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Ol Malo is a privately-owned game sanctuary on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River in Kenya's wild and beautiful North Eastern Province - 5000 acres of spectacular bush country overlooked by Mount Kenya and teeming with the elusive antelope from which the land takes its name. In this majestic setting - on a rock escarpment on the edge of the Laikipia Plateau,bordering the tribal heartlands of the nomadic Samburu people – the Francombe family and their Samburu neighbours have created a home for themselves and a dream destination for the privileged few who seek a glimpse into the true heart of Africa.
Near the original family home a comfortable sitting and dining room welcome guests to one of Kenya’s most breathtaking views. Ideal for honeymooners and couples, a maze of slated pathways wind down to four rock and olive wood cottages. Nestled in the cliffs each room has its own veranda and complete privacy, with ensuite bathrooms and the famous Francombe baths. Looking out from cosy cedar post beds, large picture windows frame Mt Kenya and the constantly changing landscape. An infinity pool adds to the beauty as well as the amenity of the lodge.
Ice cold drinks and lunch, al fresco, is served at the pool and is a very informal affair, followed by an afternoon by the pool, relaxing or a visit to the Ol Malo shop.
Horse riding, camel riding, nature walks, night drives, picnic breakfasts, lunches, river walks, sundowners on the rocks, barbeques in the bush, a visit to the Samburu workshop, the use of a helicopter to get a birds eye view are some of the many activities on-site and offers guests an experience of a life time.
Rooms
Smooth lawns and carefully tended shrubberies sweep down to a cliff edge, providing a vantage point for activity at the watering hole and salt lick below. A maze of slated pathways wind down to four rock and olive wood cottages.
Each double room has its own veranda and complete privacy. Large picture windows frame a wild, constantly changing landscape – clouds scud across the sky, stately eagles wheel and glide on thermals above the plains.
Property Facilities
Eco Friendly, Internet Access, Mobile Connectivity, Pool
Room Facilities
Shower, Verandah
Elephant, buffalo, Eland, Beisa Oryx, Grant gazelle, Impala, common and grevy Zebra, reticulated Giraffe, Lelwels Hartebeeste, Gerenuk, Greater Kudu, Water Buck, Klipspringer, Steenbok, Gunthers Dik Dik, Warthog, Wild dog, Leopard, Cheetah, Lion, spotted and striped Hyena: where else on earth can you go out for a drive in an open vehicle – with a Samburu guide and driver – and be virtually certain to see such a wide-ranging selection of elusive, wild game?
An experienced Samburu guides will take you on a nature walk to show you the Little Five – ant lion, leopard tortoise, elephant shrew, rhino beetle, buffalo weaver. Or you can choose to learn about the plants the Samburu use for medicine and food. Or stand in amazement at the sight of the 330 named species of birds found at Ol Malo.
Go horse or camel riding on the plains – a wonderful way to see the game, which won’t flee from horses and camels: you get very close to the action indeed. For the more adventurous – horse riding down towards the river; cross-country mountain biking; running with a Samburu warrior to set the pace.There's always time to try our home brew at the end of an adventurous day!
Pay a welcome visit to our neighbours, the Samburu people. Visit their local school or head to the market if you visit on a Tuesday or Saturday. Visit to the Ol Malo workshop to see the women beading and design a bracelet or anklet for your style (payable directly).
Enjoy Al fresco dining
Day trip by helicopter from Ol Malo over the Suguta valley sand dunes to the Jade Sea, and return back to Ol Malo. A total of 5 hours flying with a picnic lunch.
Half day trips or shorter are also available - head out at sunrise or sunset to a special location to toast the sun.
R44 and R66 choppers are flown with doors off for viewing maximization. Piloted by Andrew and his team who have been all over Kenya by air and know all the secret spots. Sundowners on granite outcrops, breakfasts by flamingo pools, fishing trips, and lunch in the deserts of the North…Kenya’s best-kept secrets are out there!
If you are here for long enough there are options for sleeping out: Spend a romantic night in the tree house under a blanket of stars (dependent on the weather), or sleep in the leopard hide and see what comes in to the waterhole. With enough notice we can organise for one to fly camp on the river.
Ol Malo is a working family ranch and tries to be as self sufficient as possible. Learn about livestock caring, grazing and husbandry in this harsh environment. Play with the lambs, collect freshly laid eggs for your breakfast and lend a hand at milking the cows.
Head out on a multi-day walking or riding safari with support by camels, exploring in the fashion safari started. Meals are cooked by open fire, and overnights are spent in pop up tents. Minimum of 2 people and 2 nights, ideal for small groups (max 4 on horseback and 6 by foot).
