Reviews of Giraffe Manor
Wildlife sightings and reviews
25 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Giraffe Manor and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Ms M.
New York
"Once in a Lifetime Experience!"
1 night Arrived 10 Dec 2020
"One of the main reasons we picked Kenya as our destination for our Africa trip was because I was fascinated by Giraffe Manor and really wanted to stay there. The experience was very well orchestrated, and despite how highly produced it is, it was still absolutely magical.
We had Peter as our server during lunch and he stayed with us throughout the duration of our stay. Peter was absolutely wonderful! He took great care of us and has been at Giraffe Manor 6+ years (if I’m remembering correctly), so he is a pro at taking the best photos, ensuring you get enough time with the giraffes, and overall just making the experience memorable. One night’s stay consists of lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and then the famous morning breakfast with the giraffes. The food was great, and every single meal was special.
The rooms are nice, although it’s clear you are paying for the experience, as you are in a historic home so the bathrooms could probably use a bit of updating, but it didn’t take away from the experience at all. As I mention above, the stay is very well orchestrated, but I believe it’s done to ensure that every person gets the most out of their stay. We were so grateful for the organization behind the day and to have Peter’s guidance throughout our time.
We have the most incredible memories and great pictures to match. I would highly recommend a one night stay at Giraffe Manor to anyone." See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya
We had Peter as our server during lunch and he stayed with us throughout the duration of our stay. Peter was absolutely wonderful! He took great care of us and has been at Giraffe Manor 6+ years (if I’m remembering correctly), so he is a pro at taking the best photos, ensuring you get enough time with the giraffes, and overall just making the experience memorable. One night’s stay consists of lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and then the famous morning breakfast with the giraffes. The food was great, and every single meal was special.
The rooms are nice, although it’s clear you are paying for the experience, as you are in a historic home so the bathrooms could probably use a bit of updating, but it didn’t take away from the experience at all. As I mention above, the stay is very well orchestrated, but I believe it’s done to ensure that every person gets the most out of their stay. We were so grateful for the organization behind the day and to have Peter’s guidance throughout our time.
We have the most incredible memories and great pictures to match. I would highly recommend a one night stay at Giraffe Manor to anyone." See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Ms E.
New York
"Giraffe Manor review"
1 night Arrived 2 Nov 2020
"Giraffe Manor is a dream. Of course I was the only, literally the only guest!
So that definitely made the experience remarkable. I had all the giraffes to myself.
I suspect it can be a slightly touristy, instagram stop in more normal times. But I loved it.
The staff, food, drivers, everything was absolutely heavenly." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
So that definitely made the experience remarkable. I had all the giraffes to myself.
I suspect it can be a slightly touristy, instagram stop in more normal times. But I loved it.
The staff, food, drivers, everything was absolutely heavenly." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mrs Jana
Berlin
"Luxury experience - one of the best stays "
1 night Arrived 7 Nov 2019
"The welcome was very warm abd it was one of my best stays in my life, the room was amazing, the giraffes extraordinary. The food absolut delicious. It was wonderful. The waiter were very kind and took a lot of pictures but sometimes 200 from the same motiv :-) - this is a very small thing, that I would criticize."
See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Deb & J-M
Australia
"Giraffe Manor review"
2 nights Arrived 5 Sep 2019
"The Giraffe Manor was a very special experience with many hands on, up close and personal experiences with the Giraffes in combination with a fantastically warm, professional team of personnel.
Room: Jocks Room 10/10
Getting up at dawn each day to feed the up to 3 giraffes that visited our bedroom window was spectacular.
The room itself was nicely presented and of good size for our needs. The bed was very large (2x queen beds pushed together) and very comfortable. The bathroom was also nicely presented. A negative if nit picking- it was a little cold. On one rainy night in particular, we asked for a small fire to be lit in the lovely old fireplace in the room after our wonderful private dining experience. This was arranged with a team member during lunch. Unfortunately the message must not have gotten through during shift change over and no fire was made. The water pressure in the shower was a little challenging when it came to washing my hair, water was wasted as it took a while to rinse.
