Amazing Hotels: Giraffe Manor
Recently featured on the BBC’s ‘Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby’ series, Giraffe Manor is more than a lovely Kenyan hotel. Sharing your breakfast coffee and eggs with a Rothschild giraffe is one of Africa’s more unusual experiences but stay a night or two here and that’s exactly what you can expect. You don’t even have to leave your bedroom as the world’s tallest animals will happily poke their noses through upstairs windows to take pellets straight from your hand.
Clip: Meeting giraffes – Monica Galetti and Giles Coren at Giraffe Manor © BBC2
Here are some answers to some frequently asked questions on Giraffe Manor:
What types of giraffe are there?
The manor is home to a herd of around 12 Rothschild giraffe – one of the most endangered of the giraffe sub-species, with only several hundred in the wild. These graceful animals roam freely around the grounds, often visiting the hotel, poking their noses through the doors and windows in search of a treat. They are still wild animals so their appearance cannot be guaranteed but curiosity and the desire for an easy snack usually wins the day.
How many rooms?
Giraffe Manor’s Karen Blixen suite with the writer’s original furniture
Behind the stately façade there are ten double rooms and two family suites. Each room has its own distinct personality and all are decorated with elegant furnishings and art deco features. One contains furniture originally owned by Karen Blixen ‘Out of Africa’ fame.
Can I just visit?
Giraffe Centre, Nairobi, Kenya © Niels van Gijn @Silverless
It’s not possible to just visit the hotel, but you can visit the Giraffe Centre, run by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife, which is in the hotel grounds. The giraffes will amble right over to you to snack on pellets from your hand.
Famous visitors?
This wonderfully unique hotel has drawn a range of famous visitors including Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman, Richard Branson, Brooke Shields and Mick Jagger.
History of the colonial house
The house was built in 1932 by Sir David Duncan. It is set in 12 acres, within 140 acres of forested land, in the Karen district just eight miles from Nairobi’s city centre. Modelled on a Scottish hunting lodge it had various occupants until the 1960s when it fell into disrepair before being bought and restored by Betty and Jock Leslie-Melville in 1974. Already home to three Rothschild bull giraffes, the Leslie-Melvilles agreed to re-home two further individuals displaced as a result of a land sale in the north of the country. From here they started a breeding programme to expand the gene pool and re-introduce these magnificent animals into the wild.
As a luxury hotel
It wasn’t until 1984 that the manor opened its doors as a hotel and today the property receives guests from all over the world. Giraffe Manor is currently owned by Tanya and Mikey Carr-Hartley and is part their Safari Collection portfolio of luxury Kenyan lodges including including Sala’s Camp in the Mara and Sasaab in the Samburu.
How much?
From £445 (US$550) per person per night.
Any questions?
If you’ve got this far and not found an answer to a question you have that we should have included, please ask in the comments section below, or pop us an email. We’ll be sure to reply and may amend the article to include our answer.
What next?
We would be delighted to help you plan a holiday, or answer any questions if you’re at an earlier stage. Our team of experts have travelled widely throughout Africa. They can offer expert advice on every type of safari from family and beach holidays to riding and primate safaris. If you would like to talk to someone who has been there and done it, please just send us an email or give us a call.
The most amazing place I wish one day I can afford to bring my children it would be a dream come true
Hi, I’m planning to go to Kenya in October to do charity work and it has been my dream for many years to visit your hotel. Is it possible to visit your hotel for a meal on one of my free days?
Kind regards
Julia
Dear Julia, your enquiry has been passed on to a sales expert who will be in touch, Best regards Renate