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A Breakfast You’ll Never Forget

Imagine waking up in Nairobi to the soft rustle of trees outside your window. As the morning sun filters through the curtains, you sit down for breakfast in a grand manor house. Suddenly, a long neck stretches through the open window—an endangered Rothschild’s giraffe leans in, curious and playful. With a gentle nudge, it joins you at the table, brushing your hand with its velvet tongue as you offer a treat.

This is the magic of Giraffe Manor in Nairobi — one of the most unique hotels in the world and a must-stay experience on any Kenya safari holiday.



🏆 Why Giraffe Manor Is Unlike Anywhere Else on Earth

DistinctionDetails
🌍 Only One in the WorldThe only place on Earth where you can share your breakfast table with endangered Rothschild’s giraffes
🏅 Forbes Travel Guide 2025Named among the 20 properties on the 2025 Forbes Travel Guide Edge List, celebrating unmatched luxury in extraordinary settings
📸 Most InstagrammedConsidered one of the most Instagrammed properties in the world
🏆 Readers’ Choice AwardsCondé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards winner for 9 consecutive years (2017–2025)
🎬 BBC FeaturedFeatured on BBC’s “Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby”

🏛️ About Giraffe Manor

CategoryDetails
📍 LocationNestled in the leafy Karen suburb of Nairobi · About 30 minutes from Wilson Airport and less than an hour from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
🏛️ HeritageA 1932 Scottish-style manor house, set within 12 acres of private gardens and surrounded by 140 acres of indigenous forest
🦒 ConservationHome to a herd of endangered Rothschild’s giraffes, part of the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife’s breeding and rewilding program

🦒 The Famous Giraffes

Aside from its beautiful façade and elegant interiors, Giraffe Manor is most known for its resident herd of Rothschild’s giraffe. During the day, they poke their long necks into the windows in hopes of receiving a treat. Then they return to their forest sanctuary at the adjoining Giraffe Centre.

Giraffe ExperienceDetails
🍽️ Breakfast with GiraffesFeed Rothschild’s giraffes as they poke their heads through dining room windows — a one-of-a-kind experience
☕ Afternoon Tea on the LawnShare scones and tea while giraffes wander the gardens
🚪 Front Door EncountersGiraffes also visit the front door of the manor in search of treats
🛏️ Bedroom Window VisitsCertain rooms offer direct giraffe encounters from the bedroom window — an unforgettable wake-up call

🛏️ Accommodation at Giraffe Manor

Luxurious Accommodations and Personalized Service

The manor features 12 exclusive rooms split between the historic main house and the newer Garden Manor. Each room is individually styled with:

Room FeatureDetails
🛏️ Four-Poster BedsRomantic antique furnishings throughout
🚿 Spacious Ensuite BathroomsWell-appointed with elegant finishes
🌳 Garden or Forest ViewsEach room enjoys views over the sanctuary
🦒 Direct Giraffe EncountersFrom certain rooms, giraffes visit your window

From romantic suites for couples to family-friendly rooms, Giraffe Manor offers a luxurious yet intimate safari stay in Nairobi.


🎯 Experiences at Giraffe Manor

📸 [IMAGE PLACEHOLDER — Guest relaxing by the pool at The Retreat with giraffe views]

ExperienceDescription
🍽️ Breakfast with GiraffesFeed Rothschild’s giraffes as they poke their heads through dining room windows
☕ Afternoon Tea on the LawnShare scones and tea while giraffes wander the gardens
🌿 Conservation ToursVisit the nearby Giraffe Centre to learn about giraffe conservation
🚶 Nature WalksExplore the indigenous forest, spotting 180+ bird species, warthogs, and bushbuck
🗺️ Day TripsEasily combine with Nairobi National Park, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage, or Karen Blixen Museum

🏊 The Retreat at Giraffe Manor — A Luxury Wellness Escape

While Giraffe Manor is reserved exclusively for overnight guests, The Retreat at Giraffe Manor offers the perfect sanctuary for travelers in Nairobi who may not be staying at the manor but still want to enjoy its magic.

FeatureDetails
🛏️ Elegant Day RoomsBeautifully designed day rooms and suites for travelers looking to refresh before or after a safari
🏊 Infinity Pool with Giraffe ViewsSwim while gazing out toward the giraffe sanctuary and the Ngong Hills beyond
💆 Wellness Spa & FitnessRejuvenating treatments using natural African-inspired therapies · Well-equipped gym and yoga deck
🍽️ Gourmet DiningLeisurely lunch by the pool, light bites in the garden, or fine dining paired with cocktails

💰 Giraffe Manor 2026 Rates & Stay

Due to its exclusivity and popularity, Giraffe Manor often books out months in advance. Rates are all-inclusive, covering full board accommodation, drinks, laundry, and airport transfers. A stay of 1–2 nights is recommended, often combined with other properties in The Safari Collection portfolio across Kenya.

