Staying at the Stunning Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya
My dad, aka our travel agent, typically likes to book our trips far in advance. Like he had our summer 2022 trip planned before we even went to Asia in summer 2019? But when planning our trip to Africa in summer 2020, we kind of dropped the ball… Giraffe Manor was booked over a year in advance. Yep, this place books up quick. And based on the fact it's an Instagram favorite, I can see why. We were pretty crushed we wouldn’t be taking a stop at this luxurious and unique spot before hiking with some mountain gorillas in Rwanda. But then 2020 and the pandemic hit, and no one was traveling for months except for my (kinda) crazy family, and we decided to head on over to Africa, and what do ya know, Giraffe Manor had an opening!
So we hopped on a flight through London to Nairobi, Kenya during the week of Thanksgiving, negative PCR test and yellow fever card in hand (yes, you need this – check out your local travel vaccination clinic for info). We also had malaria pills, but when we arrived, they told us Nairobi is too high elevation for malaria (again, talk to your local clinic to be sure). During the conversation, it’s probably best to go ahead and make sure you’re up to date on all your vaccines, including Heps and Tetanus.
Giraffe Manor, in short, is a beautiful boutique hotel owned by the Safari Collection and dating back to the 1930s. It is located in Nairobi, Kenya. The grounds surrounding the manor are home to a Rothschild Giraffe sanctuary. This breed of giraffe is endangered. Unlike some so-called "sanctuaries" around the world housing endangered animals, Giraffe Manor is the real deal. They work closely with the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation to breed and support the conservation of this species. There is even a sponsorship program you can become a part of after visiting the manor.
We landed in Nairobi late and had an easy airport pickup by Giraffe Manor staff. When we arrived at the manor, we were given a briefing of activities and COVID procedures as well as a "midnight snack." Really, this was a full meal. It was really late, but we were hungry and couldn’t help but indulge in some traditional, delicious food. After an 11 pm dinner, we went up to our rooms to get cozy and get some rest.
Each room at the manor is a bit different, but every one is as beautiful as the next. There are 12 rooms, and each room can hold 2 people. Bed types vary by room. The décor was cozy yet elegant. It really feels like you're traveling back in time or even to a scene from Out of Africa. Warm water bottles are placed in your beds, and the fireplace is crackling. There’s likely a clawfoot tub and an old wooden vanity in the en suite bath.
entrance to one of the twelve rooms at the manor
Here's one of the best parts of the whole place… You'll wake up at 6 am to a bit of nudging at your window (or 5 if jet lag is taking hold of you). What's that? Oh, it's just a giant giraffe ready for breakfast! Staff will come prepared to give you a bowl of yummy giraffe treats, an interesting looking pellet they seem to love. Look out your window, and you'll see big wobbly guys making their way to the manor in the morning light. Open your window, and their big gray tongue will make its way into your hands. What better way to wake up? You'll be so excited, you won't even notice the jet lag.
wake-up call
After your morning wake-up call, you'll head downstairs for breakfast and coffee. But the giraffes are still hungry, or maybe you just want another photo. Entice them with more treats, and they'll poke their head through the window in the dining room, ready to have coffee with you. The experience is truly magical. The staff will walk you through exactly how to behave with these gentle giants to keep both you and the animals safe.
The rest of the day is up to you. Walk over to the Giraffe Center to learn more about different giraffe species and what they are doing to protect the endangered Rothschild Giraffe. This center is open to the public and offers another opportunity for feeding and observing. I want to make it clear these animals are not in cages. They are free to roam around an extensive land area and live as close to the wild as possible. Do a nature walk while you're over there; it will be well worth it.
You'll have free time to explore, relax, get a massage, eat lunch, etc., then it will be teatime. This was another favorite time of mine. Not only because tea might be my favorite meal of the day, but also because our cute friends get to join us! Watch out for the family of warthogs that runs around the property. They want tea too. Having this time with the giraffes is another magical encounter. Give them kisses, pet their necks, and take countless photos. Each family/group staying at the manor has a personal butler that doubles as a personal photographer. These people know what you want. I loved it, of course, but even if you aren't into sharing your experiences on social media, they make for incredible memories.
Dinner is served later in the evening after the giraffes have called it a night. We were lucky enough to have a lovely, warm evening, so we had dinner outside on the terrace. The various patios and dining areas around the manor are simply beautiful. They also easily cater to any dietary restrictions or needs. End your evening by the fireplace or with a glass of wine and a bubble bath.
Most people at the manor stay for 1-2 nights. If you land in the morning or early afternoon and can make it for tea time, and stay late enough the next day to have breakfast, then you really don't need more. Since we didn't get in until late the first night, we stayed for 2 to have the whole experience. You definitely want to take advantage of breakfast and tea because although you will see the giraffes occasionally throughout the day, these are the times you really get to connect with these amazing creatures.
Whether you have an extra day at the manor or not, I definitely recommend taking some time to explore Nairobi. We decided to do this before our flight to Rwanda since it was later in the day. So after another action-packed treat-filled breakfast with our new friends, we piled in a car provided by Giraffe Manor and went to explore.
Our first stop was the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. This is a special place for orphaned elephants. Like the giraffe sanctuary, this is the real deal. This company saves orphaned elephants from the wild. It raises them until they are capable of being released back into the wild on their own. Due to poaching, orphaned elephants are becoming more and more common in the Maasai Mara, and all over Africa. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is determined to act against poaching and save these innocent animals from being violated and killed. On top of rescuing orphaned elephants, they have active de-snaring and veterinary teams. Sometimes these animals are not orphaned, but separated from their herds. In these cases, the Trust tries hard to find their families.
At the trust, you have the opportunity to watch feeding time. This is when alllll the baby elephants come running down to get their milk. It is quite a scene. Don't be fooled by the term baby. While these elephants vary in size and are pretty small compared to their parents, they are strong. You'll notice this when you get to play with and pet some of them. They might wrap their sturdy trunks around you or give you a little playful nudge, almost knocking you over. It's all safe, and just like with the giraffes, the staff will let you know how to keep yourself and the elephants safe.
After the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, we went to a local art center called Utamaduni, with locally made crafts, art, skincare, and food. Get some marula oil; you won't be sorry. From there, we went to the Karen Blixen museum. Karen Blixen wrote the book Out of Africa. The museum is Karen’s former home. A short tour is required to enter, this may have been due to COVID, but it's interesting. If you aren't terribly interested in the history of the place, take some time to explore the beautiful grounds and gardens.
Some other top attractions in Nairobi include:
Walk the trails of Ngong Hills
Go for a safari in the Maasai Mara
Although we didn't have a lot of time in Nairobi, it has a lot to offer. As for our stay at the manor, I don't have enough words to write about the goodness of our stay. The staff was amicable, knowledgeable, and welcoming. The estate itself was simply stunning, time-traveling, and elegant all in one. And, of course, the experiences with the giraffe live up to the Instagram hype. I can't recommend this place enough. Just remember, book EARLY. Like 1.5 years early if they allow it. As people are traveling and the world opens up, this place is sure to book up fast. *You must also book a safari with the company in order to reserve the manor
