KENYA TOP PARKS 5 STAR

Immerse yourself in a world of relaxation at Hemingways Nairobi with a luxurious spa experience that restores both mind and body. From calming massages to rejuvenating facials and invigorating treatments, each service is carefully designed using natural, locally sourced ingredients. In a serene and soothing atmosphere, our expert therapists will ease away your tension, leaving you feeling completely refreshed, rejuvenated, and deeply relaxed. Treat yourself to an unforgettable wellness experience that will leave you feeling revitalized and at peace.

Back massage Credit: Hemingways collection

Hot Stone massage Credit: Hemingways collection

Back massage Credit: Hemingways collection

Strong populations of wildlife find their habitat in and around the ol Donyo Lodge environs. While the "Big Five" are here - rhino, elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo - they are often elusive; however, cheetah, fringe-eared oryx, gerenuk, and giraffe make for frequent viewing. Guests are able to track wildlife by open safari vehicles, as well as by foot, or horseback (described below). The best times to be out are from first light for the morning drive, and from 4-4:30 pm for the afternoon drives. These are the times when most of the action is likely to happen. Night drives give you the opportunity to discover a range of unusual and nocturnal animals and view the breathtaking African stars. These drives commence after dinner service at approximately 9:30 pm. Please remember that the vehicles are open and it can be quite chilly in the early mornings and evenings, so take very warm clothing with you on your drives. There are also shukha (blankets) and lined ponchos provided in the vehicles if you get cold while out.

With 275,000 acres of open plains and the dramatic, ancient volcanic soil Chyulu Hills to explore at ol Donyo Lodge this vast region provides a truly unique riding experience. Riding is available all year round at no additional cost.

RIDE OPTIONS
INTERMEDIATE AND ABOVE
For Intermediate riders and above we offer 2 to 4 hour rides exploring the concession. Enjoy exhilarating medium to fast-paced canters and encounters with our famous big Tuskers.
For this riding option, you need to be riding fit, confident and competent, ride with an independent seat and be able to control an easy horse at all paces over uneven terrain.
PLAINS RIDE
Novice riders can enjoy a gentle 60/90 minute ride exploring the open plains.
All riders will need to have a short assessment in our arena prior to setting out to ensure all guests riding out can control their horses and are comfortable at a short trot. If riders do not have the required experience they will be offered a lesson in the arena instead. Plains riders will be given some instruction, a minimum requirement is a short trot.

Another huge benefit of staying outside national parks is that here we are allowed to appreciate the stunning landscape around us on foot, peacefully without the noise of engines. The Chyulu Hills were designed for walking and hiking. We highly recommend this unforgettable experience. Our resident tracker will accompany you and your guide and will carry a firearm. Your guide and the lodge managers will be able to suggest different walks depending on fitness and your interests, such as birding, spelunking, or exploring the plains. Each is a voyage of discovery unveiling secrets of the bush, wildlife movements, medicinal plants and uniquely adapted flora and fauna. Wear good walking shoes, a hat and camouflage-coloured clothing so as not to alarm the wildlife, and take binoculars. Your guide will have water for you.

This is a good opportunity to exercise but also another way of viewing the landscape and wildlife in the area. We recommend cycling during the cooler hours of the day, either in the early morning or late afternoon. Cycling usually takes place on the plains heading toward the kopje or el Mau.

Just below the lodge’s main area is our famous ‘log-pile’ hide named as such because of its elaborate and impressive interwoven construction. A short walk with a cool drink in hand, and you’ve arrived at a secret shaded spot from which to view the many mammals that come in for a drink. This is a tremendous experience, especially during the midday siesta.

Our proximity to Amboseli National Park gives the opportunity for full-day excursions to the park. Guests depart the lodge after breakfast for a leisurely drive across the plains and through small villages. We usually arrive at the park in the mid-morning and depart in the mid-afternoon (with a picnic lunch and a full selection of drinks). We have selected this time of day as it coincides with the time when the guests from the other nearby larger lodges are on siesta, and vehicle density is at its lowest. This is also the time when the elephant and plains game congregate around the waterways and marshes in high density. This excursion can only be guaranteed in advance, please book it at the time of reservation and is subject to additional cost.

ol Donyo Lodge is the ultimate family safari destination. The Young Explorers program is designed to enhance both a child's and a family’s overall safari, weaving themes of conservation and culture into each fun activity with the intention of giving children tangible examples and moments to bring back to their peer group. The future of conservation is, after all, in the hands of these young ambassadors.

