A world-famous hotel in Kenya offers an unforgettable travel opportunity in East Africa — breakfast with giraffes. Here is all you need to know about this bucket-list experience.
Located less than an hour away from Nairobi, the Giraffe Manor is probably one of the most exceptional places on Earth where you can have an unforgettable holiday experience that would be hard to top anywhere else. This manor and hotel complex is the only place in the world where you can enjoy the company of giraffes as you eat breakfast or lounge in your hotel room.
About Giraffe Manor
The manor itself was built in 1932 by Sir David Duncan. Later in 1974, Jock Leslie-Melville and his wife Betty bought the manor and turned it into the iconic hotel that it is today. The founders moved two highly endangered baby Rothschild giraffes to the estate to prevent the species from extinction. These giraffes happily lived in the estate and produced further generations of the species that today live in the manor.
Surrounded by 140 acres of beautiful forest and with a view of the Ngong Hills, the Giraffe Manor is filled with lush greenery, gardens, sunny terraces, and beautiful courtyards that will make you feel like you stepped back into the 1930s.
The manor is a boutique hotel that makes up a romantic holiday destination for those looking for something more exclusive and unique. Everything from art decorations to the room interior is steeped in the style of the 1930s. The hotel has eight superior rooms and two standard rooms that the guests can choose from.
Giraffes of the Manor
Although the beautiful location and setting of the manor are part of the charm, the main attraction is the resident herd of Rothschild giraffes that wander freely around the grounds of the manor. No matter which room you will choose, you will get to enjoy the views over the sanctuary and the unique giraffe experience.
While you enjoy a delicious breakfast, you will probably be joined by one of the giraffes poking its long neck through the window. Here you can feed or take photos of giraffes over the breakfast table or spot giraffes in the surrounding area from your bedroom window.
After breakfast, the giraffes return to their forest sanctuary at the adjoining Giraffe Center. The center manages the conservation and education programs for Kenyan school children and visitors from around the world. There is also an elevated platform within the area where visitors and guests can meet the giraffes face-to-face for feedings.
Other Activities
Asides from experiences with giraffes, the manor offers a variety of activities and procedures to keep you entertained and relaxed. If you are looking for a pampering session, you can enjoy a soothing massage or relax with a great spa treatment with products by Healing Earth which is a premium organic brand inspired by ancient African healing traditions.
Other activities include guided walks and sightseeing drives through the surrounding forests. During the guided walks you can learn about traditional uses of the varied flora, do a bit of birdwatching as you try to spot some of the 180 bird species, or maybe even meet a warthog or bushbuck. For those who want a deeper experience of Kenya’s wildlife, the manor organizes excursions to the nearby Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and the Karen Blixen Museum.
Logistics
The Giraffe Manor is located next to Nairobi’s Giraffe Centre which makes it a perfect stop for those wanting to experience the wildlife and safari of Kenya. The complex is only 19 miles away from the international airport and eight miles away from Wilson Airport.
The room rates start from $525 per night based on two people sharing on a full board basis. The price includes airport transfers, transportation around Karen and Langata, all meals, house wines, house soft drinks, house beers, house spirits, laundry, wireless internet access, and the entrance to the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW) Center. It is important to note that the airport transfers and transportation to the Karen and Langata area are included as long as they are within the check-in and check-out times.
The stay at the Giraffe Manor might be an expensive splurge but very well worth what you get. The combination of romantic hotel settings, lush surroundings, local giraffes, and additional five-start services make it truly a bucket-list travel experience that any traveler would love.
Photo: DongDongdog/Shutterstock
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