Personnel: Warm, friendly, professional and so quick to offer any assistance or advice. The team at the Giraffe Manor, together with the Giraffes, make this such a special experience.
Food/Beverages: 10/10 Fresh, fine dining experiences. Delicious food served with care and attention. Being invited to make use of the private dining room in the outdoor Orchid House was an honour and a very special experience. It was raining cats and dogs on that evening & as such made the service to that outdoor facility so much harder, but our wonderful waiter, although drenched by the end of dinner, was never without a smile, took photos for us and was a step ahead of us topping up wine and taking care of the courses expertly. We felt very special." See all these reviews: 3n in Kenya
Room: Jocks Room 10/10
Getting up at dawn each day to feed the up to 3 giraffes that visited our bedroom window was spectacular.
The room itself was nicely presented and of good size for our needs. The bed was very large (2x queen beds pushed together) and very comfortable. The bathroom was also nicely presented. A negative if nit picking- it was a little cold. On one rainy night in particular, we asked for a small fire to be lit in the lovely old fireplace in the room after our wonderful private dining experience. This was arranged with a team member during lunch. Unfortunately the message must not have gotten through during shift change over and no fire was made. The water pressure in the shower was a little challenging when it came to washing my hair, water was wasted as it took a while to rinse.
Personnel: Warm, friendly, professional and so quick to offer any assistance or advice. The team at the Giraffe Manor, together with the Giraffes, make this such a special experience.
Food/Beverages: 10/10 Fresh, fine dining experiences. Delicious food served with care and attention. Being invited to make use of the private dining room in the outdoor Orchid House was an honour and a very special experience. It was raining cats and dogs on that evening & as such made the service to that outdoor facility so much harder, but our wonderful waiter, although drenched by the end of dinner, was never without a smile, took photos for us and was a step ahead of us topping up wine and taking care of the courses expertly. We felt very special." See all these reviews: 3n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Feedback Response
We were very pleased to hear these travellers enjoyed their stay so much. However, Giraffe Manor got back to us quickly to explain that because their firewood was wet after so much rain, they decided against making what would have been a smoky fire, and apologised for not explaining to these guests at the time. On the question of the low water pressure, as the manor dates back to the 1930s, and some of the plumbing is from the same era, while they have renewed the plumbing in certain rooms, unfortunately for the plumbing to be renewed throughout, a number of rooms would require walls to be knocked down, which is structurally not feasible. Consequently, water pressure is occasionally low when multiple rooms are filling baths and having showers at the same time and the manor apologised that this was the case for these guests.
"East Africa Manager"
Ms M.
London
"Unique, memorable and altogether wonderful!"
2 nights Arrived 29 Jan 2019
"What can we say???? Everything about Giraffe Manor lived up to, and exceeded, our expectations. The house and grounds are lovely, the staff were delightful, and endlessly patient with over-excited guests, and Tony, the manager, was welcoming, helpful and enthusiastic.
The food was delicious (creative and very well cooked), and as for the giraffes, it was love at first sight! Breakfast seems very mundane without them.
It was very easy to get to other places and we went to the Giraffe Centre, the Karen Blixen house and the elephant sanctuary - even though we had already booked a foster parent visit for our last afternoon in Nairobi, we opted to go on the public morning visit as well, and are glad we did so as we able to see the elephants in different circumstances on the two visits.
We understand that they might build a pool and that’s would be a welcome addition - exercise might help counteract the large meals!" See all these reviews: 12n in Kenya
The food was delicious (creative and very well cooked), and as for the giraffes, it was love at first sight! Breakfast seems very mundane without them.
It was very easy to get to other places and we went to the Giraffe Centre, the Karen Blixen house and the elephant sanctuary - even though we had already booked a foster parent visit for our last afternoon in Nairobi, we opted to go on the public morning visit as well, and are glad we did so as we able to see the elephants in different circumstances on the two visits.
