Kenya Safari & The Seychelles

Waking up to breakfast with a giraffe is a unique and unforgettable experience. Depending on where you are staying, you will have breakfast either in the main manor or in the Garden Manor breakfast room, but don’t worry, the giraffes know exactly where to find you. Watch out for their long inquisitive tongues as they investigate what’s on offer; luckily, it’s nutritious dried pellets of grass that they’re after, and not your pancakes!

A traditional afternoon tea at the manor is a delightful occasion not to be missed. Relax in the tranquil gardens with a giraffe or two in view, as you enjoy a tasty assortment of cookies, cakes, sandwiches, scones and fruit platters. There will be plenty of opportunities to feed and interact with the giraffes during this experience and the team are adept at helping everyone snap the perfect photo memory.

Included in your stay at the manor is access to the AFEW Giraffe Centre which is a gentle stroll across the front lawn of the house. The centre has some interesting background information about the rare Rothschild’s giraffes and a small nature trail for stretching your legs.

Glide through our 21 metre infinity pool which looks out over the giraffe sanctuary. Our lovable herd of Rothschild’s giraffes are able to wander up to the end of the pool, so you might have a long-legged spectator or two! The poolside deck with sun loungers is a lovely space for relaxation and listening to the birdsong floating down from the surrounding trees.

Unwind after a long journey or at the end of an exciting safari adventure in our soothing spa area complete with a traditional sauna, steam room and bubbling hot tub for you to enjoy. You can also utilise the fully equipped gym that looks out onto the garden and has everything you need for a full-body workout.

The Retreat’s spa offers a range of massage and beauty treatments designed to restore your body’s natural balance and soothe away your stress. We use products by Healing Earth, a premium organic brand inspired by ancient African healing traditions.

Fragrant and filled with light, the orchid house is a delightful hidden corner of the manor. Reading, meditating or sketching one of the 150 orchids that grow there can be a soothing escape. If a romantic, candlelit dining experience amongst the foliage appeals to you, then we would love to make it happen. Please note that this activity is subject to availability and may not always be possible.

Visit Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage on the edge of Nairobi National Park where you can foster a baby elephant and watch the keepers feed and interact with them. Elephant adoption costs US$ 50 (per couple adopting) and foster parents are sent regular updates and photos of their elephant. Visiting hour takes place daily at 11:00 am and must be booked in advance via their website. Visiting requires a donation of US$ 20 per adult or US$ 5 for children under 12, payable in cash on the day of your visit.

In addition to the donation, you will also be required to pay full entry fees for Nairobi National Park where the orphanage is located. This is done via the online government platform e-Citizen using a Visa/Mastercard and your guide can help you to complete this on the morning of your visit.

Enjoy a game of chess at any time. We have a lovely handmade chess board, which of course features giraffes, as well as lions, cheetah, zebras and rhinos in place of the traditional figures!

Our luscious lawns are perfectly suited to a leisurely game of croquet or boules, and we have both here at the manor. Over at The Retreat, we have giant Jenga which is great fun for all the family. Our friendly staff will be happy to assist you in setting up the games. They are best enjoyed during the daytime, when the giraffes are out browsing in the sanctuary.

Daisy’s Café is located at The Retreat, our wellness centre right next door to Giraffe Manor. Here you’ll find a vibrant menu of freshly prepared snacks and meals as well as a fully stocked bar. Our expert chef loves to use nutritious, locally sourced ingredients (many of which are grown in the veggie garden) to create nourishing farm to fork style dishes. Dine al fresco in the leafy surroundings of our garden terrace, or under the vaulted ceilings of the café. All food and drinks consumed at Daisy’s are charged as extras to Giraffe Manor guests and are payable direct or can be added to your room bill.

KAREN BLIXEN MUSEUM

Step back in time at the Karen Blixen Museum, which offers a glimpse into Kenya’s history. Once the farmhouse of Baroness Karen Blixen and her Swedish Husband, Baron Bror von Blixen Fincke, the house gained international fame through the Oscar-winning film ‘Out of Africa’ which is based on her autobiography of the same name. The museum provides guided tours of the house and beautifully serene grounds and gives you a sense of the style of Karen Blixen’s home with a number of original pieces of furniture still in place. There is a small gift shop and stunning views over the Ngong Hills. This visit is short, but worth it if you have an interest in Kenya’s past.

