Discover the Arusha Giraffe Centre: A Light of Hope and Conservation

Just an hour from Arusha city centre lies a sanctuary dedicated to both the land and its iconic inhabitants: the Arusha Giraffe Centre. Officially launched six months ago, this conservation area serves two noble purposes: to spread awareness about landscape regeneration and to educate visitors and the local community, especially children, about giraffes and their silent march towards extinction.

As you drive towards the centre, the stark contrast of the surrounding Maasai landscape is striking. Pastoralists herd cattle across dry, bare land with no water source or greenery in sight. But as you enter the Arusha Giraffe Centre, the scenery transforms. Life flourishes here with trees and bushes, a testament to the land’s potential for fertility and renewal.

The centre is a living example that, through improved farming and herd management practices, even the most desolate landscapes can be rejuvenated.

One of the key messages the centre aims to convey is the detrimental impact of conventional farming practices, such as ploughing and the use of fertilisers, which contribute to soil degradation. By promoting sustainable agriculture and better herd management, the centre hopes to educate the local community on how to protect and restore their environment.

The Arusha Giraffe Centre is also a haven for understanding giraffes, a species that has seen a staggering 50% decline in population over the past three decades. With only approximately 118,000 giraffes left worldwide, the graceful creature, Tanzania’s national animal, is at severe risk of extinction. The centre’s mission is to educate the public about the importance of giraffe conservation and the broader ecosystem.

Open to the public, the Arusha Giraffe Centre welcomes visitors every day, with an entrance fee of TSH 30,000 for Tanzanians only every Saturday. The entrance for visitors helps fund the centre’s goal of bringing every child in Northern Tanzania to experience the centre free of charge, nurturing a generation that understands and values conservation from a young age.

Activities at the Arusha Giraffe Centre include:

1. Education on Landscape Regeneration: Learn about sustainable practices that can restore the environment and create fertile green spaces even in arid regions.

2. Soil Education: Understand the critical role of soil health and the impacts of conventional farming practices on soil degradation.

3. Bush Walks: Embark on guided walks through the bush to observe giraffes in their natural habitat, gaining insights into their behaviour and the challenges they face.

The Arusha Giraffe Centre is more than just a conservation area; it is a beacon of hope and education, showing that with effort and awareness, significant positive change is possible.

Plan your visit to this inspiring destination and become part of the movement to protect and rejuvenate Tanzania’s landscapes and wildlife.