Faced with excellent closures and struggling hospitality facilities in Kenya, with related problems for thousands of employees, good news comes from Nairobi.
Today, after two months, one of Kenya's iconic places, the Giraffe Manor, reopens.
The exclusive boutique hotel, famous all over the world for the splendid long-necked specimens that live and wander between the garden and the large mansion like the real hosts, often having breakfast with guests and returning at sunset, is back. For now only residents, in anticipation of being able to resume its activity in compliance with Covid-19 regulations.
Rothschild's giraffes are the discreet but undisputed stars of the living room, but the ambience is still unique. The Giraffe Manor is set within 12 acres of private land at the foot of a much larger area of indigenous forest in the Lang'ata area of Nairobi. The historic manor house, modelled on a Scottish hunting lodge in 1932, has an extraordinary charm that dates back to those years when European visitors first went to East Africa to take part in safaris and (but giraffes don't know this...) hunting trips. It all started with two British environmentalists who adopted a baby giraffe named Daisy. From there gradually grew a community of grateful, educated and happy specimens.
For the scenery composed of elegant colonial-style interiors, lush, well-kept gardens and the majesty of the manor house, it feels like being on the set of "My Africa".
It is no coincidence that one of its twelve rooms bears the name of Karen Blixen.
There are countless celebrities and personalities from show business and culture who have acted as testimonials at the Giraffe Manor. Now for many residents in Kenya there will be the chance to live a unique dream, also because until a few months ago the waiting list to be guests of the boutique hotel could reach even a year. For Kenyan citizens and residents there will also be special rates for the month of June.