The giraffe manor is an Instagram-famous location situated in the Langata suburbs of Nairobi, Kenya.
It is one of the most Instagrammed places in the world primarily because of the Rothchild giraffes it houses.
Guests get to enjoy one-on-one interaction with the rarest giraffes in the world.
While giraffes are arguably the main attraction, the hotel is pretty luxurious and has a lot to offer.
Why Should You Visit the Giraffe Manor?
There are giraffes in many conservancies and national parks worldwide, so what makes the manor stand out?
The answer is simple: you can interact with the giraffes even in the comfort of your room, all the while enjoying the luxury that comes with staying at the hotel, such as the famous Giraffe Manor breakfast.
Furthermore, the giraffes here, the Rothchild species, are the most endangered giraffe species in the world.
In 2016, there were only 1669 of them worldwide. So, you would be interacting with some of the world’s rarest animals, which is special in itself.
Rothchild giraffes are unique in that they don’t have markings on their lower legs like the rest of the giraffe species.
This makes them look like they are wearing long white socks.
Each of the giraffes in the manor is highly recognized. Each of them has a name and a story.
For Instance – Betty is the oldest giraffe in the center at almost 20 years old. Edd is the tallest and also the most friendly – he is known to love kissing guests.
The resident herd of giraffes typically visits the manor every morning at 6 a.m. and evening at 5 p.m.
In the mornings, guests can have breakfast with the giraffes until around 9 a.m., after which the animals return to their forest sanctuary.
In addition, the manor is next to the Giraffe Center, where as a guest, you can go see the giraffes there for free.
It is also close to places such as the David Sheldrick Wildlife Orphanage, which is perfect for kids. So, the manor is great for family vacations.
History Of the Giraffe Manor
The Giraffe Manor dates back to the 1930s when it was a Scottish hunting lodge.
This was a time when tourists started to come to East Africa for safaris. The original manor had six en-suite rooms, which are there today.
The rooms come with en-suite bathrooms, king-sized beds, or twin beds, depending on the size of the room.
When the lodge became a giraffe manor in the 1970s, each of the rooms was named after a resident giraffe:
- Daisy
- Marlon
- Betty
- Lynn
- Jock
The last of the six rooms was named after Karen Blixen. The manor basically became an iconic boutique hotel.
As mentioned above in the article, the manor was acquired in 2009 by the Carr-Hartleys.
Upon renovating the original manor, the new owners built a new section in 2011 and called it the Garden manor.
The new section is identical to the old manor as it was built with the same materials and architectural style as the old manor.
Just like the old manor, the new one has six rooms, all of which are named after resident Rothchild giraffes:
- Arlene
- Edd
- Helen
- Kelly
- Salma
- and Finch Hatton Suite
The hotel is owned by the Safari Collection.
The organization started managing the manor in 2009.
Safari collection owns a bunch of other boutique hotels, such as Sala’s Camp, Solio Lodge, and Sasaab.
So, you can sleep in one of the company’s other hotels during your safari in Kenya.
The 2009 acquisition of the Giraffe Manor was orchestrated by Tanya and Mikey, or the Carr-Hartleys as they are also referred to.
The couple turned the lodge into a world-famous hotel and renovated the interiors while maintaining their vintage touch.
What You Need to Know About Interacting with The Giraffes at The Manor
Resident giraffes come around at breakfast and stick their necks in the rooms hoping for some treats.
Each of the rooms in the manor receives grass pellets for this very purpose.
During these morning visits, you can get a close-up view of these magnificent animals and take all the pictures you want.
The place is very photo-friendly and lives up to its reputation as instagrammable, with props all over for great photos.
The employees have also mastered the art of photography down to a science and will help you get killer photos for the gram.
Note – While giraffes are gentle and hardly violent, it is imperative to remember that they are wild animals at the end of the day. They enjoy the occasional headbutting, especially when they don’t get their treats, which can be dangerous since giraffes have powerful necks.
Staff members are always on standby just in case of anything, as they know best how to deal with the giraffes.
