Ol Donyo Lodge

With scenic views over Africa’s most famous mountain, Ol Donyo Lodge also enjoys excellent game viewing and offers a wide variety of safari and game viewing activities.

Unique, luxurious accommodation

Ol Donyo is a 22-bed safari lodge with only 10 cottages, perched on a hillside to offer spectacular views over the game-rich plains below, and the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance. Each unit is en-suite (indoor and outdoor shower) and done out in superb luxury, with special attention to the little details that make your stay as comfortable as possible. There are 2 standard cottages with no pools and 8 cottages with their own private sitting room and plunge pool – perfect for families or small groups.

All rooms (except the Hide) have their own rooftop sundowner/"star-beds" spot where you can enjoy superb views and sleep out safely at night under the stars. Lights and water are provided by solar power, with emergency back-up systems for overcast days.

Wide variety of activities

• Early morning and late afternoon/early evening 4×4 game drives
• Bush walks with armed guides
• Half and full-day horseback safaris (with a choice of over 20 quality horses for all experience levels)
• Guided mountain bike safaris
• Visits to the open-air hide or “log-jam”
• Romantic rooftop “star-beds” sleep out experiences
• Authentic Maasai cultural visits
• Tracking wildlife with bloodhounds

The Maasailand Preservation Trust

In 2003, the MPT introduced and pilot-tested a one-of-a-kind conservation model on Mbirikani Group Ranch, which has been an incredible success story. The model consists of:

Predator Compensation Fund – where locals are compensated for the loss of livestock from any predators, which has dramatically reduced the number of killings, especially of lion.

Community Game Scouts – members of the local community are fully trained to assist with everything from anti-poaching to resolving human-wildlife conflicts to maintaining river systems, security and protection of the local fauna and flora.

Education – a great deal has been invested in local students (right through to tertiary level), most of them have returned to provide leadership, much-needed skills and services. Schools have been established and equipped with sporting and educational materials, placing a healthy emphasis on conservation and environmental matters.

Field Research and Lion Guardians - working with a team of scientists and graduates from University of California at Berkeley, lion populations are collared and studied in relation to human socio-economic dynamics, finding ways to minimise human-predator conflict on a sustainable basis.

Getting there

By Air - There are daily scheduled flights departing from Wilson airport. It’s a 50-minute flight by private charter.

By Road - Ol Donyo Lodge is a 4-hour drive to the south-east of Nairobi. Road transfers can be arranged.

Our take on Ol Donyo Lodge

A uniquely attractive and luxurious lodge, Ol Donyo is beautifully situated and offers an excellent safari with the photographic bonus of Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop. It’s also great to see the strides they’ve made in working together with the local community for the good of all.