AFRICAN HERITAGE HOUSE

This one-of-a-kind museum gallery is packed with arts and crafts from communities all over Africa and includes paintings, beadwork, textiles and carvings. Built in the 1970s, the house has a unique history and became one of the first pan-African galleries when it was co-founded by American Alan Donovan together with the former vice-president of Kenya, Mr. Joseph Murumbi and his wife. Enjoy a tour of the house and grounds and take in the captivating views over Nairobi National Park. Tours must be pre-booked and can include meals if desired. Please note that credit cards are not accepted.

NAIROBI NATIONAL MUSEUM

Visit the Nairobi National Museum for an education in Kenya’s wonderfully rich heritage. Afterwards, you can take a stroll through the museum’s botanical gardens. This activity takes up half a day as the museum is in a different area of Nairobi to Giraffe Manor, so travel there can take up to an hour depending on traffic. The museum contains a fabulous and extensive collection of stuffed birds, so worth a visit for any budding ornithologists.

MATBRONZE ART GALLERY & FOUNDRY

Matbronze Art Gallery & Foundry features a display of over 600 hand cast bronze sculptures by wildlife artist Denis Mathews. From tiny lion cub paw prints to life sized crocodiles, the sculptures are impressive and fascinating to look at in their accurate representation of a diverse range of Kenya’s wildlife. There is also an art gallery exhibiting a selection of local artists and a delightful garden café serving delicious homemade snacks and meals.

CIRCLE ART GALLERY

African art is hitting the global art scene in a big way. The Circle Art Agency is Nairobi’s premier modern art gallery and offers a fantastic outing for collectors and enthusiasts alike. We recommend pre-booking your visit. Avid art enthusiasts can also book a private appointment to visit the gallery if the opening times are unsuitable, although this must be booked in advance and is subject to availability.

GoDOWN ARTS CENTRE

A fun art studio to visit exhibiting a range of artwork in different media from local artists, including fine arts, block print, etching and palette knife painting. There are currently five artists in residence who you can meet, each of whom create, exhibit and sell their work from here. If there is a particular artist you would like to meet, then we recommend you call ahead of time to ensure they’re available during your visit.

SHOPPING IN NAIROBI

Indulge in a little retail therapy and discover some of our talented local artisans. Shopping in Nairobi is fun and we know exactly where to find all manner of locally crafted goodies right on our doorstep. From beaded leather belts and sandals to beautifully carved wooden bowls, jewellery, traditional masks, woven baskets, Maasai blankets and more. Here’s our pick of the best local shops for finding unique gifts and goodies to take home:

KOBE TOUGH

Formerly known as Kazuri Beads, Kobe Tough is just a stone’s through away from the manor and offers great free factory tours to see exactly how their ceramic beads are produced. There’s a shop selling their handmade jewellery and beaded leather goods, all of which supports single mothers, widows and orphans in Kenya.

LANGATA LINK SHOPS

Just five minutes from the manor, here you’ll find a collection of shops all under one roof selling a range of jewellery, homeware, clothing and more, including the bright designs and extremely popular Kenya Kanga products! It’s become a local hangout with a great café and small children’s play area.

UTAMADUNI

This collection of Kenyan curios (souvenirs) has everything you could want all under one roof, from fridge magnets to magnificent beaded masks. Just ten minutes away from the manor for a quick trip, although easy to get lost in for hours.

OCEAN SOLE

This is a brilliant social enterprise that upcycles old flip-flops found on beaches and waterways in Kenya by making them into unique and functional art pieces. It aims to raise awareness of the state of our oceans and visits to the shop enable a glimpse behind the scenes at how their brightly coloured flip flop art is crafted.

HOUSE OF TREASURES EMPORIUM

Slightly further than those listed above, but still within half an hour’s drive from the manor, this is another collection of local shops with two eateries frequented by Nairobi residents. Here you’ll find a range of home décor and household accessories, as well as a small bronze sculpture gallery.

