Giraffe Manor in Nairobi is definitely not your regular hotel. For a start, lucky guests here get to meet the world’s tallest mammal – a herd of wild Rothschild’s giraffes that like to pop in for breakfast or afternoon tea. This extraordinary wildlife experience has made the hotel immensely popular with visitors to Kenya. Giraffe Manor is also an elegant, boutique hotel, which is secluded in the leafy, upmarket suburbs of Lang’atha and Karen, so it’s the perfect place to start or end any wildlife safari.
I was lucky enough to stay at Giraffe Manor a few years ago at the end of a Kenyan safari. We had been up north to the arid country around spectacular Samburu National Park, then flown down to Amboseli at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro, and finally spent a week in the famous Masai Mara Reserve. So a couple of days spent relaxing in the tranquil environs of Giraffe Manor, accompanied by a herd of soulful Rothschild’s Giraffes, was a wonderful finale to our exciting Kenyan journey.
The Giraffes
The Rothschilds (or Nubian) giraffe, is found only in East Africa, and back in the 1970s was one of the most endangered of Africa’s giraffe subspecies. For many decades Giraffe Manor has been part of a successful breeding programme which has increased the numbers of these iconic and beautiful animals in the wild. The property’s extensive grounds encompass 12 acres and are further surrounded by 14 acres of indigenous forest, providing a protected haven for the Rothschilds.
What’s it like staying at the Manor?
A stay at Giraffe Manor is like stepping back in time to the 1930’s, when safaris to Kenya were becoming very popular for wealthy Europeans. The hotel was built in 1932 in the style of a Scottish hunting lodge, and despite various additions and renovations it retains many of the elegant, original period features. Each of the ensuite guest rooms and suites is individually decorated, while the Karen Blixen suite houses some of the famous writer’s personal possessions. In fact the house has the feel of being a set for the gorgeously romantic 1985 film ‘Out of Africa”. A new wing built in 1978 used reclaimed materials from the period, ensuring it blends seamlessly into the original property.
Other more contemporary guest facilities at Giraffe Manor include a very well-equipped gym and a beautiful swimming pool (sometimes visited at one end by giraffes), as well as comfortable sitting rooms, dining room, bar and terrace.
Good morning! Breakfasts with giraffes.
There is no doubt that one of the most incredible experiences at Giraffe Manor is waking up to see a giraffe looking into your upper story window. Or, downstairs in the breakfast room having a giraffe peer through the tall casement windows, hoping for a tasty treat! (The hotel has special treats of dried grass pellets on hand for guests to feed the giraffes). With their long tongues which can grow up to the 20 inches, the giraffes will take food straight from your hand.
Afternoon Tea with the Rothschild’s
Another wonderful opportunity exclusively for overnight guests is afternoon tea, which is held every afternoon at 5 pm on the front lawn. As the sun sets behind the Ngong Hills the giraffes lope across the lawns to join guests for tea and a selfie. Humans can enjoy a spread of homemade cookies, cakes, sandwiches, scones and fruit platters, whilst once again there are wholesome grass pellets for the giraffes.
The Giraffe Centre
Other wildlife on the property are the resident warthogs – cute and energetic characters that provide no end of entertainment. You can also stroll across the front lawns to the Giraffe Centre run by AFEW, the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife. The Centre’s mission is to educate school children about their country’s wildlife and environment, as well as running the Rothschild’s Giraffe breeding programme. A portion of each guest’s nightly rate at Giraffe Manor goes to AFEW, which is then used to fund the centre’s wildlife conservation projects across Kenya.
Other highlights around Giraffe Manor.
Giraffe Manor is also an easy drive to some of Nairobi’s most popular sites and “not to be missed” experiences. Both inspiring and heartwarming is a visit to the famous Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage. The SWT is the world’s most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation programme and the life-saving conservation work they carry out is incredible. Visitors can watch the baby elephants being milk fed, playing and enjoying their midday mud bath. Bookings must be made in advance though.
“Out of Africa” fans shouldn’t miss Karen Blixen’s house, now a museum dedicated to the life of the famous Danish author and poet. Built in 1912 “at the foot of the Ngong hills” the house gives an insight into the life of the times as well as the life of its famous owner Baroness Blixen. While the movie was romantic and beautifully filmed, I can highly recommend the book. It’s a lyrical and poetic portrait of her own experiences, the wild beauty of the vast game areas – much of which would soon be lost – and a tribute to the African people on her farm.
Giraffe Manor can easily be combined with some of the country’s best boutique eco-camps and lodges located in Kenya’s many wildlife-rich national parks and game areas.
For more information on Giraffe Manor, or to book a safari, please call us on 1300 363 302 or (03) 9249 3777 and speak to one of our experienced Africa travel consultants.
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