ol Donyo A Relais & Chateaux Property, An Exceptional Safari Lodge For The Most Discerning Traveller
ol Donyo Lodge is located in the heart of the 275 000 acre Mbirikani Ranch that borders Chyulu Hills National Park, a wilderness area between Amboseli and Tsavo West National Parks.
Being a Relais & Chateaux property, one can expect nothing short of the best, whether it be cuisine, accommodation, service, safari experiences or guides. A stay at ol Donyo Lodge is up there with the very best in Africa and the world.
There are few lodges in Africa that can offer as many safari experiences as to what is on offer around ol Donyo, including; game drives, walking safari, and horseback adventures to mountain biking, to mention a few.
Wildlife encounters are among the best in Kenya; large herds of elephants, prides of lions, leopards, and numerous plains game sightings are common, and birdlife is also rather good.
Highlights
- ol Donyo is a Relais & Chateaux property
- Those large and luxurious suites with private plunge pools
- Views over the surrounding plains and hills
- Game drives, walking safaris and exceptional wildlife viewing
- Horse riding and night drives for those who are interested
- Cuisine and bush picnics at ol Donyo
- Star beds under the night sky
- One of the most luxurious safari lodges in Kenya
Information
- Lodge type; Relais & Chateaux Safari Lodge
- Location; Chyulu Hills National Park
- Lodge size; 7 Luxury Suites
- Recommended stay; 3-5 nights
Rooms and Suites
ol Donyo Lodge, part of the Great Plains Conservation portfolio, offers guests six luxurious pool suites and one two-bedroomed family suite (seven in total); all suites offer the ultimate in privacy and location with outstanding views from all.
All suites have thatched roofing, private verandahs, lounge area, large bedrooms and magnificent en-suite bathrooms; a worthy mention is that all suites offer a star bed atop each suite, perfect for a romantic and adventurous night out under the stars.
The en-suite bathrooms offer up; flushing toilets, hot and cold water, indoor and outdoor showers, double basins and large stone bathtubs.
All ol Donyo Lodge suites offer up a private plunge pool with views out over the watering hole, the surrounding savannah and Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance.
Cuisine and Wine
The chef and their team in the kitchen at ol Donyo Lodge offer sumptuous and healthy meals throughout the day and night. One will most certainly not feel short-changed here when it comes to cuisine; truly spectacular in our opinion; this is a Relais and Châteaux establishment, after all.
Meals are served either indoors in the dining room or outdoors around the pool and on the verandah. The bush breakfast option whilst out on safari is highly recommended.
We do mention meals a fair bit, but in truth, fine dining is a better definition of what one can look forward to.
A private cellar with a hand-picked wine selection is available for dinners and lunches.
Facilities
The utterly unique central guest area at ol Donyo Lodge, the social hub of the lodge. A thatched roof and those open-fronted views out over the Chyulu Hills and Mbirikani Group Ranch, a double lounge with a small library, an indoor dining room, a grand stone fireplace and those commanding views from the expansive verandah.
An infinity pool with sun loungers, manicured lawns and an outdoor dining area all offer up those incredible views.
A boutique curio shop with local arts and crafts is perfect for supporting local artists and Maasai communities.
Wi-Fi and internet facilities are available to guests in and around most areas of ol Donyo, as is a laundry service.
Activities
Almost a never-ending list of activities is on offer, more than enough to keep most people occupied for weeks on end, never mind a short 3-night stay. One generally starts by deciding what mode of transport one would enjoy; by safari vehicle, horseback or even mountain bike; once that decision has been made, then look at one’s interests, wildlife, birdlife, culture, history and/or scenery.
There is no routine to which one must stick to when staying at ol Donyo Lodge, a few simple decisions, and off you go.
And let us not forget that completely unwinding and relaxing at the pool is also considered an activity; always remember to have that camera close by as you never know what you will see.
Safari activity list at ol Donyo Lodge includes;
- Game drives (day & night) stocked with snacks and drinks
- “Big Five” photography and sightings
- Mountain biking
- Bushwalks and hikes
- Log pile and sunken hide at the waterhole
- Day trips to Amboseli Park (extra cost)
- Visits to Maasai villages (extra cost)
- Conservation efforts of the Big Life Foundation
- Horseback riding
Child Friendly
ol Donyo Lodge welcomes families with children between the ages of 5 to 15 years of age (children 16 years and older are regarded as adults) with suitable accommodation, meals and safari activities. A kids’ program is available in which the little ones can explore a range of experiences and topics, from birding to cooking to art to wildlife tracking.
ol Donyo is unfenced, and children must be supervised at all times by their parents.
In Conclusion
We could go on and on about the luxury that awaits at ol Donyo Lodge by Great Plains Conservation, but we’ll let the about pictures do most of the talking on that point.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable escape into nature with all of the creature comforts one could hope for, look no further – this is where dreams are made. From private plunge pools to star beds to incredible views, this lodge has it all.
And if that’s not enough, the cuisine and wine alone will make you feel like royalty.
So what are you waiting for? Contact us today to book your dream safari vacation at ol Donyo Lodge.
