For travellers seeking a safari experience that goes beyond the ordinary, Ol Donyo Lodge offers a compelling blend of luxury, adventure, and meaningful conservation. Located in the heart of Kenya’s Chyulu Hills, this award-winning lodge is a haven for those who want to explore one of Africa’s most pristine wilderness areas while contributing to its protection.

A Setting of Unparalleled Beauty

Ol Donyo Lodge is uniquely positioned on the slopes of the Chyulu Hills, within the 275,000-acre Mbirikani Group Ranch, a private Maasai-owned conservancy . This exclusive location places it between two of Kenya’s most iconic national parks, Amboseli and Tsavo West, creating a vital wildlife corridor . Its most stunning feature is the breathtaking, panoramic view of the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, which dominates the horizon on clear days

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As one of Kenya’s only three Relais & Châteaux properties, the lodge is perched on a hillside with views of East Africa’s classic savannahs below

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The Lodge: Sustainable Luxury

The lodge is designed with a commitment to its environment. The suites are constructed from local materials like granite and grass thatch to blend seamlessly into the landscape. Each of the nine suites offers a high degree of privacy, complete with en-suite bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers, and a private plunge pool with views over the plains

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A hallmark of Ol Donyo is the “star bed” on each suite’s rooftop. This is a platform where guests can choose to sleep under a canopy of stars, offering an unforgettable experience of the African night sky, accompanied by the sounds of the bush

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Conservation at its Core

Ol Donyo Lodge is more than just a place to stay; it is a key player in a major conservation success story. The lodge is a proud part of the Great Plains Conservation portfolio, an organization dedicated to “Conservation Tourism”

. A significant portion of the nightly fee goes directly to the Big Life Foundation to support anti-poaching and wildlife protection in the area. They also pay annual lease fees to the local Maasai community, directly linking tourism to community benefit and habitat preservation.

The Great Plains Foundation supports a wide range of projects in the region, including the Big Cats Initiative which works to reduce human-wildlife conflict and preserve land for big cats . They also invest in community empowerment through initiatives such as the Naboisho Women’s Group and school feeding programmes that deliver meals to thousands of students daily

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A Safari Experience Unlike Any Other

The game-viewing at Ol Donyo is characterized by its exclusivity and diversity. As the only lodge in this vast area, you can expect to explore without the crowds often found in more famous parks like the Maasai Mara . The area is home to a wide variety of animals, including the “Big Five” (elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, and buffalo), cheetah, and unique species like the long-necked gerenuk The lodge offers an exceptional range of activities for all interests

• Game Drives: Day and night drives in customised open-sided vehicles allow guests to track wildlife, with expert Maasai guides and trackers leading the way
• Horseback & Mountain Bike Safaris: Explore the plains from a unique vantage point. Horseback safaris are offered for beginners to advanced riders, and guided mountain bike excursions provide an active way to see the landscape
• Guided Walking Safaris: Learn about the smaller details of the ecosystem—from medicinal plants to insects—on a bush walk led by an armed guide
• The Underground Hide: One of the lodge’s most prized features is its underground hide at the waterhole, offering an incredible eye-level perspective of animals, including the famous “super tuskers,” coming to drink

Ol Donyo Lodge Rates

Board	Mid	Low	High
per person per night sharing	$ 1 775	$ 1 590	$ 2,555
Single supplement*	$ 888	$ 795	$ 1,278
Child sharing with adults rate (5 -15 years)	$ 888	$ 795	$ 1,278
2-Bedroom Sambu Suite
per Suite per night	$ 5,325	$4,770	$ 7,665
Common Charges
Pilot/Guide rate per night	$ 365
Private vehicle rate	$ 924 per vehicle per night
Great Plains Foundation Conservation & Community Contribution	$ 100 per person (of any age) per night

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Seasons:

• Low:-01 April – 14 June & 01 November – 19 December 2025
• Mid:-  11 January – 31 March 2025
• High:-15 June – 31 October 2025 & 20 December 2025 – 10 January 2026

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Notes

• Fully inclusive of accommodation, scheduled activities (including horseback riding), meals, Star bed experience, Big Life conservation fees, daily laundry service, return Chyulu airstrip road transfers, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages including premium brand spirits and champagne.
• Exclusive of nightly Great Plains Foundation conservation levy, spa treatments and additional activities such as day trips to Amboseli National Park.
• The return scheduled seat in plane air transfers from Nairobi Wilson or properties in the greater Chyulu Hills/Amboseli region to this camp are automatically included in the nightly rate – subject to a minimum 2-night stay. Where air transfers are from properties located outside of these routings, the standard applicable flying costs will apply.
• Safarilink offer daily scheduled flights between Nairobi’s Wilson airport and ol Donyo Lodge. Schedules and rates available on request.Minimum 2 guests required per flight.
• During 01 April – 15 June and 01 November – 15 December 2025, the daily Safarilink scheduled flight from Nairobi Wilson Airport to ol Donyo Lodge departs only in the morning. Please consider this when booking connecting flights and air transfers.
• Safarilink mainly uses a Cessna Caravan (12 seats) but other smaller aircraft could be used.
• Scheduled air transfer service could land at additional airstrips en route to ol Donyo or Nairobi, depending on passenger demand.
• * For all multiple single-room reservations in shoulder and low season, a single supplement will apply from the 2nd single room.
• Each guest suite includes one pair of high-quality binoculars and a professional camera set, including a camera body and lenses for guest’s complimentary use. Photos will be downloaded to a memory stick on guest’s departure.
• Check out time is 09:00am and guests may use public areas until departure. Late checkouts are unfortunately not available.