We offer a full range of activities from bush survival skills including making sling shots, bows and arrows and creating fire using traditional Maasai techniques, to watercolor painting and so much more.

FITNESS

- Yoga mat, and light weights available in each suite;

- Stationary exercise bikes:

- Guests can enjoy a run/walk on the airstrip.

A Bell 505 helicopter is available, and guests can enjoy 180-degree views with a choice of aerial scenic tours. These include viewing the Chyulu Hills, Amboseli, and Mount Kilimanjaro from the air. In addition to the scenic tours, guests can also visit Amboseli to explore this area with a Great Plains guide and safari drive as well as reserve helicopter transfers from Nairobi to our Mara-based safari camps or Nairobi and ol Donyo Lodge .

A team of fully-qualified driver guides are on hand for vehicle safaris across the conservancy. The specially adapted open vehicles allow for excellent viewing but it is the richness of the game that our guests talk about. All the main safari predators, the rare Grevy zebra and of course the threatened rhino, both black and white, can be viewed in abundance. A particular favourite and well recognised aspect of the area near the lodge are the good elephant numbers. The game drives are on your terms using our experience and are not limited to daylight hours. We often explore the conservancy by night using spotlight and the full moon when it obliges. Lewa offers a very good opportunity to see the Big 5.

One of the most popular ways to explore the conservancy is in a more traditional fashion – on foot. Lewa Wilderness’ expert Masai walking guides, who have lived here all their lives, explore Lewa with guests to really get up close to many of our wild neighbours. Out walking almost nothing is a barrier and ground is covered very easily making the safari experience so much more real. Guests either walk in the early morning or early evening before dark.

With over thirty horses in our stables Lewa Wilderness is well equipped to explore our wilderness. With everything from ponies up, they are able to cater for a wide range of experience levels and have become very accustomed to accommodating groups of mixed ability. They offer extensive exploration on horseback and it is one of the very popular ways to investigate and safari through the open lands to the east of the lodge. For experienced riders full morning or full day rides can be arranged, or spend the night out with the horses and our fly camp!

For something a little out of the ordinary, why not ride a camel! Guests can opt for a short ride in the bush, or for those seeking further adventure Walking Wild is our camel safari operation. This involves a longer camel trek (2 nights minimum) where guests walk across the African plains while the camels and Maasai guides transport the camp.

Visit our 'Shamba' ( Farm ) where we grow all the fresh fruit and vegetables for the lodge. There are cows, chickens and goats free range down here too. We try and be as self sustaining as possible, and this is a lovely place to explore.

Join us on the farm for a guided “back of house” tour ending in our organic garden with a freshly cooked lunch beneath the Mango trees. Such a special atmosphere celebrating our ethos of sustainable living at Wilderness.

Drive or walk to your exclusive campsite for the night and spend the evening around the campfire. Our fly camp is simple but extremely comfortable, with hot bucket showers and cosy tents, there is a mosquito dome option for those who want to sleep under the stars. For advanced horse riders we can also ride there. This experience ensures adventure in comfort.

There is a fully equipped gym at the lodge.

Lewa Wilderness provides employment and training to local people through Lewa Crafts Furniture and Kifuma Weaving project. All of the beautiful furniture in the lodge is designed and created in our workshop, fashioned out of salvaged acacia wood and crafted into unique designs. The carpet weaving uses natural wool, spun and woven by hand into beautiful rugs for sale in our gift shop. Guests are welcome to visit both projects and see the craftsmanship at first hand.

The nearby Ngare Ndare Forest offers a different ecosystem to explore, with a treetop canopy walk and spectacular waterfalls where you can swim and enjoy a picnic lunch. This is a full day trip.

For those guests interested in the local traditional culture, there is an authentic Maasai village where guests can spend the day enjoying a unique experience interacting with amazing people. This is a full day trip.

Air Wilderness is able to offer scenic flights straight from the lodge in our cessna 206 which takes up to 4 passengers. Fly to RETETI Elephant Orphanage for their morning feed, or cruise low level along the Ewaso Ng'iro River and stop for a sundowner in a remote location. Air Wilderness can also be chartered privately to take you wherever you need to go across Kenya. Unfortunately our WACO Biplane is still unavailable due to us redoing the licences.

