ol Donyo Lodge is filled with art, but I wanted to create a meaningful dialogue with elephants in this elephant-inspired Kenya safari camp.
Sitting at ol Donyo Lodge and listening to nature’s soundtrack feels almost like meditation. I thought we should use this instead of the generic spa music during our Great Plains lifestyle massages. Just at that moment, an elephant touched my leg with his trunk!
– Dereck Joubert
ol Donyo Lodge is filled with art, but I wanted to create a meaningful dialogue with elephants in this elephant-inspired Kenya safari camp.
Sitting at ol Donyo Lodge and listening to nature’s soundtrack feels almost like meditation. I thought we should use this instead of the generic spa music during our Great Plains lifestyle massages. Just at that moment, an elephant touched my leg with his trunk!
– Dereck Joubert
Tucked into the Chyulu Hills between Kenya’s Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks, ol Donyo Lodge is one of Kenya’s most exclusive safari lodges. Guests enjoy views of Mount Kilimanjaro, private plunge pools, star beds on rooftops, horseback safaris across open plains, and close encounters with iconic wildlife. It is where adventure meets tranquillity, with each stay contributing directly to the preservation of this iconic African landscape, wildlife and its communities.
ol Donyo Lodge is a Great Plains Conservation Réserve-Collection camp, located on private land in the heart of the Chyulu Hills on the Mbirikani Ranch, which is owned by 4,000 Maasai.
ol Donyo Lodge blends contemporary design with the rich culture of the Maasai, creating the perfect setting for a Kenya safari. Perched on a hillside, guests can enjoy expansive views of East Africa’s classic savannahs below.
ol Donyo Lodge is home to 8 deluxe suites and 1 x 2-bedroomed family Sambu Suite. Each Suite offers guests private verandas and swimming pools to enjoy.
Spa treatments are available for guests at the spa or in their suites.
A brand-new fire deck under the stars off the main area is available for you to enjoy.
There are two hides at the waterhole in front of the main area. One is a new sunken hide completed with a coffee machine and fridge. The sunken and open-air hides allow guests to remain there all day, viewing the animals that come to quench their thirst at the waterhole.
ol Donyo Lodge is also a proud Relais & Châteaux member.
Fellow Kenyan Réserve-Collection luxury safari camps are Mara Nyika Camp and The Sambuk Suite at Mara Nyika, Mara Plains Camp and The Jahazi Suite at Mara Plains, and Mara Toto Tree Camp.
Our Réserve-Collection luxury safari camps in Zimbabwe include Tembo Plains Camp and The Zanji Suite at Tembo Plains.
Our Réserve-Collection luxury safari camps in Botswana include Zarafa Camp and The Dhow Suite at Zarafa, Selinda Camp and the Selinda Suite, Sitatunga Private Island and the Sitatunga Private Island Suite, and Duba Plains Camp and the Duba Plains Suite.
The Great Plains Réserve-Collection Kenya safari camps are the country’s only Relais & Châteaux members.
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 private plunge pool and across the rolling plains toward Mount Kilimanjaro.
We believe a Kenya safari today must be a full and rich experience with no apologies for excellent service.
Each suite offers guests private outdoor and covered verandas leading to your private swimming pools, indoor lounge areas and en-suite bathrooms with indoor baths and indoor and outdoor showers. On your suite’s rooftop, stunning star beds are available, where you can sleep under the canopy of the night sky, safely listening to the hyenas and lions who are active during the night and to birdlife as the sun rises.
Life-changing wildlife viewing and well-designed accommodation is imperative.
Many guests feel that ol Donyo Lodge is the best “first or final stop” on their Kenya safari. We have often had to pry children off the necks of our guides because they fall in love with them, with the activities in our Young Explorers programs, and because it feels like home.
High-quality binoculars are available for you to use while with us at ol Donyo Lodge.
ol Donyo Lodge offers guests the widest range of wildlife viewing activities in the entire Great Plains portfolio of safari camps!
