“I sat on the logs surrounding the hide at ol Donyo Lodge, listening to the elephants rumbling nearby. It was almost a meditation. I thought, wait, maybe we should create a meditation soundtrack like this, rather than that canned music you hear when you have a Great Plains lifestyle massage! That is when the elephant touched my leg with his trunk!” Dereck Joubert, CEO of Great Plains Conservation, reflects on the origins of some of the Kenya safari moments experienced at ol Donyo Lodge.
ol Donyo Lodge is located on over 111,000 hectares of private land in the heart of the Chyulu Hills, between Kenya’s Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks. The property, honed from the ancient lava rock spewed out of Kilimanjaro 360,000 years ago, creates a timelessness that touches everyone visiting us. Safari experiences include horseback safaris, mountain bike safaris, guided walking safaris and open vehicle game drives.
ol Donyo Lodge will close from the 1st of April to the 24th of May 2023, reopening on the 25th of May 2023. During this time, exciting changes are taking place here. ol Donyo Lodge, upon reopening, will comprise 8 Deluxe Suites and 1 x 2-bedroomed Sambu Suite (family suites). All the Suites will now be similar in terms of interior layout with the removal of the split-level flooring. Spa treatments will take place in-room and no longer in a separate area.
A brand new fire deck under the stars off the main area will be available for guests to enjoy.
A new and improved sunken hide is to be placed on the current sunken hide’s location. This improved design will allow guests to remain in there all day. It will be more spacious, conducive for relaxation whilst watching wildlife and comfortable. The new hide can also accommodate guests who want to overnight alongside the waterhole. A coffee machine and fridge will be included for guests’ use.