Legendary Lodge | Arusha
The Legendary Lodge is located on the outskirts of Arusha in lush tropical gardens and surrounded by a working coffee farm. It is within 15 minutes’ drive of Arusha Airport, which makes it an ideal base for the first or last night of a safari. You can enjoy views of Mount Meru from the privacy of your own garden cottage.
Dining is a highlight at The Legendary Lodge and we encourage you to indulge in the gourmet meals served at The Old Farmhouse. The food and service is excellent.
The spacious 10 One Bedroom Garden Cottages and 2 Two Bedroom Garden Cottages are on a split level and the accommodation and facilities are clearly luxurious. A very large bedroom suite is complemented by a huge bathroom with a tub and separate shower. They have a pleasant blend of African arts with modern comforts and old colonial style luxury. Beds are king-size and there is a fireplace. Additional services include a complimentary mini bar and fruit basket and wifi connection. Each cottage has a large veranda with impressive views of Mount Meru.
The cottages are set in gardens with manicured lawns and a blaze of tropical flowers. The cottages are complemented by the very homely main farmhouse building with its dining room, reception and library areas.
At the Legendary Lodge the tariff includes:
- Accommodation
- Meals
- All drinks except Champagnes, Cognacs, Premium brand spirits, cellar wines, cigars and cigarettes.
Chargeable at the Legendary Lodge:
- Gratuities.
- Laundry.
- Champagnes, Cognacs, Premium brand spirits, cellar wines, cigars and cigarettes.
The 10 garden cottages, complete with private verandahs and stunning views of the lush gardens, are the perfect place to reflect on or prepare for your safari. The interiors strike the perfect balance between old-world elegance and contemporary comfort and feature eye-catching pieces of African art.
Each en-suite cottage features a king-size bed with a mosquito net, a lounge with a fireplace, as well as satellite television and Wi-Fi. There is also a complimentary mini-bar, fruit basket and a coffee and tea station. The bathrooms have a vanity with double basins, a deep-soaking bathtub, a rain shower, a separate toilet and a full range of amenities.
Our two family cottages, Kahawa and Meru, exude old-world elegance without compromising modern comforts. Each family cottage has two en-suite bedrooms connected by a spacious living room complete with a fireplace, as well as satellite television and Wi-Fi. The master bedroom has a king-sized bed and an en-suite bathroom complete with a shower and deep-soaking bathtub, and the second bedroom has twin beds with an en-suite bathroom with a shower.
Each cottage features a spacious verandah where you can enjoy views of the lush tropical gardens.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Disability Services, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Private Vehicle Available, Restaurant, Spa
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Disabled Rooms, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fan, Fireplace, Hair Dryer, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Mini Bar (Complimentary), Mosquito Nets, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Satellite / Cable Television, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Television, Verandah, Wheelchair Friendly
Services
Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card, Room Service
Walking, running, and cycling trails of varying lengths allow guests to explore the property's sprawling tropical gardens and the coffee estate that surrounds it.
Spend time with the whole family by enjoying a leisurely outdoor activity, with the fresh air and green surroundings of the estate providing a tranquil backdrop for the game.
Whether you're returning from your safari or preparing for your journey into Tanzania's wilderness, spend some time indulging in the selection of pampering treatments available at our in-house spa. For your convenience, certain treatments are available in the privacy of your cottage or in a secluded garden spot.
Treatments are available at an additional charge. Please enquire about the spa menu.
Shopping in Arusha offers a fantastic opportunity to experience and learn more about Tanzania's vibrant cultures. Guests staying at Legendary Lodge have the option of several shopping excursions.
The Cultural Heritage Centre is one of the most comprehensive curio shops, with genuine antiques and African artwork, as well as an outstanding selection of gemstones, including the legendary Tanzanite and Tsavorite.
For those passionate about true community upliftment, then Shanga is the place. A heartwarming project dedicated to empowering the disabled community, Shanga produces unique hand-made glass and beaded products from recycled materials.
Trawl the Maasai market and discover a wide selection of handmade art, woodwork, textiles, clothing, jewellery and other beadwork — and take the opportunity to engage in some friendly bartering with the Maasai shopkeepers while you're at it.
Legendary Lodge's own boutique also offers a range of jewellery, clothing and bags.
Please enquire about transfer options.
Not forgetting the beginnings of this century-old estate, Legendary Lodge is surrounded by a working coffee plantation. Guests can spend a morning following a coffee bean from tree to cup: from the agriculture, to picking and roasting, to the making of that delicious blend many of us enjoy at home, as Tanzanian coffee is exported far and wide.
Coffee tours take place on Legendary Lodge's neighbouring Burka Coffee farm.
Legendary Lodge is on the doorstep of several wonderful protected wilderness areas that make for unforgettable day trips. Day trips to nearby national parks, including Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, can be arranged on-site with the lodge manager.
Elevate your safari experience to new heights with a private helicopter excursion. The helicopter is available for private transfers between properties, stunning scenic excursions, or as the ultimate aerial adventure for your entire safari circuit.
Enquire for rates and further information.
Dining at Legendary Lodge
As with any farmhouse, the kitchen tends to be the heart of the home, and Legendary Lodge is no exception. Our team of incredibly talented Tanzanian chefs will leave you wishing you had more space for another course. Using only the freshest ingredients and prepared with a large scoop of love, every meal will be an experience.
Breakfast is typically available from 6.30am but we are happy to arrange for it at your desired time. A selection of fresh fruits, cereals, yoghurts and pastries — baked that morning by our pastry chef — will be laid out. Your waiter will take a hot breakfast order.
Lunch and dinner offer three courses, with a choice for all courses.
Ensuring that your mealtime is an experience, enjoy the warmth of the sun when we move your lunch table into the gardens, or relax on the verandah at night, with gas heaters warming the air, and a throw around your shoulders.
We welcome you at the fire-place in the evenings for a pre-dinner drink: a chance for us to have a chat, but should you feel so at home that you would prefer to enjoy meals in your cottage, please just let the lodge manager know so that this can be arranged for you.
Legendary Lodge takes pride in tailor-making our menus wherever possible so that we are able to meet all your requests.