We understand that they might build a pool and that’s would be a welcome addition - exercise might help counteract the large meals!" See all these reviews: 12n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Mrs K.
Dakabin
"Giraffe manor, a remarkable experience"
2 nights Arrived 8 Nov 2018
"Giraffe Manor is an experience which could not be equalled. I had a ball. A visit though that I am glad I did at the beginning of my holiday as although they say the giraffe are wild, you really can't call it wild if you can feed it pellets from your mouth (kissing it), not as repulsive as it sounds!!! Again all the staff were wonderful, and nothing was too much trouble.
They surprised me at breakfast my first morning by having baked me a birthday cake in the shape of part of the giraffe's neck, and lots of the staff came out and sung happy birthday to me. The cake was delicious, as was all the food there, I took photos of it and sent home to make the family jealous!!!
Tony the manager also organised for me go firstly go to the elephant orphanage, where I adopted an elephant, and later to a children's home, where I took some teddies, colouring books tennis balls etc . I was humbled by their living conditions, there were youngsters and 18 months -2 yrs, and they didn't know what a teddy was. The colouring books were a great hit, as were the balls." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya; 2n in Zimbabwe
They surprised me at breakfast my first morning by having baked me a birthday cake in the shape of part of the giraffe's neck, and lots of the staff came out and sung happy birthday to me. The cake was delicious, as was all the food there, I took photos of it and sent home to make the family jealous!!!
Tony the manager also organised for me go firstly go to the elephant orphanage, where I adopted an elephant, and later to a children's home, where I took some teddies, colouring books tennis balls etc . I was humbled by their living conditions, there were youngsters and 18 months -2 yrs, and they didn't know what a teddy was. The colouring books were a great hit, as were the balls." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Mrs H.
Twickenham
"Giraffe Manor"
1 night Arrived 4 Nov 2018
"Giraffe experience exceptional in terms of ability to be close to them and feed them. Personal time with them at afternoon tea etc pleasing in a busy hotel. Kelly Room wonderful for feeding them from the bedroom window.
Strongly approve of the breeding / reintegration programme objectives.
Actual hotel experience disappointing. Room very nice. Bar area lovely. However, check in - waited 15 minutes outside to even be acknowledged having been dropped from the airport and told to take a seat. Took another 10 minutes to actually be seen to. As such, 25 minutes sitting about outside on arrival from airport. Not a premium experience.
Food at lunch good, staff at lunch a bit diffident. Practised some amateur Swahili on them, which anywhere else in Kenya elicits an enormous smile, got a deadpan response - was understood as we got our two coffees, but no warmth whatsoever.
At dinner we elected to dine privately rather than with the group. We were told our table was ready and made clear we were going to sit down immediately. Waited 20 minutes with no staff anywhere. Went to find someone, told them we were at our table, waiting. Nothing happened for a further ten minutes, we then had to go into the main, group dining area and ask a member of staff to come and serve us - so a 30 minute wait for dinner before we got any service whatsoever (we had been forgotten about). Food average.
Felt very like a 'conveyor belt' hotel who could pull guests in and 'wow' them with the environment, overlooking any service touches.
Francis was an exceptional member of staff and twice looked after us, including at breakfast - if all the staff were like him it would have been a different experience.
Would not return and would encourage friends who are keen to go to consider saving the cost and spending the money on a proper, authentic safari experience with a few hours at the giraffe centre to support the initiative instead." See all these reviews: 4n in Kenya
Strongly approve of the breeding / reintegration programme objectives.
Actual hotel experience disappointing. Room very nice. Bar area lovely. However, check in - waited 15 minutes outside to even be acknowledged having been dropped from the airport and told to take a seat. Took another 10 minutes to actually be seen to. As such, 25 minutes sitting about outside on arrival from airport. Not a premium experience.
Food at lunch good, staff at lunch a bit diffident. Practised some amateur Swahili on them, which anywhere else in Kenya elicits an enormous smile, got a deadpan response - was understood as we got our two coffees, but no warmth whatsoever.
