The Giraffe Manor
Remember, all our itineraries are totally flexible and can be changed to suit you.
Visiting The Giraffe Manor In Nairobi
Built-in the 1930s, the Giraffe Manor is a luxury boutique hotel characterised by large windows, sprawling green creepers, beautiful sunny terraces and green courtyards. The Giraffe Manor is well-known for its resident herd of endangered Rothschild giraffes that roam the grounds. It’s one of the most famous day-trip safari destinations in the Kenya, where you can experience the rare opportunity of interacting with giraffes in an intimate, natural setting. Your stay at Giraffe Manor highly contributes to conservation efforts.
However, what makes the Giraffe Manor more special is the ever-present resident herd of Nubian/Rothschild’s giraffes, who will often visit morning and evening, poking their long necks into the windows while you enjoy a continental breakfast in the hope of a breakfast treat, before retreating to their forest sanctuary.
At Giraffe Manor Some rooms lead to private terraces, where you can sit and enjoy the afternoon sun and wait for giraffes to amble up in the hope of treats.
Stay at Giraffe Manor Accommodation
Giraffe Manor offers a variety of rooms and suites that cater to different preferences. The rooms are elegantly furnished, offering comfort, style, and a historical touch. Many of the rooms feature views of the grounds where giraffes wander freely. Experience staying at Giraffe Manor Hotel in Nairobi. Overlooking the surrounding forest sanctuary, Giraffe Manor has elegant and individually designed bedrooms, each offering a unique and unforgettable stay. Whether sleeping in the Historic Manor or the charming Garden Manor, enjoy a seamless combination of comfort, heritage and a wildlife experience which offers an unparalleled experience.
Top 8 Best things to do at the Giraffe Manor
If you are not too busy interacting with the resident herds of endangered giraffes, you’ll find plenty to do during your stay. Relax within the manor’s grounds or explore the leafy surrounding suburbs which offer several acclaimed local craft centres and some lovely boutiques. Entrance fees to local attractions are additional.
1. Breakfast with Giraffes
Waking up to breakfast with a giraffe must be one of the most incredible and unique experiences anyone can have. (6:00 am – 9:00 am) This activity is reserved exclusively for overnight guests of Giraffe Manor and is one not to be missed. Loping across the manor lawns and peering in through the large windows with their elegant necks, encountering our endangered Rothschild’s giraffes at such close quarters gives a real appreciation of just how beautiful and soulful these creatures are. Watch out for their inquisitive tongues, which can grow up to twenty inches long, as they investigate what’s on offer; luckily, it’s nutritious dried grass pellets that they’re after, not your pancakes!
2. Stroll Through The Sanctuary
Stroll across the front lawn of the house and you will reach the AFEW (African Fund for Endangered Wildlife) Giraffe Centre open from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Founded in 1979, the centre’s mission is to educate school children about their country’s incredible wildlife and environment, alongside their breeding programme of the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. Each guest of Giraffe Manor pays a donation to AFEW which goes towards their wildlife conservation projects across Kenya. At the Giraffe Centre, visitors can get extremely up close and personal to the world’s tallest species! Up on the feeding platform the giraffes love to interact with visitors, reaching out with their long, inquisitive tongues in hope of a treat. Seeing their mascara-like eyelashes from just inches away, feeling the roughness of their dark tongues and witnessing their different personalities is fascinating.
3. Swimming Pool and Gym
Giraffe Manor has a delightful swimming pool and well-equipped gym located at The Retreat which is right next door and overlooks the same forested giraffe sanctuary.
Enjoy listening to birdsong as it floats down from the surrounding trees. You may even be visited by one of the giraffes who have access to the end of the swimming pool. Daisy’s Café and bar has a fabulous selection of homemade smoothies, treats and drinks for those who wish to order something extra whilst at The Retreat.
4. Afternoon Tea with Giraffes
Beginning (5:00 – 6:00 pm), enjoy afternoon tea on the terrace as the sun sets behind the Ngong Hills, accompanied by a few long-legged friends. Reserved exclusively for overnight guests, an afternoon tea at the manor is a delightful occasion not to be missed. Relaxing in the tranquil setting of the manor gardens with a giraffe or two in view, you will be served with a tasty assortment of homemade cookies, cakes, sandwiches, scones and fruit platters. It is also a great chance to kick your legs into the air on our over-sized garden swing and perhaps even snap a swing selfie as you feed a giraffe!
