Ol Donyo Lodge

Ol Donyo Lodge is a private lodge on the slopes of the Chyulu Hills between Tsavo and Amboseli national parks. Secluded, remote and considered one of East Africa’s last remaining wildernesses, the lodge has exclusive access to 250,000 acres of Masai community ranch. Breathtaking views of archetypal African savannah, flat top acacia trees with snow capped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro in the background make this quintessential Africa.  Children aged five and over are welcome at Ol Donyo Lodge.

Accommodation & Facilities
The lodge sleeps 20 people in ten spacious guest suites which are housed in six cottages. Each cottage merges outdoor and indoor living offering their own private swimming pools, outdoor rooftop sleeping platforms, spacious en-suite bathrooms with superb views, a shower and bath, flush loo and additional outdoor shower. The family villa “Sambu” has two en-suite bedrooms, private dining area and a large plunge pool. The rooftop sundowner terrace can be transformed into a mosquito-net-protected star bed on request. There is space for additional children’s beds making the total capacity up to six people.  There are three pool suites which have twin or double rooms and are connected by an outside foyer. These are ideal for families with slightly older children as the external door to the pool cannot be secured.  An extra child’s bed can be added to these suites making maximum capacity five people.

Eating & Sleeping
Children can eat at times to suit them and there is a children’s menu featuring dishes such as chicken fillet strips with chips, salad or vegetables, pizza etc. There is no babysitting or listening service so parents need to be responsible for the supervision of their children.

Wildlife & Activities
A wide variety of wildlife can be found in this area but due to the low number of tourists, the game is more shy than other areas. You may need to work a little harder than you would in the Masai Mara, but you might be able to see gerenuk, hyena, bat ear foxes, lion, huge male elephants, jackal, wild dog and large numbers of zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and other antelope. The combination of plains and hills around Ol Donyo Lodge is stunning, and offers guests a wide range of beautiful walks and rides, as well as day and night game drives and mountain biking. Another great option for the more adventurous is to fly camp out on the plains under the stars which can be organised from the lodge.

Specifically for children …
• ‘Young Explorers Programme’ which includes a full range of activities including bush survival skills, making sling shots, bows and arrows and creating fire using traditional Masai techniques.
• Game drives – Ol Donyo is on private land so there is plenty of stopping and getting out of the vehicle for breaks and exploration making game drives more child friendly.
• Sundowners at the kopjes – inspiration for Madagascar 2’s watering hole
• Horse riding for capable riders 12 years and over and lodge riding in the arena for younger less experienced children.
• Mountain biking – bikes (and helmets) are available for children kids from eight years old.
• Cultural visits to local Masai communities
• Tracking with the resident anti-poaching bloodhound and learn about local conservation.