How to have breakfast with a giraffe

A luxurious colonial luxury, with added giraffes

Linet
Linet
Assistant General Manager
Published on
21 Jun 2018
Updated on
25 Apr 2025
Giraffes Come To Breakfast At Giraffe Manor

Ever had breakfast with a giraffe? It’s not exactly an everyday occurrence, unless you’re staying at the famous Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, which is often tied in with a Kenya safari holiday.

Giraffe Manor Breakfast With Giraffes
Breakfast Treats At Giraffe Manor
Giraffe Manor Breakfast Time

Guests come here from all over the world for this rather special encounter, and you’ll probably have seen those iconic photos with the giraffes poking their heads through the window in search of a tasty morsel or two. A bit like this…

Giraffe Manor Dining
Breakfast with added giraffes

Giraffe Manor is top of many peoples bucket lists when planning a luxury Kenya safari and with good reason!

The resident herd of endangered Rothschild's giraffes can be seen roaming around the manor grounds and forests during the day, but breakfast is when the magic happens. As well as joining guests for the first meal of the day, the giraffes sometimes even stick their long necks into bedroom windows hoping for a snack. An incredible encounter for young and old alike.

Rothschild Giraffes At Giraffe Manor
Rothschild giraffes roam around Giraffe Manor

But it’s not all about the giraffes.

Giraffe Manor is an exclusive boutique hotel tucked away in the indigenous forests of a Nairobi suburb. The traditional explorer interiors are an elegant nod to the Europeans who first came to visit East Africa back in the 1930’s. Indeed the stately manor wouldn’t look out of place back here in the UK, although the giraffes might stand out a little.

Aerial View Of Giraffe Manor
Looking down on afternoon tea at Giraffe Manor

The atmosphere is very ‘Out of Africa’ and there’s even a suite named after author Karen Blixen herself. Giraffe Manor gives its guests a glimpse into a fascinating period of history that is all part of the safari experience we know and love today. It is colonial luxury at it’s best. The sort of place where evenings can be spent curled up by the fire with a good book and a dram of whisky, and nights are spent dreaming about explorers of old, and your own adventures that lie ahead.

Giraffe Manor Master Bedroom
Bedroom at Giraffe Manor

Most guests choose to begin or end their Kenya safari holiday in style with a night at Giraffe Manor in one of the 12 themed rooms and suites. Some rooms are in the main house whilst others can be found in a new building which compliments the manor in design.

Giraffe Manor Reception Area
Bettys Room At Giraffe Manor
Giraffe Manor Bathroom

Lunch and dinner are modern European feasts, eaten communally around a large table or at private tables depending on guest preference. Visitors also have the chance to enjoy afternoon tea whilst watching the giraffes and a resident family of warthogs who often come to say hello.

Candlelit Dining At Giraffe Manor
Candlelit dining at Giraffe Manor

A massage therapist is available for added relaxation, and complimentary vehicles are available for sightseeing if you wish to explore the local area. The manor is next door to the Giraffe Centre, which is also well worth a visit, and both are superbly located close to the domestic Wilson Airport for easy onward transfers ready for your safari or journey home. There’s also Nairobi Elephant Orphanage, several museums, art galleries and even Karen Blixen’s house to visit if you have the time.

Elephant dust bath!
Fun at the elephant orphanage

A stay at Giraffe Manor really is the perfect start or end to a luxury safari holiday in Kenya. After all, where else in the world can you eat breakfast with a giraffe?

A Visitor At Giraffe Manor
Anyone home?

Giraffe Manor is the perfect addition to a Kenya family holiday or safari honeymoon. For more inspiration, take a look at our best safari ideas for everyone or our favourite African honeymoon ideas.

If you'd like to stay at Giraffe Manor, call us today on 01768 603 715 or enquire here.

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Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

July, 2024
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

June, 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

July, 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

June, 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

May, 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

April, 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

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Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

March, 2024