Immerse yourself in the unparalleled range of wildlife viewing experiences while on your Kenya safari at ol Donyo Lodge.
Guests can enjoy thrilling open-vehicle safari drives and explore the region. For a more intimate experience, embark on a night safari to see nocturnal animals under the starlit African sky.
For intermediate and advanced riders, enjoy scenic horseback safaris, each offering unique perspectives on the diverse wildlife of the Chyulu Hills ecosystem. Witness majestic elephants, elusive big cats, and a myriad of bird species in their natural habitat.
Join our expert guides on walking safaris to learn about the unique flora and fauna up close, or learn more about the Great Plains Foundation’s conservation initiatives, which contribute to preserving this remarkable environment.
ol Donyo Lodge embraces its community heritage, and our guides can take you to a nearby village, allowing you to embrace the local culture.
Take to the skies with our helicopter safaris for aerial views of iconic landscapes and African wildlife. Soar above Kenya’s stunning landscapes, from the majestic Chyulu Hills to the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro. Witness incredible wildlife and untouched wilderness from a unique aerial perspective. This unforgettable journey promises thrilling views perfect for photography and creating lasting memories. Guests are encouraged to pre-book their scenic helicopter flight at ol Donyo Lodge to elevate their safari experience to new heights.
Whether capturing stunning photos from our underground or open hide or enjoying the panoramic views from our elevated lodge, every moment at ol Donyo Lodge is designed to bring you closer to nature.
Should guests want to enjoy extensive guided bush walks, these can be pre-booked to ensure availability, while shorter plains walks are available on shorter notice.
Experience the vibrant atmosphere of the Kimana local market, located a 1.5—to 2-hour drive from ol Donyo Lodge. This bustling market offers a glimpse into the local culture, with fresh produce, local textiles, beadwork, livestock, household items, and a large second-hand clothes market for sale. Guests can leave the lodge after breakfast, around 9 a.m., with a packed lunch to enjoy on the way back in a scenic spot.
For a more immersive experience, visit a local Maasai homestead, a 1.5 to 2-hour drive towards Imbirikani, where women welcome you into their homes, share their culture, and offer handmade beaded works for purchase. A cash donation per person is paid directly at ol Donyo Lodge which is then handed to the community.
Additionally, school visits with the Great Plains Foundation provide an opportunity to interact with students and learn about local education initiatives. Two schools are available for visits, and a community liaison officer guides the experience. 24-hour notice is required, and visits are only available during school hours.
(Please note that these cultural experiences may only be available some days of the week).
All this and more ensures your authentic Kenya safari experiences at ol Donyo Lodge will never be forgotten.
The youth living alongside conserved land engaging in conservation initiatives is critical. Our conservation education programs engage youngsters with the natural world at a pivotal time in their lives. Through thoughtful engagement, environmental education, fun and mentorship, youth in communities surrounding our protected wildlife areas can learn to appreciate their ecosystems’ uniqueness and become conservation champions. Great Plains Student Conservation Camps are one of our longest-running community programs. Since the program began more than ten years ago, hundreds of children in Kenya and Botswana have benefitted.
Selinda Camp
Selinda Suite
Zarafa Camp
The Dhow Suite at Zarafa
Duba Plains Camp
Duba Plains Suite
Sitatunga Private Island
Sitatunga Private Island Suite
Okavango Explorers Camp
Selinda Explorers Camp
Duba Explorers Camp
Mara Plains Camp
The Jahazi Suite at Mara Plains
Mara Nyika Camp
The Sambuk Suite at Mara Nyika
ol Donyo Lodge
Mara Toto Tree Camp
Zamara Private
Shompole
Tembo Plains Camp
The Zanji Suite at Tembo Plains
We would like to thank Beverly Joubert for allowing us to include her wildlife fine art photography in some of the imagery included here. Please visit www.beverlyjoubert.com to discover more.
We would like to thank Beverly Joubert for allowing us to include her wildlife fine art photography in some of the imagery included here. Please visit www.beverlyjoubert.com to discover more.