Also, there are strict rules on how interactions happen around here for the safety of both the giraffes and the people.
Ensure that you are familiar with the rules before you interact with the giraffes.
At 5 p.m. every day, the giraffes come by from the giraffe center to hang with the guests before the giraffes head back to the forest.
During this time, guests are served tea and given grass pellets to feed the giraffes when they come by.
It is basically like having high tea with the animals while enjoying the sunset. Very magnificent.
What Are Some of The Activities You Can Do at The Giraffe Manor?
The main reason people go to the manor is to hang out with the giraffes and take amazing photos for Instagram.
However, the giraffes are not around all the time, so in the meantime, there are things you can do to keep yourself busy.
One of the things you can do while at the manor is going to the retreat center found in the compound.
There is a serene wellness center with a jacuzzi, pool, sauna, hot tub, spa treatment, and a steam room where you can relax the afternoon away as you wait for the 5 o’clock tea.
There is also a lawn overlooking the sanctuary with games you can participate in.
You can play a game of boules or croquet. If you are into board games, you can play chess on a wildlife-themed board in the lounge.
Alternatively – You can sit on the verandah and take in the beauty of nature. You could even sip a complimentary glass of house wine while at it as you wait for the 5 o’clock tea.
Can You Visit the Giraffe Manor?
You cannot just visit the giraffe manor – you have to stay there for at least a night.
The hotel does not allow people to come for a few hours and then leave – it beats the point of the whole experience.
Also, the principle is for guests to enjoy an uninterrupted stay without random visitors during the day.
Usually, a day is enough for a full experience, but there is no limit as to how long one can stay.
Check-in is always at noon, and check-out is at 10 a.m.
Within this time, you will have experienced the 5 o’clock high tea with the giraffes, the animals waking you up by sticking their long necks into hotel rooms at 6 in the morning, breakfast with them, and loads of amazing pictures.
How Much Does it Cost To Stay At The Giraffe Manor?
Staying at the Giraffe manor will cost you about $965 per person and roughly $2000 for two people for one night.
While it is quite expensive, it is worth every penny.
The rooms are immaculate and luxurious, the food is delicious, and the staff is friendly and attentive.
One staff member for every two guests leads to a very personalized service. Furthermore, a butler is ready to provide room service at any time.
As pricey as it is, the giraffe manor is always booked, sometimes for more than a year on end, which speaks volumes for the experience.
Also, it can only accommodate 24 guests at a time, which translates to two people in a room. Therefore, it is advisable to book eighteen months to two years in advance.
How Far Is the Giraffe Manor from The Airport?
The Giraffe Manor, located in the Langata suburbs of Nairobi, is 25 miles (40 km) from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, a drive of about 45 minutes.
Also, the manor is 8 miles (12.8 km) from Wilson Airport, a drive of about 26 minutes.
If you make prior plans, the manor will arrange for a shuttle to pick you up from the airport.
It can also drop you at the airport when your stay at the hotel is over.
You would be delighted to learn that the manor is very close to the Nairobi National Park, so you can visit the park before leaving the city.
What You Should Know Before Going to The Giraffe Manor
Before booking into the Giraffe Manor, you should be aware that there is the main manor and the garden manor.
The way they are set up by the Safari Collection, you cannot book a room at the garden manor unless you are planning to stay there.
Therefore, if you are not planning on staying with the safari collection, book a room in the main manor.
The giraffe center is very close by – it is a few minutes’ walk from the manor.
It is free for all manor guests, and you can visit anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
You don’t have to book to go to the giraffe center in advance- it is on the house. It is one of the perks of being a manor guest.
In conclusion
If you are planning a safari to East Africa and particularly Kenya, making a stop at the giraffe manor will be the icing on the cake.
You will have the experience of your life and very amazing photos to show for it.
Since the place is in high demand, it is advisable to book a room a year or a year and a half before you make your trip.
While it is quite costly, the giraffe manor has optimum value for your money.
