Description
Giraffe Manor is surrounded by 140 acres of pristine indigenous forest in Nairobi. An elegant, personally-hosted, small and exclusive hotel, it is famous for its resident herd of endangered Rothschild giraffe. As it was originally built in the 1930s as a private home, the manor has a personality of its own with all the rooms being individually decorated and differently proportioned.
Giraffe Manor was modelled on a Scottish hunting lodge and now has six bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms and some with a shower only or bath only. One of these rooms, the Karen Blixen Suite, is suitable for families as it has a mezzanine floor with twin beds.
Guests gather in the drawing room before dinner for drinks. However, breakfast is the highlight of any stay here when the giraffe pop their heads through the dining room window to see what is on offer. Guests will also find a pot of giraffe nuts in their bedroom in case they wish to entertain any very tall visitors through their window.
Giraffe Manor is also home to many characters including warthogs, bushbuck, dik dik and more than 180 species of birds and has a striking view of the Ngong hills.
There are fantastic local excursions from Giraffe Manor, visiting either the Karen Blixen Museum or the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage.
Accommodation
Inspired by the manor’s original 1930’s decor, the ten bedrooms have large four poster beds, antique furnishing, striking art decor and spacious bathrooms. The Karen Blixen suite is ideal for families as it opens directly into the courtyard. There are two family suites in total with mezzanine floors.
Childcare
Children of all ages are very welcome by prior arrangement and meals and activities can be tailored to suit their requirements. Although there are no specific childcare facilities, babysitting can be arranged for those that need it.
Facilities
Expect to be joined by guests for breakfast; lunch and dinner. Breakfast is served in the sun room, with its enormous windows flung open in welcome of the giraffe that come and join you. There is wi-fi in the Manor, a TV lounge with open fires throughout the property.
Activities
The main activity at the Manor is feeding the girafe and warthog. Other excursions can be arranged into Nairobi such as a visit to a Maasai Market, where you can shop for artistic Maasai beads, stock up on crafts and curios as well as enjoy a colourful display of ethnic materials, handmade bags and accessories. Its also possible to arrange trips to the Kenyan National Museum where you can learn more about the Kenyan history and heritage. The property has access onto the giraffe sanctuary, which is included in the rate.
When to travel
Giraffe Manor is closed annually in May for maintenance.
Although Nairobi is situated in the middle of East Africa, its high altitude—about a mile above sea level—means that the city's climate is mild year-round. Summer months in Nairobi are December through March, Winter months, June through to September. The wettest months are in the Autumn, from March through June. April sees upwards of 8 inches of rain on average. Cloudy, rainy days are common in the Autumn. October through December is the region's second rainy season, where "short rains" bring about 5 inches of rain to the area in November. Otherwise rainfall is pretty scarce, about two inches a month. February sees the most sunshine in Nairobi, with about ten hours of daylight.
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Average time to visit
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Location and directions
Nairobi and Central Kenya, Kenya
Giraffe Manor is located in the suburb of Langata, around 10km to the southwest of Nairobi city centre in central Kenya. Set in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest.
How to get there
8.5 hour international flight to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport. Giraffe Manor is a 40 minute drive from Jomo Kenyatta airport.
