Giraffe Manor: A Boutique Hotel with Resident Giraffes
Giraffe Manor is a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel run by The Safari Collection. Known for being one of the most photographed properties in the world, Giraffe Manor sits on 12 acres of private land surrounded by 140 acres of indigenous forest in Nairobi’s Langata suburb. The historic manor, with its classic 1930s appeal, offers guests a chance to step into a scene from the movie “Out of Africa”, with rooms named after the author Karen Blixen.
The highlight of Giraffe Manor is the herd of Rothschild’s giraffes that visit the hotel in the morning and evening, stretching their long necks through the windows in search of a treat. Visitors can book a stay at Giraffe Manor or include it as part of a custom Kenya safari package with The Safari Collection.
Giraffe Manor is owned by Tanya and Mikey Carr-Hartley, who purchased the property in April 2009. The hotel’s iconic resident giraffes have roamed the lawns since the 1970s, when Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville rescued an orphaned Rothschild’s giraffe named Daisy.
Giraffe Manor prioritizes animal welfare, employing four key practices to ensure their giraffes are well taken care of. They allow the giraffes to move freely during encounters with guests and never restrain them. The best time to visit Kenya and Giraffe Manor is from June to October during the dry season, when the weather is ideal for sightseeing.
Location:
Gogo Falls Road,
Nairobi,
Kenya
Images by , 500px, honestlywtf.com.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Giraffe Manor, Lang’ata, Nairobi, Kenya
- Coordinates
- -1.37539, 36.74452
- Access
- Access is restricted to registered overnight guests. The operator states it cannot host day visitors for tours, meals or photo sessions. Giraffes roam freely, so sightings are not guaranteed. The nearby AFEW Giraffe Centre is a separate public attraction, not part of Manor access.
- Admission
- There is no day-visitor ticket. Admission requires an overnight room booking, with rates varying by room and date; check the operator's live booking calendar. The Retreat's day-pass products are separate and do not grant access to Giraffe Manor.
- Time needed
- The operator recommends two nights as the ideal stay. Its arrival guidance says to arrive by noon or early afternoon to experience the afternoon tea and evening/breakfast program; a one-night stay is the minimum overnight visit.
- Best season
- The operator lists Giraffe Manor as an all-year stay, but it closes in May for maintenance. Nairobi is warm by day and cool at night, with rainy periods in March–May and mid-October–December. Confirm the exact May closure and current weather before booking; the operator does not name one best month.
- Opening hours
- Check-in begins at 12:00 noon and check-out is by 10:00 a.m. The Manor has no day visits, walk-in tours, or public opening hours; access is for overnight guests only.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-26
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-20
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