Your Stay
1 Night
Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers) Included
Your Rooms
1x Deluxe Garden Cottage
Fast Facts
5 Star
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English, Swahili
No. Rooms: 12
Special Interests: Birding, Cycling, Flora, Gourmet, Hiking, History & Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Shopping
&Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge | Karatu
Perched on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater,andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge comprises three separate camps totalling just 30 suites. Each stilted, handcrafted mud and thatch suite is adorned with antiques, chandeliers and elegant African treasures and floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the magnificent Crater below. Ensuite bathrooms feature spacious showers and chandelier-lit bathtubs. A personal butler discretely caters for each guest’s every need, bringing tea in bed, stoking fireplaces and drawing luxurious bubble baths. Frequently described as Maasai meets Versailles, each camp has its own guest sitting and dining areas, as well as viewing decks. The domed dining room, with its fireplace, crystal, silver and massive wooden platters, turns every meal into a special occasion.
Three separate and intimate camps totalling just 30 suites are reminiscent of a bygone era. Steeped in romance, each stilted, handcrafted mud and thatch suite is adorned with graceful antiques, grand chandeliers and elegant African treasures. The bedroom, sitting room and ensuite bathroom boast floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the magnificent Crater below. Beaded chandeliers hang above large gilt mirrors, while antiques, billowing raw silk curtains and leather-backed chairs blend harmoniously with African art elements. Ensuite bathrooms with a dramatic centrepiece of red roses feature spacious showers and chandelier-lit bathtubs. Personal butler discretely cater for each guest’s every need, bringing tea in bed, stoking fireplaces and drawing luxurious bubble baths.
Families, or groups, will love the family suite at andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Two suites are conveniently interlinked via a closed walkway, which allows access between the suites, while maintaining complete privacy. The bedrooms, sitting rooms and ensuite bathrooms of the suites boast floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the magnificent Crater below. The family suite can accommodate two adults and two children.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Barbeque Facilities, Communal Dining, Internet Access (Complimentary), Kiddies Club, Laundry Service (Available), Malaria Free, Meal on Request, Private Vehicle Available, Restaurant
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fireplace, Fridge, Hair Dryer, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Mini Bar (Complimentary), Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Services
Airport Shuttle (Available), Babysitting Service, Credit Card, Room Service, Room Service (24 hours)
As andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is situated in the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, game drives take a significant amount of time to reach the crater’s floor and return to the lodge. This means that you will most likely be offered the choice of one morning or afternoon game drive per day. You will descend into the crater through a lush highland forest, with magnificent birdlife to be spotted among the different tree species. Once on the grassy crater floor, you may discover a large variety of grazing herbivores, as well as the predators that are attracted by this abundant supply of prey. Depending on the time of year, you may see huge flocks of pink flamingo around the shores of the shallow Lake Magadi, while the surrounding swamp is inhabited by hippo. While the Ngorongoro Crater boasts an incredible abundance of wildlife, you will most likely also encounter a great number of other vehicles during the high season, especially at high interest sightings. On the other hand, the rainy season is much quieter, allowing for a far more private game drive. Safari vehicles are closed, with glass windows and a pop-up roof. Off-road driving is not permitted.
Explore the breathtaking surrounds of the archaeological site of Olduvai Gorge, the cradle of mankind, best known as home of the earliest remains of homo sapiens, discovered by Mary Leaky. Move on to crescent-shaped volcanic ash dunes knows as Shifting Sands, which slowly creep across the desert floor in response to prevailing winds.
Additional costs apply
After your scenic descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, enjoy a tasty hot lunch served in breathtaking surroundings at a private picnic spot on the Crater floor. Personalised butler service combines with breathtaking surroundings in the midst of the wildlife action.
Minimum 10 guests. Minimum one months notice required.
Weather dependant and subject to availability of picnic site. Excludes Crater fees.
Additional costs apply
The dining area is magically transformed into an elegant banquet fit for a king and queen. The long, chandelier-lit dining table, adorned with white linen, candles and bouquets of roses, is surrounded by a carpet of brightly coloured rose petals. This is the height of elegance and romance. At each guest’s place setting, a single rose sits on top of a beautifully presented menu card. A sumptuous meal, prepared by expert chefs, is then served by attentive butlers and includes a glass of French champagne.
Minimum 24 guests. Two weeks notice period.
Additional costs apply
Make a toast to the setting sun with a refreshing sundowner cocktail at Gorgor (walking distance from the lodge), on the rim of the Crater. You will also be accompanied by 20 Maasai warriors who will serenade you with their traditional chants and songs. Expect unforgettable views and exceptional photographic opportunities.
Minimum 6 guests; maximum 20. One month’s notice required. Weather dependant.
Additional costs apply
Experiencing the rhythm of African music is one of the most unforgettable experiences. This group of local drummers provides great entertainment to guests, whilst also sharing their unique culture. The traditional music of Tanzanian cultures is given its melodic drive by a marimba (also called a mbira), a type of instrument that is unique to Africa. Weather dependent and exclusivity cannot be guaranteed. Performance takes place on the lawn in front of lodge. Minimum one months notice required.
Available at an additional charge.
From the beautiful forests that surround the Empakaai Crater walls to impressive strangler figs and fantastic birdlife, this energetic full day hiking adventure promises guests an up close experience with nature.
Highlights:
• Explore the Empakaai Crater floor and the water’s edge
• Birdwatcher’s paradise
• Potential sightings of barred tailed trogon, grey headed negro finch, greater and lesser flamingo, steppe eagles and crowned eagles
Maximum 6 guests. The walk into and out of the crater is on a steep grade and at a high altitude and therefore is suitable for relatively fit and agile individuals. Full day hiking adventure.
Additional costs apply
A panoramic half day walk through Maasai villages and open grazing land that allows guests to enjoy the culture and lifestyle of the Maasai. Along with authentic culture, this walk also offers spectacular views of Lake Eyasi.
Highlights:
• The inspiring Africa Foundation Mokilail School project can be visited en route
• The walk can be tailored to finish at a viewing point overlooking Lake Eyasi - perfect for sundowners
• A unique opportunity to interact with the Maasai
Maximum 6 guests. Half day panoramic walking route.
Additional costs apply
This popular late afternoon walk along the western rim of the Ngorongoro Crater allows guests to experience various natural habitats, including the acacia woodland, thick lush forests and open grasslands.
Highlights:
• Excellent birding route with sightings of golden winged sunbirds, African cytrill, white eyed slaty flycatcher and mountain buzzard
• The only place in the area to see Schalow’s wheatear and mountain white-eye
• A chance to see the Maasai and their cattle en route
Maximum 6 guests. Cannot be pre-booked.
