Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe

Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe

You’d probably expect a lodge named “Giraffe Manor” to have some sort of African decor. You might even guess that a lodge with such a name would be in Africa and perhaps be located within the vague vicinity of where giraffes sometimes roam. But you’d never imagine this . . .

Giraffe Manor is not merely in the vicinity of real giraffes. It is inundated by them!

Intrepid Travel

space Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe

What’s more surprising, Giraffe Manor is located in the Langata suburb of Nairobi, only a 30-minute drive from the bustling center of Kenya’s capital (where a giraffe would be as out of place as in Trafalgar Square).

unusual giraffe hotel s Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe follow me on pinterest button Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe Of course, when Giraffe Manor was built as a private residence in 1932 Nairobi was not as bustling, or as large, as it is today. But over time urban encroachment threatened the natural beauty of the estate. In 1974, the manor was sold to a family who turned it into a sanctuary for all giraffes, especially of the near-extinct Rothschild species. A decade later the family moved away and the estate was opened to visitors.

Today, the six-room Giraffe Manor sits on 140 acres of wilderness that’s home to warthogs, Bush Bucks and all manner of birds as well as dozens of giraffe. The Manor’s windows and doors are designed especially to allow the long-necked herbivores to peak in on—and get fed by—the estate’s human visitors. While enjoying your breakfast or reading a book in you room, expect to see a giraffe stick his head in through the window. The first time you turn around in the hotel and find yourself eyeball-to-eyeball with a giraffe you’ll find it a thrilling and surreal experience. Stay here for a few days and such giraffe encounters become oddly normal.

Even if it weren’t for the ubiquitous giraffes, Giraffe Manor would be a wonderful place to stay and it would still be Spot Cool Stuff’s favorite hotel in greater Nairobi. You’ll feel like a well-healed aristocrat residing in this mansion with its log fireplaces, candle lit dinning room and attentive butler service. The room amenities and furnishings are luxurious and stately.

The full board plan at Giraffe Manor costs $360 per person, which is quite reasonable considering that the rate includes all taxes and the entrance into the sanctuary as well as three (excellent) meals per day, an open bar, complimentary laundry service and use of a sightseeing vehicle. And, besides, where else can you get served a gourmet cup of coffee and ask a giraffe to pass you the sugar?

updated: 20 Oct 2011
space Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe

LEARN MORE & BOOK | KENYA GUIDEBOOKS | AFRICA SAFARI PACKING TIPS

More Cool Animal Travel Experiences:
Swim With Whale Sharks
Discover Dolphins
Drink Coffee With Cats
Bathe With Monkeys

gm1 Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe follow me on pinterest button Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe

space Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe
When: Giraffe Manor is closed for the whole of April and May. Open year round otherwise.

If you go: There’s nothing special you should bring, or not bring, as far as the giraffes are concerned. All of the Nairobi area can be quite cool in July and August.

Family friendly: Absolutely, though most guests stay sans children.

For your bookshelf: Field Guide to Larger Mammals of Africa

space Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe

gm3 Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe follow me on pinterest button Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe

gmx Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe follow me on pinterest button Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe

gm7 Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe follow me on pinterest button Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe

gm4 575x383 Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe follow me on pinterest button Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe

gm6 Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe follow me on pinterest button Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe

lightgrey Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe


space Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe
lightgrey Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe
space Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe

gm20 Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe follow me on pinterest button Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe

gm23 Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe follow me on pinterest button Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe

gm8 Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe follow me on pinterest button Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe

gm10 Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe follow me on pinterest button Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe

gm11 Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe follow me on pinterest button Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe

gm13 Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe follow me on pinterest button Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe

space Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe

LEARN MORE & BOOK | FLY THERE | TRAVEL GEAR DEALS

space Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe

space Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe
scs kindle ad 270 Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe  Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe

intra africalux Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe follow me on pinterest button Eat Breakfast with a Giraffe



Responses

  1. Winni Rodgers says:

    I want to visit this magical place for my upcoming 50th birthday. I would be traveling alone. Is it safe to do so?

