Giraffe Manor

1016 Reviews

Star Travel Rating

5/5

Review type

Accommodation

Location

Date of travel

December, 2015

Product name

Product country

Product city

Travelled with

Partner

Reasons for trip

Culture / Sightseeing

There are only two types of people in the world: those who have a stay in “Giraffe Manor”:http://www.thesafaricollection.com/properties/giraffe-manor on their bucket list and those who’ve not yet heard of us’ according to Nick the manager of what is a unique, boutique hotel on the outskirts of Nairobi. Why unique? Well apart from the fact it’s like a stately home (all shabby chic), the main attraction is a herd of Rothschild giraffe who, along with warthogs, roam the 12 acre grounds and who poke their heads through the dining room windows early in the morning.

After an overnight flight on Kenya Airways, we arrived in Nairobi early on Christmas Day and because of the timing, the drive to the manor only took 30 minutes. Tony greeted us and immediately gave us a safety briefing: not to step out onto the lawn before 8.30am and not over the lawn’s perimeter at all because the giraffes can pack a punch as can the warthogs.

After checking in and having to enter all our details on an unfamiliar i-pad (a pen and paper would have been much quicker) breakfast was served in a long elegant dining room with windows down one side. Each table had an additional table-level tray containing home-baked muesli in a kilner jar, milk, sugar and a choice of three jams. Excellent passion fruit juice was poured from a giraffe shaped jug and multi coloured fruit skewers brought round. We ordered hot dishes from the breakfast menu (the usual English breakfast favourites).

Giraffe Manor has five rooms in the main building and a further five in a building at the rear which replicates the main building and apparently took only 10 weeks to build. The exterior was covered in creeper with colourful gardens at the back and a front lawn overlooking the parkland. Both the main house and block have a number of communal rooms with books, games and plenty of space for sitting and reading or chatting to other guests. It’s a very sociable place and log fires are lit in the evening.

There are giraffes all over, on the cushions, pictures, ornaments and as we were there at Christmas, there were lots of festive touches with traditional English decorations and even a local tree with baubles. The Christmas theme continued throughout the day with singers, dancers and acrobats performing on the lawn in the morning and an excellent roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings in the evening. We ate at one big table with Nick encouraging everyone to mix. I sat next to a Russian couple (the only non English speaking guests) who looked at their meal in amazement particularly when gravy was poured all over it. Home-made Christmas crackers (with giraffe paper and individually wrapped, giraffe themed gifts) proved to be equally bamboozling.

Our room, Arlene, a superior room in the rear block was very spacious. The leaded windows opened out and we had good view of the main house and park. There was a huge double bed with mosquito net, a sofa, chair, hairdryer and room safe (there are no tea and coffee facilities but as this is an all inclusive place, you can go across to the main building at any time). The bathroom was also large with bath, huge shower and what can only be described as a throne of a loo (but with a rather difficult flush system).

On Boxing Day we got up at 6.30am to see giraffe wandering up to the house and poking their long necks through the open windows to be hand fed from bowls of pellets. It was the most amazing experience ever. The giraffes also come up from the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife breeding centre which borders the manor, when it closes around tea time. Feeding the giraffes and feeling their long, raspy tongues as the sun sets was something that everyone should experience. Have a look at the “website”:http://www.thesafaricollection.com/properties/giraffe-manor, my photos and I’m sure it will soon be on your bucket list (even though it’s not very cheap)!

Helen Jackson

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.