I don’t think I’m sticking my neck out on the line (See what I did there?) by saying you’ve probably seen Giraffe Manor as you’ve scrolled through TikTok or Instagram! This is our favorite wildlife hotel in the world!
Giraffe Manor, a boutique hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, is known as one of the most unique wildlife hotel stays for letting you share high tea and breakfast with their resident herd of wild giraffes, who quite literally poke their heads through your hotel window looking to interact with you!
In this post, we will share why this is one of the most unusual hotels you’ll ever see, and we will provide you with all of the necessary details to make this bucket-list dream a reality!
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Wildlife Conservation Paradise!
Beyond being one of the coolest wildlife hotel stays for iconic social media photos, Giraffe Manor is also a wildlife conservation paradise. In fact, did you know that giraffes have been silently disappearing from most of Africa due to drought and poaching? Most people don’t.
Working in conjunction with the Kenyan government and the Giraffe Centre next door, Giraffe Manor has supported critical conservation efforts by taking part in a breeding program since the 1970s. The goal? To save Nubian giraffes from extinction.
In fact, many of the giraffes born at Giraffe Manor are released into the wild, which has significantly contributed to repopulating the species. AND when you stay at Giraffe Manor, a small portion of your payment goes to the conservation of these very endangered animals. We call that a win-win!
A Luxurious and Intimate Stay
Giraffe Manor is a small but luxurious property with only 12 rooms in total. The original section of the Historic Manor was built in 1932 as a private family home. Because of this, each room is unique and varies in size. The Historic Manor has five Superior Double Rooms and one Superior Family Suite with two en-suite bathrooms.
In 2011, Garden Manor was built as a replica of the Historic Manor House. It houses a Superior Suite and five Superior Double Rooms.
In 2020, The Retreat was added to the property, featuring a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub, and gym, all complimentary for Manor guests. There’s also a spa, restaurant, and bar available at an extra cost.
Who Should Stay Here?
This exclusive property is a bucket-list destination for special occasions like anniversaries or honeymoons. However, Giraffe Manor is also a fantastic family-friendly experience where children of all ages are welcome. Infants are welcome and can stay free of charge up to two years of age.
Typical Itinerary for Giraffe Manor
Noon: Arrive at check-in time.
1:00 PM: Enjoy your included lunch outdoors between the two manors.
After Lunch: Walk next door to the Giraffe Centre. Get your first glimpse of the giraffes and be able to feed them (free for Manor guests).
Alternatively, you can arrange transportation through Giraffe Manor and visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to adopt a baby elephant!
🚨 PRO TIP: When visiting the elephants, wear sneakers and clothes that you don’t mind getting covered in orange clay! Trust us on this! YOU’RE WELCOME!!!
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
5:00 PM: Afternoon tea with the giraffes, complete with tea, cakes, and plenty of time to interact and snap those jaw-dropping photos.
6:00 PM: Clean up and relax before dinner.
8:00 PM: Enjoy a delicious dinner in the main dining room or request a private, secluded dinner in the Orchid House, (included in your stay).
Bedtime: We highly recommend going to bed as early as possible because the giraffes will be knocking early! They tend to arrive between 5:30 and 6:30 AM, and they will be eagerly awaiting the bucket of pellets left in your room.
6:30 AM: Head to the dining room to get a good table for breakfast with the giraffes! After your meal, the waiters open the windows, and the giraffes poke their heads in for a snack. They’ll nibble pellets from a plate right in front of you, creating the perfect iconic photo! The staff are happy to help you get that Instagram-worthy shot.
When To Go:
Our favorite time to go would be mid-June through mid-October, which is also Kenya’s winter/dry season. You can expect pleasant temperatures, clear skies, and less rain, which means more active giraffes! This is also a more expensive time of year, and it will book up fast.
We also recommend avoiding the rainy season in Nairobi, which is typically from March to May and again from mid-October to December.