Available at an additional charge
Beautifully romantic and exclusive, a private dinner in the lodge’s wine store is perfect for an evening spent with a loved one or as a more intimate activity to spend with friends and family. Tuck into a delectable menu in the beautiful surrounds of the andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge’s wine store. This dinner includes a small bottle of French champagne as well as a bottle of wine, of your choice, for your special evening.
Minimum 2 guests; maximum 6.
Additional costs apply
After an adventure-filled day of game viewing, enjoy an unforgettable pre-dinner drink in front of the lodge, accompanied by the beautiful traditional singing and chanting of 20 Maasai warriors. This cultural activity is perfect for groups or families.
2 weeks’ notice required.
Additional costs apply
Perfect for celebrating a special occasion or even just to toast an incredible safari, this activity offers the opportunity to indulge in a decadent champagne tasting in andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge’s beautiful wine store. Sip on a delightful French champagne and compare it with a renowned South African Methode Cap Classique and sparkling wines. This activity also includes delicious finger snacks.
Additional costs apply
Exceptional for the epicurean, this Pairing Dinner activity will allow you to enjoy a private evening that includes a mouth-watering five course dinner menu in the andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge’s beautiful wine store. Each course will be accompanied with one of the lodge’s exclusive wines from the cellar.
Additional costs apply
Beautifully romantic and exclusive, a private dinner in the lodge’s wine store is perfect for an evening spent with a loved one or as a more intimate activity to spend with friends and family. Tuck into a delectable menu in the beautiful surrounds of the andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge’s wine store. This dinner includes a small bottle of French champagne as well as a bottle of wine, of your choice, for your special evening.
Additional costs apply
A fascinating cultural highlight now being offered to guests visiting andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is a full-day, off-the-beaten-track adventure with the Hadzabe people. These ancient hunter-gatherers inhabit the land near Lake Eyasi, and their traditional unchanged way of life and obvious harmony with the earth are spellbinding. Accompanied throughout by an andBeyond ranger, guests have the opportunity to engage with the bushmen and learn all about their time-honoured hunting techniques, survival skills, food preparation and cultural norms. A veritable step back in time, this is an undeniably authentic cultural journey into rural Tanzania that reveals the untold world of these charismatic people. This adventure must be pre-booked and is not suitable for children under 12 years of age.
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.
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.
Visit a Maasai Village and immerse yourself into the local culture. Learn how to make fire the traditional way, get invited into a Maasai manyatta (home) and visit the Maasai school for the younger children.
Be moved by a sensational performance of traditional music, singing and dancing at andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Tuck into a selection of mouth-watering snacks and savour refreshing pre-dinner drinks while a group of 20 Maasai warriors, in full traditional dress, perform a series of stirring songs; with the spectacular view the Crater as your backdrop. Afterwards, enjoy a toe-tapping, rhythmical performance as African drummers take over and thrill with their expressive beats, dance moves and acrobatic feats.
Enjoy half a day with the KopeLion team and discover how these dedicated conservationists are fostering lion-people coexistence within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). Working closely with local communities, they are creating a sustainable ‘corridor of tolerance’ that will re-connect the divided Crater and Serengeti lion sub-populations, ensuring their long-term survival. This insightful experience will give you the opportunity to understand the challenges and complexities of wildlife and human coexistence.
Accompanied by a KopeLion team member, you’ll be driven through Maasai villages, and a diversity of habitats, from the lush Crater rim, through sparse grasslands, and into a beautiful secluded forest spot. Here you’ll meet one of the KopeLion ‘Ilchokuti’ (lion guardians) who will talk about his work that entails both working with the local communities, and protecting lions.
Unwind after a thrilling day of game viewing with a bottle of fine wine and share some time with the KopeLion conservationists. This intimate setting lends itself perfectly to an interactive presentation by a member of the KopeLion team, followed by an exchange of questions and answers about the invaluable work they are doing to eliminate human-lion conflict along a ‘corridor of tolerance’ linking the Crater to the Serengeti. This is a perfect opportunity to get a full understanding of the work they are doing, and their commitment to a sustainable solution
Tonight, your dinner will be hosted by the lodge’s General Manager who will offer more insight about andBeyond's philanthropic investments.
You are required to create a personal affirmation to reclaim an unconditional acceptance and love for yourself and reconnect with your soul to release all negative energy from deep within. A unique blend of
aromatherapy and plant oils chosen specifically by you, combining deep tissue massage techniques to bring relaxation to tired, aching muscles allowing the body and soul to return to perfect equilibrium. Choose from a blend of aromatherapy oils to either destress, hydrate, relax or detox.
Full body: 90 min
Back and Neck only: 30 mi
African Shea Butter has been long hailed for its powerful healing and nourishing effects. Relaxing nourishing and energizing this full body massage targets specific areas or tension and muscular discomfort employing deep tissue techniques where pain is dramatically alleviated.
Full Body and Scalp 75min
Back, Neck and Scalp 45min
Re-awaken your Soul with a combination of powerful African aromatherapy oils and botanical body balms combining traditional African Calabash and Bamboo tools with human touch and rhythmic movement in this indulgent ritual, the ultimate source of relaxation to bring balance to your mind, body and soul in the heart of Africa, the cradle of mankind, through touch and vibrational sound therapy using ancient sound tools and techniques.
Choose African Potato for its Ancient Healing powers, Marula Neroli for a Sensory Indulgence, Kalahari Melon for its Hydrating Properties, Mongongo Nut to Detox or Cinnamon and Orange to Firm and Tone
Full body and Scalp: 90min
Back and Scalp: 60min
Re-awaken your senses through gentle exfoliation and envelope your body with inspirational blends of natural African essential oils and botanicals. We start the treatment with a dry polish followed by a full body polish to alleviate tension and renew skin. We then do the wrap and an indulgent full body massage using our powerful collection of indigenous African oils and balms.
Choose African Potato for its Ancient Healing powers, Marula Neroli for a Sensory Indulgence, Kalahari Melon for its Hydrating Properties, Mongongo Nut to Detox or Cinnamon & Orange to Firm and Tone
90min
Maasai Celebration Journey
Healing Earth has embodied the vibrant fusion of colorful beadwork preserving the Maasai Culture of the past, present and future within the Maasai Celebration Journey.
Our Journey starts with a Maasai Foot Ritual, where salt crystals infused with plant extracts are used to cleanse away outside elements, ensuring a positive and continual flow of energy within the client-therapist Journey.
