Giraffe Manor Hotel, an unusual hotel with giraffes in Kenya
Giraffe Manor is a 5-star establishment located in Nairobi. Its distinctive feature? The manor is home to Rothschild giraffes – which roam freely across the property!
The Giraffe Manor is a 5-star establishment located in Nairobi. Its distinctive feature? The manor is home to Rothschild giraffes – which roam freely across the property! Though wild, these elegant creatures enjoy taking tea with hotel guests… Interested in sharing a moment with them? Discover the Giraffe Manor and its Kenyan giraffe centre.
The Giraffe Manor hotel: an unusual lodging near Nairobi
The establishment
The Giraffe Manor is an atypical luxury hotel, located about twenty kilometers from Nairobi. Why unusual? Because the establishment allows you to meet Rothschild giraffes – and take tea in their company!
Built in 1932, the manor (featuring British colonial architecture) gives pride of place to these unconventional residents, who roam freely across the property grounds. During a stay at the Giraffe Manor, it's not uncommon to spot a giraffe's head framed in a window!
Inside? The manor houses six richly furnished bedrooms (where each suite's name tells a chapter of the establishment's history). In 2011, the Giraffe Manor was expanded (or more precisely, a replica was built) by new owners. Named Garden Manor, this section contains six additional bedrooms.
The Safari Collection
The Giraffe Manor is part of The Safari Collection's portfolio, which manages and organises luxury safaris in Kenya's most beautiful locations. The manor stands alongside several prestigious establishments, including Sala's Camp in the Masai Mara.
The Rothschild giraffes: a closer look at the queens of Giraffe Manor
Recognisable by their vibrant coat and irregular markings, Rothschild giraffes are an endangered species. Found only in Kenya and Uganda, these animals (with an average lifespan of 25 years) number just 1,600 individuals worldwide…
Why are they disappearing? Armed conflicts, civil wars, poaching, and agricultural expansion (which has fragmented and divided their territories). While measures are now being deployed to save Rothschild giraffes, the chance to encounter and observe them remains a true privilege.
Kenya's giraffe hotel: activities offered by the establishment
Breakfast with the giraffes
Situated on 5 hectares of land, the manor offers several activities centred around giraffes, including the iconic breakfast shared in their company (for hotel guests only). Upon waking, you'll have the chance to watch them stroll through the park, then approach you for breakfast as they poke their heads through the window.
A word of advice? Be wary of their greed, as giraffes love to snatch items from tables! Note that the establishment's queens are wild: having them at your table is an honour, but don't expect to form a lasting bond with them…
Visit the giraffe centre
The Giraffe Centre of AFEW (African Fund for Endangered Wildlife) has been based on the manor's grounds since 1979. Designed to educate young people about the importance of animal conservation in Kenya, particularly Rothschild giraffes, the centre is open to the public.
After a short walk to reach the park, you'll find the centre… Every day, from 09:00 to 17:00, you can get up close with the giraffes. Here's a tip: on the feeding platform, they often prove quite "communicative" – hoping for a treat!
Tea time with the giraffes
In the late afternoon, it's also possible to take tea with the giraffes. From 17:00 to 18:00, they join you for refreshments, featuring beverages and pastries – sandwiches, fresh fruit or scones. It's an opportunity to admire the landscape from the establishment's terrace and enjoy the manor's gardens.
After your gourmet break, don't hesitate to enjoy the swings located on the property: the giraffes, strolling nearby, won't mind pausing for a few souvenir photos and selfies with you!
Fun on the manor grounds
Sometimes the giraffes don't show up… In that case? Treat yourself to a relaxing game of pétanque or try your hand at croquet on the property lawns. Prefer chess? The Giraffe Manor puts an impressive chessboard at your disposal (where traditional pieces are replaced by Kenyan wildlife).
Giraffe Manor rates The establishment is a prestigious hotel offering only all inclusive packages and upscale rooms. When booking a suite, guests automatically benefit from a driver (to reach the airport and visit regional attractions), as well as full board and beverages. There are two types of rooms: those in the historic manor and those in the garden manor (the extension). Their price varies according to size. For example, expect: - Karen Blixen Suite (113m2): €3,350/night (for 2 adults and 2 children – aged 12+) - Lynn's Room (47m2): €980/night (for 2 people in king bed or twin beds) In certain rooms, it's possible to add a bed for a third child (approximately €390 additional). |
Frequently asked questions
Giraffe Manor can be booked directly on The Safari Collection's official website. Due to its worldwide popularity, it's advisable to reserve several months in advance, even up to a year for peak seasons. The hotel offers only 12 rooms in total, making it one of Kenya's most difficult accommodations to secure.
Yes! The AFEW Giraffe Centre is open to the public every day from 09:00 to 17:00. Outside visitors can approach and feed Rothschild giraffes from the feeding platform, for an entrance fee. However, breakfast and tea with the giraffes are exclusively reserved for hotel guests.
Giraffe Manor rates vary depending on the chosen room. Expect, for example, around €980 per night for Lynn's Room (47 m²) for 2 people, or €3,350 per night for the Karen Blixen Suite (113 m²) for 2 adults and 2 children. These rates are all-inclusive with driver, full board and beverages.
Kenya is ideally visited during the dry season, from July to October and from January to February. These periods offer better sunshine and clearer vegetation, favouring wildlife observation. Giraffe Manor is open year-round, but high season corresponds with the Great Migration in the Masai Mara (July-October).
Rothschild giraffes are among the world's most threatened giraffe subspecies, with only 1,600 individuals remaining. They fall victim to poaching, armed conflicts, civil wars, and habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion. They now exist only in Kenya and Uganda, making their observation particularly rare and precious.
Giraffe Manor is located about twenty kilometers from central Nairobi, in the Karen district. Guests automatically benefit from a driver provided by the hotel for transfers from the airport and visits to the region. It's also possible to reach it by taxi or rental vehicle from downtown.
