The best of Kenya - Luxury

The Elsa’s Kopje guides know their backyard intimately. All the guides are Bronze, Silver and Gold level KPSGA certified.

Meru’s rich wildlife diversity includes rare species specific to Northern Kenya, such as Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe, as well as an abundance of common game. An 84km2 sanctuary at the heart of the park is home to some 70+ Black and White Rhino.

Game drives are included in a Game Package.

Take the time to leave the car behind and enjoy a slower pace. Talk a walk up to the very top of Mughwango Hill, enjoying a 360 degree view from snow-capped Mt Kenya in the west to the vast Meru plains to the east.

Bush walks are included in a Game Package.

Alongside a freshly brewed coffee, drink in the sights and sounds of the African bush over a full breakfast, served with a view over the plains or along the Tana river.

Bush breakfasts are included in a Game Package.

“Sundowners” are an old tradition after a day of safari: stop and watch the spectacular sunset with, traditionally, a gin and tonic in hand.

Sundowners and drinks are included in a Game Package.

Take your rod, afternoon tipple with some canapés and a good book, and settle on the palm lined banks of one of Meru’s many rivers. The fishing is fun, with plentiful catfish, tilapia and barbell.

Fishing is included in a Game Package.

Elsa’s Kopje works with closely with the local community, and there are ways that you can get involved. For example, visit the Ura Gate Primary School that is supported by Elsa's Kopje.

School visit included in Game Package accommodation but guests are encouraged to donate towards ongoing projects, or purchase school books and supplies.

Elsa's Kopje has one of the most memorable spa's of any lodge, with a breathtaking view from the massage table. Gushing reviews and regular bookings of second and third massages during a stay are testament to this lavish indulgence to the senses.

Massages can be booked during your stay and are at an additional cost.

From the cool waters infinity pool perched on the side of the hill, the views are indeed infinite! The pool has bar service.

The Private House has its own private swimming pool.

Experience authentic Maasai and Samburu culture, by visiting a traditional homestead, having a cup of smoky milk tea with a mama or a drink of honey mead with the Wazee (Elders). Learn about the social structure of the homestead, and the joys and challenges of everyday life. This is a very natural and authentic experience where you are treated as a guest, not a tourist.

For the more adventurous, we will set up dinner at the manyatta. Chef David will barbecue a goat and we will have dinner under the stars inside the manyatta, sharing for a moment, the life of our Maasai and Samburu neighbours.

A tradition unique to northern Kenya, the "singing wells" are dug in dry river beds by warriors to find water for their cows. The warriors form a human pyramid in the 10-12ft wells to bring buckets of water to the surface, while singing individual songs to each of their cows. The songs, reverberating in the valley, and heard well before you see the wells are a magical and haunting experience.

Be invited to a wedding, where the bride and groom go through elaborate rituals before departing for their new home, with the event culminating in a joyful celebration of their new life together which all the in the area are invited to join.

Or maybe attend a women's blessing ceremony, a young man's circumcision day or the initiation of a new age set of warriors.

Those unique moments are always fascinating, moving and memorable.

The 40,000 acres of the private Ol Lentille Conservancy are a vital wildlife migration corridor and as such, remain unfenced. It is home to large herds of elephant, painted wolves, leopards, hyenas, greater kudus, elands, as well as many species of smaller antelopes. Rare northern species such as the Grevy's zebra and gerenuk are also found here. Ol Lentille is also a paradise for bird watching, with many rare species making their home here. This is Africa at its most wild and original. Without fences, the animals move in and out of the conservancy following ancient migration routes and are not habituated to humans.

With 40,000 acres of unspoilt and dramatic wilderness, Ol Lentille is ideal for walking adventures, from a gentle walk down a dry river bed that reveals spectacular "lost world" views to a vigorous climb up Ol Lentille peak, Laikipia's tallest, or a full day adventure hiking in hidden valleys

A camel safari through the African bush, led by Maasai warriors, and ending at the bend of a river for a tranquil picnic lunch under a fig tree, and perhaps a refreshing swim in the river.

Go for an exciting quad biking adventure around the community lands, or down the rugged trails of the conservancy (16 years and above),

Enjoy a relaxing spa treatment in the comfort of our secluded spa, followed by herbal tea served on the spa deck

Around a roaring fire at the lodge's "boma", the warriors appear unexpectedly out of the darkness, singing rhythmically and dancing like dervishes. Their vertical jumps, a way of demonstrating their athletic prowess to the young women who accompany them. Almost unconsciously, our Ol Lentille staff get dragged into the dancing circle, and then our guests.