The journey continues with a beautiful body cleanse, using a refreshing Healing Earth Tanga-Orange Polish mixed with indigenous oil extracts to thoroughly cleanse the skin. A delightful, relaxation massage therapy follows with our Maasai Body Butter, enriched with African Shea Butter, Coconut Oil and a rich spice blend that leaves your body, mind and soul renewed and invigorated.
To end your Journey, we call on the Rain with our Ancient Maasai Thank You Celebration to signify the end of our signature therapy and as symbolism of the Maasai Culture where rain is symbolic as an essential life giving force of new beginnings, prosperity and rejuvenation.
Clients embrace the Maasai World and is gifted with a Jewel of Maasai beadwork which they intuitively choose thereby holding a lasting memory and deep-rooted connection with the African Soil and its people.
90mins
Melt away stress and rejuvenate your tired legs with this foot treatment which will leave your feet feeling hydrated, softened and silky smooth, ready to conquer the African bush. Your feet is soaked in an African Joy energizing salt soak, scrubbed with rejuvenating peppermint and eucalyptus scrub and embalmed in African Shea Butter. Relax as you receive a shoulder and scalp massage and finish the treatment with a cooling foot gel to put the final spring in your step
30min
60min
The ultimate hand ritual. Your hands are polished with a pure Peppermint and Aloe Vera polish and cuticles restored with indigenous healing oils. Your hands are then embalmed with African Shea Butter. Relax as you receive a shoulder and scalp massage and finish the treatment with a nourishing Pinotage hand oil massage, leaving your hands feeling soft and rejuvenated.
30min
60min
A WildChild needs pampering too
Soak those tired little feet in Healing Earth’s Lavender and Jasmine bubble bath, followed by a Mango Orange scrub, toe nail grooming and mini foot tickle and rub. To recharge your energy a 15min back, neck and shoulder massage with pure Aloe Vera Gel will guarantee to send our budding rangers off on their next adventure in the African Bush.
Treatment 30min
Your Stay
2 Nights
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers) Included
Your Rooms
1x Luxury Suite
Fast Facts
Safari Lodge
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 30
Special Interests: Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Flora, Gourmet, Hiking, History & Culture, Indigenous Culture / Art, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine
Serian's Kimya Kimya | Mara North Conservancy
Alex Walker’s Serian Camp is located in the Mara River region of the Northern Serengeti. It is normally reached by air to the Serengeti Kogatende Airstrip which is within 30 minutes’ drive. It is normally open from June to November to take advantage of the huge herds of the Great Migration which frequent this area during these months.
SERIAN (meaning “peaceful, calm or serene” in the Maa language of the Maasai people) is the charismatic bush home of Alex Walker, filmmaker and guide in the Serengeti and Maasai Mara. It is an exclusive bush camp that flanks a secluded valley located in the Mara River area of the Serengeti. The private marquee tents are set in the shade of large walburgia trees that cover the site, a tranquil setting that borders one of the finest Game Reserves in the world.
8 luxury (including one family) marquees, each unique in their own way furnished with large double beds, flanked by bedside tables and writing desks, the adjoining "bush bathrooms" include a bucket shower, twin basins and a flush ceramic toilet. Hanging swathes of cotton and canvas walls provide complete privacy. The Mess deck and indoor fireplace leave guests with the impression of having found a home from home! Enjoying an expansive view of the Serengeti, the deck area plays host to a great deal of wining & dining.
At Alex Walker’s Camp the tariff includes:
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Laundry service
- All drinks, (excluding Champagne, Exclusive Cellar Wines, Cognacs and Single Malt Whiskeys)
- Exclusive use of a 4WD vehicle & guide
- Airstrip transfers
Chargeable Alex Walker’s Camp:
- Champagnes, Cognacs, Premium brand spirits, cellar wines, cigars and cigarettes
- Gratuities
Traditional Safari Tents
Much like at Serian and Ngare Serian, life at Kimya Kimya is low key and tranquil. With all the creature comforts of a bush camp; leather and worn wood, swathes of cotton, cold beers, fireside barbeque and tinkling ice-laden GNT's.
By day, the living room is ideal for lounging and reading, lazy snoozing, playing board games or sorting through the day’s photos… In short, anything that entails spreading out and relaxing in a comfortable space.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Malaria Free, Meal on Request, Private Vehicle Available
Room Facilities
Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Pure Cotton Linen, Shower, Verandah
Services
Room Service
The cornerstone of a safari experience at Serian is that each group has their own open-top safari vehicle, and their own dedicated guide and spotter. The freedom this grants you is key to getting the most out of your stay: go where the day takes you, without the limitations of fixed schedules, or fitting in with other peoples’ plans. Nothing but personal desire need dictate what you do.
Our vehicles are specially customised to be a climbing frame, and a photographer’s extra tool. They are comfortable, able to handle the terrain, and cover the distance…. And were designed for sun, rain, wind, and above all, the feeling of having as little as possible separating you from what’s out there.
Our guides and spotters are intimately familiar with these special places, so they know all its secrets and the ways the animals interact with it, from the subtle changes of the seasons, to the stages of an animals lifecycle, to the flora that sustains it all – they are the key that can unlock it all for you.
Although ‘Walker’ really is Alex’s surname, being born to such an identity turns out to have been a self-fulfilling prophecy. Spending his childhood days out on foot with his father’s trackers, then turning this into a full-time career as soon as he possibly could, Alex’s passion is walking, and it is without a doubt his preferred method of accessing the bush.
Walking safaris epitomise the golden chance to get away from the trails and beaten tracks, and immerse in the environment in a way that the noise and speed of vehicles don’t permit. Once you slow down, there’s a whole world that you never noticed before. The beauty of walking is that it engenders an appreciation of an ecosystem’s sheer perfection: every tiny element has its place, and plays its role.
Stripping away the layers between you and an untamed setting beckons forth your primal instincts: your hearing, sight and smell all sharpen in response – and your appreciation of what you perceive is heightened as a result.
In Serian’s Serengeti North, the focus is on the Mara River – water is always a concentration of so many life forms, and with the wildebeest crossing back and forth over it at this time of year, their effects on the bush, the predators and scavengers makes for fascinating exploring along the banks. We tend to steer clear of the herds though, as the idea is to steer clear of the crowds and vehicles – but this meander offers a combination of big game encounters, and beautiful countryside.
