Now, science has revealed just how extraordinary they truly are. Recent genetic research supported by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) confirms that what was once thought to be a single species (divided into nine subspecies) is, in fact, four distinct species, (divided into seven subspecies), a discovery that’s reshaping both conservation strategy and the way we travel to meet them.
Population: ~45, 000 remain
Subspecies: Masai and Thornicroft’s giraffe
Unique traits: Dark, jagged, vine-like patches with irregular edges
Found: Primarily in Kenya and Tanzania
Where to see it with &Beyond: Masai Mara; Serengeti Under Canvas; Klein’s Camp; Grumeti
Population: ~16, 000 remain
Unique traits: Sharply defined polygonal patches separated by bright white lines
Found: Northern Kenya, Southern Ethiopia and Somalia
Where to see it with &Beyond: Suyian
Population: ~5,900 remain
Subspecies: Kordofan, West African and Nubian giraffe
Unique traits: Light, irregular patches and pale inner legs
Found: Central and Eastern Africa (including Uganda, Chad and Niger)
Where to see it with &Beyond: Uganda; Giraffe Manor, Nairobi
A traveller could, in theory, trace a path through all four giraffe species, from Nairobi’s breakfast balconies to the Serengeti plains, down through the golden heart of the Okavango Delta and into Phinda’s Sand Forests. It would be more than a safari. It would be a celebration of diversity, a living lesson in how small genetic differences can create such breathtaking variety. Because every giraffe, no matter the species, tells the same quiet truth: that the wild is not static. It changes, evolves, surprises, if only we care enough to notice.
You’ll find the southern giraffe across much of southern Africa, including &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal where giraffes drift between ancient Sand Forest and biodiverse savannas, pausing at fever trees and somehow turning even the simplest browsing exercise into theatre. At Phinda, guests regularly spot them on morning and afternoon drives, framed by golden grass and soft light, a gentle reminder that elegance can also be wild. The Okavango Delta is another excellent place to view this most southerly-occurring giraffe species. Typically, they are found staring intently over the landscape, white ears highlighting their lofty presence against a blindingly green wonderland. When the stares of a whole group become fixated on one spot in the grass or reeds, take note! These glares often betray the presence of one of myriad predators that occur in this extraordinary wilderness, a pose that both enthrals wildlife photographers, and acts as an early warning alarm system for the shorter savanna herbivores like impala and warthog.
Our guide, Kris “Harri” Harrison stops to enjoy the interactions of a herd of giraffe on Phinda’s open plains in the late afternoon.
Theatrics indeed! For all their elegance and charm, giraffe are often spotted doing the strangest things. The &Beyond Xaranna concession is an excellent safari destination in which to witness some of the best giraffe behaviour.
To see the Masai giraffe in its core range, East Africa is the place to visit. With its irregular, vine-like patterns, these elegant creatures are as wild and expressive as the vast landscapes they roam. While the migrating herds of wildebeest and zebra are a seasonal phenomena in the tree-dotted Masai Mara and Serengeti, the Masai giraffe is an assured delight all year round, making for a striking sight as they stride across a moody, indigo horizon, or stand statuesque in the shade of a desert date tree. You can also find them in the more forested reaches of &Beyond Lake Manyara or amongst the vast elephant herds and red drylands of Tsavo National Park. Nairobi makes a great prologue (or epilogue) to the main safari and Nairobi National Park offers unique sightings of Masai giraffe against the city backdrop.
The northern giraffe and its subspecies — the Nubian, Kordofan and West African — are among Africa’s most vulnerable giraffe lineages. Their numbers have declined by more than 90% in the last 35 years. Few travellers will see them in the wild, as their range stretches through regions of central and west Africa that are difficult to access. But knowing they exist, and that their fate depends on awareness and protection, makes any giraffe encounter that much more meaningful. The opportunity to connect with this species in a very personalised way is however, very possible at Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya. Here a small habituated herd drop by your breakfast table, peer through the windows or stroll past you in the gardens. It’s not a conventional giraffe safari, but it is a living moment, embedded in warm hospitality. An exceptional tour of Uganda offers a chance to see these special giraffe in the wild.
Northern Kenya is home to the reticulated giraffe, known for its striking lattice-like coat. Their patterns are so precise they look almost drawn, like a living artwork. When lit up in the golden rays of early morning or late afternoon sunshine, the reticulated giraffe is unbeatable as a safari photography subject. But once you have that winning shot, set down the camera and just take in the real thing. It’s easy to completely lose track of time in their company. They’re creatures of rhythm, unhurried, deliberate, dignified, and in the case of &Beyond Suyian, as breathtaking as the landscapes in which they live, and the unique animals they live alongside like Grevy’s zebra and black leopards.
An &Beyond safari is more than just game-viewing: it’s learning, connecting, caring.