What Is a Group of Giraffes Called?
Giraffes rank among the most iconic and majestic animals in Africa. Their long necks, spotted coats, and graceful movement make them instantly recognizable and deeply admired by safari-goers and wildlife enthusiasts. But have you ever wondered—what do we call a group of giraffes?
The answer is as poetic as the animals themselves: a group of giraffes is called a “tower.” This name captures their extraordinary height and elegant presence on the savannas.
Why Do We Call a Group of Giraffes a Tower?
People use the term “tower” because giraffes stand taller than any other land animal. Adult giraffes can grow up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) tall. When several giraffes stand together, their towering necks rise above the grassland, resembling a natural skyscraper. This image inspired the name “tower.”
Even when giraffes walk across the plains, observers still refer to them as a tower. The term fits both their height and their grace, whether standing or moving.
Other Names: Journey or Herd?
While “tower” is the most distinctive term, others also exist:
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Journey often describes giraffes walking together across the savanna. This term reflects their continuous movement and long-distance foraging.
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Herd serves as a general zoological term for groups of large land mammals, including giraffes.
Despite these alternatives, “tower” remains the most giraffe-specific and widely favored word.
How Big Is a Typical Giraffe Tower?
Giraffe groups vary in size. You might see just a few individuals or as many as 30, depending on the environment, season, and food availability.
Giraffes live in a fission-fusion society, which means individuals come and go freely. Unlike lions or elephants, giraffes don’t form rigid family units or defend territories. They associate loosely and change group members often. You may see one giraffe join a group in the morning and move on by the afternoon.
They form these casual groups to socialize, find mates, or access food. Their behavior reflects a flexible and highly adaptive way of life on the African plains.
Types of Giraffe Groupings
Giraffe towers can vary depending on gender and age composition:
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Female and Calf Groups
Female giraffes often form loose groups with their young. These towers provide some level of safety, as more eyes mean better predator detection. Calves benefit from socialization and learning within these maternal groups.
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Bachelor Groups
Young or non-dominant male giraffes sometimes travel together in all-male towers. These groups are generally peaceful, although they may engage in “necking” (ritual combat) to establish rank.
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Mixed Groups
Occasionally, towers may consist of both males and females, especially during the mating season. Dominant bulls may temporarily join female groups in search of receptive mates.
How Do Giraffes Interact Within a Tower?
Giraffes are generally non-aggressive and gentle, although males may occasionally spar using their long necks and ossicones (horn-like structures) in a behavior known as necking. This determines dominance and breeding rights.
Communication within a tower is mostly visual and behavioral—through body posture, eye contact, and movement. Giraffes are mostly silent but may produce infrasonic sounds (below human hearing) to stay connected over distances.
Do Giraffes Migrate in Towers?
Giraffes are non-migratory, but they are wide-ranging foragers. They move frequently in search of fresh acacia leaves and other food sources. As they travel, individuals may join and leave towers freely, which adds to the fission-fusion nature of their social behavior.
Their movement is not dictated by seasons as strictly as zebra or wildebeest migrations, but giraffes can cover large distances, especially in arid areas.
Where to See a Tower of Giraffes in the Wild
Africa offers many incredible destinations where you can observe towers of giraffes in their natural habitats. These areas often feature open savannas, woodlands, and acacia-dotted plains where giraffes browse and roam freely.
Top giraffe safari destinations include:
- Serengeti National Park, Tanzania – Spot Maasai giraffes amid dramatic landscapes.
- Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya – A great place to see giraffes alongside other iconic species.
- Kruger National Park, South Africa – Home to South African giraffes in a mixed woodland environment.
- Etosha National Park, Namibia – A striking setting to view giraffes at waterholes.
- Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda – The best place to see the rare Rothschild’s giraffe.
Giraffes are typically active during the early morning and late afternoon, making these the best times for sightings on game drives.
Plan Your Safari to See a Tower of Giraffes
Few safari moments are as awe-inspiring as watching a tower of giraffes slowly stride across the African savanna. Their size, grace, and calm demeanor make them a favorite among wildlife lovers.
When planning your safari, consider parks known for open terrain and low acacia woodlands, which offer excellent giraffe-viewing conditions. Pair giraffe sightings with other wildlife experiences—such as seeing the Big Five or witnessing the Great Migration—to get the most out of your adventure.
A professional guide and a 4×4 safari vehicle will enhance your chances of spotting towers in the wild. And don’t forget your camera—giraffe towers make for some of Africa’s most photogenic scenes.
