A Head Above the Rest

Imagine waking up after a restful night on vacation. In a cozy and comfortable room in a historic manor, it feels like an escape, but with all the homey qualities you love. You could be anywhere across the globe, immersing yourself in a local culture.

Then, a giraffe sticks its head through your window. 

At Giraffe Manor in Kenya, this is a typical morning. The property, situated in the Langata suburb of Nairobi, is home to a herd of wild Nubian giraffes. The herd visits for morning coffee and evening happy hour, regularly poking their heads through the floor-to-ceiling windows that flank the historic manor house building. 

“It’s the only place in the world where endangered giraffes (and warthogs too!) casually join you for breakfast, wander past your window, or greet you at the front door,” shares Tony Levi, assistant general manager at Giraffe Manor. “It’s all part of a conservation success story that brings people and wildlife together in the most unforgettable way.”

Constructed in 1932 and taking design cues from a Scottish hunting lodge, Giraffe Manor offers 12 boutique suites, dining options, plus The Retreat, a new wellness space. A stone exterior allows ample space for lush vines to envelop the facade, while the interior exudes serenity—a place to unwind and enjoy the surroundings. 

The property offers plenty to take in without stepping off its grounds. Nestled on 12 private acres within a larger indigenous forest, guests feel like a part of the landscape itself. The terrace—perfect for lounging, dining, and watching the giraffes—surrounds nearly the entire property, further blurring the lines between indoors and out.

HISTORY OF THE GENTLE GIANTS

While the original manor house is nearly a century old, its long-legged friends didn’t become guests until the 1970s. The first giraffe, Daisy, became the catalyst for former owners Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville to begin their campaign to save the animal previously known as the Rothschild’s giraffe, which has recently been reclassified as the Nubian giraffe.

“It really is animals-first at Giraffe Manor,” shares Ali Garten Stone, who recently visited the bucket-list destination on her honeymoon. “It was very clear that everything they do is about education, helping the animals, and repopulating this species of giraffe; that was the whole reason that Giraffe Manor was created.”

While the herd at Giraffe Manor has grown from one orphaned giraffe to dozens, the wild giraffe population across Africa has dramatically declined. Giraffe Manor is committed to the conservation of its wild cohabitants. For every guest that stays, Giraffe Manor donates to the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), which maintains a breeding and conservation program for the species living at the property.

Thanks in part to the efforts of AFEW, these fantastic creatures are slowly recovering from the brink of extinction. Tanya Carr-Hartley saw the transformation firsthand: she grew up visiting the strengthening herd and flourishing grounds. In 2009, she and her husband, Mikey, purchased the property, fulfilling a childhood dream. 

ACCOMMODATIONS

Giraffe Manor is comprised of two main buildings: the original Historic Manor and the Garden Manor. The Garden Manor was built by Tanya and Mikey in 2011 to provide an additional six suites. While it’s considerably newer than its neighboring hall, it was designed to match the main house’s heritage and warmth.

“It’s truly a luxury, one-of-a-kind experience. The property is absolutely stunning. It kind of feels like you were plopped into a storybook for your stay,” shares Garten Stone.

ACTIVITIES

Start your day with the stars of the show: have breakfast with the giraffes. Enjoy the first meal of the day and feed a long-necked visitor their preferred meal of dried grass pellets.

After breakfast, learn more about the history and conservation of the Nubian giraffe at the AFEW Giraffe Center. You’ll get a chance to get up-close and personal (again!), plus you can enjoy a stroll across the verdant grounds.

“At the end of the day, they set up this gorgeous tea and happy hour on the terrace at sunset. We got to sit and enjoy each other’s company, relaxing and watching the giraffes. I think that was probably my favorite part of the day,” shares Garten Stone.

Visit The Retreat, the newly constructed spa and pool, for a relaxing swim in the infinity pool, steam room, or sauna. Choose from an array of massage and beauty treatments to unwind after a safari or trip into Nairobi. 

Drop by the Orchid House, a greenhouse bursting with dainty blooms and native plants. This special space can be booked for a private dinner, or you can use it for inspiration, whatever creativity strikes you: painting, writing, sketching, or just taking in the serene beauty.

Soon, there will be even more amenities to enjoy: “A new breakfast room, an underground wine cellar, and a bigger Orchid House,” shares Levi.

Giraffe Manor offers an inclusive, unique experience at the intersection of wildlife, adventure, and relaxation. Many guests visit as part of a larger itinerary–whether they are on a safari or staying at another Safari Collection property in a neighboring region–but the one-of-a-kind immersion into the habitat of the world’s tallest animal is reason enough to book your stay. It truly is one of the most unforgettable places to stay in the world..