At dinner we elected to dine privately rather than with the group. We were told our table was ready and made clear we were going to sit down immediately. Waited 20 minutes with no staff anywhere. Went to find someone, told them we were at our table, waiting. Nothing happened for a further ten minutes, we then had to go into the main, group dining area and ask a member of staff to come and serve us - so a 30 minute wait for dinner before we got any service whatsoever (we had been forgotten about). Food average.
Felt very like a 'conveyor belt' hotel who could pull guests in and 'wow' them with the environment, overlooking any service touches.
Francis was an exceptional member of staff and twice looked after us, including at breakfast - if all the staff were like him it would have been a different experience.
Would not return and would encourage friends who are keen to go to consider saving the cost and spending the money on a proper, authentic safari experience with a few hours at the giraffe centre to support the initiative instead." See all these reviews: 4n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Good
Service:
Poor
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Good
Feedback Response
Giraffe Manor responded immediately to Expert Africa about these travellers’ disappointment with aspects of their stay. While they are very pleased that they enjoyed the interaction with the giraffes and are so enthusiastic in their support for the work on the breeding programme, they are very sorry that they felt let down by the manor’s initial welcome and meal service.
Giraffe Manor have checked their records and say that these travellers received a welcome towel and drink within a minute of their arrival. However, a large number of guests all arrived at once and it did take about half an hour for them to be shown to their rooms. They sincerely apologise if these guests felt ignored, as it was the manager’s hope that morning that they would be comfortable soaking up the atmosphere for a while as other guests were being dealt with. The manor fully appreciates this was not an ideal situation and more effort should have been made to explain what was going on during a busy period.
Giraffe Manor is very sorry that the staff at lunch were not appreciative of overtures in Swahili, and have reminded staff that such efforts from overseas visitors are an important part of good relations.
The private dinner was not handled as it should have been, and Giraffe Manor are very sorry for the delays in looking after Mrs H and her husband. They have talked to all the staff involved and reminded them of the importance of efficient, friendly service.
Giraffe Manor has adopted a giraffe on behalf of these travellers and they will be kept up to date with news from the giraffe centre breeding programme. In our experience at Expert Africa, the below-par service these clients received is very rare indeed and Giraffe Manor has assured us they will be looking at their staff training, and updating all staff on the need to look after guests promptly and enthusiastically.
Giraffe Manor have checked their records and say that these travellers received a welcome towel and drink within a minute of their arrival. However, a large number of guests all arrived at once and it did take about half an hour for them to be shown to their rooms. They sincerely apologise if these guests felt ignored, as it was the manager’s hope that morning that they would be comfortable soaking up the atmosphere for a while as other guests were being dealt with. The manor fully appreciates this was not an ideal situation and more effort should have been made to explain what was going on during a busy period.
Giraffe Manor is very sorry that the staff at lunch were not appreciative of overtures in Swahili, and have reminded staff that such efforts from overseas visitors are an important part of good relations.
The private dinner was not handled as it should have been, and Giraffe Manor are very sorry for the delays in looking after Mrs H and her husband. They have talked to all the staff involved and reminded them of the importance of efficient, friendly service.
Giraffe Manor has adopted a giraffe on behalf of these travellers and they will be kept up to date with news from the giraffe centre breeding programme. In our experience at Expert Africa, the below-par service these clients received is very rare indeed and Giraffe Manor has assured us they will be looking at their staff training, and updating all staff on the need to look after guests promptly and enthusiastically.
"East Africa Manager"
Mrs J
Milton Keynes
"Out of this world"
2 nights Arrived 30 Aug 2018
"Wow, what a place, just like the TV Programme.
An experience being so close with these wonderful animals." See all these reviews: 14n in Kenya
An experience being so close with these wonderful animals." See all these reviews: 14n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Ms K
Chester Springs
"INCREDIBLE"
3 nights Arrived 24 Aug 2018
"We had the most incredible experience!
