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You’re Guaranteed to Spot at Least One Gorgeous Giraffe in Each of These 15 Stunning and Awe-Inspiring Images

With their singular coats, naturally craning collars and elegant gait, these skyscraping mammals can’t help but attract sightseers to their neck of the woods

Two giraffes cross in elegant symmetry beneath a radiant sunset.
Two giraffes cross in elegant symmetry beneath a radiant sunset.
Two giraffes cross in elegant symmetry beneath a radiant sunset. Koushik Chatterjee, Kenya, 2025

You’re Guaranteed to Spot at Least One Gorgeous Giraffe in Each of These 15 Stunning and Awe-Inspiring Images

With their singular coats, naturally craning collars and elegant gait, these skyscraping mammals can’t help but attract sightseers to their neck of the woods

Photographs selected by Allison Scates

Two giraffes cross in elegant symmetry beneath a radiant sunset.
Two giraffes cross in elegant symmetry beneath a radiant sunset. Koushik Chatterjee, Kenya, 2025

As the tallest land animal in the world, giraffes are one of the most recognizable creatures on earth. Their height, averaging about 16 feet; impressive necks, accounting for about 6 feet; and intricate, unique patterns make them instantly lovable. They’re main attractions at zoos and safaris in the United States, but they’re native to Africa, living primarily in Tanzania and Kenya. Some venues offer drive-by views of the creatures in their natural habitat from at a distance; others allow visitors close-up, hands-on experiences. But if you can’t book a flight to get a good look at these wonderous mammals, let these images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest tide you over.

Five giraffes stand together
The collective noun for a group of giraffes is a tower, and that’s a designation that’s hard to argue. Here, a tower of five emerge from the treetops at Aberdare National Park. Mirjam Radke, Kenya, 2024
A mother giraffe licks it's baby
When a young giraffe approaches its mother, there is occasional gentle nuzzling and delicate affectionate licking. Manoj Shah, Kenya, 2022
A close up of a giraffe
At the Wilds safari park in Cumberland, Ohio, visitors are welcomed by Masai (pictured) and reticulated giraffes. Katie Wagner, Ohio, 2022
A lone giraffe walks gracefully across the savanna
A lone giraffe walks gracefully across the savanna, framed by dramatic clouds and the warm glow of sunset. Siamak Sabet, Kenya, 2024
Two giraffes cross in elegant symmetry beneath a radiant sunset.
Two giraffes playfully engage in what resembles a dance. It could be part of a mating ritual. Anup Shah, Kenya, 2021
Three giraffes stand in the sunset
Kenya, known as the birthplace of safari, is home to more than 29,000 giraffes. Galal Elmissary, Kenya, 2025
A giraffe drinks water from lake
Long legs and a long neck can make it difficult fora giraffe to get a drink of water. Here, one shares the refreshing spot in Serengeti National Park with zebras. Misako Watabe, Tanzania, 2024
A black and white photo of two giraffes
A black-and-white photo of two giraffes highlights the contrasting hues of their distinct coats. Rajiv Bhambri, Kenya, 2024
A mother with her baby giraffe
Newborn giraffes, who enter the world via a dramatic drop from a standing mother, are usually around 6 feet tall and weigh 100 to 150 pounds. Bence Máté, Kenya, 2024
Two giraffes in the sunset by the water
Masai giraffes, which are protected in Tanzania, are the country’s national animal, with estimates ranging between 22,000 and 28,000 individuals. Angela J. Sanchez, Tanzania, 2025
Two giraffes walk in the sunset
Two giraffes move across the plains as the setting sun creates the illusion of a fiery horizon, a quintessential color palate. Riznad Hussain, Kenya, 2024
A giraffe runs by a lion
As a giraffe trots away to avoid a prowling lion, the bird that was sitting on the giraffe take exception to being disturbed and follows it. Karthik Subramaniam, Kenya, 2023
A person feeds a giraffe
At Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya, guests awaken to find endangered Rothschild (or Nubian) giraffes waiting at their balconies, where the animals are often hand-fed. Richard Whipkey, Kenya, 2024
the silhouette of a giraffe by the water before dark
The silhouettes of flora and fauna, a giraffe, are reflected in the dimly lit waters along a riverbank, capturing the glow of the setting sun. Debabrata Bagchi, Kenya, 2023

Tracy Scott Forson is a senior editor at Smithsonian magazine.

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