Giraffe Manor
A never-to-be-forgotten, incredible experience for personal time with these gentle giants.
I have read about this hotel ages ago and promised myself someday to visit. It's more awesome than I've ever imagined! I was collected and arrived to the hotel about 7 AM through the beautiful gates with sculptured giraffes adorning them. As we drove down the wooded driveway and made the turn, I saw several giraffes roaming on the front lawn near the stately Tudor home! Breathtaking to see them so close as we walked up to the house, which is quite lovely, btw, but takes a back seat to these wonderful, silent, graceful creatures.
I was ushered into the dining room. It was silent. A woman was a few feet in front of me feeding a giraffe who stuck his/her head in through an opened window! I was absolutely dumb-struck! I caught my breath, and opened my iPhone to record this wonderful moment. Can it get better than this? Yes! A waiter gave me a bowl of grass, hay and molasses pellets and showed me how to place one between my fingers and feed one that came right up to me. How precious, how gentle, how beautiful. I looked into her/his big brown eyes and thought how lucky both of us were.
And then they took video of me and my new best friend having her brekky. Wow! I couldn't believe I was actually here, feeding these wonderful creatures. Suffice it to say that I posted said video on Facebook and it was an enormous hit with my friends and family's numerous comments. I fed so many of them, both inside and outside on the terrace. What an incredible experience I will never forget.
I was actually able to pet a few of them. On their faces and necks. Awesome. Check my pics.
I stayed in Betty's room which was one floor up and quite beautifully decorated with a romantic, canopied, mosquito netted bed, fireplace, an outdoor deck, and a super black and white Art Deco bathroom with a huge tub and rain forest overhead shower. Some of my new friends turned up at dawn for some pellets. What a treat. For me:)
The cuisine was delicious. A subtle fire crackled always in the lovely sitting room and dinner in the formal dining room was wonderful, lit by candles. Sundowners on the terrace, watching my new friends, with a buffet of goodies was a great touch. Morning cappuccino with a giraffe motif was a stunner.
Do take a walk to the Giraffe Conservancy and visit the baby elephants at Sheldrik's. GM will arrange it and get you there and back. All transport is included as well as meals. Great hi speed Wi-Fi.
If you arrive early like I did, you'll have 2 brekkys with the giraffes and did I mention the little wild boars? They're so cute but can't be touched. They like to be fed the same pellets. A delightful, enchanting stay at a wonderful home-turned-hotel. I was treated like a friend of the family. This also made it quite special.
The grounds are enchanting. I had a lovely massage and bought some nice, original items at the gift shop. A hand carved 6' statue of my favourite giraffe, Daisy, now adorns my entry hall in NY. I am blessed.
A never-to-be-forgotten, incredible experience for personal time with these gentle giants.
I have read about this hotel ages ago and promised myself someday to visit. It's more awesome than I've ever imagined! I was collected and arrived to the hotel about 7 AM through the beautiful gates with sculptured giraffes adorning them. As we drove down the wooded driveway and made the turn, I saw several giraffes roaming on the front lawn near the stately Tudor home! Breathtaking to see them so close as we walked up to the house, which is quite lovely, btw, but takes a back seat to these wonderful, silent, graceful creatures.
I was ushered into the dining room. It was silent. A woman was a few feet in front of me feeding a giraffe who stuck his/her head in through an opened window! I was absolutely dumb-struck! I caught my breath, and opened my iPhone to record this wonderful moment. Can it get better than this? Yes! A waiter gave me a bowl of grass, hay and molasses pellets and showed me how to place one between my fingers and feed one that came right up to me. How precious, how gentle, how beautiful. I looked into her/his big brown eyes and thought how lucky both of us were.
And then they took video of me and my new best friend having her brekky. Wow! I couldn't believe I was actually here, feeding these wonderful creatures. Suffice it to say that I posted said video on Facebook and it was an enormous hit with my friends and family's numerous comments. I fed so many of them, both inside and outside on the terrace. What an incredible experience I will never forget.
I was actually able to pet a few of them. On their faces and necks. Awesome. Check my pics.
I stayed in Betty's room which was one floor up and quite beautifully decorated with a romantic, canopied, mosquito netted bed, fireplace, an outdoor deck, and a super black and white Art Deco bathroom with a huge tub and rain forest overhead shower. Some of my new friends turned up at dawn for some pellets. What a treat. For me:)
The cuisine was delicious. A subtle fire crackled always in the lovely sitting room and dinner in the formal dining room was wonderful, lit by candles. Sundowners on the terrace, watching my new friends, with a buffet of goodies was a great touch. Morning cappuccino with a giraffe motif was a stunner.
Do take a walk to the Giraffe Conservancy and visit the baby elephants at Sheldrik's. GM will arrange it and get you there and back. All transport is included as well as meals. Great hi speed Wi-Fi.
If you arrive early like I did, you'll have 2 brekkys with the giraffes and did I mention the little wild boars? They're so cute but can't be touched. They like to be fed the same pellets. A delightful, enchanting stay at a wonderful home-turned-hotel. I was treated like a friend of the family. This also made it quite special.
The grounds are enchanting. I had a lovely massage and bought some nice, original items at the gift shop. A hand carved 6' statue of my favourite giraffe, Daisy, now adorns my entry hall in NY. I am blessed.