Welcome to ol Donyo Lodge

Where the Chyulu Hills stretch out and touch the plains of Kenya’s Amboseli lays a private wilderness for which time has no meaning…

On the Mbirikani Group Ranch – 111,000 hectares (275,000 acres) of private wild Africa bordering Chyulu Hills National Park and owned by 4,000 Maasai – ol Donyo Lodge blends contemporary design with the rich culture of the Maasai.

“We consider the community our partners, and there are financial benefits beyond the lease fees we pay that go to them, for teachers, for scholars. Other community projects are strategically designed to uplift our communities based on wildlife conservation and tourism.” Dereck adds: “Your tourism dollars, at ol Donyo Lodge, help us make this safari property one as a model of collaborative conservation. As a result, we are having excellent conservation success stories regarding lions, cheetahs and the icon bull elephants that are some of the last remaining large tuskers in Africa.”

Each suite at ol Donyo Lodge offers its own window to the soul of the East African safari. Their views look out over the suite’s plunge pool and across the rolling plains to Mount Kilimanjaro. All six suites plus a two-bedroom family suite have stunning star beds, where you can sleep out under the canopy of stars and listen to the hyenas and lions moving around. ol Donyo Lodge embraces its community heritage, and our guides can take you to a nearby village, offering authentic experiences that will change your life. We walk, cycle, horse ride, drive around the conservancy, later returning to Relais and Châteaux quality meals served by our Executive Chef and his team.

Relais and Châteaux stand for that excellence in fine dining, wine (in this case, from our hand-picked wine selection and our private cellar) and service excellence. We are proud to be one of only three Relais properties in Kenya, the others being our Mara Plains Camp and Mara Nyika Camp.

Ol Donyo Lodge is located on the Maasai-owned Mbirikani Group Ranch, comprising of 111,000 hectares of wilderness between Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks and bordering Chyulu Hills National Park

This stunningly beautiful area is incredibly diverse and often has spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro. No other lodge in Africa offers such a wide range of experiences, in such a private setting. As one of Kenya’s only three Relais & Chateaux properties (other being sister properties Mara Plains Camp and Mara Nyika Camp), the lodge is perched on a hillside with views of East Africa’s classic savannahs.

Camp Features

ol Donyo can accommodate up to 16 adult guests.

Total Number of Bedrooms: 6 twin or double configured pool suites;

1 two-bedroom family pool suite;

1 Guide room with a double/twin bed and a bathroom.

Accommodation Details

Bedroom features

 • 3 Standard and 3 Deluxe pool suites, each with rooftop star bed, private verandah and lounge;

• The Sambu Suite is a two-bedroom pool suite of two identical suites (each with private ensuite), with a star-bed and common pool and lounge;

• Tea/Coffee station;

• All suites have views to a waterhole, savannah and Mount Kilimanjaro;

• Suites are constructed of gunnite/cement & thatch;

• Netting over beds (both inside & roof-top beds);

 • Overhead ceiling fans and some suites (Sirra 1, Nyati 1 and the Sambu Family Suite) have fireplaces;

 • Nyati 1 or El Mau 1 is often the honeymoon suite;

• All suites can be double or twin configuration. Bathroom features

• En-suite with flush loo, shower (indoor and outdoor), deep stone tub and double basins;

• Hot and cold running water;

• Soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion and ecohairdryers provided.

Accommodating Children and sharing accommodation

 • We look forward to having children stay with us who are 5 years and older.

• The Sambu Family Suite can cater for a maximum of four adults sharing or two adults and up to three children (aged 6 – 15), sharing in two separate bedrooms;

• The Deluxe Pool Suites can accommodate triples for children sharing with adults, upon request;

• Families with children (5-15) will never be accommodated in the same vehicle as other guests;

• Horse riding - available to guests from 12 years old and riders need to have previous experience riding horses. No beginners;

• Walking activity available for guests from 12 years old;

• Young children must be supervised as the lodge is open;

• Great Plains Young Explorers Kid’s program is available – thoughtfully designed to explore various experiences and topics from birding to cooking to art to tracking wildlife.

