Located in the southern suburbs of Nairobi is an English manor house. When it was built, the country was unclaimed bush rampant with African wildlife. The home of Karen Blixen is nearby, who posthumously lends her name to this suburb, Karen. The house was built in the 1930s, but this is no Art Deco creation. It is pure Home Counties, a property that would not be unfamiliar to the admirers of Agatha Christie.
Interested in staying? Look no further; Giraffe Manor
The big difference, of course, is that it is in Africa, in Kenya, and in its own private domain populated by giraffe. The original owners of Giraffe Manor were very keen on giraffes, on protecting them and breeding them, in particular, the subspecies Rothschild. They established the Giraffe Centre next door to Giraffe Manor, and these ungulates roam free between the two establishments.
There is a great charm and excitement in sitting, having your breakfast, and being interrupted by a 6m tall creature peering at you with the supplicant look of an animal used to being fed treats. The treats, in this case, being fibrous pellets. The giraffes have a long, rough tongue, and it is not unlike being licked by a domestic cat.
Apart from the obvious pleasure of your own private wildlife kingdom, this is a very comfortable house. Two houses now, in fact, after the completion of the garden manor extension built in a similar style to the original property. The décor is a mix of home counties and colonial with a dash of contemporary African chic. Each of the 10 rooms is unique and is named after people connected with the family and house. Not all are colonial worthies; there is Marlon Brando, for example.
On a memorable evening, we were a party of eight and dined in a private, panelled dining room lit by candelabra. The quality of food is good, with fresh local ingredients being used extensively. However, it is more the atmosphere that clings to you. A presence of history coupled with the spirit of how life used to be lived many years ago. Like all boutique hotels, it is a home away from home. In this case, it is a dream home, in an exotic setting, far away.
Giraffe Manor Review by the team at Uyaphi.com
Encounter Mara Camp
Encounter Mara Camp, located in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, offers guests fantastic wildlife sightings.
The Mara Naboisho has a higher density of wildlife than the Masai Mara National Reserve. A small, intimate yet popular safari camp awaits.
Mara Porini Camp
The Mara Porini Camp has only 6 tented suites sited in the shade of Yellow-barked Acacia trees along the banks of the Laetoli, a permanent spring, the tents are spacious and each has an en-suite bathroom with flush toilet and safari shower.
An exceptional Masai Mara tented camp awaits a superb option for nature lovers.
Samburu Intrepids Camp
Samburu Intrepids Camp with 30 tented rooms is located 345 kilometres north of Nairobi, each tent sits on a raised deck overlooking the river where the elephants make an appearance or the crocodiles come out onto the river's banks.
Ol Tukai Lodge
Ol Tukai Lodge, a classy budget-orientated safari lodge situated in the heart of the Amboseli National Park, one of East Africa's most popular wildlife and nature parks.
The Amboseli Park is one of the best spots in the world to watch elephants with the backdrop of Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, is at Ol Tukai Lodge.
Leopard Beach Resort
Situated on Diani Beach near Kenya's bustling port of Mombasa, Leopard Beach enjoys a position on Diani Beach with 158 comfortable and welcoming rooms. One of the more popular beach lodges near Mombasa.
Sea views, water-based activities and scuba diving are all exceptional, pair those with excellent service and location, and one will not be disappointed.
Ol Pejeta Bush Camp
Ol Pejeta Bush Camp positioned on the banks of the Ewaso Ngiro River in the heart of the famed 'Big-5' Ol Pejeta Conservancy in the heart of Laikipia County.
A fantastic safari experience option for individuals, couples, romantics and families alike with suitable safari activities.
Loisaba Tented Camp
Twelve luxurious rooms at Loisaba Tented Camp overlook 60,000 acres of wilderness in a private conservancy.
This stunning lodge clinging to the edge of a five hundred foot escarpment in Laikipia has unsurpassed views which defy description.
Mara Plains Camp
Masai Mara Plains Camp, one of only three Relais & Chateaux establishments in Kenya, offers guests a private and intimate safari experience within the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy.
The ultimate in luxury while paying homage to that classic tented safari that Kenya is so famous for.