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Nairobi, Kenya

Giraffe Manor

The grounds and accommodation at Giraffe Manor are recently updated and fantastic. While expensive, it is such an ideal starting point for families and people who love giraffes. It is only worth the stay if you have time to enjoy breakfast so we don't recommend it for extremely short layovers when you arrive late and leave early.  — Mango's view

The Giraffe Manor, built in 1932 by Sir David Duncan, is surrounded by 140 acres of its own park and forest, thirty minutes from the centre of Nairobi, with superb views of the Ngong Hills. In 1974 Jock Leslie-Melville, grandson of a Scots earl, and his American wife Betty, who also founded the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), bought the Manor. They then moved two highly endangered baby Rothschild giraffes to the estate, where they thrived and have produced several further generations of giraffes.

When Jock died, Betty decided to open her house, now called The Giraffe Manor, to visitors. It is the only place in the world where you can feed and photograph the giraffe over your breakfast table and at the front door, and even from a bedroom window.

Personally hosted, The Giraffe Manor is an elegant and exclusive small hotel with a rich blend of welcoming accommodation, highly trained staff and one of Nairobis finest kitchens.

The Giraffe Manor also offers a uniquely untouched wilderness on the doorstep of one of Africas most cosmopolitan cities, the adjoining Jock Leslie-Melville Nature Education Center, better known as the Giraffe Center. Guided walks through its primeval forest enable you to learn about traditional uses of the varied flora, view some of the 180 bird species and perhaps meet a warthog or bushbuck.

Includes: All meals, drinks (except premiums), & laundry.