Activities

Days at ol Donyo Lodge are full of options. To have such a vast area to explore, from high-altitude mist forest through lava fields, then woodland to savannah, and ending at the famous kopjes, it’s a paradise of discovery. Each day, it’s possible to pick your mode of transport, be it on foot, by vehicle, on horseback or even mountain bike. There is no routine here at all, and experiences are tailor-made for each guest. And if lazing around the pool, indulging in a massage or shopping sounds like a good plan, then please do. Meet the local Maasai and visit the school to look at what makes Kenya so colourful and dynamic.

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

RATING

Relais & Chateaux

TYPE

Safari Lodge

NO. ROOMS

7

CHECK-IN TIME

After 14h00

CHECK-OUT TIME

On or before 09h00

Available Services

Babysitting Service

Credit Card

Child Policy

All ages are welcome

LODGE SEASON & OPENING

Year Round

IDEAL LENGTH OF STAY

3 / 4 Nights

SPOKEN LANGUAGES

English, Swahili

SPECIAL INTERESTS

Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Cycling, Flora, Gourmet, Hiking, History & Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine

Access is by plane from Nairobi. While it is possible to drive to the area, there is no direct road, and a four-wheel drive vehicle would be required. ol Donyo will help you organize everything to get there, and this is definitely recommended over driving.

Flying to Ol Donyo

Directions
Scheduled local airline fly daily to Ol Donyo airstrip (about an hour, depending on route), where guests are met by a vehicle from the lodge for the 30-minute transfer (longer if you pause to watch wildlife)

Private air charters are also available matched to the rest of your itinerary in Kenya. Road transfers are not recommended on account of driving conditions on major Kenyan highways and the very large distances covered.

Airstrip Coordinates: S 02Ëš30.126’ and E037Ëš45.211

Chyulu Hills can be visited year-round, but wildlife viewing is usually best in the dry months from June to October and January to February. Visits during the peak of the short rains (November), and especially during the long rains (April and May), might be challenging. The condition of the roads isn’t great, even in the Dry season, although it gets much worse after rain. A sturdy 4x4 is required throughout the year.

SPA Treatments

ol Donyo offers guests a range of locations to enjoy their spa treatments. From the peaceful spa itself, to informal treatments next to your private swimming pool or even in the open air hide while wildlife and elephant enjoy a drink at the nearby waterhole! Spa treatments are excluded from the nightly accommodation rate.

Fitness

Yoga mats and bands are provided in each suite. LAUNDRY • Included in nightly tariff - next day service, weather permitting.

Food and Beverage

• Our world-class meals are Relais & Chateaux recognised;

• All meals included and prepared by our Executive Chefs and their teams;

• All drinks and beverages are included, including imported spirits and champagnes;

• Group meals and/or individual tables, a la carte (menu options);

• Indoor and outdoor dining;

• All dietary requirements are catered for from regular to vegan to children, prior notice required;

• We are extremely flexible on timings. Picnic breakfasts or lunch (or both) are the norm due to very active game drives, often delivered to the bush!

Possibility of Disabled Access

• Dining Room has wheelchair access;

• Sirra 1 & 2 are used for walking impaired.

Safety

• Security guards on duty 24 hours a day;

• Fire extinguishers outside each suite.

Money Matters

Safes

Safes are provided in every suite.

Accepted Payment on Location

• All-inclusive. Staff gratuities can be paid in

Kenyan Shillings, US Dollars or GB Pounds;

• Visa, MasterCard are accepted with a 3.5%

surcharge.

Power and Communication

Power

• The lodge is run by a combination of solar and generator power;

• The system produces 240V, 24-hour electricity to the suites and main area;

• Plug points in each suite;

• Type of plug: British large three-pin.

Internet & Mobile

• Limited mobile reception and internet access is intermittent;

• No cell phones or computers are allowed in the public areas of lodge or on game drive vehicles, only in the privacy of guest suites.

Health and Safety

Health

• Malaria: Minimal exposure risk– Malaria prophylaxis are recommended if guests are  concerned; however, this is a remote area with little occurrence;

• COVID19: All safety protocols are observed due to the current pandemic in all areas of the

camp;

• Kenya is considered a Yellow Fever Zone. Consultant your medical practitioner prior to travel;

• Guests must hold comprehensive medical insurance and emergency evacuation insurance;

• Senior staff all has first aid training;

• PARK doctors are available as advisors for any

medical issues;

• Nearest decent medical facility is in Nairobi.