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Child Policy

• Children are accommodated from a minimum age of 5 years.
• Activities will cater to family ability & safety. Some activities may have a specific age-related restriction – please refer to the general notes at the end of this manual

Deluxe Pool Suites

• Child rates are applicable for up to one child 15 and younger sharing with two adults in a suite.
• Children 16 and older pay the applicable adult rates and will be accommodated in a separate suite.
• Families will be combined with other guests for all wildlife viewing activities.

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Sambu Suite

• Sambu Suite rate is calculated on a per Suite basis sleeping maximum 4 guests sharing.
• Should the Sambu suite be unavailable, child rates are applicable for up to one child 15 and younger sharing with two adults in a deluxe pool suite.
• Child rates do not apply because the Suite is sold on exclusive use basis only.

See Also Campi ya Kanzi another Chyullu Hills Luxury Safari Lodge

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Seasonal Special Offers:

• Pay for 3 Stay for 4: For a limited period, extend your stay on us!
• Maasai Mara and Chyulu Hills Combo: Combine and save with extended stays across our premium destinations.

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Seek Adventure, Find Serenity

Find your adventure soaring above the plains or touching the earth among the wildlife. Then, as dusk descends, return to the sanctuary of Ol Donyo Lodge to rest, refresh, and relive the day’s wonders.

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Journey to the Heart of Wilderness

• Aerial access via Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, only 50 minutes away.
• Private air charters welcomed; airstrip details upon request.

Pairing with Sister Properties

Ol Donyo Lodge pairs perfectly with its sister properties in the Maasai Mara, allowing guests to experience two dramatically different Kenyan landscapes in one journey . The semi-arid Chyulu Hills region offers a different safari experience to the lush grasslands of the Mara, with lower wildlife densities but greater exclusivity and unique scenery

• Mara Plains Camp:Located in the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Mara Plains Camp is the flagship property of Great Plains’ Mara camps . This area boasts the lowest vehicle density in Kenya’s greater Maasai Mara region and the highest concentration of big cats anywhere in Africa . The camp offers luxury tented suites, game drives, night drives, hot air ballooning, and cultural experiences. It is the most sought-after luxury tented camp in the Mara conservancies
• Mara Nyika Camp:-Mara Nyika Camp is another of Great Plains’ Relais & Châteaux properties in the Maasai Mara, offering similarly high standards of accommodation and service . It provides access to excellent wildlife viewing in one of Africa’s most famous safari destinations.
• Mara Expedition Camp and Mara Toto Camp:For those seeking a more adventurous, exploration-style experience, Mara Expedition Camp and Mara Toto Camp offer a more intimate connection with the bush while still maintaining Great Plains’ high standards

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Combining Ol Donyo Lodge with a stay in the Mara allows travellers to experience the best of both worlds: the dramatic Kilimanjaro views and exclusive wilderness of the Chyulu Hills, followed by the extraordinary wildlife densities and big cat sightings of the Maasai Mara

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For discerning travellers, Ol Donyo Lodge represents the pinnacle of what a modern safari should be. It combines five-star luxury, a dramatic and unspoiled setting, and a genuine commitment to conservation. Whether it’s the thrill of sleeping on a rooftop under the stars, the privilege of seeing a “super tusker” from a hidden underground hide, or the knowledge that your visit supports the Maasai community and protects endangered wildlife, Ol Donyo Lodge offers an experience that is as profound as it is luxurious

 

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Réserve-Collection luxury safari camps inAfrica

• Fellow Kenyan Réserve-Collection luxury safari camps include Mara Nyika Camp and The Sambuk Suite at Mara Nyika. There is also Mara Plains Camp and The Jahazi Suite at Mara Plains. Additionally, Mara Toto Tree Camp is included.
• 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 are also included. We have Sitatunga Private Island and the Sitatunga Private Island Suite. Finally, there’s Duba Plains Camp and the Duba Plains Suite.

The Great Plains Réserve-Collection Kenya safari camps are the country’s only Relais & Châteaux members.

Nearby & Similar Camps

Ol Donyo Lodge is ideally situated in the Chyulu Hills, making it easy to combine with other luxury safari camps in southern Kenya and beyond. Recommended nearby and similar options include:

• Campi ya Kanzi – A pioneering eco-lodge on Maasai-owned land in the Chyulu Hills, blending luxury with authentic Maasai culture.
• Elephant Gorge Camp – A boutique safari retreat in Amboseli with sweeping views of Mount Kilimanjaro and a strong conservation focus.
• Tortilis Camp – Set on a private conservancy near Amboseli, famous for its elephant herds and Kilimanjaro vistas.
• Tawi Lodge – An intimate lodge combining Maasai culture, conservation, and stylish accommodation near Amboseli National Park.
• Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp – A classic and exclusive tented camp in the Maasai Mara, perfect for extending your safari adventure.

Ol Donyo pairs well with safaris in Amboseli, Tsavo, or the Maasai Mara, allowing travelers to enjoy diverse ecosystems within one seamless journey.