The History of Giraffe Manor Hotel and Its Location in Nairobi

Located in Nairobi Kenya, Giraffe Manor is a unique hotel where visitors can freely interact with giraffes over their breakfast tables or even from their bedroom windows. A blend of luxury, coupled with the tranquil surroundings makes it a remarkable destination for travelers from around the world.

Giraffe Manor was built as a private home in 1932 by Sir David Duncan, a member of the Mackintosh family. Its architecture depicts the colonial style of that era. Over the years, Manor has undergone several renovations transforming it into a boutique hotel.

I have been to many places in Africa but my stay at the Giraffe Manor felt like something out of this world. In this guide, I’ll explain everything to know about this hotel, including its life as a giraffe sanctuary, rates, and how to get there.

Manor as a giraffe sanctuary

Giraffe Manor is not just a hotel, it’s a sanctuary working to breed and repopulate the endangered Rothschild giraffe. Together with the Giraffe Center on-site, the facility educates many schools and nature enthusiasts about the need to protect wildlife and by far, giraffes. 

In 1974 Betty Leslie-Melville and her husband Jock, who also founded The African Fund for Endangered Wildlife, bought Manor. After the purchase, this couple learned that the only remaining Rothschild giraffes in Kenya were in danger due to human settlement in their habitat.

Since the Manor was already home to three wild bull giraffes, they decided to bring two baby Rothschild giraffes to the estate. One of them was named Daisy who subsequently featured in Betty’s book “ Raising Daisy Rothschild” which later turned into the film, The Last Giraffe.

The highly endangered giraffes thrived and part of the Manor land was set aside for the establishment of a Giraffe center, run by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife. The sanctuary has successfully distributed several breeding pairs of Rothschild Giraffe into Kenyan national parks.

Giraffe Manor as a hotel

After the death of Jock Leslie-Melville, Betty decided to open Giraffe Manor to visitors. In 1983, Rick Anderson (Betty’s son) and his wife took over the management of the Manor and made it a small private hotel. Giraffes interacting freely with guests at the facility became the main point of attraction.

Travelers from all over the world including celebrities make Manor an item on their East Africa Safari holidays. What’s more, the facility is a stone’s throw away from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Nairobi National Park which is home to various species of birds and animals.

Mikey and Tanya Carr-Hartley are currently the owners of Giraffe Manor after purchasing it in March 2019. It’s part of The Safari Collection group of lodges and hotels. Manor is open to guests year-round except from mid-April to mid-May when repairs are scheduled.

What are the rooms like at Giraffe Manor?

Giraffe Manor has two wings each with 6 rooms. Every room is named after a person, giraffe or both revealing Manor’s charming history. The original manor house has five Superior rooms (Betty, Daisy, Jock, Lynn, and Marlon) and one family suite (the Karen Blixen Suite).

Here is what every room looks like in the main Manor.

• Karen Blixen Suite. A large two-bedroom family suite, connected with a lounge and fireplace. Has a master ensuite bedroom with a double bed. The second room is also equipped with twin beds and ensuite facilities with bathtubs and showers. Shared south-facing terrace with giraffe feeding access. Option for an extra, small single bed for a child upon request.
• Betty’s Superior Room. Front-facing in the main manor, roof terrace, and giraffe feeding access. Approximately 24 m², it features a double bed, in-room fireplace, and en-suite original art deco bathroom with a bath and shower. Has space for a cot for an infant on request.
• Daisy’s Superior Room. Side-facing room with a great view of the Ngong Hills. Has double or twin beds with a roof terrace and a giraffe feeding access. En-suite bathroom with a shower.
• Jock’s Superior Room. Front-facing with giraffe feeding access. Double or twin beds and fireplace. En-suite bathroom with shower and bath.
• Marlon’s Superior Room. A spacious side-facing room with a double bed, adjoining lounge and giraffe feeding access from the terrace. Has a large master en-suite bathroom with a shower. Option for sofa bed for a child upon request. Features a compact toilet and shower off the lounge area.
• Lynn’s Superior Room. A bedroom on the ground floor with double or twin beds and a walk-out terrace. The room has limited giraffe feeding access located on the west side of the main manor. An ensuite bathroom and a shower are available.

The Garden Manor, a replica of the original manor, was built in 2011 right next door. It has five Superior rooms (Salma, Edd, Arlene, Helen, and Kelly) and one family suite ( the Finch Hatton Suite). Note that giraffes do not have access to the Arlene, Salma, and Edd superior rooms.

All the rooms at Manor come with amenities like air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. This means air is fresh throughout and you can comfortably connect with your loved ones away.

How much does a room cost at Giraffe Manor

When I wanted to reserve a room at the Giraffe Manor for my birthday, I realized there were no price tags on their website. So I had to send an email for a quote. Luckily they replied and they quoted $1,168 per person, per night for Betty’s Superior Room, Friday, 8 February 2024.

Prices at Manor vary based on the size of the room, number of the occupants, and generally the season of the year. Their two family rooms – the Karen Blixen Suite and Finch Hatton Suite cost USD$3,630 and USD$3267 respectively, for two 2 adults and 2 children in the suite.

To reserve my room, I paid a 30% deposit of the quote. Mark you, the amount is refundable up to 120 days before the visit less 5% of the booking value. Although the price seemed high, a visit to Giraffe Manor is worth it. I loved the special details in my room, meals, and petting a giraffe.

Reservations are high during the peak season and it’s common to wait a bit longer for your booking to materialize. So, it’s best to request the management to put you on a whitelist for any chance should anyone cancel or fail to pay. The secret is booking early, probably a year or two.

Dining and drinking at The Giraffe Manor

All guests at the Giraffe Manor are treated to a full board. This includes breakfast (tea, snacks, and pastries), a three-course lunch, and dinner. The all-inclusive hotel rate caters for all meals and drinks, excluding the specially imported wines and champagnes.

Meals are commonly served in the main dining room but sometimes on a patio when the weather is nice. You can book the Orchid house, located behind the manor for a private candlelit dinner buts it’s first come first serve. So, it’s best to reserve early.

The highlight of every stay at Giraffe Manor is breakfast with the giraffes. A plate for giraffes is provided and once they sense the meal is around, they poke their long necks in to enjoy the treat. Guests are allowed to feed the giraffes, take photos, and even pet them. 

The whole breakfast with giraffe session lasts for about 40 minutes before you are allowed out for other guests to have their turn. Handlers in charge make sure everything is smooth and memorable. I felt delighted to tip them as appreciation for their service.

The Retreat at Giraffe Manor

Guests staying at the Giraffe Manor Nairobi can enjoy relaxation at the retreat located on the sanctuary. The facility is just a short stroll away from the Main Manor. Here you can swim or book a spa treatment (gym workout, steam bath, sauna, hot tub) to help you unwind.

The Retreat facilities on the property are only accessible to the guests within their check-in and check-out hours. Food and drinks at Daisy’s Café are charged as extras and can be added to your room bill or be settled directly. Manor has a gift shop where many giraffe-themed items are sold. 

Note: Manor provides complementary chauffeured vehicles to take guests around their neighborhood for sightseeing. This is a special opportunity to visit other attractions around the area. They will also provide pickup and drop-off services to and from the Airport.