Ol Donyo Lodge:
A Conservation-Focused Safari in the Shadow of Kilimanjaro
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 .
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
Experience the epitome of tranquility in The Deluxe Pool Suites.
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 .
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
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
🦁 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.
🐾 Wildlife Highlights
| Category | Species |
|---|---|
| 🐘 Big Five | Elephant · Rhino · Lion · Leopard · Buffalo |
| 🐆 Predators | Cheetah |
| 🦒 Unique Species | Long-necked gerenuk |
🎯 Exceptional Activities for All Interests
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| 🚙 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 2027
🏊 Deluxe Pool Suite
| Category | 🟢 Low | 🟡 Shoulder | 🔴 Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person Sharing | $1,960 | $1,755 | $2,825 |
| Single Supplement* | $980 | $877 | $1,413 |
| Child Sharing (6–15 yrs) 👨👩👧 | $980 | $877 | $1,413 |
🏡 2-Bedroom Sambu Suite ⭐ Exclusive Use
| Category | 🟢 Low | 🟡 Shoulder | 🔴 Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Suite | $5,880 | $5,265 | $8,475 |
📅 Seasons (2027)
| Season | Dates |
|---|---|
| 🟢 Low | 11 Jan – 31 Mar |
| 🟡 Shoulder | 1 Apr – 14 Jun · 1 Nov – 19 Dec |
| 🔴 Peak | 15 Jun – 31 Oct · 20 Dec – 10 Jan |
💰 Common Charges
| Item | Rate |
|---|---|
| ✈️ Pilot / Guide | $390 per person per night |
| 🚙 Private Vehicle | $980 per vehicle per night |
| 🌿 Foundation Contribution | $100 per person per night |
✅ Includes
| 🏕️ | Accommodation |
| 🎯 | Scheduled activities (including horseback riding) |
| 🍽️ | Meals |
| 🛏️ | Star bed experience |
| 🌿 | Big Life conservation fees |
| 👕 | Daily laundry |
| 🚙 | Return Chyulu airstrip road transfers |
| 🍾 | Beverages including premium spirits & champagne |
❌ Excludes
| 🌿 | Foundation levy |
| 💆 | Spa treatments |
| 🎭 | Cultural experiences |
| 🐘 | Day trips to Amboseli |
✈️ Air Transfer Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| ✈️ Included Transfers | Return scheduled seat-in-plane transfers from Nairobi Wilson or greater Chyulu Hills/Amboseli properties included (minimum 2-night stay) |
| 🛫 Safarilink Flights | Daily flights Nairobi Wilson ↔ Ol Donyo Lodge · Minimum 2 guests per flight |
| ⏰ Morning Departure Only | 1 Apr – 15 Jun & 1 Nov – 15 Dec 2027: Nairobi Wilson departure is morning only |
👨👩👧 Child Policy
| Policy | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 6 years |
| Horse Riding | From 12 years (experienced riders only) |
| Triple in Standard Suite | On request at additional cost |
| Sambu Suite | 4 adults or 5 guests including children on request |
🕘 Check-Out
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🕘 Check-Out Time | 09:00 |
🇰🇪 KENYA | Scheduled Air Transfers
📅 Valid: 1 Jan – 31 Dec 2027 · Net, non-commissionable · Per person
✈️ Scheduled Air Transfers
| Route | Rate | Flying Time |
|---|---|---|
| 🦁 Nairobi Wilson ↔ Mara Expedition, Mara Nyika, Sambuk Suite, Mara Toto, Mara Plains, Jahazi Suite | ✅ No charge — included in nightly rate | 1h – 1h15 |
| 🏕️ Nairobi Wilson ↔ Zamara Private | ✅ No charge — included for first 12 guests* | 1h – 1h15 |
| 🏔️ Nairobi Wilson ↔ ol Donyo Lodge, Shompole | ✅ No charge — included in nightly rate | 50m – 1h15 |
| 🔗 ol Donyo Lodge ↔ Great Plains Maasai Mara camps | ✅ No charge — included in nightly rate | 1h10 |
| 🔗 ol Donyo Lodge ↔ Third-party Maasai Mara properties | ⏳ TBC | — |
🔗 See Also: Campi ya Kanzi — another Chyulu Hills Luxury Safari Lodge
🇰🇪 KENYA OFFERS
🎁 Offer 1 — Stay 4, Pay 3
🦁 Free Night on Us
Experience the best safari destinations Kenya has to offer. Stay for 4 nights at any of our Maasai Mara camps or the magnificent ol Donyo Lodge in the Chyulu Hills and only pay for 3.
