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Giraffes Manor by Philip van de Graaf

philipvdg

The most unforgettable bucket-list breakfast in the world.


Built in 1932, Giraffe Manor is the oldest of The Safari Collection’s properties and was modelled on a Scottish hunting lodge. The elegant long legged giraffes have roamed its lawns since the 1970s when Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville first adopted an orphaned Rothschild’s giraffe called Daisy. Tanya and Mikey Carr-Hartley bought the manor in April 2009. Since then it has become a globally recognised hotel.

Having grown up in the neighbourhood, Giraffe Manor has always played a significant role in Tanya Carr-Hartley’s life. As a child, she rode through the grounds on horseback and would occasionally have a cup of tea with Betty before returning home. Tanya recalls that the horses did not like the smell of giraffe, so it was always a quick one! To own Giraffe Manor was something of a childhood dream and in April 2009, this dream came true when The Safari Collection’s flagship property was added to their portfolio.

Giraffe Manor is an exclusive boutique hotel, owned by The Safari Collection. Often referred to as one of the most instagrammed properties in the world, Giraffe Manor is set in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest in the Langata suburb of Nairobi. Giraffe Manor is one of Nairobi’s most iconic buildings. The historic manor house has extraordinary appeal, that harks back to the 1930s when visitors first flocked to East Africa to enjoy safaris. With its stately façade, elegant interior, verdant green gardens, sunny terraces and delightful courtyards, guests often remark that it’s like walking into the film Out of Africa: indeed, one of its twelve rooms is named after the author Karen Blixen.

One of the most fascinating things about Giraffe Manor is its resident herd of Rothschild’s giraffes who may visit morning and evening, poking their long necks into the windows in the hope of a treat, before retreating to their forest sanctuary. Giraffe Manor can be booked for the night or as part of a complete tailor-made safari with The Safari Collection.





Photo credits - Philip van de Graaf - 2020


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