Giraffe (Giraffa)
A giraffe is so much a lady that one refrains from thinking of her legs,
but remembers her as floating over the plains in long garb,
draperies of morning mist her mirage.
Giraffe Manor is a one of a kind boutique hotel, just 12 rooms and set in 12 acres of private land. It is situated in 140 acres of indigenous forest in the Langata suburb of Nairobi. It’s a lovely old building, with loads of character, great hospitality and amazing staff. But the real reason that anyone stays at Giraffe Manor is to see their ‘resident’ Rothschild’s giraffes roaming free. It’s a million miles away from the corporate chain hotels close to Jomo Kenyatta Hotel. When we lived in Nairobi, if anyone asked me where to stay, I sent them there.
We went twice and both times it was an unforgettable. On our first visit, we were given an enormous room where the Rothchild’s giraffe wander up to your bedroom window in the morning, a unique wake up call! The giraffes are also frequent guests at your breakfast table, peering in nonchalantly through giraffe sized windows. It has to be seen to be believed. There are giraffe motifs everywhere; art work, cushions, and statuettes, all tastefully arranged. In our room, we had a stunning stained glass window with two giraffes on it above our bath, skillfully designed locally, by Kitengela Glass studios.
On our second visit, my husband and I indulged in afternoon tea on the large stoep. At the nearby Giraffe Centre, the animals have become used to pellet treats in addition to their usual diet of leaves, fruits and flowers of woody plants. And when the centre closes its doors to daytime visitors, the giraffes meander over to the hotel grounds. They were in petting distance. Giraffes are fascinating to watch. They are the tallest living terrestrial animals in our world. We marvelled at the giraffes; their long necks, long legs and distinctive coat patterns.
We had got chatting to one of the hotel’s hosts. He persuaded me that it would be a good idea to kiss one of the giraffes. This was a first! He instructed me to place a food pellet between my lips. Sure enough the giraffe’s large, spitty tongue roamed over to my face and took the pellet from between my lips! I laughed. Then brushed my teeth and had a quick gargle with a bit of bourbon!
Kenya offered us so many unforgettable experiences. Staying at Giraffe Manor afforded us the opportunity to encounter these amazing animals. It’s a place that I cannot recommend enough and we both hope to go back there one day.
This month one of their giraffes, Daisy gave birth. The number of Rothschild’s giraffes in the wild is in decline, so this new addition at Giraffe Manor is great news.
Giraffes have been declared critically endangered in Kenya. Kenya Wildlife Service say that the country has lost about 40% of its giraffe population over the past 30 years. The government has launched a ‘National Recovery and Action Plan’ to address the problem. The government’s Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Najib Balala has highlighted the need for action:
“For the longest time, the focus was on the once critically endangered elephant and rhino, but we have since seen the importance of conserving all species”. (http://www.kws.go.ke/content/launch-national-recovery-plan-giraffes)
Giraffe numbers are reducing due to poaching, disease and loss of habitat. Three species of giraffe have been added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species; the Kordofan and Nubian giraffes as “critically endangered” and the reticulated giraffe as “endangered”.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) says that somewhere close to 60% of the world’s animal population has been wiped out by human activity over the last 40 years. As always we must speak out against poaching, and do whatever we can in the fight to protect and preserve wildlife across the world. We don’t want to lose these incredible creatures.
Have you stayed at a special place, where there is an emphasis on animal conservation?
©Maggie M/ Mother City Time
Giraffe Manor is a beautiful place to stay. I remember the dinner we had for just the two of us by candle light, that was very special. Of course, Maggie snogging the giraffe was particularly horrific and also seeing the ridiculous blue tongue of the beast. I loved the giant warthog there but did not like the waiters comment that it looked like me. Extreme cheekiness.
If you can do it stay there and if you are a Kenyan resident enquire about their resident rates as there is a huge difference. If you are earning hard currency pay the bill and smile because it is a one off, unique experience that you will love and remember. It is well worth it.
Yep, truly a unique place. I agree, if you get the chance to go, go! This is a place that should be on everyone’s travel bucket list. The giraffes are so beautiful and it’s a very different experience to seeing them on safari (when you don’t get to kiss them!)