GIRAFFE MANOR SHOP

If you prefer to maximise your time at the manor, we have our own Giraffe Manor Shop on site with a range of carefully selected, unique items all handmade by talented local artisans. There are also several nearby shopping malls with large supermarkets, pharmacies and other shops for those that need.

This iconic park is the only national park within the limits of a capital city. It is home to a diverse array of wildlife including lions, leopards, buffalos, zebra, antelopes, giraffe and over 400 species of birds. Once inside the park, it really does feel like you have left the city behind. Sunset over the Ngong Hills and vast vistas stretching down over acacia-dotted plains are evocative of the spirit of Africa. Although fenced on three sides, the 117 square kilometre park is open to the south and teeming with wildlife.

Giraffe Manor has one open sided 4 x 4 vehicle for game viewing in Nairobi National Park. This is bookable on an exclusive basis only for single groups of up to six guests checked-in at Giraffe Manor or The Retreat. We recommend pre-booking to ensure availability, as the vehicle cannot be shared with other guests.

Please note that game drives cannot be combined with arrival or departure transfers. If you would like to visit the park outside of check-in times, we are very happy to help you arrange a private vehicle and guide for your Nairobi National Park experience.

Malo stables offer fantastic forest rides with views of the Ngong Hills. The horses are highly trained and the hosts extremely professional. There are a variety of riding options available that could include an alfresco lunch after a lovely ride through the forest at an extra cost. We recommend you book in advance and note that a 50% deposit is required to secure the booking.

Strong populations of wildlife find their habitat in and around the ol Donyo Lodge environs. While the "Big Five" are here - rhino, elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo - they are often elusive; however, cheetah, fringe-eared oryx, gerenuk, and giraffe make for frequent viewing. Guests are able to track wildlife by open safari vehicles, as well as by foot, or horseback (described below). The best times to be out are from first light for the morning drive, and from 4-4:30 pm for the afternoon drives. These are the times when most of the action is likely to happen. Night drives give you the opportunity to discover a range of unusual and nocturnal animals and view the breathtaking African stars. These drives commence after dinner service at approximately 9:30 pm. Please remember that the vehicles are open and it can be quite chilly in the early mornings and evenings, so take very warm clothing with you on your drives. There are also shukha (blankets) and lined ponchos provided in the vehicles if you get cold while out.

With 275,000 acres of open plains and the dramatic, ancient volcanic soil Chyulu Hills to explore at ol Donyo Lodge this vast region provides a truly unique riding experience. Riding is available all year round at no additional cost.

RIDE OPTIONS
INTERMEDIATE AND ABOVE
For Intermediate riders and above we offer 2 to 4 hour rides exploring the concession. Enjoy exhilarating medium to fast-paced canters and encounters with our famous big Tuskers.
For this riding option, you need to be riding fit, confident and competent, ride with an independent seat and be able to control an easy horse at all paces over uneven terrain.
PLAINS RIDE
Novice riders can enjoy a gentle 60/90 minute ride exploring the open plains.
All riders will need to have a short assessment in our arena prior to setting out to ensure all guests riding out can control their horses and are comfortable at a short trot. If riders do not have the required experience they will be offered a lesson in the arena instead. Plains riders will be given some instruction, a minimum requirement is a short trot.

Another huge benefit of staying outside national parks is that here we are allowed to appreciate the stunning landscape around us on foot, peacefully without the noise of engines. The Chyulu Hills were designed for walking and hiking. We highly recommend this unforgettable experience. Our resident tracker will accompany you and your guide and will carry a firearm. Your guide and the lodge managers will be able to suggest different walks depending on fitness and your interests, such as birding, spelunking, or exploring the plains. Each is a voyage of discovery unveiling secrets of the bush, wildlife movements, medicinal plants and uniquely adapted flora and fauna. Wear good walking shoes, a hat and camouflage-coloured clothing so as not to alarm the wildlife, and take binoculars. Your guide will have water for you.

