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Adopt-a-Giraffe Program

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What is the GCF Adopt-a-Giraffe Program?

Adopting a giraffe is an easy and valuable way to support giraffe conservation in Africa.

GCF’s Adopt-a-Giraffe Program is an official giraffe adoption from the world’s premiere giraffe conservation organization. Our Adopt-a-Giraffe Program allows you to follow the lives of a few selected desert-dwelling giraffe in Namibia’s remote Northwest and next to the iconic Etosha National Park.

Adopting a giraffe today can help us save giraffe in Africa tomorrow.​

Join us in the fight to help all giraffe populations in Africa remain wild and free!

How Does My Adoption Help Giraffe?

Namibia’s desert-dwelling giraffe naturally live in one of the harshest environments you can possibly imagine.​

It is almost inconceivable that these gentle giants can survive in their desert home. Northwestern Namibia is one of the most isolated and scenically spectacular places on the planet. With an average annual rainfall of <100mm, the Namib Desert is considered one of the oldest deserts in the world. However, despite the harshness of the environment (or maybe because of it) there is great diversity in both plant and animal species. Elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, hyena and numerous antelope and smaller mammals inhabit the area, fighting a daily battle against thirst, heat and predation. Amongst these animals one mammal stands tall: the desert-dwelling giraffe.

Giraffe are well-adapted to life in the desert. Their long legs allow them to easily cross the vast Savannah plains while their height gives them exclusive access to the highest branches of the towering trees in the dry riverbeds.

However, giraffe are facing a Silent Extinction.

What is the 'Silent Extinction'?

For every four elephant, only one giraffe remains in the wild in Africa—a drop of approximately 30% in the last three decades.

In the BBC documentary “Giraffes: Africa’s Gentle Giants”—featuring GCF’s important work in Africa—Sir David Attenborough referred to this decline as a “Silent Extinction.” These alarming numbers serve as a reminder that we need to protect giraffe now before it is too late. There’s no greater reason to adopt: Every giraffe adoption through the GCF Adopt-a-Giraffe Program supports our work with local and international partners, affecting over 100 million acres of giraffe habitat and the giraffe who live there.

Adoption Packages

Adoptions for You, a Friend, or a Child

We share photos and stories about our encounters with giraffe as we monitor them in the wild. We will also keep you informed about all of our conservation research activities and other adventures in Namibia and other parts of Africa.

Please choose an adoption package from the list below. You can adopt for yourself, or choose a gift option for an adult or child. Our Adoption Portal—accessible to Adopt-a-Giraffe program members—will allow you to adopt a specific giraffe once you complete your membership and log in.​

Your personalized adoption certificate and reward benefits will be delivered digitally and can be printed from any printer; we do not send out physical items as this would take money away from the valuable support you are providing for giraffe. Please be aware that your adoption is symbolic and that the giraffe you are ‘adopting’ are living wild and free. We are working hard to keep it that way!

Every adoption package includes:

  • A personalized, printable Adoption Certificate;
  • Updates from the field recapping the adventures of our wild giraffe adoptees;
  • Photos of all our adopted giraffe;
  • Access to the Adoption Sightings Map, showing the most recent location of our adopted giraffe;
  • Featured giraffe-cams showcasing live-streamed wildlife from various locations across Namibia;
  • Exclusive desktops for your desktop, laptop, and mobile devices;
  • Giraffe Activity Packs: Make a direct contribution to the conservation of giraffe in Africa with giraffe activity packs;
  • Social Media Challenges: Participate in social media challenges year-round to help raise awareness and save giraffe;
  • Access to personalized t-shirts and hoodies made for our adopters (deliverable to US and UK);
  • The opportunity to interact with fellow giraffe enthusiasts through our adoption portal.

Personal Adoptions

I would like to adopt a giraffe for myself.

Personal adoptions can be made for any of our giraffe, or you can choose to adopt our entire group of giraffe.

If you are interested in making a longer-term commitment to save giraffe, please consider an On-Going Membership.

This is a recurring contribution; you will be debited an amount of your choosing, starting at $10, automatically every month. You can cancel this monthly adoption subscription at any time.

Gift Adoptions

I would like to adopt a giraffe for someone else.

Your gift recipient will become a member of the GCF Adopt-a-Giraffe Programme. At the time of purchase, you will receive the following items:

  • An email containing redemption information and login details will be sent automatically to the gift recipient. You will have the opportunity to send the email immediately upon purchase or schedule it for future delivery.
  • A link will be included on your receipt allowing you to add a sticker, fine art print, or personalized t-shirt, hoodie to your gift (these items are optional and will be billed and shipped separately).

Other Ways to Support:

Looking for more ways to support GCF?

Gear up for giraffe conservation with Official GCF apparel & accessories from our shop.

Latest Sightings

17 March 2024: Kunene

Luckily the Northwestern part of Namibia has received some rains and many of the trees are sprouting. Here is Kunene munching away. Happy days!

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12 March 2024: Ninja

Look me in the eye, baby! What is not to love about these huge, dark eyes with incredibly long lashes. Almost like Ninja is staring

Read More »