💚 Combine & Save Even More
Extend your ultimate Kenyan safari experience by combining 4 nights at either Maasai Mara camp with 4 nights at ol Donyo Lodge and only pay for 6 nights — that’s 2 free nights!
🏕️ Eligible Camps
| Camp | Location |
|---|---|
| 🦁 Mara Plains Camp & The Jahazi Suite | Olare Motorogi Conservancy |
| 🦁 Mara Nyika Camp & The Sambuk Suite | Naboisho Conservancy |
| 🏕️ Mara Expedition Camp | Maasai Mara |
| 🌳 Mara Toto Tree Camp | Maasai Mara |
| 🐘 Shompole (opening December 2026) | Chyulu Hills |
| 🏔️ ol Donyo Lodge | Chyulu Hills |
📅 Validity
| Camp | Travel Window |
|---|---|
| 🦁 Mara Nyika · Mara Toto · Mara Expedition | 1 Oct – 19 Dec 2026 · 11 Jan – 14 Jun 2027 · 1 Oct – 19 Dec 2027 |
| 🦁 Mara Plains · ol Donyo Lodge · Shompole | 1 Nov – 19 Dec 2026 · 11 Jan – 14 Jun 2027 · 1 Nov – 19 Dec 2027 |
📋 Terms & Conditions
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| 🛏️ Minimum Stay | Minimum 4-night stay at one eligible camp |
| 🚫 Exclusions | Not available at Zamara Private |
| 💵 Rate Basis | Valid on standard guest US$ rate accommodation reservations |
| 🧭 Additional Costs | Guide rates and private safari drive vehicle rates are additional |
| 🌿 Fees Apply | Conservation, park fees and levies apply to all free nights |
| ✈️ Air Transfers | Return scheduled air transfers from Nairobi Wilson Airport included |
| 🔗 Combinability | Offers cannot be combined · Offered on a stand-alone basis per reservation |
💍 Offer 2 — Honeymoon & Anniversary
💖 25% Off Accommodation
Strengthen and renew your vows in Africa. When staying on honeymoon at any Great Plains camp, the celebrating couple each receive 25% off their Great Plains accommodation costs.
Thinking of celebrating your nuptials on a Kenyan safari? Talk to us about arranging a special and unique Maasai blessing ceremony to cement those vows.