Serian's Serengeti North - Our Dining Table
After a day out in the silence, solitude and indescribable immensity of the bush, the ancestral ritual of coming together to enjoy fire and food caters to our innate appreciation for sharing.
We are social animals, and part of what makes things vivid and real to us is this capacity to share: the pleasure of dissecting your day, raking over the delicious details and unwrapping the delights over and again as you enjoy a meal, is what renders the evening perfect for digesting and processing the day.
Your Stay
3 Nights
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers) Included
Your Rooms
1x Luxury Safari Tent
Fast Facts
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English, Swahili
No. Rooms: 3
Special Interests: Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Flora, Hiking, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife
Governors' Camp | Masai Mara National Reserve
Governors’ Camp is Africa’s first permanent tented camp, remaining in its original site since 1972. It occupies the best wildlife viewing location in the Reserve, nestled in the riverine forest along the winding banks of the Mara River, its waters teeming with bird-life, hippo and crocodile. It is perfect for couples, families and friends wanting to experience the best of what a safari in the Masai Mara has to offer.
The camp is located right in the heart of the best game viewing area of the Masai Mara. There are 16 'classic safari tents' (twins and doubles), all facing on to the Mara River. The tents are big, bright and allow in lots of natural light. All the tents have been designed in the classic safari style, each with en-suite bathrooms and a private verandah.
We have 8 family tents at Governors' Camp, all of these overlook the iconic plains of the Masai Mara. The family tents are the same as our classic safari tents except the family tents have an extra children's bedroom area on the front of the tent. There is a main sleeping area behind this and an ensuite bathroom with a shower at the back of the tent. There is also a private verandah overlooking the plains.
Perched on a bend of the Mara River, this is a lovely suite for honeymooners.
Five of our classic safari tents have ramps for wheel chair access. The flooring inside the tents is level and the tents are spacious enough to be able to manoeuvre a wheelchair around comfortably.
One tent has both a ramp and a specially modified bathroom to offer complete bathroom assistance.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Conference Centre, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Kiddies Club, Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Malaria Free, Meal on Request, Mobile Connectivity, Private Vehicle Available, Restaurant, Spa
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Disabled Rooms, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Hair Dryer, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Verandah, Wheelchair Friendly
Services
Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card, Room Service
Governors’ Camp properties combine the best locations in the Masai Mara with the best-designed vehicles and exceptionally highly trained and experienced guides to give our clients un-matched game-viewing and photographic opportunities in the world’s prime wildlife area.
We are in the heart of the best game viewing area of the Masai Mara; we take you out twice a day into the famous Masai Mara Game Reserve and surrounding areas. Our driver-guides are hand-picked and nurtured by us. They undergo a continuous guide training scheme mentored by experts in the field. Having operated in the Masai Mara for 50 years, our driver-guides have an un-paralleled knowledge of the reserve combined with a deep understanding and respect for the importance of this wilderness area, its flora and its fauna.
Game drives are included in the accommodation rate.
For those looking for an adventure of a different kind, we suggest a magical hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara.
The adventure begins just before dawn. Departure is from a launch site behind Little Governors’ Camp. Guests assemble at the launch site for a briefing as the flames from the hot air balloon burners light the darkness as the crews inflate their craft. As the dawn breaks, the hot air balloon fills and then rises. Suspended in a basket beneath the rainbow-coloured canopy, you’re off for a wildlife viewing adventure with an entirely different perspective.
What amazes most first-time balloonists is the absolute stillness – the silence as you float above the plains, the forest and the rivers of the Masai Mara.
After about an hour or so, your balloon safari finishes with a flourish. In the time-honoured tradition of balloon flights the world over, toast your return to earth with sparkling wine and enjoy a delicious breakfast that is set up and served at a very special spot. The experience ends with a game drive back to your camp.
There is an extra cost for a hot air balloon safari and the price depends on the time of year.
For a very unique experience, enjoy the excitement of a bush dinner in the wild. You will arrive at a special secluded location on the banks of the Mara river. A welcoming drink awaits by the warming campfire, followed by a delicious meal prepared by our Bush chefs, served under the stars, with the soft lights of safari lanterns and accompanied by the sounds of the African night and the grunting Mara river hippos.
Bush breakfasts and bush lunches are also available. Please try to book bush meals in advance. Costs: bush breakfasts and lunches USD $75 per person, bush dinners USD $92 per person
The Masai people of East Africa are a striking image, synonymous with safari. A proud people with many traditional practices still very much alive in their culture. Visit a local Masai village and learn about who they are in their own words.
Entry to the Maasai village is currently USD $40 per person and is paid directly to the community.
Visits to our responsible tourism projects can be organised from camp. Mara Rianda Primary School and Mara Rianda Medical Centre are two inspirational projects supported by Governors’ Camps.
There is no extra charge for this activity but donations to any of the projects are welcome.
Since the beginning of the 20th Century the cheetah population has fallen dramatically from 100'000 individuals to 7'500 individuals with human activity a major cause. It is therefore important to understand the cheetah-human interface, which is one of the key works of the Mara-Meru Cheetah Project, led by Dr. Elena Chelyseva.
Our Governors' Guides play a critical role in the data collection for Dr. Elena and her team, reporting through sightings and behaviour observations of cheetah spotted. Dr Elena enjoys sharing her expertise on the cheetahs in the area with our guests through talks or by accompanying guests game drives.
Please let us know if you would like to pre-book a talk or a guided game drive with Elena when booking your safari. There is a minimum donation requirement of USD $500 for a presentation in camp.
We welcome guests of all ages at Governors’ Camp - you are never too little to experience your first African safari together with the family!
Safaris open up a world of wonder and discovery of nature, and over the years we have hosted many families at Governors’. Some of our camps are better suited to small children; Governors’ Camp has specially designed family tents which can comfortably sleep a family of four - we can provide cots for babies and infant travellers (on request).
We will happily arrange early meals and sole use of game drive vehicles (please enquire in advance as this depends on family size and is subject to availability).
On your arrival at Governors’ Camp, you will notice our numerous little furry friends; the dwarf and banded mongoose, who are well loved members of our famous ‘Cast of Characters’! We wanted to celebrate these entertaining critters by naming our new kid’s club after them, and so the Governors’ Mongoose Club has been formed.
The idea behind this club is to educate and inspire our youngest visitors in ways that they would never have access to in their mainstream schooling systems abroad. Game drives are, of course, wonderful experiences in themselves to be shared with family, but there is so much more for your children to take away from their Kenyan safari.
