Ololo Lodge

Location: Ololo Safari Lodge sits right on the southern edge of Nairobi National Park, offering the rare luxury of a safari lodge experience within striking distance of Kenya’s capital. It’s just a short drive (and a quick park transfer) from Wilson Airport, making it an ideal start or end point for a longer journey. What makes Ololo so special is its blend of bush and homestead - close enough to the city for convenience, yet far enough removed to feel utterly peaceful. With views stretching across the park’s open plains, you can literally watch giraffes wander by while sipping your morning coffee.

Rooms: Ololo has a lovely mix of rooms that feel both characterful and relaxed. There are Stable Rooms (converted from the original stables), a handful of tented suites overlooking the park, and the main farmhouse bedrooms in the original colonial-era homestead. There’s also the airy Terrace Room and a self-contained Cottage for families or those wanting more space. Interiors are a thoughtful blend of rustic comfort and understated elegance - natural fabrics, antiques, handmade furniture, and plenty of personal touches. It doesn’t feel like a hotel, it feels like staying in someone’s (very stylish) home.

Amenities: This is a small lodge with a strong sense of personality. The main lounge and verandah are homely and inviting, the gardens are beautifully maintained, and there’s a pool with loungers for hot afternoons. Meals are taken communally or privately, depending on your preference, and the food is a real highlight - organic, seasonal, and much of it grown in Ololo’s own shamba (kitchen garden). There’s also a small boutique, a bar with sweeping views of the park, and friendly, attentive staff who strike just the right balance between professional and personal.

Activities: The lodge offers guided game drives into Nairobi National Park, which remains one of Kenya’s most underrated wildlife spots. Expect to see white rhino, lion, giraffe, buffalo, and a good range of plains game, all within 30 minutes of landing in the country. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Giraffe Centre are nearby, as is the Karen Blixen Museum for those wanting a bit of culture. At the lodge itself, you can tour the farm, wander the gardens, or simply relax with a drink and enjoy the views. It’s a gentle, grounding way to either begin or end a Kenya journey.

Sustainability: Ololo is deeply committed to sustainability and self-sufficiency. Their organic farm produces much of what’s served at the table - fruit, vegetables, herbs, eggs, even honey - and guests are welcome to wander through it. The lodge runs on solar power, uses harvested rainwater, and minimises waste wherever possible. Employment and training of local staff is a key focus, and there's a genuine effort to operate in harmony with the surrounding landscape. It’s a great example of how small-scale tourism in Kenya can be comfortable, authentic, and low-impact all at once.