📅 Validity — Aligned to the selected camp’s Green or Shoulder Season
| Region | Travel Window |
|---|---|
| 🌍 Botswana | 1 Oct 2026 – 14 Jun 2027 · 1 Oct 2027 – 10 Jan 2028 |
| 🦁 Kenya — Mara Nyika · Mara Expedition · Mara Toto | 1 Oct – 19 Dec 2026 · 11 Jan – 14 Jun 2027 · 1 Oct – 19 Dec 2027 |
| 🦁 Kenya — Mara Plains · ol Donyo Lodge · Shompole | 1 Nov – 19 Dec 2026 · 11 Jan – 14 Jun 2027 · 1 Nov – 19 Dec 2027 |
📋 Terms & Conditions
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚫 Exclusions | Not available at Zamara Private |
| 🔗 Combinability | Cannot be combined with any other specials |
| 💍 Marriage Certificate | Valid for guests holding a marriage certificate travelling within 6 months of the ceremony |
| 💖 Anniversary | Also valid for those celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary or any subsequent anniversary |
| 📄 Proof Required | Proof of marriage date must be supplied at time of reservation enquiry |
📊 Quick Comparison — Kenya Offers at a Glance
| Offer | Discount | Minimum Stay | Eligible Camps | Key Restriction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏕️ Stay 4, Pay 3 | 1 free night (25%) | 4 nights | Mara Plains · Mara Nyika · Mara Expedition · Mara Toto · Shompole · ol Donyo | Not at Zamara Private |
| 🦁 Stay 8, Pay 6 | 2 free nights (25%) | 8 nights (4+4 combo) | Maasai Mara camp + ol Donyo Lodge | Not at Zamara Private |
| 💍 Honeymoon / Anniversary | 25% off accommodation | No minimum | All Great Plains camps | Not at Zamara Private · Marriage certificate required |
🌅 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.
✈️ Journey to the Heart of Wilderness
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🛫 Aerial access | Via Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, only 50 minutes away |
| 🛩️ Private charters | 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.
| Property | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 🦁 Mara Plains Camp | Olare Motorogi Conservancy | Flagship property of Great Plains’ Mara camps · Lowest vehicle density in Kenya’s greater Maasai Mara · Highest concentration of big cats in Africa · Luxury tented suites · Game drives · Night drives · Hot air ballooning · Cultural experiences · Most sought-after luxury tented camp in the Mara conservancies |
| 🦁 Mara Nyika Camp | Maasai Mara | Another of Great Plains’ Relais & Châteaux properties · Similarly high standards of accommodation and service · Access to excellent wildlife viewing in one of Africa’s most famous safari destinations |
| 🏕️ Mara Expedition Camp & Mara Toto Camp | Maasai Mara | For those seeking a more adventurous, exploration-style experience · More intimate connection with the bush while still maintaining Great Plains’ high standards |
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.
🏆 The Pinnacle of Modern Safari
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 in Africa
Fellow Kenyan Réserve-Collection luxury safari camps include the following exceptional properties across Africa.
🇰🇪 Kenya — Réserve-Collection Camps
| Camp | Suite | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 🦁 Mara Nyika Camp | The Sambuk Suite | Maasai Mara |
| 🦁 Mara Plains Camp | The Jahazi Suite | Olare Motorogi Conservancy |
| 🏕️ Mara Toto Tree Camp | — | Maasai Mara |
⭐ The Great Plains Réserve-Collection Kenya safari camps are the country’s only Relais & Châteaux members.
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe — Réserve-Collection Camps
| Camp | Suite | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 🐘 Tembo Plains Camp | The Zanji Suite | Zimbabwe |
🇧🇼 Botswana — Réserve-Collection Camps
| Camp | Suite | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 🐘 Zarafa Camp | The Dhow Suite | Botswana |
| 🦁 Selinda Camp | The Selinda Suite | Botswana |
| 🏝️ Sitatunga Private Island | The Sitatunga Private Island Suite | Botswana |
| 🐃 Duba Plains Camp | The Duba Plains Suite | Botswana |
🔗 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 & Similar Options
| Camp | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 🏕️ Campi ya Kanzi | Chyulu Hills | Pioneering eco-lodge on Maasai-owned land · Blends luxury with authentic Maasai culture |
| 🐘 Elephant Gorge Camp | Amboseli | Boutique safari retreat · Sweeping views of Mount Kilimanjaro · Strong conservation focus |
| 🐘 Tortilis Camp | Private conservancy near Amboseli | Famous for its elephant herds and Kilimanjaro vistas |
| 🏕️ Tawi Lodge | Near Amboseli National Park | Intimate lodge combining Maasai culture, conservation, and stylish accommodation |
| 🏕️ Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp | Maasai Mara | Classic and exclusive tented camp · 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.