We know there are questions around travel amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Read our note here.
Located just outside Nairobi, Kenya, Giraffe Manor is a boutique hotel that offers guests a unique chance to live alongside giraffes. If these beautiful creatures are one of your favorite animals — or if you're just looking for a fun adventure — this is an experience that shouldn't be missed. Here are five reasons you definitely need to check out this one-of-a-kind hotel.
You Get to See Giraffes Up Close
The most obvious reason to book a stay at Giraffe Manor is the giraffes. While you can see giraffes at a zoo or even in the wild on a safari, Giraffe Manor offers an entirely new experience. You can begin your day by having breakfast with the endangered Rothschild's giraffes that roam the area. Breakfast is served in two airy rooms with huge windows and the giraffes will frequently poke their heads in to see what's going on. Their tongues can reach up to 20 inches long and you might experience a curious lick or two, so be sure to guard your plate! You'll also be allowed to feed the giraffes special grass pellets while you enjoy your own breakfast.
If you're not a morning person, don't worry. You can have a similar experience later in the day when the manor offers afternoon tea with the giraffes. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try to win a giraffe kiss by offering them a grass pellet between your lips. Manor employees often recommend this trick due to the antiseptic properties of giraffe saliva.
You'll Get the Perfect Picture
If you love taking pictures, Giraffe Manor is the perfect place for you. In fact, it's one of the world's most Instagrammed properties. Whether or not you're actually on Instagram, there's no doubt that you'll be surrounded by some of the most incredible and unique landscapes in the world. It's the perfect opportunity to flex your creative muscles and take stunning photos.
Giraffe Manor is located just outside of Kenya's capital city, Nairobi. It consists of two buildings — Manor House and Garden Manor, which are located on 12 acres of private land within a beautiful forest. Manor House was built in 1932 and Garden Manor was added in 2011 to accommodate the hotel's popularity.
As you explore the spacious grounds, you'll be able to snap photos of giraffes peacefully roaming and interacting with guests. You'll also get to capture the incredible sunsets, indigenous wooded areas, and delicious meals.
You'll Have Access to Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is incredibly unique since it's the only national park located within the borders of a major city. Staying at Giraffe Manor makes it very easy for you to take a day trip out to see it. The hotel will even arrange an outing for you so that you don't need to worry about transportation.
Nairobi National Park is approximately 45 square miles in size and gives you stunning views of the Ngong Hills juxtaposed against the Nairobi city skyline. Animals that reside in the park include lions, buffalo, hyenas, cheetahs, gazelles, and zebras. Birdwatchers will be delighted to know that the park is also home to over 400 different species of birds. Additionally, Nairobi National Park serves as a rhino sanctuary and has Kenya's highest density of black rhinos.
The park has numerous campsites, picnic grounds, and hiking trails, and is often frequented by locals who want to get a short break from the hustle and bustle of the city. If you want a professional to help you find the best spots, Giraffe Manor offers guided tours in a private vehicle.
You Can Go on a Unique Date
If you're planning a trip with your significant other, Giraffe Manor offers date ideas that you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. After all, how often do you get to have a delicious breakfast with your partner and a giraffe? One of the more romantic events Giraffe Manor offers is dinner in the orchid house. This beautiful, light-filled house features 150 orchids.
With its cozy atmosphere, delicate flowers, and fragrant air, the orchid house is a delight for all the senses. In fact, guests frequently like to retreat there to meditate, read, or paint. For couples staying at the hotel, Giraffe Manor is always happy to arrange a private dinner in the orchid house at no additional cost.
You might also want to go horseback riding in Nairobi to enjoy incredible views of the Ngong Hills or if you're tired from all your sightseeing, schedule a couple's massage in the Garden Treatment Room.
You Can Support Conservation Efforts
In the past 30 years, giraffe populations have fallen by approximately 40%. Although giraffes once lived in 28 different countries across Africa, they have since gone extinct in Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Nigeria, Eritrea, Guinea, and Burkina Faso.
Before it became a hotel, Giraffe Manor was dedicated to the protection and conservation of these gentle giants. In fact, it still serves as a breeding center for Rothschild's giraffes and has helped increase Kenya's giraffe population to over 1,000. This is a drastic increase from the 1970s when there were only 80 Rothschild's giraffes living in Kenya.
In addition to these conservation efforts, Giraffe Manor runs a sponsorship program so that guests can also help. If you'd like, you can choose to sponsor one of the giraffes living at the hotel. Half of the funds from the sponsorship goes directly to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, the world's only non-governmental organization focusing exclusively on protecting giraffes throughout Africa.
The second half of your donation is kept by the Safari Collection Footprint, a foundation run by the Giraffe Manor's parent company. This foundation supports various conservation and community-building projects in Kenya.