A giraffe is a tall species of animal that is characterized by long feet and a tall neck and the tallest animal that has been in existence on the earth’s surface. It has various features that distinguish it from any other animal and make it a unique animal.
The best places to spot a giraffe in Africa include Kenya, Uganda, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and NIger countries. In Kenya, they can be spotted at Giraffe Manor, Nairobi National Park, and Maasai Mara National Reserve. In Uganda they are found in Murchison falls, In Namibia found in Etosha and Skeleton Coast National Parks, and in Kruger national park in South Africa. In addition, in Tanzania, they are found in Mikumi, Arusha, and Serengeti National Park while in Niger they are spotted in Koure.
- Kenya
Kenya is one of the countries that are well known for its rich wildlife conservation which attracts many tourists across the world. The estimated population of giraffes in Kenya is about 30,000 which is more than a quarter of the total population of giraffes in the whole continent of Africa.
Giraffes in Kenya can be found in various national parks and reserves which include Giraffe Manor, Nairobi national park, and Maasai Mara national park.
Giraffe Manor
This is an exclusive hotel located in Nairobi city, mainly in the Lang’ata region. It is one of the best places one can enjoy themselves in their free time due to its ideal beauty and attractiveness.
The most interesting feature of The Giraffe Manor in Nairobi is the fact that there are giraffes that can be spotted in the place. In this place, giraffes are very much interactive with humans because they even peep through the windows of the place for them to be fed.
Nairobi National Park
This is a park and garden located in Nairobi city. There are different kinds of animals found in this park including rhinos, antelopes, zebras, some lions, and mostly the giraffes.
It is a safari park that is rich in giraffes. For one to have a clear view of the giraffes found in this park he or she should drive a short distance along the park. There are more than 100 giraffes found in this park. Just like the other parks and reserves, it is also a major tourist attraction center.
Maasai Mara National Reserve
This is a famous national game reserve that mainly contains the giraffe species known as Masai Giraffes. It is about 1,200 square kilometers in area and contains an estimated number of giraffes of about 400 giraffes in total. Giraffe count in Maasai Mara is however declining from day to day due to reasons such as lack of enough pastures and harsh climatic conditions.
- Uganda
Uganda is the home of a certain species of giraffes known as the Nubian giraffes. More than half of the total population of giraffes in the Nubian species comes mainly from Uganda and is located in various parts.
Giraffes in Uganda are found in Murchison falls. However, there are also other places where they can be found but in smaller numbers. This, therefore, means that most of the population of giraffes in Uganda is found in Murchison falls. The other places where the giraffes can be found in Uganda include Lake Mburo National Park and Kidepo valley national park.
Murchison Falls National Park
This is a major national park that contains over 70 species of animals one of them being the elephant. It is the most famous national park in Uganda and therefore receives the biggest number of tourists that come into the country.
The giraffe population in Murchison falls national park is about 1,500 giraffes and is found mostly in the North-Western parts of the national reserve. All giraffes in Murchison falls are purely the Nubian species of giraffes.
- Namibia
Namibia has a subspecies group of giraffes known as the Angolan giraffes and is mostly found in the Northern and Western parts of Namibia, Zambia, and Botswana. The total estimated population of giraffes in Namibia is 12,000 giraffes and live mostly in grasslands, woodlands, and places where there are rivers. The biggest population of giraffes is found mainly in Etosha National Park and Skeleton Coast National Park.
Etosha National Park
This is the biggest wildlife reserve in Namibia and accommodates different types of wild animals. The giraffes are one of the common animals that are located in this park and the total population of giraffes in Namibia is approximately 11,500 giraffes.
In addition, about 40% of the whole population of giraffes is found in Etosha national park. They are safely guarded in certain places in the park which include Palmwang, Etendeka, and Hardap.
Skeleton Coast National Park
It is located in the Northern parts of Namibia. The name skeleton came from the fact that the park was found to contain many remains of bones, especially types of fish because it was once covered by a stream of water all around.
Although it has hostile coastal conditions, there are a species of giraffes that exist in this place and exist in different species. The population of giraffes on the Skeleton coast is less than 1,000 and has lived here for over 10 years.
- South Africa
South Africa is yet another country that has its subspecies of giraffes in different national parks. The common species found here are the South African Giraffe species and are spread out in other countries such as Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. These species are characterized by star-shaped patches on their bodies and are almost similar to the Angolan giraffes. Giraffes in South Africa are mainly found in Kruger National Park, which is one of the predominant parks in the country.
Kruger National Park
This is one of the most captivating destinations that one would visit in South Africa. Because it is one of the biggest parks that are ever found in South Africa, most animal species are found in this place.
There are approximately 7,000 to 10,000 giraffes in total found in Kruger National Park. This accounts for almost a quarter of the total population of giraffes in the country.
- Tanzania
Most of the countries in East Africa have a unique type of giraffe species. The most common one is the Maasai giraffe mostly in parts of Kenya and Tanzania. This species is characterized by star-shaped patches which are red-brown. They also have a weight of about 4,200 pounds and a height of 6 feet.
Mikumi National Park
It is located near the Uluguru mountains of Tanzania near Morogoro and is among the top four national parks in terms of size. It covers a distance of 3,200 square kilometers. Mikumi national park has about 10% of the total population of giraffes found in Tanzania. For one to have a clear view of the giraffes they have to drive along the park for a distance. This has recently become one of the best tourist attractions found in Tanzania.
Arusha National Park
It is located along Mount Meru and covers an area of 140 square kilometers. The number of giraffes in Arusha national park is about 462 in estimation.
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is the most famous wildlife park that is found in Tanzania. There are various animals found in the park including antelopes, buffalos, lions, leopards, and giraffes. The giraffes move around the park and therefore can be spotted only by taking a safari drive through the park. Due to its big size, the population of giraffes is relatively high.
- Niger
Niger is a country found in West Africa and just like many countries in West Africa, there are few numbers of giraffes found here. The total population of giraffes in West Africa amounts to almost 700 giraffes in total. In Niger, they can be spotted in Koure but in small numbers.
Kouré
It is situated in the East of Niamey and has a population of fewer than 45 giraffes due to most of the species and subspecies becoming extinct from day to day.
Giraffes can be the most interesting and captivating animals that one would venture to visit and enjoy their view. They are beautiful and peaceful animals and therefore can guarantee a good experience.