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  • Giraffe

 

Giraffe

(Giraffa cameloperdalis)

lion

Giraffes are the tallest land mammals in the world and probably one of the most uniquely shaped animals you will ever see. They are found throughout the Kruger National Park and you should see at least one group during your stay, however short it may be.


Male
Female
male giraffe female giraffe

Shoulder height:

up to 5.5m / 18ft

Shoulder height:

4-4.5m / 13-15ft

Weight:

±1100kg / 2400lbs

Weight:

±700kg / 1540lbs

Features:

 Taller and often darker than females. Thick horns which become bald with age Features: Shorter than males and often lighter in colour. Horns are thin and have tufts of hair at the top

More giraffe facts:

Habitat:

Giraffes feed on tall trees and particularly like acacias which are common in African savannas. They are found throughout the Kruger National Park, but are particularly common in the Stunted Knob-thorn Savannas and Crocodile River Thickets.

Active:

Giraffes are mainly active during the day, but occasionally feed at night. They will generally rest and ruminate after dark. They do actually lie down to rest, but keep their heads upright

Food:

Giraffes feed mainly on leaves, but may graze on odd occasions. They have the obvious advantage over smaller herbivores in that they can reach higher leaves

Gestation:

14 to 14 and a half months

Calves:

One

Weaned:

Cubs are weaned after 7 to 9 months

Herds:

They move around in loose herds of between 4 and 30 individuals. Males only associate with females for short periods of time. Adult and old males are often found alone

In Kruger:

To learn more about how to find giraffes in Kruger, check out the right-hand sidebar



Back to main mammals page

How to find giraffes in the Kruger National Park:

leopard

Stay at these camps:
Crocodile Bridge
Berg-en-Dal
Skukuza

Drive these roads:
S25 gravel road
S114 gravel road
S28 Nhlowa road
S89 gravel road

Top tips:
Giraffes love acacia trees and are often found in the Crocodile River Thickets ecozone.

Giraffes are plentiful between Olifants and Balule camps.

Check out our Kruger giraffe gallery:giraffe



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