That signature Ol Lentille activity is an exhilarating evening, that culminates in a traditional Kenyan meal served under the stars.

Visit Africa's only habituated baboon colony, a 30mn drive from Ol Lentille lodge. The field researchers will talk you through the behaviour and organization of that large group of baboons (numbering up to 100 individuals), as they slowly make their way to a rocky outcrop to roost for the night. That activity usually ends with a sundowner nearby, as you watch the baboons settling in for the night.

At Ol Lentille we pride ourselves on never serving you a meal twice in the same location. You can enjoy meals in the privacy of your villa, on the pool deck, in the Gallery or on the rooftop. We arrange bush breakfasts, picnic lunches and bush dinners in a number of spectacular locations. And our sundowners are truly memorable!

Our experienced guides knows the area intimately and there is plenty of game to see within the Enonkishu, Lemek and Ol Chorro Oiruwa conservancies. Big cats, elephants and plains game are commonly seen within a 15 minute drive from the house.

Safari – See the wildlife and the landscapes around us and learn about what makes the Maasai Mara so special.
Nature on foot – have a guided walk to learn while getting some exercise. Recommended going out for 1 or 2 hours, suitable for the whole family with children over 7.
Futures in the Wild Tour- Visit to our Mara Training Centre founded by Tarquin and Lippa Wood, learn about rangeland management and their efforts to work with local communities to restore and maintain the natural environment through Sustainable Rangeland Management. Visit our Futures in the Wild Women’s projects:
Tree planting: Meet the women who run the Trees in the Wild nursery and plant a tree.
Beading: See our women’s beading projects and learn to make yourself a Maasai bracelet.
Tennis – there is a tennis court with balls and rackets provided.
Local School Visits - visit the local Emarti school, the primary and the secondary school which was built by the Wood family and meet the amazing and warm children from the Emarti community.
Visit the local cattle market – a vibrant and buzzing atmosphere and a slice of real life in the Maasai Mara.
Fishing in the Mara River – have a go after a morning game drive or over sunset on the edge of the Mara River fishing for catfish. If you catch it, take a picture and release it!
Visits to the Rhino Sanctuary guests are able to walk with the rhino, while being protected by armed rangers.

Manyatta visit - Spend an hour at the local Maasai Village, learning about how their huts are made, how to make fire with only a couple of twigs, listen to the mammas sing and meet the children. Have a look at some of their handmade beaded items of jewellery or buy something to take home!

Helicopter flights over the Mara Plains, see Endafar info sheet
Balloon Safari’s - wake up at dawn and float over the wildlife and the Maasai Mara – a once in a lifetime opportunity.

A boda boda ride – Have a go at something different! Spend the morning driving off-road on a boda boda (the motorbikes seen all over our part of Africa) through the Enonkishu Conservancy, ending up with a breakfast overlooking the Mamusi Dam.

Visit the Mara Elephant Project – our partner in protecting the elephants in this area and reducing human – wildlife conflict. Please talk with your guide on arranging a visit to their HQ

Mountain bike riding

There is a huge amount and variety of bird species around the house. Much can be seen on guided walks along the river banks.

For the more energetic guests, a guided walk / climb up the Kileleoni Hill is well worth it. Being the highest point in the Greater Mara Ecosytem, the view stretches out as far as the eye can see. Also a great spot for sundowners or bush breakfasts for those who’d rather go up in the car!

At any moment in the day, there is bound to be some kind of interesting activity going on at the farm. An early morning 15 minute walk to the dairy herd to milk a cow for your morning coffee makes it all the more delicious.

An authentic experience where our local maasai guide takes you to his family home or the Emarti Primary and Secondary Schools are 5 km away from the main farm gate, crossing over the river at the Emarti Bridge. With over 700 children to visit guests always get a warm welcome.

Our team of maasai watchmen on the farm are also talented singers and dancers, and always willing to perform their latest traditional hit at sundown on the lawn by the house.

On the edge of the hill, guests can get up close to the tame rhinos in the Rhino Sanctuary.

Sit on the banks of the mara river and see who can catch the biggest catfish.

There is a tennis court on the farm, a 15 minute walk from the house, or a 5 minute drive away.

Ride alongside the giraffe and zebra of Naretoi, or venture down to the Mara Training Centre where you can visit the Wild Shamba or see the women beading.