Giraffe Manor is an exclusive boutique hotel, owned by The Safari Collection. Often referred to as one of the most instagrammed properties in the world, Giraffe Manor is set in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest in the Langata suburb of Nairobi. Giraffe Manor is one of Nairobi’s most iconic buildings. The historic manor house has extraordinary appeal, that harks back to the 1930s when visitors first flocked to East Africa to enjoy safaris. With its stately façade, elegant interior, verdant green gardens, sunny terraces and delightful courtyards, 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.
One of the most fascinating things about Giraffe Manor is its resident herd of Rothschild’s giraffes who may visit morning and evening, poking their long necks into the windows in the hope of a treat, before retreating to their forest sanctuary. Giraffe Manor can be booked for the night or as part of a complete tailor-made safari with The Safari Collection.
Location
Giraffe Manor is in the leafy Nairobi suburb of Karen and Langata. As the crow flies, it is not far from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport but Nairobi traffic can be unpredictable, so it usually takes approximately 45 – 60 minutes the manor. Domestic flights operate out of Wilson Airport, which is around a 25 minute-drive from Giraffe Manor but, again, due to the nature of Nairobi traffic we allow more time.
Accomodation
Karen Blixen Suite
Karen Blixen came to Kenya from Denmark to marry her friend, Baron Bror von Blixen Fincke, and start a dairy farm. However, when she arrived in the country she found, much to her surprise, that the Baron had invested in coffee instead. Whilst her attempts at growing coffee failed, her courage and stamina earned her enormous respect from those around her. As the area in which she once lived became more developed, the district of Karen was named after her. The Danish government gave Blixen’s house to the Kenyan government as an independence gift in 1964. In 1985 when her autobiography ‘Out of Africa’ became an Academy Award-winning Hollywood film, the house was turned into a museum.
The 113 square-metre Karen Blixen room at Giraffe Manor is located on the top floor of the main manor house. Its spacious balcony enjoys lovely south-facing views and provides guests with the opportunity to feed the giraffes in the early morning hours. This two-bedroomed suite – the largest of all the rooms at the manor – was rebuilt and moved to its new location in 2019. Each bedroom has its own en-suite facilities with bathtub, shower and twin sinks. The master bedroom has a king-sized four poster bed, whilst the second bedroom has two single four poster beds and a small daybed which can accommodate a young child. The room also has a spacious lounge with a fireplace and a writing desk. This delightful suite is adorned with a little piece of history; a dressing table and wardrobe that were both from Karen Blixen’s original guest bedroom. The mother of Jock Leslie-Melville (who bought the manor in the 1970s) was a friend of Karen’s and the furniture was given to her as a parting gift when Karen returned to Denmark in 1931.
Daisy Superior Room
Daisy II was named after the original Daisy Rothschild, who was hand-raised by Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville many years ago. Her last calf, Ibrahim, was born in October 2011. Helen, her daughter, was born right here in front of the manor in August 2009. She also had other calves like Frank, who was released in December 2008 into Lake Nakuru National Park at two years of age. The Leslie-Melvilles wrote a book about their experience with the first giraffe, ‘Raising Daisy Rothschild’, which became an international best-seller. The book helped raise money to move the last of the extremely endangered Rothschild’s herd to the safety of Kenya’s national parks. There have since been two more Daisys at the manor, and it is Daisy IV who remains with us today. She was born in August 2009 and is identifiable by her right ear which is missing its pointed tip.
Daisy’s room is approximately 24 square-metres in size and boasts wonderful westward views toward the Ngong Hills. It is one of the rooms at Giraffe Manor with a balcony from which you can feed the giraffes when they visit in the early morning looking for treats. The room can accommodate either a couple or two singles (it can be a double or a twin). The en-suite facilities consist of twin sinks and a spacious shower.
Edd Superior Room
Edd-the-giraffe, son to Jock and Lynn, was born here at Giraffe Manor in July 2011 and is now the dominant male and father to all the young calves presently roaming the sanctuary grounds. He enjoys being fed from Jock’s room more than anywhere else and is a gentle giant who will happily interact with visitors in exchange for a few pellets. He is easily recognisable as the loftiest giraffe here as well as by the way his offspring hurry out of the way in deference to him when he arrives on the scene.
Edd’s room was built in April 2017 as an addition to the Garden Manor section of the property. It is a ground floor room of 39 square-metres with striking stained-glass windows and an enormous super king-sized bed. There is also a sofa in the room which can pull out into a bed for a child if needed. The en-suite facilities consist of a corner bathtub, a large double shower and twin sinks.Although the giraffes do not have access to Edd’s room, guests can enjoy the room’s outdoor veranda area furnished with a private bar upon request.
