Kenya’s Unique Giraffe Manor Offers Dining with Giraffes (9 Photos)
Imagine sipping your morning coffee in your hotel room by the window when, suddenly, a giraffe pokes its head inside! It sounds like a scene out of a fairy tale, but it’s everyday life for guests at Giraffe Manor. Located on the outskirts of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, this unique boutique hotel sits right in the heart of a wildlife sanctuary. 
Owned by The Safari Collection, the manor offers just 12 exclusive rooms. Lush indigenous forest and open savannah surround the estate. Built in 1932, the historic building is an architectural landmark designed in classic colonial style. 
The manor once served as a base for big-game hunting safaris. Today, with wild animal hunting banned in Kenya, it hosts wildlife enthusiasts and families from around the world. This radical transformation came courtesy of the Melville family, who bought the estate and surrounding land from a local hunting club. 
A Sanctuary Dedicated to Saving Lives
The estate became the base for the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW). The surrounding lands were repopulated with rare species, starting with a rescued giraffe named Daisy. Today, the 140-acre sanctuary is home to eight giraffes along with a rich variety of local wildlife. 
The animals don't arrive here by accident—The Safari Collection rescues sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife, including antelopes, rhinos, elephants, and giraffes. Once recovered, most animals are released back into Kenya’s national parks, while some choose to stay around Giraffe Manor. 
Today, the property is owned by Mike and Tanya Carr-Hartley, who bought it from AFEW to create a truly unusual hotel experience. While The Safari Collection runs several boutique properties, Giraffe Manor remains its most famous and popular destination. 
The hotel is a hit with world-famous celebrities, having hosted stars like Mick Jagger, Brooke Shields, Ewan McGregor, and Richard Chamberlain. The resident giraffes have zero fear of humans. Several times a day, they wander up to the building and poke their heads through the windows, looking for treats. 
Dining with Rothschild’s Giraffes
All the giraffes living here belong to an endangered subspecies known as Rothschild’s giraffes, with fewer than 700 left in the wild. Guests at Giraffe Manor are treated to the rare privilege of seeing—and even petting—these magnificent creatures up close. 
Beyond giraffes, the sanctuary is home to antelopes, cheetahs, warthogs, hyenas, and over 200 bird species. Guests can also visit the neighboring Safari Collection rehabilitation center, where conservationists care for injured and vulnerable animals. 
You don’t need an overnight reservation to see Rothschild’s giraffes—dozens of day visitors visit the sanctuary daily to take in Kenya’s pristine natural beauty. However, day guests miss out on the ultimate highlight: enjoying breakfast and lunch alongside these graceful animals. That unforgettable experience is reserved exclusively for overnight guests staying at the manor.
