The giraffe is Tanzania’s national animal, and it is one of the most loved sightings on safari. Tanzania’s giraffes are Masai giraffes, the tallest giraffes in Africa. They are easy to see in most northern parks and fascinating to watch.
Giraffe facts
| Local type | Masai giraffe |
| Swahili | Twiga |
| Height | Males up to about 5.5 m; females about 4.5 m |
| Weight | About 800–1,300 kg |
| Diet | Mostly leaves, especially acacia |
| Status | Endangered (Masai giraffe) |
How to recognise a Masai giraffe
Masai giraffes have dark, jagged patches shaped like oak or vine leaves, on a cream background. Every giraffe’s pattern is unique, like a fingerprint, and researchers use them to identify individuals.
The neck
A giraffe’s neck can be around 2 metres long, yet it has only seven vertebrae, the same number as humans. Each bone is very long. Special valves and a powerful heart keep blood flowing to the brain and stop it rushing down when the head is lowered.
Eating and drinking
- Long tongue: around 45 cm, dark in colour to protect it from sunburn. It wraps around branches and strips leaves.
- Acacia thorns: thick saliva and a tough mouth help them eat thorny branches.
- Drinking: giraffes splay their front legs to reach water, which leaves them vulnerable. They get much of their water from leaves and can go days without drinking.
Behaviour
Necking
Males fight by swinging their necks and hitting each other with their heads. It can look slow and graceful, but the blows are powerful.
Sleep
Giraffes sleep very little, often in short naps, sometimes standing up.
Calves
Calves are born after about 15 months of pregnancy and drop around 2 metres to the ground at birth. They can stand within an hour.
Where to see giraffes in Tanzania
| Park | Notes |
|---|---|
| Serengeti | Common in acacia woodland, especially the centre and west |
| Tarangire | Frequent, often among baobabs |
| Arusha National Park | Easy to see, and on walking safaris |
| Lake Manyara | Floodplains and woodland |
| Ruaha and Nyerere | Common in the south |
Giraffes do not live on the Ngorongoro Crater floor.
Conservation
Masai giraffe numbers have fallen sharply in recent decades due to habitat loss and poaching. Tanzania protects them as its national animal, and research projects track populations in the Serengeti and Tarangire.
See giraffes on foot
Walking with giraffes in Arusha National Park is an unforgettable experience. For the classic parks, try The Northern Loop. Families love the Family Northern Safari. Read about the largest animals in Africa and animals in the Serengeti.
Frequently asked questions
The giraffe. It appears on the national coat of arms, and hunting giraffes is illegal in Tanzania.
The Masai giraffe, recognised by its jagged, leaf-shaped dark patches.
No. The crater walls are steep and the floor lacks the tall trees giraffes feed on. You will see them on the rim and in nearby parks.
