FW: cute - GIRAFFE MANOR in KENYA

Giraffe Manor is a unique property and hotel in the Lang'ata suburb of Nairobi, Kenya, famous for its resident herd of endangered Rothschild giraffes that live in the extensive grounds of the manor house. Every day shortly before 9 am, the mammoth beasts stroll up to the house and poke their heads through the windows and doors in search of morning treats.

Guests can feed the giraffes from their breakfast table, photograph them, and i

nteract with this graceful animal through the open window, at the front door, and even at the second floor bedroom window. This is the only place in the world where one can share breakfast with the world’s tallest animal.

Giraffe Manor was built in 1932 by Sir David Duncan in 150 acres of land running down to the Mbagathi River, the southern boundary of the city of Nairobi. In the 1960s, the Manor was purchased by a local investor who leased it to a succession of people including the late Dennis Lakin before it fell into disrepair, unoccupied.

When Jock died, Betty decided to open her house, now called The Giraffe Manor, to visitors. Today many tourists make the Giraffe Manor part of their East African Safari. Some spend a week here and it is reported to have many repeat guests who have become old friends with the hotel owners.

It is surrounded by 140 acres of indigenous forest just outside Kenya's capital, Nairobi. As well as the giraffes, the property is also home to many species of birds, large families of warthogs, and the elusive Bush Buck.