standing tall among the shrubs. Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s biggest national park. Maasai Mara Game Reserve is located in the southern part of Kenya bordering Tanzania. Incredible footage of a violent fight between two male giraffes was captured on August 5 in Kruger National Park, South Africa. Due to the land being generally dry, it means vegetations are limited. Everyone loves giraffes, but what do we really know about them? South African giraffe (G. g. giraffa) The South African (or Cape) giraffe’s pattern extends down the legs and is made up of large, uneven and notched spots on a background that is more tan-coloured than white or cream. Although herbivore, giraffes has been documented licking dried meat off bones of a carcass. Giraffes live primarily in savanna areas in the sub-Saharan region of Africa. Watching giraffes in their natural habitat is the best way to understand their unique nature and beauty. It is a town located in Northern Tanzania. The West African giraffe is a subspecies of giraffe, distinguished from other types by its light, tan-colored spots. The giraffe is a herbivorous browser, meaning it consumes bushy and woody plants. Flat, open and covered in thorny acacia trees, Namibia’s Etosha National Park is classic giraffe country. This makes it easy to access most places within the park plus you get an opportunity to view other species of African wild including the famous Kruger ostriches. Wild grassland plains, woodlands and the savanna are the most common habitats for giraffes in those countries. They have a unique way of walking moving both legs on one side of their body and then both legs on the other side. Although Giraffes run in a similar style to other mammals, swinging their rear legs and front legs in unison. Apart from birds, different species of small monkeys compete to dot the tree canopies. Close to this city, there is Arusha National Park , which is not far off from one of Africa’s most topographically diverse mountains – Mount Meru. Giraffes face 'silent extinction' 00:58 London (CNN) The only known white giraffe in the world has been fitted with a GPS tracking device in an effort to protect him from poachers in Kenya. Nine subspecies recognized; all similar but distinguished by coat pattern and geographical distribution. Males often fight for leadership as well as mating rights. Kordofan giraffe. This National Park boasts of the world’s highest population of African giraffes. There is no better place to see giraffes than in Africa. The big advantage of this is that you will get a sight of many other wild species coming to quench their thirst. According to GCF data, globally there are less than 80,000 giraffes remaining, essentially halved from the figures in 1999 when the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimated their numbers to stand at over 140,000. Giraffes in Africa. Murchison Falls National Park is located in Uganda. The giraffes here are so accustomed to people such that they stretch their almost 6-feet long necks through the windows to pick biscuits, pellets, and other servings on the hotel’s table. Giraffe Manor, Kenya. Exclusive video shows the aftermath of recent killings. According to the Nature Institute, this is a form of forceful sparring wherein two giraffes stand side by side but facing opposite direction and trade blows to the head or neck with their horns. The plains of the Serengeti and Masai Mara are quintessential safari spotting country; wide plains inside the African rift valley typified by grasslands and flat-topped trees offering a perfect shot for the camera, as giraffe … East Africa. This National Park is located in the Northern Tanzania region bordering Kenya. AWF is defending giraffe habitat and protecting giraffes from illegal hunting to save it from extinction. This is due to a deliberate and dedicated conservation effort that has seen their numbers rise up over the years to reach almost 1,000 giraffes as of 2019. There are a counted 2645 Nubian, 8700 Reticulated and 659 Rothschild giraffes in Africa. African Art Canvas-Group of Giraffe in Africa Sunset Art Canvas Poster/Printed Picture Wall Art Decoration POSTER or CANVAS READY to Hang BestCanvasEver. Here you can enjoy breakfast and tea with our resident herd of Rothchild giraffe. Southern Africa’s giraffe population has nearly doubled in the last two decades, thanks largely due to the conservation efforts of Namibia and South Africa… Native to Chad, Cameroon and the Central African Republic, the Kordofan giraffe … Kruger National Park boasts of well-kept driving tracks within the game reserve. So big that their legs are taller than most humans. Its skin coat has brown patches stained with black, and separated by a beige coloration, and patterns and colorations vary by geographic region. In arid grasslands, the giraffes there eat Acacia leaves and shoots. With over 400 West African giraffes, a visit to this place can incentivize and motivate this community to continue in its noble endeavor to preserve this natural treasure for today’s and tomorrow’s generations. Arusha is the Capital of the East African Community. Must Read: Best Places to See Monkeys In Africa. Its Savannah grassland is home to some of the most interesting animal species. Giraffe Manor Kenya is the famous boutique hotel with giraffes in Nairobi. Chobe National Park is found in the semi-arid lands of Botswana. A giraffe's neck can't reach the ground when it's standing. While Kruger grants you an opportunity to see ostriches in their natural habitat, Arusha National Park grants you an opportunity to see Flamingoes in their natural habitat. Spending most of the day eating, giraffe consumes over 100 pounds (45 kilograms) predominantly feeding on the leaves and buds of trees and shrubs. Africa stands tall, thanks to it hosting world’s tallest animal – the giraffe. For some of the best sightings of giraffe in Africa, head for a waterhole – Etosha’s arid climate compels its wildlife to concentrate around meagre surface water sources. Other giraffes have darker markings. The giraffe is an African even-toed ungulates and the world’s tallest living terrestrial animal. The giraffe population in Africa has fallen by nearly 40 percent. There are many cave paintings and illustrations of giraffes all over Africa from early civilization. Africa has one of the richest faunas in the world. The decline in Giraffe numbers has been caused by poaching, human population growth resulting in forest loss, urban encroachment, and loss of habitat to fragmentation and degradation. Call us on +1 (206) 279-1367 between 10am - 4pm EST. It stands almost 6 meters tall (19 feet) and can weigh up to 1,300 kilograms (about 2,800 pounds). If you want to share a dining table with a giraffe, visit Kenya. This can last for half an hour, and the first giraffe that to succumbs to exhaustion will wander away in defeat. Giraffe camelopardarlis rothschildi - Rothschild, Baringo or Ugandan giraffe found in Uganda and Kenya; Giraffe camelopardarlis giraffe - South African giraffe found in South Africa, southern Botswana, southern Zimbabwe and Mozambique; Giraffe camelopardarlis thornicrofti-Thornicroft or Rhodesian giraffe, found only in Luangwa Valley in Zambia Akagera National Park is also famous for its huge variety of bird species.