Ol Donyo Lodge

Location: Ol Donyo Lodge is set deep in the Chyulu Hills, between Kenya’s Tsavo and Amboseli national parks, on the private Mbirikani Group Ranch. It’s a landscape of lava flows, acacia woodland, and sweeping savannah, with Mount Kilimanjaro towering on the horizon. Remote, wild, and utterly beautiful, this is one of the most scenically striking parts of Kenya - and unlike the busier safari hotspots, it’s blissfully quiet. The lodge sits on 275,000 acres of Maasai-owned land, offering exclusive access to a vast, untamed wilderness where you’re unlikely to see another vehicle all day.

Rooms: There are just eight suites at Ol Donyo Lodge, each with panoramic views across the plains and up to Kilimanjaro. Rooms are designed for privacy and indulgence, with high thatched ceilings, cool stone floors, private plunge pools, and rooftop terraces where you can sleep under the stars. Interiors feel contemporary yet rooted in place, blending rustic textures with elegant design. Bathrooms are big and open, with deep baths and indoor/outdoor showers. The lodge also includes a two-bedroom family villa for those travelling together. It’s intimate, luxurious, and completely in tune with the landscape around it.

Amenities: Despite its remote setting, Ol Donyo offers top-tier comfort. There’s a central lounge and dining space with open fires and incredible views, a library, a well-stocked wine cellar, and a gorgeous infinity pool looking out across the plains. The food is thoughtful and beautifully prepared, and the service strikes that rare balance of polished and personal. There’s also a small spa offering massages and treatments using locally inspired ingredients - perfect after a day out in the bush. Every element here feels generous without ever being over the top.

Activities: Ol Donyo offers a refreshingly varied safari experience. You can explore the landscape on foot, by 4x4, or on horseback - one of the few places in Kenya where riding safaris are offered for experienced riders. Day and night game drives take you through diverse terrain home to elephants, lions, cheetahs, and plains game, and the region is particularly good for birdlife. There’s a sunken photographic hide right by a busy waterhole for quiet, close-up wildlife viewing, and guided Maasai-led walks for a deeper understanding of the land. The lodge’s flexible, low-volume approach allows for a deeply personal experience.

Sustainability: Ol Donyo is part of the Great Plains Conservation portfolio and is widely recognised for its commitment to community-focused conservation. The lodge operates entirely on solar energy, supports anti-poaching efforts, and contributes directly to local education and healthcare initiatives through the Great Plains Foundation. Crucially, it works in partnership with the local Maasai community to protect this vast tract of land, creating long-term benefits through tourism and conservation. Staying here isn’t just a luxury - it’s a powerful way to contribute to the future of Kenya’s wild spaces.