Booking Your Room
There are no bad rooms here because each room has its own charm and size. Before booking anything, we suggest checking the details of each room here.
With only 12 rooms available and this famous wildlife hotel often fully booked, we highly recommend booking a year and a half in advance. If there is a specific room that you would like, you may have to book your room two years in advance.
Once you know which room you would like to book, visit www.safaricollection.com, click “Stay,” and check the availability calendar to see when your room will be available. Once you find your preferred date, hit “Enquire Now” to send your booking request. Then, wait for a response confirming your request.
A 25% deposit is required to secure your room and date, with the remaining balance due 40 days prior to your stay.
🚨 PRO TIP: There is no minimum stay here. Most guests feel that they had the experience that they were looking for with a one-night stay. We recommend staying at a nearby hotel the night before and requesting to be picked up at 11:30 AM for check-in at 12:00 PM. This maximizes your time at Giraffe Manor and gives you the most bang for your buck!
The Cost & What’s Included
As you have probably gathered by now, this wildlife hotel is not a budget accommodation. As of this writing, rooms at Giraffe Manor start at $1,168 per adult sharing and $805 per child sharing a regular room. (Fyi, adults are considered 12 years of age and up.)
Your Stay Includes:
✅ Private round-trip transfers
✅ Your own personal butler
✅ Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (Lunch and dinner each have 3 courses.)
✅ House wines, beers, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks (premium options are extra)
✅ Use of the pool, sauna, hot tub, and gym at The Retreat
✅ Free laundry services
✅ Free access to the Giraffe Centre
The service at Giraffe Manor is top-notch. The staff goes out of their way to ensure your safety (since giraffes are still wild animals), and they help you to get the best interaction and amazing photos possible!
🚨 PRO TIP: If you have dietary restrictions, we suggest letting them know during booking so that they can accommodate you!
FAQ:
Can I See the Giraffes Without Staying at Giraffe Manor?
Only overnight guests are allowed on the premises of Giraffe Manor. However, if Giraffe Manor is out of your budget, we have an alternate plan for you that is pretty darn affordable. Enter the Giraffe Centre!
The Giraffe Centre shares the same property as Giraffe Manor, and it is located right next door. They are open to the public from 9 AM – 5 PM daily, including weekends and holidays. Admission is USD 15 for adults and $7.50 for children.
Here, visitors can learn about conservation efforts, explore scenic nature trails, and feed the same beloved herd of giraffes that frequent Giraffe Manor. The giraffes roam freely back and forth between both locations. Since they are EXTREMELY food-driven, they tend to gather at the Giraffe Centre during operating hours, when food is available to them. Once the center closes, those greedy buggers head straight to Giraffe Manor for more treats!
What Should I Pack?
- Light-colored, long-sleeved shirts: (khaki, cream & beige) Avoid dark clothing since it attracts mosquitoes and other insects.
- Comfortable sneakers that you don’t care about getting dirty, especially if you’re going to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust or the Giraffe Centre.
- Bug spray
- Hand sanitizer: Those giraffes have really long, slurpy tongues!
- A light jacket for cooler mornings and nights
- Sun protection: hats, sunscreen & sunglasses
- Camera (or cell phone) for pictures with a backup charger
Visa & Vaccination Requirements:
Visa and vaccination requirements often change.
For the latest Visa information, go to https://www.etakenya.go.ke/en.
For vaccine guidelines, contact the Center for Disease Control & Prevention if coming from the U.S., or contact your particular country’s health department.
It is also advisable to speak with your doctor 4-6 weeks before your departure for any required vaccines or malaria pills, especially if you have any health conditions of concern.
Final Thoughts
Giraffe Manor is one of the most unusual wildlife hotel stays in the world, and above all, we have yet to hear anyone say that they regret staying there. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime dream destination that combines luxury, conservation, and an unforgettable wildlife experience! 🦒✨
If you enjoyed this post, check out this post on other unique hotel stays.
