Rumen contents of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) were collected over a 1-year period in the eastern Transvaal lowveld and crude protein, ether extract (fat), crude fibre, ash and gross energy content were determined. Variations in crude protein, ash and gross energy content of the diet could be related to changes in the composition of the diet of the giraffe and to seasonal phonological changes of the vegetation. There was no evident correlation for crude fibre or fat, but this could have