This is a good opportunity to exercise but also another way of viewing the landscape and wildlife in the area. We recommend cycling during the cooler hours of the day, either in the early morning or late afternoon. Cycling usually takes place on the plains heading toward the kopje or el Mau.

Just below the lodge’s main area is our famous ‘log-pile’ hide named as such because of its elaborate and impressive interwoven construction. A short walk with a cool drink in hand, and you’ve arrived at a secret shaded spot from which to view the many mammals that come in for a drink. This is a tremendous experience, especially during the midday siesta.

Our proximity to Amboseli National Park gives the opportunity for full-day excursions to the park. Guests depart the lodge after breakfast for a leisurely drive across the plains and through small villages. We usually arrive at the park in the mid-morning and depart in the mid-afternoon (with a picnic lunch and a full selection of drinks). We have selected this time of day as it coincides with the time when the guests from the other nearby larger lodges are on siesta, and vehicle density is at its lowest. This is also the time when the elephant and plains game congregate around the waterways and marshes in high density. This excursion can only be guaranteed in advance, please book it at the time of reservation and is subject to additional cost.

ol Donyo Lodge is the ultimate family safari destination. The Young Explorers program is designed to enhance both a child's and a family’s overall safari, weaving themes of conservation and culture into each fun activity with the intention of giving children tangible examples and moments to bring back to their peer group. The future of conservation is, after all, in the hands of these young ambassadors.

We offer a full range of activities from bush survival skills including making sling shots, bows and arrows and creating fire using traditional Maasai techniques, to watercolor painting and so much more.

FITNESS

- Yoga mat, and light weights available in each suite;

- Stationary exercise bikes:

- Guests can enjoy a run/walk on the airstrip.

A Bell 505 helicopter is available, and guests can enjoy 180-degree views with a choice of aerial scenic tours. These include viewing the Chyulu Hills, Amboseli, and Mount Kilimanjaro from the air. In addition to the scenic tours, guests can also visit Amboseli to explore this area with a Great Plains guide and safari drive as well as reserve helicopter transfers from Nairobi to our Mara-based safari camps or Nairobi and ol Donyo Lodge .

Day and night game drives in exclusive vehicles, and guided bush walks on Lewa Wildlife Conservancy are included activities for guests staying at Sirikoi Lodge.

Fantastic views of distant mountain ranges and a beautiful backdrop of snow-capped Mount Kenya provide a perfect setting for game drives and bush walks.

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is teeming with birdlife with over 350 species across the diverse topography which includes rolling open plains, hills and kopjes, thick forest, valleys, escarpments, wetlands and rivers.

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy has a huge variety of wildlife with over 70 different species of mammal. There are roughly equal numbers of black and white rhino – at the latest count there were 65 black and 46 white. The world's largest resident population of the endangered Grevy zebra resides on Lewa as well as elephant, buffalo, greater kudu, oryx, lion, leopard and cheetah amongst many other mammal species.

Credit: Sirikoi Lodge

Credit: Sirikoi Lodge

Credit: Sirikoi Lodge

Credit: Sirikoi Lodge

Credit: Sirikoi Lodge

Guests have the unique opportunity to see conservation in action – to go behind the scenes of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy’s operations to experience firsthand how conservation and anti-poaching really works, and to see all that Lewa is doing for wildlife and the surrounding communities. This includes visiting the Operations Room, Tracker Dog Unit, meeting the security or anti-poaching team, and visiting the Lewa school and clinic. These are all included activities for guests staying at Sirikoi Lodge.

Sirikoi guests can horse ride on Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and on Borana Conservancy. Riding is a fantastic opportunity to get close to plains game such as zebra and giraffe, and to view the beautiful scenery from a new perspective. You are matched to your horse based on your level of experience and confidence, and we cater for both amateur and expert riders. Rides are lead by an experienced riding guide and are usually taken exclusively rather than with other riders.

