My Favorite Giraffe Pictures

These are my favorite giraffe pictures and they are all from Kenya. Focusing on Kenya giraffe photos is well-deserved as Kenya has 45,000 giraffes, the highest in the entire world and well ahead of Tanzania's 30,000 and Botswana's 12,000.

A Reticulated giraffe in Samburu National Reserve

Kenya is home to 45,000 giraffes, about one-third of the world's giraffe population of between 110,000 and 150,000. Kenya therefore boasts the coveted title of hosting the largest giraffe population in the entire world.

Kenya is home to 3 of the world's 9 giraffe species. These 3 are the Reticulated giraffe, the Masai giraffe and the Rothschild giraffe.

The Reticulated giraffe (also known as the Somali Giraffe)'s coat has large reddish-brown polygon-shaped spots which are outlined in brilliant white. This giraffe species is common in Northern Kenya in Samburu National Reserve and Buffalo Springs Reserve.

The spots of a Masai giraffe are both more jagged and irregular than those of the Reticulated Giraffe. It is common in the southern parks of the country such as the Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, Tsavo National Park and Nairobi National Park.

The Rothschild Giraffe has chocolate brown rectangular patches. And, these patches' outlines are yellowish-cream rather than white. Interestingly, the legs are free of these markings and it often appears as if these species are wearing white stockings.

The Rothschild Giraffe is severely endangered and the best place to see the species is at the Giraffe Center in Nairobi.

Although you can see a few Rothschild Giraffes in the wild in Lake Nakuru National Park and parts of Western Kenya, this species is severely endangered. They are so gravely endangered, in fact, that there are only about 500 Rothschild giraffes in Kenya.

Your best bet for seeing several Rothschild giraffes up close is therefore at the Giraffe Center in Nairobi which acts as a sanctuary for the species.

There, you can touch, feed and even peck these graceful creatures. You could also stay at the exclusive Giraffe Manor in Kenya and have the giraffes share your breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Experiencing giraffes in the wild is breathtaking. Watching these elegant blondes galloping across the Kenyan savanna, foraging on treetops and necking is, simply put, peerless.

OK... Enough intro on Kenyan giraffes! Here is more of my collection of favorite giraffe photos taken all over Kenya. Enjoy...