Can You Visit Giraffe Manor Without Staying There?
Giraffe Manor is one of the most sought-after luxury stays in Africa, and as a former luxury travel advisor, I understand why. Having conducted site inspections at countless five-star hotels, I have seen what makes a property special.
When I stayed at Giraffe Manor in October 2022, I experienced firsthand its impeccable service, unique giraffe interactions, and the exclusivity that makes it so hard to book.
The main question we will answer is “can you visit Giraffe Manor without staying there?
The short answer is no—you cannot access the main manor, have breakfast with the giraffes, or dine on the property unless you are a guest. However, there are alternative ways to see the giraffes, such as visiting the Giraffe Centre or booking a spa day at The Retreat at Giraffe Manor.
In this article, I will explain what you can and cannot do as a non-guest and how to plan your trip. If you are considering adding Giraffe Manor to your Kenya itinerary, this guide will help you decide if it is the right choice for you.
How to Visit Giraffe Manor?
A stay at Giraffe Manor is often considered a bucket list experience for travellers to Africa. It is not just the giraffes that make this boutique hotel unique—its exceptional service and luxurious accommodations are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those lucky enough to make it part of their trip.
One of the most asked questions about Giraffe Manor is whether you can visit without staying there. Many people are drawn to this boutique hotel because it is considered a bucket list destination for those travelling to Africa.
Can You Visit Giraffe Manor Without Staying There?
Access to the restaurant and giraffe interactions is exclusive to guests staying at the hotel. You cannot go to Giraffe Manor for a meal. You must book the whole package to experience breakfast lunch/afternoon tea/dinner.
You can visit parts of the general Giraffe Manor property without staying overnight, such as the day spa area at The Retreat or the nearby Giraffe Centre. However, you cannot visit the main manor, eat at the property as a day visitor, or have breakfast with the giraffes unless you are a guest.
Giraffe Centre
The Giraffe Centre is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, where you can meet and feed the same giraffes that roam the Giraffe Manor grounds. Entry costs approximately Ksh. 1,500 (around $15.00) per person.
Giraffe Centre vs. Giraffe Manor
While Giraffe Manor is exclusive to staying guests, you can still meet these iconic animals at the nearby Giraffe Centre.
Just a short walk from the manor, the Giraffe Centre allows visitors to interact with and feed the same Rothschild giraffes that roam the manor’s grounds. It is a great alternative if you are unable to stay overnight.
Unlike Giraffe Manor, the Giraffe Centre does not offer a luxury hotel setting or dining experiences, but it provides an affordable and accessible way to see the giraffes up close.
For those looking to experience Kenya’s wildlife without the high cost of a manor stay, the Giraffe Centre well worth a visit. Nonetheless it is still worth visiting if you are staying at the Giraffe Manor.
The Retreat
The Retreat at Giraffe Manor offers limited day-use access, but this building does not include access to giraffe interactions. If you are already staying at another Safari Collection property, you can book a day room before a late flight.
If there is still availability at The Retreat four weeks before your intended visit, you may book a day room there without being a Safari Collection guest. But visiting Giraffe Manor overnight is not allowed with a booking at the Retreat.
Alternatively, you can book an Early Bird Package (from 6:00 AM–12:00 PM), which includes breakfast and access to the Retreat’s facilities (pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, and gym) but does not include a room.
Another option is a Retreat Pass (from 10:00 AM–10:00 PM), which grants access to the same facilities, though food and drinks are purchased separately.
For the most up-to-date pricing and details on The Retreat, visit The Safari Collection’s website.
In short, if you want to visit Giraffe Manor itself, dine there, or have breakfast with the giraffes, you must be a staying guest. Non-guests can only visit the Giraffe Centre or The Retreat, which do not offer the same experiences.
You can read my review on Giraffe Manor – you will learn about what activities you will do on property and discover what the giraffe encounters are like.
If you are considering a trip to Nairobi, Giraffe Manor is one of the things that can be easily included in your itinerary. While in Nairobi, book a tour of Nairobi National Park, a short drive from Giraffe Manor.
For more details on planning your visit to Nairobi, check out my article on how to spend 24 hours in Nairobi. Also, if you are staying at Giraffe Manor, you can add a visit to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, a must-see for animal lovers in Nairobi.
How Far in Advance Should You Book Giraffe Manor?
Booking Giraffe Manor should be done in advance as much as possible, especially if you plan to visit during peak times like the Masai Mara migration season or the holidays.
If you are travelling as a family and planning to visit Giraffe Manor, check the availability of rooms well in advance. As a family, you will likely need more than one room or a specific room that can accommodate more than two people, of which there are limited options.
Additionally, if you would like to stay more than one night or have a particular room in mind you would like to book, you should be booking your stay a year in advance. This preparation will give you the widest range of availability.
