Giraffe Manor

distinctive Camp | Nairobi, Kenya

(5.00)
| Read Reviews | Write a Review

Giraffe Manor, rustic old safari lodge building, brickmade with vines creeping up the walls and giraffes ambling all about in Kenya, Africa safarisGiraffe Manor, private dining table with a view of the surrounding African wilderness with a giraffe approaching for a quick check in Kenya, AfricaGiraffe Manor, double sided wooden staircase from the lobby up to the room level including a large throw rug and a comfortable couch, Kenya safarisGiraffe Manor, very high end luxury dining table with fashionable furniture and a nice silverware set in an oak panneled dining room, Kenya, AfricaGiraffe Manor, en suite bathroom with bath tub and shower with old time fixtures and furniture including wonderful old burnished wooden sink, KenyaGiraffe Manor, quite large master bedroom with intricate wood flooring and massive king sized bed with white canopy overhanging in Kenya, AfricaGiraffe Manor, two giraffes sticking their heads through the large window to observe the guests eating dinner on the immaculately set table, KenyaThumb_map
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Situated on 14 acres overlooking the Ngong Hills just outside Nairobi, Giraffe Manor is a charming 1930s boutique hotel named for its resident herd of Rothschild giraffe. Guests have the unique opportunity to interact with them at the breakfast table, on the front lawn or even at their bedroom windows. The forests surrounding Giraffe Manor are also home to warthog, bushbuck and more than 160 species of birds.

The Hotel | Facilities & Amenities | Wildlife Viewing & Activities | Safari Itineraries | Climate | Camp Reviews
Photo of Ben Forbes

Our Expert Says

This is probably the best-known boutique ‘city’ hotel in East Africa. Photographers, film crews and travelers almost rub shoulders with the photogenic Rothschild giraffe herd that wanders the property. Giraffe Manor is ideally located in the peaceful Karen suburb with great views of the Ngong Hills and quick airport access.

– Ben Forbes

Giraffe Manor, quite large master bedroom with intricate wood flooring and massive king sized bed with white canopy overhanging in Kenya, Africa

The Hotel

Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Number of Rooms: 12

Important Note: While the unique experience offered by this property makes the pricing Premier level, the service is on par with a Distinctive Camp.

Giraffe Manor was built in 1932 by Sir David Duncan to resemble a Scottish hunting lodge. Inspired by the stately stone estate’s original decor, 12 individually decorated bedrooms are split between the main manor house and garden manor house and feature large four-poster beds and antique furnishings, with en suite bathrooms. The Karen Blixen suite is ideal for families and has direct access to the courtyard, which opens onto the giraffe sanctuary. The manor’s graceful sitting room has large windows for unimpeded views of resident giraffe and the surrounding environs. A large veranda and terrace are perfectly placed for hand-feeding the friendly giraffes while surveying the Ngong Hills, immortalized in Blixen’s Out of Africa. Breakfast is served in the sunroom, with windows flung open to encourage giraffes to peek in with a morning greeting. Guests may choose a candlelit dinner in the wood-paneled dining room or opt to dine under the stars, surrounded by the glow of lanterns on the terrace. A resident chef prepares home-cooked meals, offering a wide range of fine dishes.

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Giraffe Manor, two giraffes sticking their heads through the large window to observe the guests eating dinner on the immaculately set table, Kenya

Facilities & Amenities

  • En suite bathroom with shower (some tubs)
  • Hair dryer
  • 220v charging outlets in room
  • Massage treatments (extra cost)
  • Wi-Fi in room and main area
  • Laundry included
  • Local drinks included (house alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks)
  • Credit cards accepted (Visa and MasterCard)

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Wildlife Viewing & Activities

Nairobi is most often a gateway into Kenya's wildlife-rich areas, but Nairobi National Park can be a great introduction to the wildlife of East Africa. The below chart shows typical sightings of major species, while other possible sightings may include hartebeest, ostrich and a number of other mammals, birds and reptiles. Exact sightings will depend on weather and wildlife movements.

Country Park/Reserve
Black Rhino
Buffalo
Eland
Giraffe
Hippo
Hyena
Leopard
Lion
White Rhino
Zebra
Kenya Nairobi
Usually viewed
Frequently viewed
Occasionally viewed
Sporadically viewed
Rarely to never viewed

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Climate

Month Max Min Rainfall
January 80° F 56° F 2.06 in
26° C 13° C 52 mm
February 82° F 56° F 2.33 in
27° C 13° C 59 mm
March 82° F 58° F 3.24 in
27° C 14° C 82 mm
April 78° F 59° F 4.73 in
25° C 15° C 120 mm
May 76° F 58° F 4.34 in
24° C 14° C 110 mm
June 75° F 54° F 0.83 in
23° C 12° C 21 mm
July 73° F 53° F 0.48 in
22° C 11° C 12 mm
August 74° F 53° F 0.95 in
23° C 11° C 24 mm
September 78° F 54° F 0.76 in
25° C 12° C 19 mm
October 80° F 56° F 1.37 in
26° C 13° C 35 mm
November 77° F 58° F 4.66 in
25° C 14° C 118 mm
December 77° F 57° F 3.2 in
25° C 13° C 81 mm

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Reviews for Giraffe Manor

(5.00)

Review Giraffe Manor
Month of travel: July
"Giraffe Manor had to be the highlight of our trip to Kenya. Apart from the absolute luxury it is wonderful to be having breakfast and have a giraffe pop its head through the window. The accommodation and meals are first class. We couldn't fault this place."
- c. wells
Month of travel: August
"Staying at the Giraffe Manor was the most delightful experience. The friendly giraffes come right up to your bedroom window or poke their heads through the dining room windows looking for food, both in the mornings and evenings. It is also possible to feed and pat them while sitting on the open terrace,they also love to take roses from your hand (they eat them, stalks included). I got many giraffes kisses while staying there, it is a memory that will last a lifetime. The staff treated everybody like royalty and the food was superb, five stars. The Manor is very close to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, the Karen Blixen House and the Matt Bronze Gallery, all worth a visit. Valia Stevens. "
- V. Stevens
Month of travel: February
"The memory of feeding a giraffe through the window my 2nd story room was perhaps the most lasting of all in my Kenya journey!"
- E. Reynolds
Month of travel: June
"This was a big splurge to stay here and worth every penny. The giraffes came right up to the breakfast room and poked their heads in through the windows of the breakfast area where we fed them treats. There was also a friendly warthog who we got to spend time with. The manager here was very helpful and knowlegable. All rooms do have private bathrooms and are each a bit different. The food was great as well."
- M. Champlin
Month of travel: February
"This is a very interesting property with 'friendly' giraffes walking around. I found the service lovely and the entire setting totally unique, very colonial, seems like we landed in the middle of England on the outskirts of Nairobi, with beautiful stone buildings and such. "
- E. Reilly

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