Written by If you’ve found your way to this website, you almost certainly have an interest in the giraffe so we’re going to build up a loose database (actually list) of the best places to visit giraffes in wherever you live. It can be difficult to appreciate the size of a fully grown giraffe until you’ve seen one close up.
Our first country is the United Kingdom, and the British fondness for animals and animal welfare means that here, there’s many options to view giraffes, feed giraffes and even view giraffes in almost their natural habitat in one of the 40 or so Safari Parks dotted around the country.
Longleat Safari Park is our first stop and it’s long been regarded as one of the best. Situated in the South West of the U.K. between Bristol and Southampton, giraffes have been resident for some time but 2012 will introduce a new experience – feeding the giraffes by hand. You’ll have to pre-book to visit The Watering Hole but hand feeding a giraffe is an experience not to be missed.
Giraffes at Longleat
Knowsley Safari Park is another of our favourites, not far from Liverpool and so within travelling distance for many people. Here you can see the Reticulated Giraffe, a giraffe species now only found in limited areas of Kenya, Sudan and Eritrea.
As far as zoos go, Colchester Zoo always rates highly on all levels. Situated in Essex just
Giraffes at Colchester Zoo
North-East of London, it’s easily accessible for much of the South East. As well as viewing giraffes here in the fantastic enclosures, visitors are also able to experience hand feeding as with Longleat. There are plenty of hand feeding sessions throughout the day and they can get busy so go early if that’s what your there for.
Lastly South Lakes Wild Animal Park is another great giraffe viewing venue a little further afield. It’s close to Dalton-in Furness in the Lake District and although you can view the animals and feeding times, hand feeding is not currently an option.