Giraffe Manor, in short, is a beautiful boutique hotel owned by the Safari Collection and dating back to the 1930s. It is located in Nairobi, Kenya. The grounds surrounding the manor are home to a Rothschild Giraffe sanctuary. This breed of giraffe is endangered. Unlike some so-called "sanctuaries" around the world housing endangered animals, Giraffe Manor is the real deal. They work closely with the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation to breed and support the conservation of this species. There is even a sponsorship program you can become a part of after visiting the manor.

Here is what it’s really like to stay at the most instagrammable hotel in the world…

Each room at the manor is a bit different, but every one is as beautiful as the next. There are 12 rooms, and each room can hold 2 people. Bed types vary by room. The décor was cozy yet elegant. It really feels like you're traveling back in time or even to a scene from Out of Africa. Warm water bottles are placed in your beds, and the fireplace is crackling. There’s likely a clawfoot tub and an old wooden vanity.

Here's one of the best parts of the whole place… You'll wake up at 6 am to a bit of nudging at your window (or 5 if jet lag is taking hold of you). What's that? Oh, it's just a giant Giraffe ready for breakfast! Staff will come prepared to give you a bowl of yummy Giraffe treats. Look out your window, and you'll see big wobbly guys making their way to the manor in the morning light. Open your window, and their large gray tongue will make its way into your hands. What better way to wake up? You'll be so excited, you won't even notice the jet lag. PS. Some rooms are not accessible to the Giraffes. For the best experience, book with us and get priority for Giraffe access rooms.

After your morning wake-up call, you'll head downstairs for breakfast and coffee. But the giraffes are still hungry, or maybe you just want another photo. Entice them with more treats, and they'll poke their head through the window in the dining room, ready to have coffee with you. The experience is truly magical. The staff will walk you through exactly how to behave with these gentle giants to keep both you and the animals safe.

The rest of the day is up to you. Head over to the Giraffe center to learn more about different giraffe species and what they are doing to protect the endangered Rothschild Giraffe. This center is open to the public and offers another opportunity for feeding and observing. I want to make it clear these animals are not in cages. They are free to roam around an extensive land area and live as close to the wild as possible. Take some walking shoes and do a nature walk while you're over there; it will be well worth it.

You'll have free time to explore, relax, get a massage, eat lunch, etc., then it will be teatime. This was another favorite time of mine. Not only because tea might be my favorite meal of the day, but also because our cute friends get to join us! Watch out for the family of warthogs that runs around the property. They want tea too. Having this time with the giraffes is another magical encounter. Give them kisses, pet their necks, and take countless photos. Each family/group staying at the manor has a personal butler that doubles as a personal photographer. I loved it, of course, but even if you aren't into sharing your experiences on social media, they make for incredible memories.

Dinner is served later in the evening after the giraffes have called it a night. We were lucky enough to have a lovely, warm evening, so we had dinner outside on the terrace. The various patios and dining areas around the manor are simply beautiful. They also easily cater to any dietary restrictions or needs. End your evening by the fireplace or with a glass of wine and a bubble bath.

Most people at the manor stay for 1-2 nights. If you land in the morning or early afternoon and can make it for tea time, and stay late enough the next day to have breakfast, then you really don't need more. Since we didn't get in until late the first night, we stayed for 2 to have the whole experience. You definitely want to take advantage of breakfast and tea because although you will see the giraffes occasionally throughout the day, these are the times you really get to connect with these amazing creatures.

Whether you have an extra day at the manor or not, I definitely recommend taking some time to explore Nairobi. We decided to do this before our flight to Rwanda (you can read about that experience here) since it was later in the day. So after another action-packed treat-filled breakfast with our new friends, we piled in a car provided by Giraffe Manor and went to explore.

Our first stop was the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. This is a special place for orphaned elephants. Like the giraffe sanctuary, this is the real deal. This company saves orphaned elephants from the wild. It raises them until they are capable of being released back into the wild on their own. Due to poaching, orphaned elephants are becoming more and more common in the Maasai Mara, and all over Africa. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is determined to act against poaching and save these innocent animals from being violated and killed. On top of rescuing orphaned elephants, they have de-snaring and veterinary teams. Sometimes these animals are not orphaned, but separated from their herds. In these cases, the Trust tries hard to find their families.

At the trust, you have the opportunity to watch feeding time. This is when alllll the baby elephants come running down to get their milk. It is quite a scene. Don't be fooled by the term baby. While these elephants vary in size and are pretty small compared to their parents, they are strong. You'll notice this when you get to play and pet some of them. They might wrap their sturdy trunks around you or give you a little playful nudge, almost knocking you over. It's all safe, and just like with the giraffes, the staff will let you know how to keep yourself and the elephants safe.

After the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust orphanage, we went to a local art center called Utamaduni, with locally made crafts, art, skincare, and food. Get some marula oil; you won't be sorry. From there, we went to the Karen Blixen museum. Karen Blixen wrote the book Out of Africa. The museum is the property is Karen’s former home. If you aren't terribly interested in the history of the place, take some time to explore the beautiful grounds and gardens.

Some other top attractions in Nairobi include:

Visit the national park

Nairobi National Museum

Walk the trails of Ngong Hills

Go for a safari in the Maasai Mara

Although we didn't have a lot of time in Nairobi, it has a lot to offer. As for our stay at the manor, I don't have enough words to write about the magic. The staff was amicable, knowledgeable, and welcoming. The estate itself was simply stunning, time-traveling, and elegant all in one. And, of course, the experiences with the giraffe live up to the Instagram hype. I can't recommend this place enough. Just remember, book EARLY. If you’re ready to book your stay, contact us here for exclusive deals and early booking.