Giraffe Manor Kenya offers, quite possibly, the most fun and memorable breakfast in the world; with the rare and exquisite Rothschild's giraffes! This is one of the most famous, Instagram worthy hotels in Africa where the resident giraffes crane their necks through the open windows to get their brekkie or treats of delicious pellets supplied by the accommodating hotel! The giraffes, who live within the grounds within a forest sanctuary, visit the Manor for breakfast, around tea and in the early evening, and whenever they think they may be in line for a snack! This exquisite 'out of Africa' Giraffe Manor house is set in an exclusive and safe area of Nairobi, making it the perfect start, or a sublime end to your East Africa safari. This hotel is luxurious and unique making it rightly famous and perpetually full. Staying here is a once in a lifetime experience and treat. Most certainly, photographs of the giraffes roaming the grounds and inquisitively placing their heads through the Manor's windows adorn the web!
The beautiful Giraffe Manor is the flagship property of four luxurious, very different, and exquisite properties in Kenya under one family-owned company. The 1930's Manor was built as a family home, in the style of a Scottish hunting lodge, when people started to visit colonial East Africa which then had started to become very fashionable among the elite for an exotic travel experience or hunting safari. When entering the property, the Manor says, "guests often remark that it's like walking into the film Out of Africa: indeed, one of its twelve rooms is named after the author Karen Blixen." When staying here you very well may imagine that you are staying in the beautiful, historic and luxurious home of a friend. The hotel is set in beautiful verdant grounds, with beautiful suites and is complete with inviting terraces and courtyards on which to take tea or have a cooling gin and tonic. The gorgeous main areas and bedrooms would be enough of a draw in and of itself, but here you have the added authentic experience and bonus of visits from the inquisitive, friendly, yet totally wild, Rothschild giraffes! The Giraffe Manor's rate is full board; breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner, drinks, and laundry. Due to its size, there is also no access to the Manor to non-residents, meaning that to get this experience you have to stay here - giving it a very special air of exclusivity.
Due to the Giraffe Manor's popularity and boutique size and style, it really is crucial to book this bucket list experience well in advance; and we have privileged advanced access to its availability.
There are twelve rooms at Giraffe Manor; six in the Manor House and six in the Garden Manor. Remembering that the Manor was built as a family home, such that each of the rooms differs in size and position, but each is furnished in 1930's style; think fireplaces, mahogany desks, and wood panelling. The Garden Manor is newer but was built as a replica of the Manor House itself, so the Garden Manor's gorgeous rooms reflect the Manor's 1930s style; rooms here are also furnished with 1930s antiques, wooden floors and have antique styled bathrooms. Guests in all rooms have access to the Manor House, the terraces, views of the gardens, and to the areas where the giraffes visit, which for the giraffes is the all-important areas where they hope that they will be fed pellet treats!
There are ten Superior Rooms which go by the names of Betty, Daisy, Jock, Marlon, Lynn, Helen, Kelly, Arlene, Edd & Salma, one Superior Family Suite (Karen Blixen Suite), and one mezzanine family suite. Each is described in detail on the Safari Collection/Giraffe Manor website, including an explanation of the rooms' given name, layout, the view, and whether the giraffes may access the window or terrace for a treat. The Giraffe Manor says it does try to allocate the chosen room on an individual basis, such that you can select your room style. But they do caution that this is not guaranteed.
By staying at Giraffe Manor, you are contributing to the endangered Rothschild's giraffe. The Manor became home to the Rothchild's giraffe in the 1970s when the then owners, Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville, adopted an orphaned giraffe they named Daisy. Since this time, there has always been at least one Rothschild's giraffe named Daisy at the house; the Giraffe Manor and adjacent sanctuary is currently home to Daisy IV. The story of the current owners and the Manor is an endearing one; Tanya and Mikey Carr-Hartley bought the Manor in April 2009, turning it into a famous hotel. But Tanya had grown up near the Manor House and had frequently visited Betty on horseback for a cup of tea. So owning it was her childhood dream! Giraffe Manor is well located in Langata and Karen upmarket suburbs in Nairobi. Close to many restaurants and shops and the world-famous David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, the Karen Blixen Museum, and Nairobi National Park, all within reach without the need to experience Nairobi's infamous traffic!
Giraffe Manor combines well with other Safari Collection properties, each unique, stunning and unbelievable. Solio Ranch in North Kenya's Laikipia County, which offers spectacular rhino and lion experiences in a luxurious, comfortable, and relaxing environment, which – at altitude – is relatively cool for Kenya regardless of the time of year. Sasaab, just outside of Samburu national park, offering an incredible safari experience, magnificent views, hot temperatures needing plunge pools in a cooling Moroccan style whitewashed lodge. Sala's Camp, a luxurious, stunning traditional safari camp in a quiet part of the famous and game-rich Masai Mara, on the border of Tanzania.
Contact Safari Guru for further information and ideas on the how, when and where to piece together the very best safari experience. You can also download this information in PDF for reading later, otherwise visit our Rwanda page for recommendations of safari camps and lodges in the various regions.
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