5. Orchid House at Giraffe Manor
Fragrant and filled with light, the orchid house at Giraffe Manor grew out of Tanya and Mikey’s shared passion for orchids and is a delightful little hidden corner of the Manor in which to spend time. Visit orchard house at Giraffe Manor any time during your stay. You can also arrange a special private dinner inside the orchard house at Giraffe Manor. Many of our guests choose to arrange a private visit in the daytime and find a quiet moment to read, meditate or sketch one of the 150 orchids that grow. The orchard house at Giraffe Manor can be a soothing private escape and can also be booked at dusk for a romantic, candlelit dining experience, where you can dine amongst the orchids in complete privacy. If this setting, amongst the beautiful orchid collection appeals to you, then we would love to make it happen – just let us know. Please note that although this experience is at no extra cost it is subject to availability.
6. Games at Giraffe Manor
Croquet and boules are an ideal way to while away the hours between breakfast and afternoon tea when the giraffes are browsing out in the sanctuary and will not get in the way. The luscious lawns are perfectly suited to a leisurely game of croquet and you will find a purpose-built boules pit next to the Orchid House. Ask any of the staff and they will be happy to assist you in setting up either game.
In the manor sitting room you will find a lovely handmade chess board, which of course features giraffes (as Bishops), as well as lions, cheetah, zebras and rhinos in place of the traditional figures. Feel free to bring your chess game out onto the terrace so that you can enjoy viewing the giraffes and sunset over the Ngong Hills as you play.
7. Food & Drink at Daisy’s Cafe
Open daily from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm – at Daisy’s Cafe, enjoy good food and great company. The diverse menu has something for everyone. Enjoy vibrant salads, hearty burgers, sourdough sandwiches, homemade desserts and artisanal drinks. The fully stocked bar tempts with a selection of wines, signature cocktails and beverages to complement every meal.
Non-alcoholic drinks are already included for all Giraffe Manor guests visiting Daisy’s Café. All Food and alcoholic drinks are charged separately for Giraffe Manor guests, either payable directly or added to your room bill.
8. Wellness and Safari Spa Treatments
Here you’ll find yourself entering a haven of relaxation. Take a dip in the infinity pool, relax in the steam room, sauna and hot tub or re-energise with a workout in the fully equipped gym. Two spacious treatment rooms offer a range of safari spa treatments including massage and beauty treatments designed to restore your body’s natural balance and soothe away any stress.
Day Tours To Giraffe Center from Nairobi
You may book a half day Nairobi tour of the Giraffe center, where our driver-guide collects you from your hotel at 9.30am for a transfer to Giraffe Centre. Spend an about an hour or two watching and interacting with the Giraffe here. You may touch, feed and even kiss these gentle giraffes. You are also free to take photos. At 12pm we will transfer you back to your hotel on wards to your preferred drop off location.
Please Note: The Giraffe Centre is open daily for visitors from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day including weekends and all public holidays.
What’s included on the Giraffe Centre day tours;
Return Transfers from any Nairobi Hotel to the Giraffe Centre in a Safari Tour Van or Sedan vehicle in case of 2 persons, Services of an English speaking Driver-guide, and Entry Fees for yourselves.
What’s not included on a day trip to Giraffe Centre;
Meals, Personal and Personal Effects Insurances and all items not listed as included.
Recommended Nairobi Day Tours & Excursions
Our exciting Nairobi city tour package lets you see all of the top sites in Kenya’s capital within a single day. Book now, these incredible full-day guided city tours which will allow you to explore some of the best attractions of Nairobi. Kick-start your morning city excursions throughout Nairobi’s main areas, including visits to the Museum and significant historical sites in the CBD. Experience Nairobi city through the eyes of street children on a personal storytelling walking tour in downtown which has been ranked best tour in Nairobi. Alternatively, we provide you with the combination of the best full-day Nairobi tour to Nairobi National Park, David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, and Giraffe, among other destinations.