Stay at This Texas Safari Park Where Giraffes Greet You

In the heart of Texas wine country, on 100 acres of rolling Hill Country terrain, a giraffe might press its face against your window while you drink your morning coffee.

Three white rhinos might wander past your private deck as the sun sets. And somewhere nearby, a two-toed sloth named Bruno is probably doing exactly what sloths do best.

Welcome to Longneck Manor, a one-of-a-kind wildlife conservation destination that combines luxury lodging with intimate, hands-on animal encounters.

Where Longneck Manor Is Located

Location and Setting

Longneck Manor sits just five miles from Main Street in Fredericksburg, the charming German-heritage town that serves as the gateway to Texas wine country.

The property spans 100 acres of Hill Country landscape, with a four-acre giraffe and rhino pasture featuring a naturalistic African waterhole with boulders, rolling grassland, and panoramic views of the surrounding hills.

Despite its proximity to Fredericksburg’s boutiques, wineries, and restaurants, the property feels remote and private.

The villas and giraffe suite are positioned so that animals roam freely within view throughout the day—giraffes grazing in the morning, rhinos wandering past decks at dusk.

Getting There

Fredericksburg is approximately 70 miles west of Austin (about 1.5 hours) and 70 miles northwest of San Antonio (about 1.5 hours).

Houston is roughly 280 miles away (about 4 hours). Upon arrival, guests park in the designated Villa Parking area and check in at the Karibu Welcome Center.

The Safari Stay Experience

Giraffe Encounters

The heart of Longneck Manor is its tower of reticulated giraffes—currently six, including a baby named Indy born on July 4, 2024.

Overnight guests enjoy supervised animal encounters twice daily: mornings from 9:00 am to 11:00 am and afternoons from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm (slightly extended for Giraffe Suite guests).

During these sessions, guests hand-feed the giraffes, learn about their individual personalities, and get close enough to appreciate just how massive and gentle these animals are.

Each overnight guest is assigned a dedicated Animal Care Specialist for the duration of their stay, ensuring personalized attention and in-depth educational conversation.

Special activities include painting with the giraffes (they create artwork using their mouths) and rhino skin prints—unique keepsakes that double as conservation fundraisers.

Other Animals on the Property

Beyond the giraffes, Longneck Manor is home to three southern white rhinos named Fred, Barney, and Justin.

These gentle giants roam the same pasture as the giraffes, and guests can observe them from their villa decks or interact with them during supervised encounters.

Guests can also have the chance to scratch their horns and learn about the poaching crisis threatening their species in the wild.

Bruno, a two-toed sloth, makes appearances for overnight guests and private tour groups. Native Hill Country wildlife—birds, deer, and other species—also inhabit the property, adding to the safari atmosphere.

Accommodation Options

Longneck Manor offers five accommodation options, each designed to maximize wildlife viewing while providing luxury comfort.

The Giraffe Suite is the signature experience: a 1,200-square-foot apartment on the second level of the state-of-the-art 10,000-square-foot giraffe barn.

The Villas include four luxury options positioned steps from the giraffe pasture. Twiga Villa and Okapi Villa are one-bedroom, one-bath units with a king bed and a queen pull-out sofa (2-4 guests).

Simba Villa and Kifaru Family Villa, on the other hand, are two-bedroom, two-bath units with a king bed in one room, two queens in the other (3-6 guests)

Each villa features giant floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the pasture, private decks just 15 feet from the animals, modern kitchenettes, and thoughtfully designed interiors with air conditioning, streaming services, and walk-in showers.

Booking and What to Know Before You Go

Longneck Manor is a premium experience with pricing to match. Overnight stays for the Giraffe Suite start around $1,600 per night with a two-night minimum.

Villa rates vary by size and season. All stays include animal encounters and dedicated Animal Care Specialist guidance.

Day visitors who don’t stay overnight can book Animal Encounters for $95 per person. These 75-90 minute experiences include giraffe and rhino feeding and educational programming, limited to 12-14 people daily.

Reservations are required for all experiences and should be made well in advance. The property frequently books months out, especially for peak seasons and the Giraffe Suite.

Book directly through longneckmanor.com.

A Safari Without the Passport

Longneck Manor exists because founder Rick Barongi believed there was a better way to connect people with wildlife.

The property opened in 2021 and has since earned AZA accreditation, Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards, and a Forbes feature as one of the world’s top wildlife hotels.

But the accolades matter less than the mission.

Longneck Manor operates a non-profit conservation foundation that donates proceeds to organizations including the International Rhino Foundation, Save Giraffes Now, and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.

Every overnight stay, every day tour, every gift shop purchase contributes to protecting these species in the wild.

Your stay at Longneck Manor will definitely be a memory you’ll carry forever.