Only Spectacular | Giraffe Manor

Why Spectacular? Undoubtedly the Giraffes, which roam around the huge and beautiful grounds of this Nairobi based boutique hotel, styled like a Scottish Manor.

Accommodation Summary: Six en-suite bedrooms, living room, dining room, breakfast room and picturesque patio area where you can also take meals.

Maximum number of guests: 12

Where: Nairobi (Langata)

Price Guide: £275 p.p.p.n.

Overview: This is for those who want to experience Kenyan colonial history and share breakfast with a giraffe. One of the very few places to stay in Nairobi that warrants being a part of your itinerary in its own right. There is no denying that this is primarily down to the habituated Rothschild giraffe that wander the grounds. They are a sight in themselves but every morning these huge, graceful animals also wander up to the house in search of a treat, namely racehorse pellets, and poke their heads through windows and doors including the breakfast room window where they’ll find you enjoying your morning coffee. One of the giraffe, named ‘Pretty Arlene’, is particularly tame and will stand below the terrace allowing guests to hug her.

Read More: Description

Since 1974, after the first baby giraffe was given sanctuary here from poachers, they have been a part of a successful breeding programme with the aim of releasing them back into the wild. The current owners are fully committed to continuing with the programme.

The giraffes are not the only draw to this fantastic place. In our opinion the extensive, beautiful grounds, colonial atmosphere and homely charm make it well worth a visit in its own right and make the Manor stand out as the exceptional place to stay in Nairobi.

Sir David Duncan, a member of the Mackintosh family of Mackintosh’s Toffee, constructed the Manor itself in 1932, modelling it on a Scottish hunting lodge. As you enter you are greeted by a large hall and sweeping staircase and immediately notice that the style and design seems original and reminiscent of the early days of East African settlement. To your left you will find a sumptuous living room, with an open log fire for the cool evenings. To your right, a candle lit dining room with heavy chairs and dark wooden floors. There are six bedrooms, all furnished differently but each in the style of their day, with large four-poster beds and antique pieces. One even has the original furniture from Karen Blixen’s guestroom, her being famous for the memoir, Out of Africa.

140 acres of indigenous forest play host to families of warthogs, exotic birds and bushbuck, whilst providing a barrier to the noisy, busy city. This along with the lush, green lawns and manicured gardens around the house provide a naturally calming atmosphere.

Overall this is an unpretentious, personally hosted and original boutique hotel with a twist. The Giraffes! Exceptionally high standards of service and cuisine, combined with the warmth and charm of the manor, means we are always happy to recommend a night or two here.

Sustainable Rating:

Considers the environment in everything they do, from limiting the use of electrical items, recycling glass, composting any waste that is compostable, to using environmentally friendly cleaning products. They are also always looking for viable ways to continue limiting their impact on their surroundings. However, at the moment probably the strongest offering is the work the hotel does in raising awareness about giraffe... in particular the preservation of the rare Rothschild Giraffe in conjunction with the AFEW Giraffe Centre with whom they work incredibly closely and share the same back yard. All guests automatically contribute to this charity and the giraffe are the very thing that make the experience offered so unique.