🏕️ Superior Rooms

Jock, Betty, Daisy, Marlon, Lynn, Arlene, Kelly, Helen, Edd & Salma

CategoryRate
Per Adult SharingUS$ 1,284
Per Child Sharing (3–11 yrs) 👨‍👩‍👧US$ 885
Single RoomUS$ 2,016

🏡 Superior Family Suite — Karen Blixen Suite

CategoryRate
Minimum Room Rate (2 adults & 2 children sharing)US$ 4,392
3rd Child Rate (3–11 yrs)US$ 566

🏡 Family Suite — Finch Hatton Suite

Minimum Room Rate (2 adults & 2 children sharing)US$ 3,953
3rd Child Rate (3–11 yrs)US$ 512

✅ Rates Include

✈️Arrival/departure transfers and transportation around the Karen & Langata area
🍽️All meals
🍷House wines, house soft drinks, house beers, house spirits
👕Laundry
📶Wireless internet access
🦒Entrance to the AFEW Giraffe Centre
🍽️Orchid House dining
🏊Access to The Retreat during check-in and check-out times
🎯Boules, croquet and VAT

❌ Rates Exclude

🍾Champagne, luxury spirits, selected wines, cigars
💵Tips
🛡️Health insurance
💆Massage treatments
🎒Personal effects

👨‍👩‍👧 Children

Age CategoryDetails
Infants2 years and under · Stay FOC
Children3 to 11 years inclusive
Adults12 years and over
Child Sharing RateOnly available for Superior Rooms · Same rate whether sharing a bed or in an extra bed
Single Room for ChildIf a child is allocated to a single room, the FULL single room rate is charged

📅 Closures

PropertyClosure Period
🏛️ Historic ManorClosed from 21 April to 18 May 2025 inclusive
🌿 Garden ManorClosed from 01 April to 31 May 2025

🏊 The Retreat at Giraffe Manor — Rates

🛏️ Day Rooms

Large Day Room — Lily’s Room

CategoryRate
Minimum Room Rate (up to 4 guests sharing)US$ 1,600
Per Adult Sharing (capacity for 2 extra guests)US$ 385
Per Child Sharing (capacity for 2 extra guests)US$ 270

Medium Day Room — Waridi’s Room & Nandi’s Room

CategoryRate
Minimum Room Rate (up to 2 guests sharing)US$ 880
Per Adult Sharing (capacity for 2 extra guests)US$ 385
Per Child Sharing (capacity for 2 extra guests)US$ 270

Small Day Room — Alizeti’s Room

CategoryRate
Minimum Room Rate (up to 2 guests sharing)US$ 880
Per Adult Sharing (capacity for 1 extra guest)US$ 385
Per Child Sharing (capacity for 1 extra guest)US$ 270

➕ Additional Access and Extras

ItemRate
🎟️ Retreat Pass (access to The Retreat for the day)US$ 275
☕ Early Bird Package (breakfast and half day access)US$ 275
🍽️ All Inclusive Supplement (Day Rooms and Day Pass guests)US$ 100
🍽️ All Inclusive Child SupplementUS$ 80

🎁 Special Offers

📅 Valid: 01 January 2025 – 31 December 2025

OfferDetailsValidity
25% Off AccommodationStay at one or a combination of The Safari Collection’s properties excluding Giraffe Manor (Sala’s Camp, Sasaab or Solio Lodge) for a minimum of 4 nights during The Season01 Jan – 05 Jan 2026 · 01 Jun – 31 Oct 2026 · 16 Dec – 31 Dec 2026
30% Off AccommodationStay at a combination of The Safari Collection’s properties including Giraffe Manor for a minimum of 7 nights during The Season · Discount does not apply to Giraffe Manor but it can be used in the combination01 Jan – 05 Jan 2026 · 01 Jun – 31 Oct 2026 · 16 Dec – 31 Dec 2026
35% Off AccommodationStay at a combination of The Safari Collection’s properties including Giraffe Manor for a minimum of 10 nights during The Season · Discount does not apply to Giraffe Manor but it can be used in the combination01 Jan – 05 Jan 2026 · 01 Jun – 31 Oct 2026· 16 Dec – 31 Dec 2026
30% Off The RetreatStay at a combination of properties for a minimum of 7 nights and get 30% off The Retreat’s Day Room accommodation or Early Bird Breakfast packageValid throughout the year
Complimentary Retreat Day PassStay at a combination of properties for a minimum of 7 nights and get a complimentary Day Pass at The RetreatValid throughout the year

Offers are subject to availability. They are non-transferable, cannot be combined with any other offer and apply to new bookings only.