The activities are designed to be fun and informative and we know that these experi- ences will provide your children with lifetime memories. You, as the parents, can take some well-deserved timeout; enjoy a spa treatment, read a book or just have a siesta while Julius (Our “chief Mongoose”) who is a local Masai guide, and the rest of our friendly team keep your children as entertained and educated as they would like to be, whilst of course ensuring their complete safety at all times. Please note that the Mongoose Club is only available at Governors’ Camp.
Included in the accommodation price.
Governors’ Camp hosts a wildlife photographer in the Mara who is available to be booked by our guests for accompanied photo safaris and in-depth tutorials on all elements of photography, including editing. Do let us know if you would like to guarantee a full day with them capturing the very best of this incredible wildlife reserve. Please note that guests will need to secure an exclusive use vehicle at a daily rate if their group size does not already secure one, on top of the photographer's daily fee.
Governors' also has 3 'photo safari' vehicles. Listening to the specific needs and recommendations of the photographers we've hosted over the years, we've modified three Landrover vehicles to include same level seating throughout, cut-out side panels in the middle row to get those much desired low angle shots, high roofs, fully folding windscreens and wide side panelling to offer the perfect place for resting a beanbag and long lens. The cars are available on an exclusive use basis and can be requested for and reserved while making your Governors' booking. They are available at all our camps in the Masai Mara.
Please see https://www.governorscamp.com/travel-planning/resident-photographers/ for full details and costs.
After your late afternoon game drive, end the day with a 'sundowner' at our very special spot on the banks of the Mara River. Our team will have set up a traditional 'safari bar' ahead of your arrival.
Sundowners are included in the nightly rate but premium drinks are extra.
Governors’ Camp offers a breathtakingly beautiful location in the wild where you can celebrate your recent nuptials with a Maasai blessing ceremony and more.
Please contact our office for a quote which will be based on the numbers in your group.
Your Stay
3 Nights
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Your Rooms
1x Safari Tent
Fast Facts
5 Star
Safari Lodge
Spoken Languages: English, Swahili
No. Rooms: 25
Special Interests: Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Nature, Relaxation, Wildlife
Ol Malo Lodge | Ol Malo Conservancy
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. Ol Malo is one of the few owner-managed properties in Kenya.
It offers the discerning guest a truly incomparable experience….one where you are able to get very close to the original pioneer days, where the settlers and the local tribes people (Samburu in this case) etched out a life which was to precede the Kenya we know today. Here, many of the old ways still exist!
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. They are pleased to be able to share their vision, their experience and their way of life with guests from around the world, either in the hospitality of the family home in the grounds of one of the most stunning properties and with one of the most impressive views in Africa.
Wildlife is prolific, and includes 4 of the Big 5 (Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard and Lion) as well as frequent sightings of Eland, Beisa Oryx (rare elsewhere), Gerenuk, Greater kudu, Water Buck, Giraffe, Zebras, and Various Antelope; there are more leopard in Laikipia than anywhere else on Earth, and there is a leopard hide on the property. Cheetah, Striped Hyena, and even Wild Dog are seen.The Leopard Hide is with bunk beds by the water hole, so you can stay out all night. There is also a Tree House, like the Nest, in Tarangire, Tanzania.
The day may start with a wakeup call with hot coffee or tea, and with freshly baked cookies being delivered to you on your ' veranda' to allow you to watch the sun rise over the wild and spectacular land in front of your cottage, with Mt. Kenya looming majestically in the background. If you are lucky you may spot the elusive leopard as he slinks off under the shade of a tree to nap through the day, or maybe a herd of elephant coming in to drink at the water pool below your cottage.
An early morning game drive to spot the first giraffe, eland, buffalo or maybe a skulking cat is followed by a late breakfast. Some people prefer to go on a nature walk in the cool of the morning, accompanied by guides and camels and later they will be surprised by a delicious breakfast served under the shade of an acacia tree, just at the right moment. Or a horse ride will take you into the midst of the game. As the tropical sun climbs higher in the sky, guests return from various activities to the lodge to relax by the infinity swimming pool.
A visit to the Samburu workshop, run by Julia, the Francombe’s daughter, is a popular and interesting activity. Colourful Samburu women sing while they use their beading skills to create wonderful objects to Julia's designs. Groups of chatting Samburu children paint delightful pictures of their world around them in bright colours. This 'Development through Art' workshop is designed to help the local people help themselves and puts money in the Ol Malo Trust to help with education and medical. Ol Malo is also justifiably proud of its excellent clinic and medical facilities.
Lunch 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 and very soon it is time for an evening activity. A visit to the local Samburu homestead 'Manyatta' is a wonderful experience. Totally unspoilt by western cultures, these friendly people welcome you into their home and share their lifestyle. Colourful warriors dancing with the exquisitely beautiful young girls present a scene of an unspoilt and ancient culture….and a super photo shoot.
Activities include:- Horse riding, camel riding, nature walks, running with the Samburu, night drives, picnic breakfasts, lunches by the river, river walks, swimming in the river, shooting the rapids in old tyres, sundowners on the rocks, barbeques in the bush, mountain bikes. Helicopter safaris are very popular. The use of a helicopter to get a bird’s eye view offers guests an experience of a life time. Helicopter excursions can go anywhere; a specialty is breakfast on the shores of Lake Turkana, and including flights over the Lake and along the Escarpment.
Ol Malo has reputedly the best horses in East Africa for horse safaris, and fly camping with either horses or camels, or both. And to return in the evening to hot showers and baths before cocktails in front of the fire followed by a candlelit dinner, regaling tales of the day’s activities or listening to Colin telling stories from the past is a wonderful way to end the day. And perhaps finally….spending a night in a leopard hide where four bunk beds are set up for you to relax whilst you wait and spot this most elusive of wild animals.
Most people arrive by charter to the Ol Malo airstrip. Ol Malo usually arranges these charters. You can also arrive by helicopter. For those who need to arrive by schedule service, Loisaba Airstrip is within an hour, on a rugged road....but you can game drive en route. The scheduled flight from Nairobi Wilson Airport takes about one and a half hours, although this can depend on whether there are stops en route. Ol Malo also has its own strip which can take aircraft up to the size of a Caravan, Pilatus and Kingair
Ol Malo comprises two products
Ol Malo Lodge, which comprises 4 bungalows which can be booked individually
And Ol Malo House which is normally booked exclusively by a family group, or a group of friends.
