Our final night in Kenya brings us to the whimsical world of Giraffe Manor. Here, Rothschild’s giraffes bend their elegant necks through windows to join us for breakfast, their gentle eyes and long lashes creating moments that seem almost too magical to be real.
Buffy and I had been here before. We spent Christmas in this wonderful hotel on our honeymoon in 2014 when, sadly, I had been laid low by a 24hr bug. This time, we arrived on December 30th with Stu and Sophie, having said goodbye to Rob and Katie when we landed at Wilson airport from Naboisho.
The drive through Nairobi was a sensory jolt after days in the wilderness—honking horns, colorful markets, and the bustling energy of city life highlighting just how dramatically our environment had changed. All our senses were on high alert as we navigated through the capital’s vibrant chaos.
We were greeted at the manor with afternoon tea on the veranda, complete with champagne—the perfect welcome as we watched Rothschild giraffes roam the grounds alongside warthogs who seemed oblivious to our presence. The manor’s colonial grandeur provides a fitting finale to our journey—a place where wild Africa meets graceful civilization.
We stayed in the original manor house in Betty’s room, with its art deco bath featuring a lion’s mouth for the tap—a detail that delighted Buffy, who immediately indulged in a luxurious soak. Stu and Sophie were just down the hall in Jock’s room. The historic elegance of these spaces transported us to another era.
The ladies couldn’t resist photos on the manor’s famous swing, with Buffy and Sophie taking turns posing as the afternoon light turned golden. We all ventured outside to feed the giraffes, capturing those intimate moments of connection with these gentle giants. More champagne flowed as the sun began to set.
Dinner was served outside under the stars—the food was incredible, a gourmet farewell to Kenyan cuisine. We couldn’t help but notice a group of Russian women meticulously documenting every moment for Instagram. Each to their own, but not quite our approach to experiencing such a special place. I, of course, made friends with the resident cat just as I had during our previous stay. Some things will never change..
Morning brought the iconic Giraffe Manor experience—breakfast inside the dining room as giraffes peered through windows, their long tongues delicately taking treats from our hands across the tables. We also fed them from our balcony, marveling at how their heads reached up to the second floor with such graceful ease.
As this perfect Kenyan finale came to a close, we spent our last day at The Retreat, chilling in the pool, indulging in massages, and savoring a few last sundowners before heading to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Our next destination: Dubai for New Year’s Eve.
This last breakfast, with giraffes peering in through the windows, served as a gentle transition back to the world we’d soon rejoin, carrying with us memories of a Kenya both wild and welcoming—from the rugged landscapes of Tsavo and Amboseli to the untamed beauty of Naboisho, and finally, to this enchanting manor where wilderness and refinement exist in perfect harmony.
Deano's World 