Giraffe Manor

Giraffe Manor is one of Nairobi’s most iconic buildings: characterful, picturesque, and enveloped in history like the foliage creeping over its brickwork. It is set in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest in the exclusive suburb of Langata in Nairobi, with verdant green gardens, sunny terraces and delightful courtyards. It harks back to the 1930s when European visitors first flocked to East Africa to enjoy safaris.

The feel at Giraffe Manor is a colonial one. With its stately facade and elegant interior, it has an extraordinary appeal. Guests remark that it’s like walking into the film Out of Africa: indeed, one of its suites is named after the author Karen Blixen.

With just a handful of rooms, you are guaranteed privacy and exclusivity, and despite the highest standards of contemporary luxury, the 1930s feel is still very much alive - think plush four-poster beds, antique furniture, whitewashed walls and open fires.

Guests are treated as welcome friends, so meals are normally eaten around one table, with fresh fruit and juices in the mornings, irresistible afternoon teas and delicious steaks by night.

Our two favourite times of day are evening drinks on the terrace, while taking in the views over the gardens, and breakfast, when more often than not you'll be joined by a giraffe or two popping their heads through the window. These beautiful creatures often visit morning and evening, poking their long necks inside in the hope of a treat, before retreating to their forest sanctuary.

In the evening, cosy up in the comfortable lounge, which has a TV.

The giraffes – the manor is home to a herd of Rothschild giraffes - are obviously the star of the show, and you will have opportunities to feed them and also visit the adjacent giraffe sanctuary. However, there is a wide variety of other wildlife, including warthogs and bushbucks, as well as hundreds of species of birds - and there is also plenty more to do and see around the area.

While many people view Nairobi purely as an overnight stop, there are numerous attractions here, making it ideal for a day trip. Karen Blixen’s house, now a museum, is nearby, and a visit to the elephant orphanage is one of our favourite things to do in the city. There are also numerous museums and markets which are well worth exploring.