Ol Malo Lodge
- Located within a 5 minute drive or 10 minute walk (along the escarpment) from Ol Malo House, and now run by Andrew’s father and mother, Colin and Rocky.
- The two properties are run very separately, although some facilities are interchangeable.
- Whereas you book Ol Malo House on an exclusive basis (and lodge guests cannot wander in!) , at the lodge you can just book a mini suite as you would in any lodge or camp
- The Lodge comprises 4 mini suites, and is also located built in to the escarpment with equally impressive views as Ol Malo House.
- The public areas comprise a very large sitting room, lounge, bar and a dining room and a large infinity pool. There are 2 mini suites either side of the pool.
- Everything has been built using existing rocky formations as walls with local timbers used as the supplement.
- The shape of the rooms is determined by the shape of the rock formations and timbers forming the walls and overall structure of the room.
- Each mini suite comprises a separate living area, where there is a mezzanine floor and the opportunity for an extra bed; a bedroom with a large double or 2 twin beds; fireplace, wooden decks, verandah and a mini garden with a lawn.
- The en suite bathrooms are with walk in shower and bath tub.
- Each mini suite can sleep up to 2 adults and 2 children
- Room 1 is as described above
- Room 2 has a double bed and an outside living area, and steps leading to the lawn
- Room 3 has a double bed and an outside living area, and both an inside bath tub and walk in shower, and an outside bath tub and walk in shower.
- Room 4 has a double bed and an outside living area, and a downstairs en suite with a walk in shower and bath tub.
At Ol Malo the tariff at both the Lodge and the House includes:
- Accommodation.
- Meals
- Tea & coffee, mineral water, soft drinks, wine, non premium spirits and beers.
- All activities described above except for Helicopter trips and Mobile Camping
- Transfers from and to Loisaba airstrip
- Laundry
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).
Your Stay
1 Night
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers) Included
Your Rooms
1x Luxury Room
Fast Facts
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English, Swahili
No. Rooms: 4
Special Interests: Adventure, Birding, Fishing, Flora, Hiking, History & Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife
Ol Malo Nomad Mobile Camp | Ol Malo Conservancy
Ol Malo Nomad takes you one step further to explore the mountains, painted valleys, deserts and Kenya’s best kept secrets. Adventures are varied and tailor made; from exploring by helicopter and fishing vast lakes, to trekking on foot, horse or camel with mobile camps into the unknown.
Ol Malo Nomad also offers guests the opportunity to get more involved and support the Samburu eco-system through the Samburu Trust by walking with the Samburu people to secure their land, its wildlife and their shared future.
Tents are large enough to walk into, they are made of mosquito netting so you can star gaze at night, with a fly-sheet that is pulled over to cover it when it rains. Inside, the tent consists of bedrolls (mattress, duvet and pillow) on camp beds.
The tents have bucket showers and ‘thunder boxes’; a box placed over a long drop toilet. These are located centrally in the camp. The showers are hot and are refilled for each person!
Tent
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 - experienced riders only - and 8 by foot).
Room Facilities
Shower
Your Stay
2 Nights
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers) Included
Your Rooms
1x Fly Tent
Ol Malo Lodge | Ol Malo Conservancy
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. Ol Malo is one of the few owner-managed properties in Kenya.
It offers the discerning guest a truly incomparable experience….one where you are able to get very close to the original pioneer days, where the settlers and the local tribes people (Samburu in this case) etched out a life which was to precede the Kenya we know today. Here, many of the old ways still exist!
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. They are pleased to be able to share their vision, their experience and their way of life with guests from around the world, either in the hospitality of the family home in the grounds of one of the most stunning properties and with one of the most impressive views in Africa.
Wildlife is prolific, and includes 4 of the Big 5 (Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard and Lion) as well as frequent sightings of Eland, Beisa Oryx (rare elsewhere), Gerenuk, Greater kudu, Water Buck, Giraffe, Zebras, and Various Antelope; there are more leopard in Laikipia than anywhere else on Earth, and there is a leopard hide on the property. Cheetah, Striped Hyena, and even Wild Dog are seen.The Leopard Hide is with bunk beds by the water hole, so you can stay out all night. There is also a Tree House, like the Nest, in Tarangire, Tanzania.
The day may start with a wakeup call with hot coffee or tea, and with freshly baked cookies being delivered to you on your ' veranda' to allow you to watch the sun rise over the wild and spectacular land in front of your cottage, with Mt. Kenya looming majestically in the background. If you are lucky you may spot the elusive leopard as he slinks off under the shade of a tree to nap through the day, or maybe a herd of elephant coming in to drink at the water pool below your cottage.
An early morning game drive to spot the first giraffe, eland, buffalo or maybe a skulking cat is followed by a late breakfast. Some people prefer to go on a nature walk in the cool of the morning, accompanied by guides and camels and later they will be surprised by a delicious breakfast served under the shade of an acacia tree, just at the right moment. Or a horse ride will take you into the midst of the game. As the tropical sun climbs higher in the sky, guests return from various activities to the lodge to relax by the infinity swimming pool.
A visit to the Samburu workshop, run by Julia, the Francombe’s daughter, is a popular and interesting activity. Colourful Samburu women sing while they use their beading skills to create wonderful objects to Julia's designs. Groups of chatting Samburu children paint delightful pictures of their world around them in bright colours. This 'Development through Art' workshop is designed to help the local people help themselves and puts money in the Ol Malo Trust to help with education and medical. Ol Malo is also justifiably proud of its excellent clinic and medical facilities.
Lunch 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 and very soon it is time for an evening activity. A visit to the local Samburu homestead 'Manyatta' is a wonderful experience. Totally unspoilt by western cultures, these friendly people welcome you into their home and share their lifestyle. Colourful warriors dancing with the exquisitely beautiful young girls present a scene of an unspoilt and ancient culture….and a super photo shoot.
Activities include:- Horse riding, camel riding, nature walks, running with the Samburu, night drives, picnic breakfasts, lunches by the river, river walks, swimming in the river, shooting the rapids in old tyres, sundowners on the rocks, barbeques in the bush, mountain bikes. Helicopter safaris are very popular. The use of a helicopter to get a bird’s eye view offers guests an experience of a life time. Helicopter excursions can go anywhere; a specialty is breakfast on the shores of Lake Turkana, and including flights over the Lake and along the Escarpment.
