Giraffe Manor

Sitting down to breakfast in the stylish dining room of this marvellous manor house, you will never forget the sight of an impossibly tall giraffe strolling out of the indigenous forest towards the house, possibly even to ‘join’ you for breakfast.

The giraffes are known to stick their heads through windows for a handful of giraffe pellets, which are fed to them by hand (be warned, their tongues are immensely long and sticky!) and some even put their heads through upstairs bedroom windows on occasion.

This is memorable for all the family, but children in particular will delight in seeing these unique animals up close, especially if they get to feed them. Our favourite time to do this is from 5pm when tea is served on the front lawn – not only do the giraffes come for tea almost without fail, but there are resident families of warthog who live in the grounds, who also come along – they teach their hoglets to forage for the odd dropped giraffe pellet. A delightful way to spend the afternoon.

The manor was originally built in the 1930s, then acquired in the 1970s by a couple passionate about conservation, and giraffes in particular. The giraffes who roam the estate today are Rothchild’s giraffes, a sub-species in particular danger of extinction, and descendents of the original animals who found sanctuary here. Your stay at the Manor not only supports them, but a fund for endangered wildlife overall.

This is a stately old home, full of character (aside from the giraffes!) and style, and a stay here is great at the beginning of a trip, in the middle, or at the end! Wherever in your itinerary you stay here falls, we will make sure you have plenty of time to make the most of this totally unique hotel – check in and check out times are strict due to its immense popularity. The family rooms here are enormous and extremely well designed, and with extra beds possible if needed, can easily accommodate you all together.