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Unforgettable encounters with the world’s tallest mammals mark the beginning of a dream expedition for Cecile Infantado
Many travellers dream of going on safari at least once in their life; it’s an extraordinary experience, spending time with majestic animals in their natural habitat. I personally counted myself among these dreamers. To visit the vast, wildlife-rich jungles and deserts of Africa, the ultimate safari destination, had long been part of my bucket list.
By a serendipitous turn of events, this once-distant goal finally came to fruition this year. My partner Paul and I were travelling to Stellenbosch, a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa, for a family wedding. We decided to make the most of the trip with a pit stop at a safari camp
Above One of the most iconic buildings in Nairobi, the Giraffe Manor dates back to the 1930s when European tourists first flocked to East Africa to enjoy safaris
One of the most iconic buildings in Nairobi, the Giraffe Manor dates back to the 1930s when European tourists first flocked to East Africa to enjoy safaris
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There were many recommended lodges close to where we were headed in the south-west coast, like the renowned Kruger National Park. With a little research, however, we chose to visit the Giraffe Manor, an exclusive boutique hotel in Kenya, all the way on the eastern side of the continent.
Owned by African adventure specialists, The Safari Collection, the Giraffe Manor stands on 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous Nairobian forest. Herds of the world’s tallest mammal—the animal from which the Manor takes its name—roam free in this verdant estate, occasionally poking their long necks into the building’s windows to ask for treats.
As a long-time admirer of both the Manor and its four-legged residents, the prospect of seeing them up close seemed like a dream come true. So, at the end of a three-day family affair, off we went on our little cross-country side trip.
Above Paul and Cecile with their new-found friend
Paul and Cecile with their new-found friend
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Paul and I were joined by our good friend and travel buddy, Ling Ling King; the three of us boarded a plane that took us directly from Cape Town to Nairobi. Upon landing, we took a leisurely breakfast before embarking on a 45-minute drive through the outskirts of the city to our muchawaited destination.
I had seen many exquisite photographs of the century-old Manor, but only upon seeing it up close is its charm truly given justice. It has a stately façade, yet its interiors are cosy and familiar. Safari-inspired decor give it an old-world appeal that made me feel as if I had stepped back in time. It reminded me of the 1985 motion picture, Out of Africa; amusingly, the Finch Hatton suite, named after the lover of Karen Blixen (who authored the book that inspired the film) was our appointed room.
As we settled into our suite, we were delighted to immediately find giraffes roaming in the distance. Over tea and scones in the patio, we excitedly observed our four-legged neighbours as our personal guide, William, educated us on the proper way to approach and feed them—either from our palms or, if we were keen, our mouths, so as to capture a kiss.
Cosy corners in the manor
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We had our first face-to-face encounter with the majestic creatures later that day. Enchanting is how I would describe it. Getting to feed them by hand was exciting enough; feeding them through our mouths was a whole other experience. For such massive mammals, you would be amazed by how graceful and respectful they actually are.
Above Cecile and Paul with Ling Ling King having a delightful meal as a giraffe watches over them
Above Cecile and Paul with Ling Ling King having a delightful meal as a giraffe watches over them
Cecile and Paul with Ling Ling King having a delightful meal as a giraffe watches over them
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The sun was hardly up when we arose the following day. We were eager to experience breakfast at the Manor’s wide-windowed dining area, where the giraffes famously peer at guests. Betty, a sweet mother giraffe, and her bashful daughter, Daisy, graciously joined us at our table. Mother and calf were so close to us at this point that, as we fed and played with them, we couldn’t help but notice their mesmerising brown eyes and long eyelashes.
Our morning meal ended just as Betty and Daisy wandered back to the trees. Gratified by the experience, we returned to our suite to pack up for the next destination. The Manor was only the first stop on a personalised tour that would take us to see the safari “big five,” and it proved to be a most memorable start to an unforgettable adventure.
Credits
Words: Mia Borromeo
Images: Cecile Infantado
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