You wont believe it, giraffes don’t sleep for long at all. In the wild giraffes will sleep for just around 30 minutes to 2 hours total per day
In short bursts: often just 5–10 minutes at a time and mostly at night, but even then, they’re on high alert.
Compare that to humans (6–8 hours) or lions (up to 20 hours), and giraffes are practically insomniacs.
Why so little? It’s all about survival. When your legs are over 2 meters long and it takes you time to stand up, lying down too long is risky.
Why You Rarely See a Sleeping Giraffe on Safari
When you’re on safari, giraffes are usually browsing treetops or strolling through the landscape. If you do see one sitting down — head curled, eyes closed — consider it a rare moment. It means the animal feels secure enough to completely let go. That’s not common in the wild.
Your guide might even whisper, “This is special.” And it is.
Most giraffe sleeping happens under cover of night, away from the open eyes of humans, hyenas, or anything else with teeth.
Why You Rarely See Sleeping Giraffes on Safari
Giraffes sleep mostly at night, and even then, they’re quick to snap awake. During the day, they’re almost always standing, eating, or scanning the horizon.
If you’re lucky enough to see one lying down with its neck curled up, your guide might whisper, “This is rare.” And it is. It means the giraffe feels completely safe — something not easily earned in the African wild.
Fun Giraffe Sleep Facts (Yes, These Are Real)Baby giraffes sleep more than adults — up to 4 hours a day — often with their heads resting on the ground.
In captivity, giraffes sleep longer — sometimes 4–6 hours a day — because they don’t fear predators.
Scientists only figured out REM sleep in giraffes in the 1950s — before that, people thought they never truly slept.
Giraffes don’t snore. They don’t sleepwalk. But sometimes, they chew in their sleep (thanks to digestion, not dreams).