If there’s one African hotel that’s known widely around the globe (largely thanks to Instagram), it’s the Giraffe Manor. Owned by The Safari Collection, this magnificent property is surrounded by 140 acres of forest in the Langata suburb of Nairobi.

But it’s not the hotel’s proximity to one of East Africa’s most vibrant metropolises that is its biggest appeal - it’s the resident herd of Rothschild’s giraffes who roam freely around the property.

Images of these gentle creatures poking their long necks into the breakfast room have been shared around the globe, making the Giraffe Manor a bucket-list stay for many people. If you want to experience this Instagrammable hotel, you have to stay overnight, which requires that you secure a much-sought-after booking.

So what can you expect when staying at this iconic property? Read on to find out.

Staying at the Giraffe Manor

With its stately facade and elegant interiors, the Giraffe Manor will transport you back to the 1930s when safari travel in East Africa first “boomed”. It is surrounded by sun-drenched terraces and lush gardens, resulting in some guests feeling like they have walked onto the film set from “Out of Africa”.

The Giraffe Manor has just 12 rooms, which are spread across the original manor house (built in 1932) and a newer wing known as the Garden Manor. The Garden Manor was crafted using reclaimed materials from the early 20th century so that it is aesthetically similar to a Scottish hunting lodge.

In the Manor House, you’ll find five superior rooms named Betty, Daisy, Jock, Marlon and Lynn, each of which can accommodate two guests, with either twin bed or king-size configurations. It’s also here that you’ll find the spacious Karen Blixen Suite, which features two bedrooms (one master and one with two twin beds), each of which has an ensuite bathroom. This spacious suite boasts a fireplace and a writing desk, as well as a dressing table and wardrobe from Blixen’s original guest bedroom.

In the Garden Manor, you’ll find the Helen, Kelly, Arlene, Salma and Edd superior rooms, as well as a suite named after Karen Blixen’s lover, Denys Finch Hatton. It features a king-size bed and a loft area with two single beds, which is accessible via a small, spiral staircase. Additionally, there is a sofa bed that can accommodate a child.

Prices for the superior rooms are currently around USD 965 per person, per night (sharing). For a family of four, the Finch Hatton Suite costs USD 2,970 per night and the Karen Blixen Suite is USD 3,300 per night. It’s important to keep in mind that the Giraffe Manor often books out well in advance, so plan ahead of time if you want to secure a room.

Activities at the Giraffe Manor

Mornings at the Giraffe Manor begin with an unforgettable breakfast, accompanied by the hotel’s long-necked residents. As you sip on your morning brew, you can watch as they lope across the manor lawns and crane their necks through the large windows to see what’s going on. While interactions with the giraffes are not guaranteed (as they are wild animals), they are usually around, lured by the scent of dried grass pellets.

After breakfast, you can stroll across the front lawn to visit the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife-run Giraffe Centre, which is home to roughly 10 giraffes. It was originally founded in 1979 to educate local school children about East Africa’s native wildlife and it now runs a successful breeding program for Rothschild’s giraffes.

From the centre’s elevated feeding platform, you’ll come face-to-face with the giraffes and discover their unique personalities. Unlike the Giraffe Manor, which is only accessible to overnight guests, the Giraffe Centre can be visited by anyone, with entry by donation. After your visit, you can enjoy a self-guided walk through the adjacent Gogo River Sanctuary, which offers magnificent views across Nairobi.

If you’re feeling less energetic, make a bee-line for The Retreat at Giraffe Manor, a haven of wellness that is exclusive to overnight guests. It’s located just 80 metres from the Manor House and comprises a sauna, a steam room and a hot tub, as well as an infinity pool where you can watch the giraffes strolling nearby. You can kick back in one of the sun loungers or work up a sweat in the gym before indulging in a massage treatment. Natural and organic products from Healing Earth and Cinnabar Green will have you in pure bliss while listening to the sounds of birds in the surrounding trees.

In the afternoon, you’re invited to dine on tea and a delicious assortment of sweet and savoury treats as the sun sets behind the Ngong Hills. Inquisitive giraffes are once again a highlight of the experience, which is reserved exclusively for in-house guests. Perhaps you prefer to get active with a game of croquet or boules on the luscious lawns of the Giraffe Manor or you can settle in for a game of chess in the sitting room.

Meals at the Giraffe Manor

Daisy’s Cafe serves up freshly prepared farm-to-table cuisine for guests at the Giraffe Manor, drawing on locally sourced ingredients. In addition to hearty, homemade burgers and salad bowls, you’ll find rice-paper rolls, bao buns and a diverse range of sweet treats. All of the fish served is sustainably line-caught on the Kenyan coastline while the eggs are sourced from nearby homesteads (some of which are owned by the Giraffe Manor’s team members). Honey comes directly from the property’s beehives while the kitchen garden delivers a bounty of organic vegetables and herbs.

If you want to splurge on a private dining experience, the Orchid House provides the perfect setting. Home to around 150 orchids, it is a hidden corner of the property that will particularly appeal to green thumbs. 

Location

The Giraffe Manor is just over 30 minutes’ drive from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, which has flight connections to destinations around the globe. The property is located in the suburb of Langata, with airport transfers included in overnight rates. From the Giraffe Manor, it’s around 40 minutes from Nairobi National Park and just 10 minutes from the Karen Blixen Museum.

Want to stay at the Giraffe Manor at the start or end of your East Africa safari? Get in touch with one of our safari experts to make it happen!

Topics: Kenya Safari Lodges & Camps