Ol Donyo Lodge is one of Kenya’s most exclusive safari lodges, tucked away in the foothills of the Chyulu Hills between Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks. Overlooking vast stretches of private wilderness and framed by the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, the lodge offers guests a rare blend of luxury, privacy, and raw natural beauty.
Owned by Great Plains Conservation, Ol Donyo is designed with conservation and community at its core. The lodge is set within the 275,000-acre Mbirikani Group Ranch, a private conservancy owned by 4,000 Maasai landowners who directly benefit from every guest stay. With only 16 guests at a time, Ol Donyo offers a deeply personal safari experience, where encounters with free-roaming elephants, lions, cheetahs, and giraffes are paired with unmatched comfort and style.
Access & Location
Ol Donyo Lodge lies in the Chyulu Hills, about halfway between Amboseli and Tsavo West National Park. The region is known for its volcanic landscapes, rolling hills, lava tubes, and sweeping savannahs with frequent elephant sightings.
The lodge is best accessed by air. Guests can fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to the Ol Donyo private airstrip (about a 1-hour flight), followed by a short drive to the lodge. Charter flights from Amboseli or Tsavo are also possible. By road, the journey takes about 4–5 hours from Nairobi.
Accommodation & Facilities
Ol Donyo features just 8 deluxe suites and villas, ensuring exclusivity and seclusion. Each suite is individually designed, blending stone, thatch, and wood with elegant contemporary furnishings.
- Suites & Villas – Each suite offers a spacious bedroom, lounge area, and en-suite bathroom with a freestanding bathtub and both indoor and outdoor showers. Private plunge pools and expansive verandas look out toward Mount Kilimanjaro and the surrounding plains.
- Rooftop Star-Beds – A signature feature of Ol Donyo is the star-bed experience: each suite has a rooftop bed where guests can sleep under a blanket of stars while listening to the night sounds of the bush.
- Design & Ambience – The interiors balance rustic African charm with understated luxury — think polished wooden floors, earthy tones, hand-carved furniture, and Maasai-inspired décor.
Shared facilities include a spacious lounge and dining area, a library and photographic centre, and an infinity swimming pool with panoramic views across the plains. The lodge also features a curio shop with locally made crafts and beadwork.
Available Activities
Ol Donyo Lodge offers a diverse safari experience that goes beyond the traditional game drive, making use of its private conservancy setting.
- Game Drives – Explore the private Mbirikani Conservancy, which is home to elephants, big cats, giraffes, zebras, and more. With no park restrictions, drives are flexible and uncrowded, providing a truly exclusive experience.
- Walking Safaris – Led by expert guides, bush walks reveal the finer details of the ecosystem, from tracking wildlife to learning about local plants and Maasai traditions.
- Horseback Safaris – A highlight of Ol Donyo, guests can ride well-trained horses across the savannah, often approaching giraffes, zebras, and other plains game at close range. This is one of the few lodges in Kenya offering such an experience.
- Mountain Biking – For the adventurous, cycling safaris across the open plains provide a unique way to connect with the wilderness.
- Hide Experience – Spend time in the camp’s underground photographic hide, positioned by a waterhole frequently visited by elephants and other wildlife. This offers incredible close-up photography opportunities.
- Cultural Visits – Guests can visit nearby Maasai villages to gain insight into Maasai life, traditions, and crafts.
- Conservation Activities – Learn about Great Plains’ conservation efforts, including predator research, anti-poaching initiatives, and community partnerships.
- Sleepouts – Opt for a night under the stars on your private rooftop bed, with Kilimanjaro’s silhouette on the horizon and wildlife roaming below.
Ol Donyo Lodge is the perfect choice for travellers seeking a luxury safari that combines adventure, conservation, and exclusivity. With its star-beds, horseback safaris, private plunge pools, and stunning views of Kilimanjaro, the lodge delivers a safari experience unlike any other in East Africa. It is ideal for couples, honeymooners, photographers, and anyone looking for an unforgettable, off-the-beaten-path safari in Kenya.