Riding on Lewa takes place in the afternoons. Guests depart the lodge at 3pm, go on a short game drive to the stables, where they will start riding at about 4pm. You will ride for about an hour across the plains and among the wildlife. You can choose to continue on your evening game drive to arrive back at the lodge at 7pm. There is also the option to ride camels on Lewa.
Time: 4 hours (1.5 hours riding time), from 3pm – 7pm

Riding on Borana takes place in the morning or afternoon – we recommend the morning. Guests depart Sirikoi at 6:30 with a picnic breakfast. After a short game drive to Borana, you will start riding at about 7am until roughly 8:30am. The terrain on Borana is varied as you ride across rolling hills and open plains, getting up close to plains game.
Time: 4 hours (1.5 hours riding time), from 6am – 10am

Details: You do not need to be an experienced rider to enjoy this activity – both stables cater for riders of all abilities. Wearing closed, comfortable shoes is recommended. Both stables use English saddles, not Western saddles, and riding hats are provided.

Visiting the Ngare Ndare Forest on the boundary of Lewa offers a complete contrast to the wide open plains of the conservancy, and is a favourite activity among Sirikoi guests. Walking through the forest canopy of enormous indigenous trees on the elevated walkway and diving into the blue glacial pools and waterfalls is an exceptional experience of a very different wilderness.

Guests depart Sirikoi in the morning after breakfast and drive for 40 minutes through a few small modern-day Kenyan rural communities, to reach the forest. The elevated canopy walkway is about 10m high and 400m long, ending at a beautiful lookout deck. There is the option to take lunch to the forest and enjoy a feast on the deck.

Time: 4 hours

Details: Pack your swimming costumes, and Sirikoi will pack towels. Wear good shoes for walking. This activity is not recommended for those who struggle with agility or those who are afraid of heights.

Visiting the Il Ngwesi community is a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about the ancient customs, culture and the daily lives of the Laikipiak Maasai. You depart after breakfast at the lodge, and the game drive to Il Ngwesi is about 90 min. You will be shown around their ‘manyatta’ or homestead, learn about their traditions and share in their rich singing and dancing. On the way back to Sirikoi, you may choose to have a picnic lunch.

Time: 4-5 hours (3 hours driving, 1 – 2 hours with the community)

Details: The road to Il Ngwesi is rough – we do not recommend this activity for those who struggle in a bumpy Land Rover.

Sirikoi offers three different helicopter excursions, each exciting and bespoke, taking you through incredible scenery on an immersive and thrilling wilderness experience like no other. Flying over the extraordinarily diverse landscapes will undoubtedly be the highlight of your safari!

The helicopters take a maximum of 5 passengers. Helicopter excursions are best booked in advance.

The Reteti Elephant Sanctuary is found in the remote Mathews Range Mountains, among the second largest elephant populations in Kenya. It is the first community owned and run elephant sanctuary in the world. The orphanage rescues and takes in abandoned elephant calves with the aim to raise them and release them back into the wild herds adjoining the Sanctuary.

Guests enjoy a beautiful scenic helicopter flight over the arid wilderness of Samburu and into the mountains to visit the Reteti Elephant Orphanage. This flight is roughly 30 minutes to an hour, usually departing Sirikoi after an early breakfast at 7:30, to be at the orphanage from 8:30 - 10:00, as feeding time is at 9:00am. After visiting the elephant sanctuary, you will continue flying among breathtaking landscapes, stopping for refreshments in the Mathews Range with an amazing view.

Time: 4 hours (3 hours flying time)

Details: Wear light clothing and pack a hat and sunscreen, as the climate in much hotter in Samburu.

Sirikoi offers three different helicopter excursions, each exciting and bespoke, taking you through incredible scenery on an immersive and thrilling wilderness experience like no other. Flying over the extraordinarily diverse landscapes will undoubtedly be the highlight of your safari!

The helicopters take a maximum of 5 passengers. Helicopter excursions are best booked in advance.

Mount Kenya – Glacial Peaks and Alpine Lakes
This early morning helicopter excursion takes you over the snow-tipped peaks, across the moorlands and down through the undulating forested valleys of the mighty Mount Kenya – the second highest mountain in Africa. Departure time is strictly 7:00am, with the option of an early breakfast at the lodge before taking off, or a picnic breakfast to take with and enjoy up the mountain. You will land on the mountain for refreshments; take a walk and even indulge in a few hours fly-fishing for rainbow trout in the alpine lakes.

