Amboseli, Kenya
Ol Donyo Lodge
Ol Donyo Lodge is one of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World, and also an esteemed member of Relais & Chateaux. Such accolades are warranted: it’s in a truly stunning location, and capitalises on it with meticulous attention to detail and high levels of service. Ol Donyo Lodge is one of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World, and also an esteemed member of Relais & Chateaux. Such accolades are warranted: it’s in a truly stunning location, and capitalises on it with meticulous attention to detail and high levels of service.
Ol Donyo Lodge is one of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World, and also an esteemed member of Relais & Chateaux. Such accolades are warranted: it’s in a truly stunning location, and capitalises on it with meticulous attention to detail and high levels of service. Ol Donyo Lodge is one of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World, and also an esteemed member of Relais & Chateaux. Such accolades are warranted: it’s in a truly stunning location, and capitalises on it with meticulous attention to detail and high levels of service.
Location
Nestled between Kenya’s Tsavo West and Amboseli National Parks, perched on a ridge in the foothills of the Chyulu Hills sits Ol Donyo Lodge. This is one of East Africa’s most fascinating wildlife destinations, and the imaginative design of the lodge is a unique addition to the landscape.
The land falls away, stretching for miles in green and golden waves with strange-shaped hills, volcanic craters and flat-topped acacia trees. Beyond and above towers the whole Kilimanjaro massif. The scenery is diverse and spectacular.
Ol Donyo means "The Spotted Hills" in Maasai and is situated miles from any major settlement. In fact, it is a 270,000-acre area which Richard has leased from the Maasai and which is shared only with them. It offers privacy and exclusivity that is unrivalled in this region; a true wilderness experience.
The land falls away, stretching for miles in green and golden waves with strange-shaped hills, volcanic craters and flat-topped acacia trees. Beyond and above towers the whole Kilimanjaro massif. The scenery is diverse and spectacular.
Ol Donyo means "The Spotted Hills" in Maasai and is situated miles from any major settlement. In fact, it is a 270,000-acre area which Richard has leased from the Maasai and which is shared only with them. It offers privacy and exclusivity that is unrivalled in this region; a true wilderness experience.
Accommodation
Ol Donyo Lodge is one of the most impressive in all of Kenya and has Relais & Chateaux accreditation – sharing this honour only with its sister camp Mara Plains. There are just nine suites that are all individually designed and positioned to offer dramatic views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the vast plains that stretch out before the lodge.
No two villas or suites at Ol Donyo Lodge are the same, but they all emerge - seemingly organically - from the landscape either side of the palatial main lodge area.
No two villas or suites at Ol Donyo Lodge are the same, but they all emerge - seemingly organically - from the landscape either side of the palatial main lodge area.
All suites have been created with style and luxury in mind and include an en-suite bathroom, lounge, private star-bed on a walled roof accessed by a winding staircase and a superb glass frontage leading out onto a private veranda.
They all have their own private plunge pool, while one is a larger unit with two-bedrooms, ideal for families or couples travelling together.
They all have their own private plunge pool, while one is a larger unit with two-bedrooms, ideal for families or couples travelling together.
Experiences
- There is a wide range of activities on offer at Ol Donyo Lodge with the excellent guides taking guests on safari by open 4x4 vehicle by day and at night, on foot with armed trackers learning about the smaller flora and fauna or even on horseback riding amongst herds of giraffe and zebra oblivious to your presence.
- Time can also be spent mountain biking on the open plains, sleeping out on the kopjes at “Seduction Rock”, enjoying bush breakfasts at sunrise or dinners under the stars and there is even the opportunity to take in the culture of the area and visit an authentic Maasai village.
- The elephant herds in the area are nothing less than prolific and a visit to the “log-jam” hide is an exhilarating experience unique to the area. You sit in complete safety just yards from the nearby waterhole and watch some of the largest elephant in all of Africa at close quarters as they descend on the waterhole to drink and cool down.
- The area is home to the Big Five and so you could also see lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo alongside giraffe and a good variety of other plains game including the strange gerenuk, an antelope which stands on its hind legs to eat.
- There are superb walking and hiking opportunities in the Chyulu Hills behind the lodge where the focus turns to the unique landscape, the exploration of lava tunnels, a dazzling array of butterflies and the prolific birdlife.
There are more than 200 species recorded in the area with the record so far standing at 88 species in a single day by vehicle and on foot.
These include Abbots Starlings en-route from Mt Kenya to Kilimanjaro, blue-naped mousebirds, Eastern violet-backed sunbird, Shelley’s Francolin, Orange Ground Thrush, honey guides and numerous waxbills and barbets. There are also several rare raptors such as Ayre’s Hawk Eagle, African Harrier Hawk, Crowned Eagle and Martial Eagle. - Too unwind, enjoy in-room spa treatments or relax in the pool overlooking the rolling plains and Mount Kilimanjaro.
Positive Impact
We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.
Conservation
Ol Donyo’s parent company, Great Plains Conservation (GPC) have set up Project Ranger, as a response to the Covid-19 crisis. The project aims to provide an emergency fund supporting those on the front-lines of conservation, filling a critical gap created by the pandemic.
Environment
Ol Donyo is guided by its environmental policy which emphasises the lodge’s commitment to environmentally friendly operations, sustainable practices and minimising impacts on the environment. The facility’s main source of power is solar with a solar water heater providing heating in the guest rooms and kitchen.
Community
The lodge buys locally where possible and organises village visits with $20 charged per guest; proceeds going directly to the community. 70% of staff are from the local Maasai community, who all remained in employment during the Covid-19 crisis. Staff are provided with food, an entertainment centre, transport and accommodation.
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