Continuing the animal magic theme, this week I wanted to look at one of the most astounding hotels in Africa – The Giraffe Manor in Kenya’s Nairobi.

Resembling a vast, elegant English country mansion with sweeping grounds and majestic interiors, this place offers something that I think it’s safe to say most country piles do not – an abundance of friendly giraffes wandering the grounds and quite literally poking their noses in at the windows.

Picture the scene, you’re enjoying your breakfast and drinking in the magnificent views of Mount Kilimanjaro or the Ngong Hills when along outside ambles a majestic giraffe. Well, you needn’t reach for your camera because no, it’s not a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity but a regular occurrence – in fact it’s more than likely that said giraffe will simply pop his head in the open window and quite possibly pinch a croissant from your plate!

With a history dating back to the 1930s, Scotsman Jock Leslie Melville and his wife bought the property and introduced two endangered Rothschild Giraffe to the grounds in a bid to save them from extinction. All these years later, and now open to the public, the focus is still very much on conservation and ecology, so as well as being able to visit on a wonderful holiday, the estate also benefits local children on an educational level.

This really is an amazing place for animal lovers, who get the opportunity to interact daily with these superb creatures. In addition to the herd of giraffe, guests here can also enjoy the other local wildlife that is resident to the estate, including many species of birds, warthogs and the elusive Bush Buck.

Click here for more information on this unique estate and enjoy the holiday of a lifetime.