A Closer Look at the Giraffe Species in Tanzania

Tanzania is home to the Masai giraffe (Giraffa tippelskirchi), which is also the national animal of Tanzania. Masai giraffes are the largest giraffe subspecies and are easily identified by their jagged and irregular spot patterns, which are unique to each individual—akin to human fingerprints.

Physical Characteristics

• Height: Males can grow up to 18 feet, while females typically reach 14–16 feet.

• Weight: Adult males can weigh over 3,000 pounds, and females around 1,800 pounds.

• Tongue Length: Their prehensile tongues can stretch up to 20 inches, helping them pluck leaves from thorny acacia trees.

• Lifespan: Giraffes live approximately 20–25 years in the wild, though they can live longer in captivity.

Where to See Giraffes in Tanzania

Tanzania offers exceptional opportunities to see giraffes across a variety of national parks and game reserves. Each park presents a unique environment, offering both beginners and seasoned travelers a chance to marvel at these majestic creatures.

Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti is synonymous with African wildlife, and giraffes are a common sight here. They can often be seen in the central Serengeti, feeding on acacia trees scattered across the vast plains. For the best experience, consider visiting during the dry season (June to October) when wildlife gathers around waterholes.

Arusha National Park

Famous for its scenic landscapes, Arusha National Park boasts one of the highest giraffe densities in Tanzania. This park’s compact size and diverse habitats—ranging from montane forests to grasslands—make it an excellent choice for giraffe enthusiasts. Visitors often spot giraffes grazing in the open grasslands or near the Momella Lakes.

Tarangire National Park

With its iconic baobab trees and abundant wildlife, Tarangire National Park is a giraffe hotspot. These graceful creatures are frequently seen browsing on acacia trees, creating picture-perfect moments against the backdrop of Tanzania’s stunning landscapes.

Ruaha National Park

If you’re looking for a more secluded safari experience, Ruaha National Park is ideal. Giraffes here roam freely across rugged terrain and are often spotted alongside elephants and big cats. The park’s remoteness ensures fewer crowds, offering an intimate wildlife experience.

Lake Manyara National Park

Although famous for its flamingos and tree-climbing lions, Lake Manyara National Park is also home to a significant giraffe population. During the wet season, giraffes gather near the park’s floodplains, creating a magical safari experience.

Selous/Nyerere National Park

In the southern circuit, Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve) offers unique opportunities to observe giraffes. The park’s vast and untamed landscapes allow for a more adventurous safari, with giraffes often spotted near the Rufiji River.

Giraffe Behavior and Social Structure

Giraffes are fascinating animals with unique behaviors that set them apart from other herbivores.

Social Dynamics

Giraffes are social creatures, often forming loose, non-territorial groups called towers. These groups are fluid, with members joining and leaving freely. Towers are typically composed of females and their offspring, while males are more solitary, especially as they age.

Feeding Habits

Giraffes are primarily browsers, feeding on the leaves, flowers, and fruits of trees and shrubs. Their favorite food comes from acacia trees, which are rich in water and nutrients. An adult giraffe can consume up to 75 pounds of foliage daily, sustaining its massive size and energy needs.

Drinking Challenges

Due to their height, giraffes must splay their legs and bend awkwardly to drink water—a posture that makes them vulnerable to predators like lions and crocodiles. As a result, giraffes drink sparingly, relying on the water content of their food.

Communication

While giraffes were long thought to be silent, they actually produce low-frequency hums, particularly at night. These sounds help them communicate over long distances, although they are often inaudible to humans. 

Giraffe Adaptations for Survival

• Long Necks: Giraffes’ elongated necks allow them to reach foliage that other herbivores cannot, reducing competition for food.

• Unique Coat Patterns: Their spotted coats provide excellent camouflage, helping them blend into their environment.

• Prehensile Tongues: Their tough, bluish-black tongues are perfectly adapted to strip leaves from thorny branches without injury.

• Keen Vision: Giraffes have excellent eyesight, enabling them to spot predators from afar and serve as sentinels for other herbivores.

Giraffes and Their Predators

While adult giraffes face few threats due to their size, they are not entirely safe from predators. Lions are their primary natural enemies, particularly when giraffes are drinking or sleeping. Calves are more vulnerable, often falling prey to hyenas, leopards, and wild dogs.

However, a giraffe’s powerful kick is a formidable defense, capable of seriously injuring or even killing a predator.

The Giraffe Kissing Trend: Ethical or Risky?

The giraffe kissing trend, popularized by locations like Giraffe Manor in Kenya, involves tourists feeding giraffes and allowing them to take treats directly from their lips. While this makes for a viral Instagram moment, it raises questions about hygiene and ethical wildlife interactions.

Hygiene Concerns

Giraffes, like all animals, carry bacteria in their saliva that may not harm them but could pose risks to humans. Feeding giraffes by hand is a safer alternative that still allows for a close encounter.

Ethical Considerations

When interacting with giraffes, it’s crucial to ensure that their well-being is prioritized. Ethical tourism practices discourage exploitative activities and promote conservation.

Planning Your Safari to See Giraffes

To plan an unforgettable safari, visit national parks known for their giraffe populations, such as Serengeti, Tarangire, and Arusha. For accommodations offering giraffe-viewing opportunities near waterholes, explore our curated selection of lodges and camps.