Room Categories
Superior Room
Трёхместный номер с завтраками, обедами и ужинами, 24 кв. м.
по запросу
Daisy Superior Room
Двухместный номер с завтраками, 17 кв. м.
по запросу
Jock Superior Room
Двухместный номер с завтраками, 22 кв. м.
по запросу
Marlon Superior Room
Двухместный номер с завтраками, 43 кв. м.
по запросу
Lynn Superior Room
Двухместный номер с завтраками, 47 кв. м.
по запросу
Helen Superior Room
Двухместный номер с завтраками, 25 кв. м.
по запросу
Kelly Superior Room
Двухместный номер с завтраками, 33 кв. м.
по запросу
Arlene Superior Room
Двухместный номер с завтраками, 22 кв. м.
по запросу
Salma Superior Room
Двухместный номер с завтраками, 23 кв. м.
по запросу
Edd Superior Room
Двухместный номер с завтраками, 29 кв. м.
по запросу
Finch Hatton Suite
Четырёхместный номер с завтраками, обедами и ужинами, 40 кв. м.
по запросу
Karen Blixen Suite
Четырёхместный номер с завтраками, 113 кв. м.
по запросу
Infrastructure
What To Do
If you are not too busy feeding our resident herd of endangered Rothchild’s giraffes, you’ll find plenty to do during your stay. Relax within the manor’s grounds or explore the leafy surrounding suburbs which offer several acclaimed local craft centres and some lovely boutiques. Entrance fees to local attractions are additional.
Services
All guests enjoy full-board during their stay, which includes all meals and most drinks (house wines, spirits, beers and soft drinks, excluding champagne and specially imported wines and spirits). Complimentary chauffeured vehicles are available for sightseeing, however guests may need to share vehicles depending on demand and availability.
- Free wifi
- 12 rooms / 29 guests
- Full boar
- Most drinks included
- Children are welcome
- Massage therapist on site
- Edd & lynn
- Sightseeing vehicle available
History
Built in 1932, Giraffe Manor is the oldest of The Safari Collection’s properties and was modelled on a Scottish hunting lodge. The elegant long legged giraffes have roamed its lawns since the 1970s when Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville first adopted an orphaned Rothschild’s giraffe called Daisy. Tanya and Mikey Carr-Hartley bought the manor in April 2009. Since then it has become a globally recognised hotel.
Having grown up in the neighbourhood, Giraffe Manor has always played a significant role in Tanya Carr-Hartley’s life. As a child, she rode through the grounds on horseback and would occasionally have a cup of tea with Betty before returning home. Tanya recalls that the horses did not like the smell of giraffe, so it was always a quick one! To own Giraffe Manor was something of a childhood dream and in April 2009, this dream came true when The Safari Collection’s flagship property was added to their portfolio.
When To Go
At 5,889ft above sea level, Nairobi is cool at night and warm in the day, with two rainy seasons March to May and mid-October to December. Situated close to the equator, seasonal differences are minimal, however in June, July and August, temperatures can be as low as 35˚F / 2˚C. As global weather patterns become less predictable, be prepared for all seasons. Giraffe Manor closes in May for maintenance.
Garden Treatment Room
Tucked in the corner of the manor garden is a tranquil treatment room offering a range of massage and beauty treatments designed to restore your body’s natural balance and soothe away your stress. We use products by Healing Earth, a premium organic brand inspired by ancient African healing traditions. They use one hundred percent pure and natural active ingredients which support local organic farming. Why not treat yourself to a therapeutic pre and post safari massage to relax your whole body? Price list available upon request at Giraffe Manor. Speak to a member of our team at the manor to book your treatment.
Stroll Through The Sanctuary & Visit The Giraffe Centre
Stroll across the front lawn of the house and you will reach the AFEW (African Fund for Endangered Wildlife) Giraffe Centre. Founded in 1979, the centre’s mission is to educate school children about their country’s incredible wildlife and environment, alongside their breeding programme of the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. Each guest of Giraffe Manor pays a donation to AFEW which goes towards their wildlife conservation projects across Kenya. At the Giraffe Centre, visitors can get extremely up close and personal to the world’s tallest species! Up on the feeding platform the giraffes love to interact with visitors, reaching out with their long, inquisitive tongues in hope of a treat. Seeing their mascara-like eyelashes from just inches away, feeling the roughness of their dark tongues and witnessing their different personalities is fascinating. Here you can also adopt & meet a baby elephant.
