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Situated on the northern edge of the Laikipia plateau, Ol Malo House is nestled into a rugged escarpment looking out across the time-honored lands of Kenya’s Northern Frontier District. These miles of dense thorn bush are favoured by the shy, elusive antelope from which the house takes its name, “the place of the Greater Kudu”.
Ol Malo House was designed and built by the Francombe family. The hub of the house is a large and beautiful sitting and dining room – with open fireplaces – encircled by three en-suite double bedrooms. Two more separate cottages create a further three double bedrooms: each has arch windows and doors, en-suite bathrooms, and decor inspired by the area’s wild landscape and the life and culture of the Samburu people.
Lighting handmade by the Samburu women creates a warm ambience and welcoming atmosphere. A flagstone path leads to a large open area overlooking the infinity pool, fringed by Drasina palms and this incredible land’s wide-open vistas – perfect for al fresco dining.
On offer whilst staying are endless wild walks, camel and horse rides, epic helicopter adventures, mountain biking, picnics by the river, game drives, lots of interaction with the local Samburu tribe or just relaxing and watching the sun go down at the end of the day.
Ol Malo House was designed and built by the Francombe family. The hub of the house is a large and beautiful sitting and dining room – with open fireplaces – encircled by three en-suite double bedrooms.
Separate cottages (Hippo and Crocodile) create a further three double bedrooms: each private and comfortable cottage has arch windows and doors, en-suite bathrooms, and decor inspired by the area’s wild landscape, local flora and the life and culture of the Samburu people. Lighting is handmade by the Samburu women creates a warm ambience and welcoming atmosphere. A flagstone path leads to a large open area overlooking the infinity pool and this incredible land’s wide-open vistas – perfect for al fresco dining. A barbecue area creates a wonderful place in which to end the day under a star-studded African sky.
On one end of the house there is one separate cottage, Hippo, encompassing two ensuite bedrooms with a shared living area (Hippo). This cottage could be combined with Ol Malo House making Ol Malo House ideal for bigger groups traveling together, or the two can function independently.
On one end of the house there is one separate cottage, Crocodile, encompassing one ensuite bedroom. This cottage could be combined with Ol Malo Main House and/or Hippo Cottage making Ol Malo House ideal for bigger groups traveling together.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Barbeque Facilities, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Secure Parking
Room Facilities
Internet, Shower, Verandah
Available Services
Laundry Service
Activities on Site
Big 5, Bird Watching, Fine Dining, Fishing, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, High Tea, Horse Riding, Horse-back Safaris, Safaris, Walks
Activities Nearby
Adrenaline Activities, Animal Encounters, Big 5, Bird Watching, Child Friendly Activities, Fishing, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Helicopter Rides, Hiking, Horse-back Safaris, Safaris
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.
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. We can also 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).
