Giraffe

Our Giraffe

Here at the Virginia Safari Park, we have giraffa camelopardalis reticulata, more commonly called reticulated giraffes. Native to northeastern Kenya, eastern Sudan and Eritrea, they are one of nine subspecies of giraffe and are the smallest, although they can still be up to 18 feet tall.

In the Wild

Giraffes primarily live in dry areas, especially where the acacia plant is abundant. Giraffes rarely need to drink, so proximity to a water source doesn’t matter to them. They will roam a radius of about 46 square miles, however.

Conservation

Over the past 20 years, the wild giraffe population has dwindled by 40% because of poaching, loss of habitat and human population growth. Virginia Safari Park has an ongoing relationship with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation to help combat these issues.

Read how we help

Tour the Animal’s Habitat

Ascend the giraffe viewing platform in the Village Walk-Thru to look our giraffes right in the eye!

See our giraffes

Learn What the Giraffe Eats

Did you know that giraffes eat a vegetarian diet, mostly consisting of leaves and shoots? Giraffes use their stature – they’re the tallest land mammal – to help them reach foliage at the tops of trees. Here at the Virginia Safari Park, our giraffes eat romaine leaves from our visitors hands.

Feed the giraffes

Your Visit

Plan your trip to the Virginia Safari Park! Get driving directions from seven nearby cities/states, as well as links to other local attractions. You can also buy tickets and download a map of the park.