Bucket list experience at one of our dream staycation – Giraffe Manor, Nairobi!!
If you are going through this blog, you are definitely the one who have this in their bucket list for sure. If you scroll till the end we assure you it would definitely reflect your wish into reality. So to start with navigation, Giraffe Manor is located in Langata Road in Nairobi, Kenya which is approx. 21kms from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. From the time we settled in Nairobi, both have marked this Manor in our mind. Most of the time our destinations are countries, cities, islands but this time it was a little different amongst all. As we have already mentioned if you are reading this blog, you might have already browsed 100s of pictures on social media for sure. If you are planning a trip to Kenya we would highly recommend to give this lifetime unique stay experience a try. Trust us you won’t regret.
The Giraffe Manor is widely spread over 12 acres of private land within lush green indigenous forest. Its history started in 1930s when wealthy European and American people routed their way to East Africa. It was previously a private estate but lately it is converted into a luxury and boutique manor house. This is the world famous Giraffe Manor in Nairobi Kenya which is very well known for its Rothschild Giraffes, which peeks through all large doors and windows during dusks and dawns. This is the only boutique hotel in the world where one can feed and engage with Giraffes from windows and balconies of their rooms or while having breakfast.
As we stay in Nairobi, it was pretty easy for us to drive down to the destination. That morning we were very excited and started our drive at 11am as the check in was from 12pm. Though we reached before hand so had to wait for couple of minutes to check in. Our welcome was pretty good with multiple choices of refreshments and warm towels. To add this luxury place offers sufficient parking space so you don’t have to worry on that. After all official procedures we were allotted as per the management one of their best room named after a Giraffe- ’Betty’. So make sure you ask for that particular room before booking if that’s available. It’s making all of you think what’s so special about that room? This room directly faces the outdoor lawn and the giraffes frequently poke their heads to the balconies and windows in the dawn. So see, you are the first one spending most of your time with your new tall friends and to closely interact with these gorgeous creatures. The rooms are pretty spacious and luxurious at the same time.
You will be on a full board package so you definitely need to reach prior to lunch time by 1pm. The room services are extremely prompt and their hospitality are one of the best one can ever experience. Call for a Champagne at mid noon, sit back and enjoy your time overlooking the Ngong Hills and Giraffes strolling in their sanctuary. Later you can come down for your 3 course meal.
Have you ever thought of having High Tea with Rothschild Giraffes and warthogs? Experience it all here. The evening tea also popularly known as High Tea is a quintessential British pass time which was brought over during colonial times.
After a bit of stretch around 4pm we came downstairs for the ultimate encounter. Definitely we would always call it as one of the best times in our life and best of experience we ever had. The lounge were all set with tea, coffee and generous selection of cakes and cookies which runs from 4.30pm – 6pm. We enjoyed the Kenyan tea around, with the sound of birds chirping in the trees under vivid blue sky. Everything surrounding the manor felt so surreal which can only be experienced in Africa. Till the time we finished our snacks the real treat had already started to begin. At around 5-5.15pm we could see some of the Rothschild Giraffe approaching us one by one. As the Giraffe Center is internally connected with Giraffe Manor which closes by 5pm daily, these lovely species know where they would find their food pellets and join guests in the evening at the manor. To the best of our knowledge these Rothschild Giraffes are endangered species which can be easily identified from other Giraffes because of their skin coatings. You can definitely go close to them and feed those amazing and friendly creatures. We felt so much more appreciative of being able to interact with their behaviour so closely. Riju was even lucky enough to get a tiny kiss!! I was scared doing that but Riju had an exceptional day. As there were small number of guests we could spend most of our time with our tall friends and were able to have much longer engagements. We called them by their names as they equally reciprocated which was definitely a superior time. By 6pm they all marched back to their habitat bidding us goodbye.
Dinner started from 7pm. Majority of the guests came along for a communal dinner at the manor but you can also ask for private dinners as well. Our table was reserved at a corner by the fire, which was more private to us and that was really a special setting that night. As the dark was about to end soon we gazed the sky glaze and dozed off being equally excited for the dawn.
Our host ensured that we wake up early by 5.30am to feed the first Giraffes who peeps through windows and balconies. The moment we switched on the room lights in no time all the Giraffes made their visit through our windows. What an amazing moment that was. We offered food pellets and that really made us happy and connected. This episode continued for an hour almost, by calling our favourite names.
It was 8am in the morning and we were thin close to the most awaited times we dreamt of. Yes ‘The Breakfast’ with the Giraffes. Riju and me came down to breakfast table and found out the staffs had already set and allocated the tables for all guests present there. As we sat right on the middle and towards the window, suddenly we could sense a tall neck popping inside, crazy!! After we finished our plate the staffs laid down some amazing Giraffe printed crockeries for their honours. Surprisingly 2 to 3 of them popped up from the same window and that was so fascinating to watch. It was so much fun and memory we gathered in a day and truly worth of everything so far. We got so attached and personal to these lovely creatures having the opportunity to feed them breakfast which is nowhere possible in the world.
Meanwhile by 9.30am all of them routed towards the Giraffe centre, as they were well aware that some of their other friends are waiting for them in the Giraffe centre. Our hosts said ‘No pellets No friendship’ and these Giraffes are really witty. By the time it was 10am and also time for us to check out from this amazing place, recollecting all the good memories and fun we had to take back home. We really felt bad while bidding goodbye and this place would be forever special and close to both of our souls. If you have visited Giraffe Manor or wish to visit, please connect by the comment section below and share your experience with us. Waiting eagerly to know!!
Check out our epic Giraffe Manor Video below:
Want to see more? Check our epic 10 pics by clicking the link below that will definitely inspire you to visit this unique hotel once in your lifetime.
10 Photographs that will inspire you to visit Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya
