Giraffes are gentle browsers that feed on leaves, shoots, and fruits high in trees, using their long necks and prehensile tongues. Social animals live in loose herds that constantly change composition, moving across savannahs in search of food and water. Each subspecies has a unique coat pattern that serves as camouflage and a means of identification among individuals.

These tall herbivores play a vital ecological role by feeding on the upper canopy, stimulating new growth, and dispersing seeds through their droppings. Males may engage in "necking" battles to assert dominance, while females raise their young with the protection of the herd.

Giraffes are active during the day, especially in the morning and late afternoon. Their long legs and necks allow them to cover large distances and spot predators from afar, making them one of the most iconic and visible animals on African safaris.

Lake Manyara’s mix of groundwater forest and open savannah is ideal for giraffes. They’re commonly seen along the road edges and open areas near the escarpment.