Set out in an open 4x4 safari vehicle in the company of your guide in search of the incredible wildlife in the Masai Mara. &Beyond’s professionally trained guides will ask you about your favorite wildlife and will do their best to ensure that your preferences are met, whether it is tracking a particular species or spending more time enjoying each sighting, getting to know the habits of the animals. They will also tell you about the vegetation of the region and will explain the behavior of the animals that you come across. In some cases, the guides will be able to identify individual animals and let you know about their history and habits. If the Great Migration is passing through the area, your guide will attempt to catch up with it and spend some time in the midst of the massed herds.

The andBeyond Kichwa Tembo concession is the only place where guests can experience night game drives in the Masai Mara. As the sun sinks over the vast horizon, the African bush comes to life with predators and other nocturnal creatures. Guests may have the opportunity to observe fascinating species not normally encountered in daylight.

Min 4 guests. Duration 2 hours.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast in the bush, either on the banks of the Mara River or on the Oloololo Escarpment. Sip champagne (served on request) whilst enjoying the spectacular panoramic views of the plains below.

Min 6 guests. Duration approx. 90 minutes

A delicious Pan African meal is served in a memorable setting under the stars, followed by fireside entertainment by our very own Sukuti band. Private dinners can be arranged on request for 2 or more guests within the camp grounds.

Min 6 guests; private dinners can be arranged for 2 or more guests within the camp grounds. Duration approx. 2 – 3 hours

Enjoy sundowner cocktails at a breathtaking location on the famous Oloololo Escarpment. Watch as the sun sinks over a spectacular classical safari landscape from a vantage point that commands views over the entire Masai Mara.

Maximum 100 guests; minimum 6 guests. Time 18:00 – 18:45 (45 Minutes to an Hour at Sundown).

Make the most the incredible scenery and views at andBeyond Bateleur Camp by enjoying a guided walk. There are three walking routes to choose from, each exploring different areas and lasting approximately two hours. The Kichwa Nature Trail winds through riverine forest and follows the perimeter of Sabaringo Creek, home to fantastic birdlife. The Mara Hippo Trail offers an exciting opportunity to explore the wilderness on foot, through the plains, riverine forest, savannah grasslands and bush land surrounding the camp and on to the Mara River. The Oloololo Escarpment Trail leads from the camp to the top of the escarpment and boasts breathtaking views of the Mara reserve, the Mara river and riverine forest.

Be a part of the Masai Mara by air. Enjoy breathtakingly beautiful views of the morning's sunrise. Marvel at the diverse habitats of the Masai Mara Reserve, the great Mara River, swamps, forests, wildlife and the African Savanna. Enjoy a delicious champagne breakfast served in the open plains of the Masai Mara upon landing.

Available at an additional cost. Duration 1 hour flight plus breakfast.

Guests will be guided through the village by an English-speaking Maasai, who lives in the village. He will introduce your guests to the authentic, daily hustle and bustle of Maasai living. Guests will also have the opportunity to browse through the Maasai Craft Centre and purchase artefacts and souvenirs, which are made in the village — all proceeds are given back to the community.

Available at an additional cost. Duration approx. 30 minutes

Tall Maasai warriors in traditional dress form a guard of honour as guests arrive. Deep, haunting voice burst into song and soon the ground reverberates to the rhythm of their athletic traditional dances as the Maasai leap higher and higher, seeking to outperform each other.

Available at an additional cost. Duration 20 minutes

With a dedicated game ranger and tracker, as well as a private game drive vehicle, guests have the luxury of tailor-making their own safari experience; choosing their own game drive times and spending as much time as they want at sightings.

At andBeyond, celebrating special occasions is our forte. And nothing is quite as magical as the testament of love between two people as they celebrate their wedding day. Africa’s breathtaking landscapes offer the perfect backdrop for a destination wedding and andBeyond’s lodges, situated within the continent’s most iconic safari landscapes, are capable of delivering a wedding celebration unlike any other.

andBeyond’s WILDchild programme, designed especially for children visiting our safari lodges and camps in Africa, is filled with fun, interactive activities that offer opportunities to learn and discover new experiences and cultures. Deeply rooted in the love for the African bush, it not only creates a series of unforgettable moments for the whole family but forges strong bonds between our young guests, our planet and its people.

&Beyond has partnered with Healing Earth, a leading natural, eco-friendly and holistic spa & skincare company, to produce a truly authentic African spa experience for the mind, body and soul. Therapeutic in its approach,Healing Earth only uses all-natural ingredients and essential oils. The luxuriant spa products & soothing treatments are inspired by the wisdom of Africa’s traditional healers & celebrate our continent’s vibrant heritage, communities and plant life.