However, if you have any of the above requirements and are booking a stay during peak times, such as Christmas and school holidays, you may need to start planning closer to 18 months or more before your trip.
Solo travellers or couples with more flexibility may find availability with less advance notice, but Giraffe Manor is a highly in-demand property year-round.
Occasionally, last-minute rooms become available due to cancellations, but securing one requires being flexible and ready to travel to Nairobi on short notice.
In short, booking at least a year in advance is ideal, but travelling during peak times or having specific requests means you must arrange it even earlier.
If you are set on particular dates and rooms, you can be added to the waitlist, and if you are lucky it will clear.
If you need tips on what to wear in Kenya , you can read my guide on how to dress on a safari for ideas. Find my luggage tips on which bag is best for a safari.
What Rooms at Giraffe Manor Offer the Best Giraffe Interactions?
For the best giraffe experience, book a room with direct feeding access – either from a balcony, terrace, or bedroom window.
In the Historic Manor, the Karen Blixen Suite is a spacious two-bedroom option with a balcony where guests can step out and feed the giraffes. Betty’s Room is a superior room for two, offering feeding access from its balcony and a window.
Marlon is another excellent choice, with a private terrace where guests can feed the giraffes in the morning. Daisy’s Room also has a balcony, but because it is higher than others, only the tallest giraffes can reach it.
Some rooms allow guests to feed giraffes directly from their bedroom windows. In the Garden Manor, Kelly’s Room and Helen’s Room are great options for families or couples who want this experience. In the Historic Manor, Jock’s Room also provides giraffe feeding through the window.
Not all rooms at Giraffe Manor offer direct giraffe access. Arlene, Edd, and Salma do not have feeding access, nor does the Finch Hatton Suite, though giraffes have been known to poke their heads through the front door since it is located on the ground floor.
Because the rooms with giraffe access are in high demand, booking well in advance is recommended to secure your preferred choice.
Regardless of which room you stay in, you’ll still have plenty of opportunities to interact with the giraffes in shared spaces like the breakfast terrace and gardens.
For more tips on choosing other accommodation in Nairobi, read my guide on the best hotels in Nairobi.
What’s the Best Time of Year to Visit Giraffe Manor?
The best time to visit Giraffe Manor depends on your preferences for weather and crowds, but largely remains the same.
One key point to remember is that the cost of staying at Giraffe Manor remains the same year-round, though pricing for the rest of your safari itinerary may vary depending on the season.
Peak Season (July to October & December to March)
These months offer excellent weather with dry, sunny days, making this period perfect for outdoor activities and giraffe interactions.
Since this is the high season for tourism, expect more visitors in Nairobi in general. But also you are more likely to see full occupancy at Giraffe Manor in the peak period, but even with all rooms occupied, the property is not busy.
While the cost of staying at Giraffe Manor stays the same, other elements of your safari may be more expensive during this time due to higher demand.
Although, it is impossible to guarantee the weather. I visited in early October, and we had a rainy afternoon. For ideas on what to pack for a Kenya safari, refer to my Packing List for Safari in Kenya, which will ensure you are prepared for all weather conditions.
Low Season (April to June & November)
During the rainy season, you will experience cooler temperatures and lush, green surroundings, though some outdoor activities may be affected by the rain.
As I experienced, even on rainy days, the giraffes are happy to visit the windows, so you will still have a great experience. It may be less busy in the low season at Giraffe Manor if there are some empty rooms, but this is not too common.
Seasonal Closures for Refurbishments
It is also important to note that the Historic Manor is typically closed from mid-April to mid-May each year, and the Garden Manor is usually closed for refurbishment from early April to the end of May.
Check ahead for specific closure dates, as these can shift slightly from year to year, but the general closure periods remain the same.
If you are interested in planning a Kenya safari, check out my article on what a usual day on safari looks like to get an idea of what your itinerary might look like.
Conclusion
Giraffe Manor is a unique and highly exclusive experience, and if it fits within your budget and travel plans, it is well worth considering. Staying at the manor offers a level of luxury and intimacy with the giraffes that you will not find anywhere else.
If you still need some convincing about making a reservation, you can read my article on what it is really like to stay at Giraffe Manor.
However, if you are unable to secure a booking or prefer not to splurge on a night’s stay, alternatives like the Giraffe Centre and The Retreat provide other ways to see these incredible animals.
Ultimately, whether you visit Giraffe Manor or opt for one of the alternatives, Nairobi offers plenty of memorable wildlife experiences.
If you are planning a trip to Kenya, check out my other guides for tips on where to stay, what to do, what to pack, how to make the most of your time, and whether you should book meet and greet services in Nairobi airport.
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