Staying at Giraffe Manor: Breakfast With Giraffes, and Old-World Charm
Giraffe Manor is one of those rare places that feels like a movie set until a giraffe actually pokes its head through the breakfast window. The manor sits in Nairobi’s leafy Lang’ata neighborhood and shares a protected forest sanctuary with the AFEW Giraffe Centre. The house dates to 1932 which adds that cozy, old-world feel to the experience.
Giraffe Manor is tiny, just 12 rooms total, split between the six-room Historic Manor and the six-room Garden Manor—so dates vanish fast, especially around holidays and peak safari seasons. We suggest locking it in 12–18 months in advance (two years if your dates aren’t flexible). We personally booked over a year ahead and still had limited room choices, pretty typical given demand.
The giraffes and the bigger picture
The resident herd is the endangered Nubian giraffe, historically known as Rothschild’s. Giraffe Manor and the neighboring Giraffe Centre have long supported breeding and reintroduction efforts which is a major reason this stay matters beyond the photos. You are not at a petting zoo. You are inside a living conservation story that started here decades ago and continues today with careful, guest-only interactions.
If you have extra time before or after check-in, consider The Retreat at Giraffe Manor. It sits next door and gives Manor guests access to a pool, steam room, sauna, hot tub, and gym which is perfect if you are transiting Nairobi. It was one of our favorite gyms while traveling because you can literally see the giraffes walking by.
Arrive with simple expectations and flexible timing. The giraffes choose when to wander up which is part of the magic. Keep your camera at hand but set it down between visits so you actually enjoy the moment. Follow the staff’s feeding guidance and offer one pellet at a time. If you want the iconic shot, ask for a corner table near the large windows or the sunroom and be ready at the very start of breakfast when the herd is most curious.
How to get the most out of it
Use Giraffe Manor as a soft landing on your first night in Nairobi or as a celebratory final night before flying out. You are within easy reach of Nairobi National Park and a short flight from the Masai Mara and Serengeti (Both of which we prefer).
What the stay is really like
Mornings start with fresh coffee and very tall visitors. Breakfast with the giraffes is reserved for overnight guests and usually happens between about 6:00 and 9:00 in either the Historic Manor or the Garden Manor. Staff provide pellets and show you how to feed safely, one at a time so the moment lasts and the animals digest well. Afternoon tea brings another gentle giraffe meet-and-greet from about 5:00 to 6:00. Both experiences are included for in-house guests which keeps it intimate and unrushed.
The rooms feel like you are staying in a private home rather than a standard hotel. There are only a handful of individually styled bedrooms split between the original manor and the Garden Manor next door. Big windows look onto the lawns and forest so you see the herd wandering past even when you are relaxing indoors.
Where it fits in your Kenya itinerary
Final thoughts
Giraffe Manor blends a once-in-a-lifetime breakfast with thoughtful conservation and the atmosphere of a historic family home. Keep your schedule light, your pellet hand steady, and your expectations focused on connection rather than a checklist. The result is one of the most joyful mornings you can have in Kenya.
We're the adventure-loving duo behind the lens and the keyboard, swapping nine-to-five predictability for jet lag, desert sunrises, and stories worth replaying. Follow our journey to 50 countries while we share all our tips, mistakes and hidden gems along the way. We love finding the world's most unique bucket list adventures and stays to share with you here!
We're Holly and luke
meet us
los angeles, usa
BAsed in:
Norway
