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Reticulated Giraffe
Giraffa reticulata
Silhouette: David M. Brown, Rick A. Brenneman, Klaus-Peter Koepfli, John P. Pollinger, Borja Milá, Nicholas J. Georgiadis, Edward E. Louis Jr., Gregory F. Grether, David K. Jacobs & Robert K. Wayne · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassMammalia (Mammals)
- OrderArtiodactyla (Even-toed Ungulates and Cetaceans)
- FamilyGiraffidae (Giraffes and Okapi)
- GenusGiraffa (Giraffes)
- SpeciesGiraffa reticulata (Reticulated Giraffe)
In 3 days ~90% in a week >90%
241 Verified sightings at Samburu National Reserve From 2019 to 2026
320 In all 3 parks
February Best month
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted
About the Reticulated Giraffe
The reticulated giraffe (Giraffa reticulata) also known as the Somali giraffe is a species of giraffe native to the Horn of Africa. It is differentiated from the other giraffe species by its coat, which consists of large, polygonal (or squared), block-like spots, which extend onto the lower legs, tail and face. These prominent liver-red spots also show much less white between them, when compared to other giraffe species. With up to 6 meters in height, the reticulated giraffe is the largest species of giraffe and the tallest land animal in general. While the reticulated giraffe may yet still be found in parts of its historic range, such as areas of Somalia and Ethiopia, its population stronghold is primarily within Kenya. There are approximately 8,500 individuals living in the wild. In both captivity and the wild, as of 2024 there are 15,785 individuals across the world.
Reticulated giraffes can interbreed with other giraffe species in captivity, or if they come into contact with other species of giraffe in the wild, such as the Masai giraffe (G. tippelskirchii). Along with the aforementioned Masai giraffe, as well as the Baringo or Rothschild's giraffe (G. c. rothschildi), the reticulated giraffe is among the most commonly seen giraffe species in animal parks and zoos. Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Reticulated Giraffe in Samburu National Reserve
LIVEiNaturalistGlobal Distribution
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meru National Park | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 2 | Samburu National Reserve | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 3 | Aberdare National Park | 🇰🇪 Kenya |
Zoos & Centres Where Found
Closest Relatives at Samburu National Reserve
Before you go
What are the chances of seeing a Reticulated Giraffe in Samburu National Reserve?
Likely
About 60% of wildlife watchers report a Reticulated Giraffe sighting in Samburu National Reserve on a given day, based on 241 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 9th most-seen of the 25 mammals we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 90%, and over a week to over 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.
When is the best time to see a Reticulated Giraffe in Samburu National Reserve?
February
In that month about 80% of wildlife watchers report a Reticulated Giraffe in Samburu National Reserve on a given day, against about 10% in May, the lowest month. That is one of Samburu National Reserve's driest months, with about 10 mm of rain against 95 mm in April.
What time of day is best to see a Reticulated Giraffe?
Between 3 and 6 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Reticulated Giraffe sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Is Samburu National Reserve the best place to see a Reticulated Giraffe?
2nd of 3
Of the 3 parks where we can rate Reticulated Giraffe sightings, Samburu National Reserve ranks 2nd at about 60%. The best odds are in Meru National Park (Kenya, about 80%).
Which relatives of the Reticulated Giraffe live in Samburu National Reserve?
Same order: Artiodactyla
The closest relatives of the Reticulated Giraffe that you can see in Samburu National Reserve (order Artiodactyla, Even-toed Ungulates and Cetaceans) are Kirk's Dik-dik (about 80%), Grant's Gazelle (about 80%) and Impala (about 70%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
Where does the Reticulated Giraffe sighting chance come from?
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Reticulated Giraffe is recorded against all the mammals logged in Samburu National Reserve (241 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
