At this Kenya hotel, the innkeepers are some of the tallest in the world.

Kenya: Planet Animal

On a recent trip to Africa, Manuela Amzallag, a New York based fashion editor, had a close encounter with a giraffe. The scene of the confrontation? Her hotel bathroom.

"The surprising thing about giraffes is how gentle they are," says Benedict.

The manor started out with 2 rescued giraffes in 1974. Today, there are 10.

"I was reaching over to pick up the soap, and one of the giraffes stuck her head in the window," Amzallag says. Charges weren't pressed, despite the animal's crime: "Horrible breath," says Amzallag. "But I loved it. They're amazing animals to be with."

At Giraffe Manor in Langata, Kenya, visitors confront the local wildlife without ever having to head out on safari. Giraffes have called this cozy 1930s inn home since 1974, when African Fund for Endangered Wildlife founder, the late Betty Leslie-Melville (aka 'the Giraffe Lady'), and her husband, Jock Leslie-Melville, bought the house and the 140 acres surrounding it. They started with 2 endangered giraffe babies and, since then, several generations of offspring have been born at the Manor.

Currently, 10 giraffes are on the grounds: 1 male, 6 females, and 3 babies. From raised platforms, guests can hand-feed pellets to the giraffes at eye level. "The babies are 4 feet tall - some 'babies,' eh?" says David Benedict, who, along with his wife, hosts the inn. "Right now, I'm watching one of our 6-year-old guests feed them."

The manor can accommodate about 10 guests, which means the guest/giraffe ratio is usually about 1 to 1. It's a romantic spot with a huge staff catering to guests' needs, offering guided walks through the adjoining forest by day and candlelight dinners by night.

"You can stay at a hotel in the center of Nairobi," says Benedict, "and that's nice. But this is unique. It's a lovely introduction to Africa."

Other stunning experiences are nearby. Watch baby elephants being fed and bathed at the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, just at the edge of the Nairobi National Park. Take a day trip to Crescent Island at Lake Naivasha, where Out of Africa was filmed. In less than 2 hours, it'll be just you and the zebras, hippos, wildebeasts, and many bird, fish, and plant species. Wear comfortable walking shoes, because your two feet will be your Jeep. Also on the south shore of Lake Naivasha is Elsamere, the original home of Joy Adamson who wrote about mothering a lioness, Elsa, in the book Born Free. Here you can get friendly with the colobus monkeys, learn more about animal conservation, and understand what it means to be, well, "born free."

Or, just hang out back at the Manor and do what giraffes do best: chill out. "The surprising thing about giraffes is how gentle they are," Benedict says. "Their pace is very relaxing. It forces us humans to relax, too."

Posted on August 07, 2006