Time: 3-4 hours (2 hours flying time)

Details: Pack a jersey or windbreaker, and a hat and sunscreen, as the air is cold and the sun is fierce at altitude. Be sure to drink plenty of water on this excursion to avoid dehydration. This excursion is not advised for people who struggle with altitude.

This excursion is truly astounding, taking you through some of the last remaining untouched and wild wilderness of the world to the most remote secret corners of Kenya. You will fly over rocky outcrops and arid plains, winding river beds and ‘painted’ valleys, volcanic craters and ancient lava flows, lakes of flamingoes and crocodile pools, cycad forests and desert sand dunes, through the Great Rift Valley to the Jade Sea – Lake Turkana. You have the option of a unique cultural encounter with the Pokot tribal community – nomadic pastoralists rarely visited by outsiders.

You will leave Sirikoi at 7:00am before it gets too hot. Either after a quick breakfast at the lodge before taking off, or with a picnic breakfast to take with you. Plenty of refreshments and snacks will be packed for you to take along. You will fly and explore for approximately 5 hours before returning back to Sirikoi for a late lunch.

Time: 6-7 hours (5-6 hours flying time)

Details: The climate is hot and dry the further north you go. Wear light clothing and pack a hat, sunscreen and swimming costume. Be sure to drink plenty of water on this excursion. If you don’t want to fly all the way to Lake Turkana, but would like to explore the north, you can bring down the flying time to lower the cost of the excursion.

We visit both inside the Masai Mara National Reserve and outside, in our Olderkesi Conservancy. You can do either morning, evening or all day game drives. Please note that viewing the main migration river crossings requires a full day out as they are located some way from camp. We believe that wildlife viewing should be a private , special and un-rushed experience.

All walks are led by a professional guide and accompanied by a licensed gun bearer. Bush walks can start from camp or can be a part of a game drive. They give you the

chance to view the unique ecosystem from a completely different perspective, and to learn about botany and entomology, and how to interpret animal tracks and signs.

The walk can be as long or as short as you wish.

Dinner is setup out in the conservancy, under the vast African sky; with sundowners by the fire to start, followed by a three course meal, accompanied by the fantastic sounds of the wilderness at night.

We have a number of treatments available at the Spa which is located near the main Mess Tent area. We only use organic ingredients and allow our guests to choose the ingredients to make their spa experience truly bespoke.

The 1920s Camp and the Bush Villa each have their own swimming pools for guests to enjoy as and when they wish.

You are given packets of Seedballs and as you drive or walk on your safari, please throw the seedballs out, one at a time. They are encased in a special coating which will activate at the right time for germination. Your packet contains approximately 225 indegenous tree, or grass or plant or flower seeds that are critical to the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.

We are replenishing the tree species that are endangered in our area. Indirectly, we are also supporting species such as elephants, butterflies, bees and other insect life that is key to the biodiversity in this area. This year, our aim is to plant 30,000 indigenous trees. Your complimentary packet will help us get towards our target, thank you for helping our local ecosystem and helping Cottars become net positive!

Spend a few hours visiting our local primary school, you will get to meet the children and sit in on a few classes if you wish, or join in on the daily football game. Something for those seeking a more engaging and immersive safari experience.

Children and families are invited to learn the ways of a warrior with the African bush as your classroom. A session includes spear throwing ; bow and arrow practice; Maasai jumping, dancing and singing and tracking, depending on age and ability.

After a day out game driving, soak and relax in our unique canvas bush bath: A traditional style canvas bath is set up in the open-air outside your tent, as you bathe, you can enjoy the wild beauty of the Masai Mara.

Under the vast African sky, while enjoying an evening cocktails by the fire, guests get to enjoy the time-honoured celebration of song and dance by our local Maasai warriors.

Visit a Maasai Village and experience their rich culture. This involves a trip to their Manyattas (mud huts), village setup (security, healthcare, education and management of resources e.g. meals, water, firewood), local market with wonderful Maasai artefacts/attire for sale, their live-stock and much more. You will learn about ancient traditions as well as contemporary struggles and adaptations to modern life.