Ol Malo Lodge Cottages Laikipia Kenya

Ol-Malo Lodge or 'The Place of the Greater Kudu' the perfect Luxury Africa Safari Lodge is set in a 5000 acre ranch and game sanctuary along the Uaso Nyiro River, overlooked by the massive snow covered Mount Kenya in the background, and it overlooks the Mukagodo home of the nomadic Ndorobo people. Ol-Malo hotel was built by the Francombes who were both born and raised in Kenya, and they both knew exactly what was required when they built the lodge, and how they wanted it to be.

To stay at Ol Malo Hotel is to live by a different rhythm - measure the day by the time-worn patterns of nature, wake up to see the mind-blowing sunrise, framing the snow-capped peaks of Mt Kenya. Celebrate the new day with a dawn ride into the wilderness, feel night's chill burn off with the rising of the great equatorial sun, keep tempo with the world by the roll of the camels stride, tour the colourful Samburu nomads of the North and sink with the dying sun into the waters of the pool. At night luxuriate in the peace and comfort of Ol Malo and tune into the magical sounds of wild Africa under an ancient starscape.

Ol Malo Lodge lies about 314 kilometers from Nairobi, Kenya and will take about 5 hours driving. By Air 45 minutes from Nairobi (Wilson Airport) to Samburu or Shaba airstrip. Ol Malo Lodge is a 5,000 acre ranch and game sanctuary, which lies along the edge of Kenya's north-eastern province. Without apparent effort you will move in Africa time, totally controlled by sunrise and sunset, it will be as if the real world doesn't exist anymore, and you may find yourself viewing the abundant game from much closer than a safari vehicle.

You could be high on a camel, on horseback, or on a mountain bike if you choose. One thing is certain you will almost certainly see and get close to game that is so protected and undisturbed by human contact; they come to Ol-Malo Lodge as a place of security and safety. You will almost certainly view Elephant, Giraffe, Leopard, Lion, Hyena, Common Zebra, and the rare Grevy? s Zebra, more endangered than the Rhino. At night you will return to perhaps a dusk swim, watching perhaps a herd of Elephant arriving at the waterhole, absolutely memorable cuisine, and perhaps a night in the game hide watching Leopards close up but in total safety.

When owner Colin Francombe talks you through the panorama from the verandah at Ol Malo Hotel in Laikipia, it feels as though you're standing on a great map of Kenya, Some 100 kilometres to the south is Mt Kenya. A little closer are the Lolldaiga Hills, and a short distance to the east, Samburu lies just behind a ridge of hills. Go north from here and you enter Kenya's wild Northern Frontier district. Ol Malo Lodge lies on the edge of Laikipia, this area of Kenya feels tantalizingly like the edge of civilization; Ol Malo Hotel was one of the first of Kenya's bush homes, so of course a large part of staying here is getting a taste of what it's like to actually live here, as the Francombes do.

Colin, Rocky and their son Andrew are relaxed and affable hosts, so you quickly feel as though you've known them for a while. Conversation is easy and, inevitably when you enter a world as different as this is compared to most people's lives, there are numerous stories of animals, people and places. Ol Malo Lodge is still very much a home; the family dogs are much in evidence (they're well behaved so you won't be bothered by them if dogs aren't your thing) and family photos hang on the walls, giving a glimpse of enchanted African childhoods. Principally this is somewhere to soak up the intoxicating and rarified atmosphere of this part of Africa and just take it all as it comes. If you take this approach it'll knock your socks off.

The plains and dense bush round Ol Malo Lodge contain an enormous number of species, some unique to the area, this is the birthplace of mankind and home to some of the greatest bio-diversity on earth. Those with an inclination to take in the wonders of the natural world will have a full program of events to cover. Elephant, buffalo, Eland, Beisa Oryx, Grant gazelle, Impala, common and grey Zebra, reticulated Giraffe, Lelwels Hartebeest 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.

Ol Malo Lodge is a striking building in an outstanding location - natural local materials sculpted into a warm and hospitable lodge set among the curves of a rocky hillside surveying one of the great views of Africa. Comfortable and accommodating sitting and dining rooms provide shady terraces for protection from the sun - and open fireplaces for the cooler evenings. 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.