    [Reply to this comment]

    Spot Cool Travel Stuff Reply:

    Hi Winni,

    The “Is it safe?” question is always a tough one for us. Different places have different degrees of safety when you look at the situation there in abstract. But the abstract isn’t a perfect predictor when it comes to a specific individual in a specific time and place. Pick whatever “dangerous” place you want and you can find people who travel there safely. Pick whatever “safe” place you want and there’s almost certainly a traveler who has gone there and run into trouble.

    We can tell you that many women safely travel to Kenya solo. The Giraffe Manor itself is very secure and peaceful. It is possible (though we don’t know for certain) that they’d arrange transportation from the airport for you.

    If you go, definitely leave a comment and tell us how it was!

    ~ SCS

    [Reply to this comment]

  2. Yaz says:


    Twitter:
    This is really amazing. I never knew something like this existed.

    I think I have found one of my new favourite sites! Really good job.
    Yaz recently posted..Your Questions About Air MauritiusMy Profile

    [Reply to this comment]

  3. Suraj Nair@Panoramic Universal says:

    Awesome place to be and would definitely be there at least once in my lifetime.

    [Reply to this comment]

  4. Hejorama says:


    Twitter:
    That sounds lovely 🙂 But can you actually eat your breakfast or the giraffe are just going to eat everything on the table? I mean I love giraffes but I think I love breakfast even more and I can be quite protective about my food. Ok, maybe for this once I’ll share 😉

    [Reply to this comment]

    Spot Cool Travel Stuff Reply:

    Hejorama,

    Being protective about one’s food is a natural animistic response to another mammal threatening to eat your breakfast. We’d describe the giraffe as very gently persistent. You won’t lose your toast (unless you want to). But it is likely that a giraffe will ask for it.

    Thanks for your comment!

    ~ SCS

    [Reply to this comment]

  5. kaelah marvin says:

    omg!!!!!!! giraffes are like my favorite animals im in love with them!!!! want to stay there!!!!

    [Reply to this comment]

  6. Maddy says:

    I want to live in this place!!

    [Reply to this comment]

  7. DAN SMITH says:

    I’ve been aware of this magical place for a long time. And along with the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, I consider these two places to be co-must see stops when ever I can actually get there.
    It may take a while longer,but I really want to make this happen. I’m really happy to see that things are working out so well. Best wishes.

    [Reply to this comment]

  8. Slow Poke says:

    hmmmm . . . i’m not sure I could eat while a giraffe was staring at me.

    [Reply to this comment]

  9. Carley says:

    No way! You always come up with the most interesting places to stay. Thanks!

    [Reply to this comment]

  10. ChrisY says:

    I like these photos, well taken…Eat Breakfast With Giraffes…

    [Reply to this comment]

  11. Eric Hundin says:

    I found your blog on MSN Search. Nice writing. I will check back to read more.

    Eric Hundin

    [Reply to this comment]

Leave a Response

CommentLuv badge

SPOTCOOLSTUFF Travel reviews unusual hotels and restaurants, great attractions, cool travel gear, places with amazing views and all manner of travel destinations with a WOW! factor. Because we live on an incredible planet! Get our latest travel posts by email . . .

    Awesome Curacao vacations — up to $530 off!
    Check out the freebies offered too, including airfare credits, breakfast and room upgrades!

Save $530 Time left:
Book Now!
Offer Closed!



PARTNER WITH US     |     BE OUR GUEST TRAVEL WRITER    |      SUGGEST COOL STUFF FOR US TO REVIEW     |     INFO FOR TOURIST BOARDS

Other SCS SectionsHot Travel CategoriesFave Travel Posts
Cool Tech & GadgetsBest hotel room viewsCaribbeanBest Sandals in Jamaica
Cool Architecture & DesignFamily travelEuropeBest Wheeled Carry-On Luggage
Cool WebsitesHoneymoon resortsFloridaWorld's Coolest Airlines
Cool EntertainmentUnusual museumsSoutheast AsiaThe Honeymoon Resorts of Bora Bora