Ol Malo has reputedly the best horses in East Africa for horse safaris, and fly camping with either horses or camels, or both. And to return in the evening to hot showers and baths before cocktails in front of the fire followed by a candlelit dinner, regaling tales of the day’s activities or listening to Colin telling stories from the past is a wonderful way to end the day. And perhaps finally….spending a night in a leopard hide where four bunk beds are set up for you to relax whilst you wait and spot this most elusive of wild animals.
Most people arrive by charter to the Ol Malo airstrip. Ol Malo usually arranges these charters. You can also arrive by helicopter. For those who need to arrive by schedule service, Loisaba Airstrip is within an hour, on a rugged road....but you can game drive en route. The scheduled flight from Nairobi Wilson Airport takes about one and a half hours, although this can depend on whether there are stops en route. Ol Malo also has its own strip which can take aircraft up to the size of a Caravan, Pilatus and Kingair
Ol Malo comprises two products
Ol Malo Lodge, which comprises 4 bungalows which can be booked individually
And Ol Malo House which is normally booked exclusively by a family group, or a group of friends.
Ol Malo Lodge
- Located within a 5 minute drive or 10 minute walk (along the escarpment) from Ol Malo House, and now run by Andrew’s father and mother, Colin and Rocky.
- The two properties are run very separately, although some facilities are interchangeable.
- Whereas you book Ol Malo House on an exclusive basis (and lodge guests cannot wander in!) , at the lodge you can just book a mini suite as you would in any lodge or camp
- The Lodge comprises 4 mini suites, and is also located built in to the escarpment with equally impressive views as Ol Malo House.
- The public areas comprise a very large sitting room, lounge, bar and a dining room and a large infinity pool. There are 2 mini suites either side of the pool.
- Everything has been built using existing rocky formations as walls with local timbers used as the supplement.
- The shape of the rooms is determined by the shape of the rock formations and timbers forming the walls and overall structure of the room.
- Each mini suite comprises a separate living area, where there is a mezzanine floor and the opportunity for an extra bed; a bedroom with a large double or 2 twin beds; fireplace, wooden decks, verandah and a mini garden with a lawn.
- The en suite bathrooms are with walk in shower and bath tub.
- Each mini suite can sleep up to 2 adults and 2 children
- Room 1 is as described above
- Room 2 has a double bed and an outside living area, and steps leading to the lawn
- Room 3 has a double bed and an outside living area, and both an inside bath tub and walk in shower, and an outside bath tub and walk in shower.
- Room 4 has a double bed and an outside living area, and a downstairs en suite with a walk in shower and bath tub.
At Ol Malo the tariff at both the Lodge and the House includes:
- Accommodation.
- Meals
- Tea & coffee, mineral water, soft drinks, wine, non premium spirits and beers.
- All activities described above except for Helicopter trips and Mobile Camping
- Transfers from and to Loisaba airstrip
- Laundry
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).
Your Stay
1 Night
Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers) Included
Your Rooms
1x Luxury Room
Fast Facts
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English, Swahili
No. Rooms: 4
Special Interests: Adventure, Birding, Fishing, Flora, Hiking, History & Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife
Ole Sereni | Nairobi
Ole-Sereni means ‘place of tranquillity’ in Maasai language. It offers its guests the comforts and services of a city hotel while bordering the wilds of the Nairobi National Park. Ole-Sereni Hotel captures the essence of Nairobi which is the only city in the world that boasts a natural game park within its precincts. This is evident as guests view animals at the waterhole in the park from the restaurants, bars, swimming pool, selected rooms and parts of the hotel.
For those who want the best of both worlds, Ole – Sereni is the perfect answer. As ‘the city hotel by the game park’, it offers guests a chance to view game only 15 minutes after leaving the airport. Its location between the airport and the city means that guests who stay there are able to avoid many of the challenges set by the choked Nairobi traffic.
Ole-Sereni has 134 tastefully decorated rooms. All the rooms have a twin or double bed and are equipped with private bath/ shower, air conditioning, safe, mini bar, tea/coffee making facilities, hairdryer, satellite TV, internet and direct dial telephone. On the 4th floor, overlooking the waterhole and skyline of Nairobi is the high-class Eagles Bar & Grillroom with its own Club Bar and evening entertainment. The main restaurant, the Big Five, also with its own bar, boasts an ‘open show’ kitchen offering five types of cuisine: Chinese, Indian, Italian, Mongolian and Grills.
Ole-Sereni has 48 Deluxe Rooms, which feature inviting warm colours and a modern, uncluttered feel. However, their real appeal is the incredible views, with each one offering a unique perspective of Nairobi National Park, letting you watch giraffe, buffalo and antelope in the comfort of your own room.
- Combination shower and bath
- Individual air conditioning control
- Complimentary tea and coffee making facilities
- IP phone
- Safe deposit box
- Laundry services
- Iron and ironing board available upon request
Boasting a little extra space, Ole-Sereni’s 26 Club Rooms are truly set apart by their private French balconies, offering incredible views of both Kenya’s natural heritage and vibrant urban streets. Allowing guests to relax in comfort as they take in these incredible sights, our Club Rooms feature the bright, warm décor you expect from Ole-Sereni.
- Combination shower and bath
- Individual air conditioning control
- Complimentary tea and coffee making facilities
- IP phone
- Safe deposit box
- Laundry services
- Iron and ironing board available upon request
Your Stay
1 Night
Bed and Breakfast
Your Rooms
1x Deluxe Room
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles | Mahe Island
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles offers a charming stay, set in a tropical paradise on Mahe. The resort boasts a selection of guest rooms and suites, located either by the beach or nestled among the lush, tropical hillside. Guests can indulge in delicious meals from the on-site restaurant. Other services and facilities include an open-air spa, a fitness centre, a resort library, and Wi-Fi. For leisure, guests can enjoy various activities such as kayaking, cooking classes, and snorkelling.
Only suite with direct access to a secluded section of Petite Anse beach, the Three-Bedroom Royal Suite provides up-close views of the Indian Ocean. This suite is comprised of four pavilions. The main pavilion is a two-storey space, entered on the upper level with a living room, dining room, pantry and terrace. Downstairs, there’s a study and family room, open to an expansive outdoor living space, complete with infinity-edge pool and whirlpool. The three bedrooms are each located in their own pavilion, each with a sitting area, verandah and lavish bathroom with outdoor shower.
Your Stay
6 Nights
Half Board - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast
Your Rooms
1x Hilltop Ocean View Villa