📋 Practical Information

CategoryDetails
💰 RatesFrom approximately USD $1,200 – $1,800 per room per night (all-inclusive)
📅 Best Time to VisitOpen year-round, but early booking is essential due to high demand — reservations often required 18 months to 2 years in advance
👥 Who It SuitsCouples · Families · Honeymooners · Wildlife lovers · Photographers
🕛 Check-InFrom 12:00 noon — arriving by early afternoon ensures you experience afternoon tea, evening drinks, dinner, and breakfast with the giraffes the next morning
🕙 Check-OutBy 10:00 am on the day of departure
✈️ Getting ThereTransfers available from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Wilson Airport for safari connections · Private transfers included for guests


⭐ Guest Reviews

📸 [IMAGE PLACEHOLDER — Guests enjoying breakfast with giraffes in the dining room]

“Everything That I Had Imagined!”

“I have wanted to visit Giraffe Manor for years and was finally able to. It was everything that I had imagined! We were in the Daisy room in the original Manor house — it’s small but has a terrace that you can feed the giraffes from early in the morning. It was comfortable and we had 2 good nights’ sleeps. Meals were excellent and the service was extraordinary. Joseph and Jackson really made us feel pampered and were always available for anything that we needed, not to mention shepherding us for the best giraffe photo opps. It was a once-in-a-lifetime visit but I’m already thinking of how we can go back.”

★★★★★ — Tripadvisor Review, January 2025


“A Truly Special Experience We Will Never Forget”

“Amazing! The staff were extremely friendly and outgoing, food was beyond expectations, accommodation was very nice and the experience with the giraffes was a truly special experience we will never forget. We highly recommend going to the Giraffe Centre while there, as it was great to learn about what the manor and conservatory do to educate the public and help the giraffe population. We would come back here in a heartbeat!”

★★★★★ — Collin Leon, Mahlatini Luxury Travel, February 2025


“The Team Exceeded Expectations!”

“Most unforgettable trip! Attended a wedding at Giraffe Manor and the team exceeded expectations! My bags went missing, yet they took extra effort to locate and retrieve them. Tony and the management were incredibly accommodating! Patrick, Samson, David, and Oliver ensured my drink stayed filled and made special food arrangements. I missed the giraffe experience initially but Patrick ensured I experienced it on the second morning. Huge thanks to our driver James, the entire staff, and Tony!”

★★★★★ — Trip.com Review, October 2025


❓ Frequently Asked Questions

QuestionAnswer
📍 Where is Giraffe Manor located?Giraffe Manor is located in the leafy Karen suburb of Nairobi, Kenya, about 30 minutes from Wilson Airport and less than an hour from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
💰 How much does it cost to stay?Rates typically range from USD $1,200 – $1,800 per room per night, depending on season and room type. Prices include all meals and giraffe interactions
🚫 Can you visit without staying overnight?No, Giraffe Manor is exclusive to in-house guests. To enjoy breakfast with giraffes and other activities, you must book an overnight stay. However, The Retreat offers day passes and Early Bird packages for non-staying guests
🌟 What makes Giraffe Manor unique?It is the only hotel in the world where you can share your breakfast table with endangered Rothschild’s giraffes. It combines luxury boutique accommodation with wildlife conservation
👨‍👩‍👧 Is Giraffe Manor suitable for families?Yes, Giraffe Manor welcomes families and offers family-friendly rooms. Children especially enjoy the close encounters with giraffes and other wildlife on the grounds
🗺️ What other attractions are near Giraffe Manor?Guests can easily visit Nairobi National Park, the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, the Karen Blixen Museum, and the Giraffe Centre — all located nearby

🏆 Giraffe Manor: More Than a Hotel, It’s a Story

Every guest leaves Giraffe Manor with a story to tell—of giraffes at the breakfast table, laughter on the lawn, and the joy of being part of conservation in action. A stay here isn’t just a night in Nairobi—it’s the beginning of a journey into Kenya’s wild heart.


📞 Discover More with The Safari Collection

Venture beyond Nairobi and immerse yourself in the African wilderness at one of the other properties in The Safari Collection — Solio Lodge, Sasaab Camp, Samburu, and Sala’s Camp. From the tranquil Solio Lodge to the adventurous Sasaab Lodge and the serene Sala’s Camp, there’s an escapade awaiting at every turn.

PropertyLocationExperience
🏔️ Solio LodgeLaikipiaTranquil luxury in a private conservancy · Named among Forbes Travel Guide’s 2025 Edge List
🐘 SasaabSamburuAdventurous luxury overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro River
🦁 Sala’s CampMaasai MaraSerene safari camp in the heart of big cat country


 

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