Shopping In Nairobi
Indulge in some retail therapy and discover some of the talented local artisans creating beautiful handmade crafts in Nairobi. Shopping in Nairobi can be fun, especially if you’re up for a little bartering. Most guests are interested in visiting some of the nearby curio (souvenir) markets where all manner of locally crafted goods can be found, from beaded leather belts and sandals to beautifully carved olive wood bowls and chopping boards, as well as jewellery, traditional masks, baskets and Maasai blankets.
There are a host of nearby shops with fixed prices, showcasing a diverse range of local designer clothing, jewellery, artwork and interiors, including Kazuri Beads, Langata Link Shops, MatBronze and Utamaduni. There are also several nearby shopping malls with large grocery stores, pharmacies and other shops. If you prefer to maximise your time at the manor, we also have our own gift shop with a range of carefully selected, unique items all handmade by talented local artisans. You can also visit Nairobi Art Galleries.
Manor Games
Croquet and boules are an ideal way to while away the hours between breakfast and afternoon tea when the giraffes are browsing out in the sanctuary and will not get in the way. Our luscious lawns are perfectly suited to a leisurely game of croquet and you will find a purpose-built boules pit next to the Orchid House. Ask any of our friendly team and they will be happy to assist you in setting up either game.
In the manor sitting room you will find a lovely handmade chess board, which of course features giraffes (as Bishops), as well as lions, cheetah, zebras and rhinos in place of the traditional figures. Feel free to bring your chess game out onto the terrace so that you can enjoy viewing the giraffes and sunset over the Ngong Hills as you play.
Nairobi National Park Day Trip
This iconic park is the only national park within the limits of a capital city. It is home to a diverse array of wildlife including lions, leopards, buffalos, zebra, antelopes, giraffe and over 400 species of birds. Once inside the park, it really does feel like you have left the city far behind. Sunset over the Ngong Hills and vast vistas stretching down over acacia-dotted plains are evocative of the true spirit of Africa. Although fenced on three sides, the 117 square kilometre park is open to the south and teeming with wildlife. Game drives into the park can be arranged with a private vehicle and guide.
Horse Riding In Nairobi
Malo stables offer fantastic forest rides with views of the Ngong Hills. The horses are highly trained and the hosts extremely professional. There are a variety of options available, including breakfast and sundowner rides through the forest.
Dining
Breakfast With the Giraffes
Waking up to breakfast with a giraffe must be one of the most incredible and unique experiences anyone can have. This activity is reserved exclusively for overnight guests of Giraffe Manor and is one not to be missed. Loping across the manor lawns and peering in through the large windows with their elegant necks, encountering our endangered Rothschild’s giraffes at such close quarters gives a real appreciation of just how beautiful and soulful these creatures are. Watch out for their inquisitive tongues, which can grow up to twenty inches long, as they investigate what’s on offer; luckily, it’s nutritious dried grass pellets that they’re after, not your pancakes! PLEASE NOTE: The giraffe at Giraffe Manor are wild and therefore we cannot guarantee interaction with them at any given time.
Afternoon Tea With Giraffes
Enjoy afternoon tea on the terrace as the sun sets behind the Ngong Hills, accompanied by a few long-legged friends. Reserved exclusively for in-house guests, an afternoon tea at the manor is a delightful occasion not to be missed. Relaxing in the tranquil setting of the manor gardens with a giraffe or two in view, you will be served with a tasty assortment of homemade cookies, cakes, sandwiches, scones and fruit platters. It is also a great chance to kick your legs into the air on our over-sized garden swing and perhaps even snap a swing selfie as you feed a giraffe!
Orchid House
Visit any time during your stay or arrange a special private dinner. Fragrant and filled with light, the orchid house grew out of Tanya and Mikey’s shared passion for orchids and is a delightful little hidden corner of the manor in which to spend time. Reading, meditating or sketching one of the 150 orchids that grow there can be a soothing escape. If a romantic, candlelit dining experience amongst the foliage of our beautiful orchid collection appeals to you, then we would love to make it happen – just let us know. Please note that although this experience is at no extra cost it is subject to availability.
Suitable for
Meeting a herd of giraffes and the opportunity to feed them, discovering culture and art of Nairobi, shopping, horseback riding, visiting the Nairobi National Park, travelling with children.