The staff truly made everything so special!" See all these reviews: 5n in Kenya
The staff truly made everything so special!" See all these reviews: 5n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Miss G.
Newark
"Amazing - Must visit!"
2 nights Arrived 22 Aug 2018
"We stayed for two night and were glad we did so as it meant we could spend lots of time with the Giraffes but also visit other places nearby.
The building itself was beautiful, we stayed in Jocks room and were very happy with it. It was well furnished, clean and we liked that they lit the fire for us whilst at dinner so when we returned to our room it was warm. All the little touches were very nice and much appreciated; the hot water bottles and little notes about Giraffes on our bed every night, the hand written welcome note on arrival and the Wine and flowers left in our room to help celebrate our honeymoon.
All the staff were extremely friendly and helpful, probably the best of any hotel we stayed in Kenya, we liked that each room was given a specific staff member to look after you so he got to know us and us him. Peter was exceptionally good to us. Before we travelled we read that the rooms don't have locks on which we thought might be a bit disconcerting but once we were there it didn't bother us at all.
All the food was amazing, I don't think we were given anything we didn't like and they catered very well for vegetarians.
The giraffe interaction was phenomenal and well worth every penny to experience. One morning whilst we were at breakfast I went up to the room to find Eddie patiently standing at the window waiting to be fed.
George the driver was very nice and helpful, we had him for our whole stay and he took us to many places, DSWT, Karen shopping mall, the local craft market and Nairobi museum and was happy to answer our questions as we travelled from place to place. As guests at the manor we were given a private guide around the Giraffe centre which was a nice touch.
We both had treatments while staying at Giraffe manor and they were only okay.
We stayed at 6 places whilst in Kenya and I think this would be our favourite, we will definitely be back." See all these reviews: 15n in Kenya
The building itself was beautiful, we stayed in Jocks room and were very happy with it. It was well furnished, clean and we liked that they lit the fire for us whilst at dinner so when we returned to our room it was warm. All the little touches were very nice and much appreciated; the hot water bottles and little notes about Giraffes on our bed every night, the hand written welcome note on arrival and the Wine and flowers left in our room to help celebrate our honeymoon.
All the staff were extremely friendly and helpful, probably the best of any hotel we stayed in Kenya, we liked that each room was given a specific staff member to look after you so he got to know us and us him. Peter was exceptionally good to us. Before we travelled we read that the rooms don't have locks on which we thought might be a bit disconcerting but once we were there it didn't bother us at all.
All the food was amazing, I don't think we were given anything we didn't like and they catered very well for vegetarians.
The giraffe interaction was phenomenal and well worth every penny to experience. One morning whilst we were at breakfast I went up to the room to find Eddie patiently standing at the window waiting to be fed.
George the driver was very nice and helpful, we had him for our whole stay and he took us to many places, DSWT, Karen shopping mall, the local craft market and Nairobi museum and was happy to answer our questions as we travelled from place to place. As guests at the manor we were given a private guide around the Giraffe centre which was a nice touch.
We both had treatments while staying at Giraffe manor and they were only okay.
We stayed at 6 places whilst in Kenya and I think this would be our favourite, we will definitely be back." See all these reviews: 15n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
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Macushla House
Macushla House is a very pleasant, small, owner-managed bed and breakfast hotel in a leafy part of southwest Nairobi, very convenient for visiting the Giraffe Centre and Sheldrick's Elephant Orphanage.
Four Points Nairobi Apt
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The Norfolk Hotel
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Hogmead
Hogmead is a stylish, luxury boutique hotel/homestay in a secluded part of Langata in south-west Nairobi, very close to Nairobi National Park and the elephant orphanage.
Sankara
Sankara is a strikingly built hotel in the bustling central Nairobi suburb of Westlands, primarily used as a business stay, with very good dining and leisure facilities.
One Forty Eight
One Forty Eight is a very stylish boutique hotel in one of the leafiest corners of the southwest Nairobi suburb of Karen-Langata. The Giraffe Centre at Giraffe Manor is just a 10-minute walk away.
The Stanley
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