Welcome to Giraffe Manor

A luxurious Boutique Hotel located on 12 acres of private land in a suburb of Nairobi

You might have seen photos of the giraffes poking their heads through windows of a large, opulent house on social media, or maybe, if you know someone who’s vacationed in East Africa, they’ve talked about visiting Giraffe Manor.

An alternative to traditional safaris for observing big-game wildlife, this Safari Collection-owned property is a luxurious boutique hotel located on 12 acres of private land in a suburb of Nairobi. Reflecting the architecture of colonial Africa, it was built in 1932, modeled after a Scottish hunting lodge, and was turned into a country house-style hotel in the mid-1980s. Visually, its stately, ivy-covered presence is stunning – and feels as if it’s lifted from the movie ‘Out of Africa’ – but beyond the accommodations – for up to 25 guests – everyone comes here to see the herd of Rothschild’s giraffes roaming the property and nearby sanctuary.

The first giraffe appeared in the 1970s, when then-owners Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville adopted Daisy, an orphaned Rothchild’s giraffe. Today, the herd visits during the morning and evening, with the property designed for the giraffes to look inside. In fact, all rooms feature pellets, giving visitors a chance to feed the giraffes by hand.

Beyond just the awe-inspiring experience of being up close to these gentle but large creatures, the Giraffe Centre of the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife overlaps with the property, offering visitors additional educational opportunities to learn about the giraffes and hosting guided tours through the sanctuary.

As far as the property itself, Tanya and Mikey Carr-Hartley purchased the hotel in 2009, turning it into a globally recognized luxury hotel of green gardens, sunny terraces, and courtyards and adding a four-room annex in 2011 to accommodate more guests. Reflecting its 1930s décor, plus with some Art Deco influences, the main building features a communal lounge, complete with a fireplace and grand piano, a breakfast room for getting close to the giraffes, and a more formal dining space. Guests have a choice of 10 luxury en-suite rooms, with those in the main manor reflecting its origins as a private residence. Book your stay at Giraffe Manor with www.yellowzebrasafaris.com. ■

Photo Credits: Giraffe Manor,The Safari Collection, Scott Ramsay