OL Donyo Lodge Chyulu Hills

Tucked in the foothills of the Chyulu Hills, between Tsavo West National Park and Amboseli National Park, Ol Donyo Lodge is an exclusive luxury retreat that blends wild East African landscapes with refined elegance and a deep cultural heritage.

Set on the Mbirikani Ranch, a 275,000-acre tract of private Maasai land, the lodge offers panoramic views across rolling savannahs toward Mount Kilimanjaro.

Crafted from ancient lava rock and harmonizing contemporary design with traditional Maasai aesthetics, the lodge offers a soulful and immersive safari experience. 

With only nine suites, including the private 2-bedroom Sambu Suite, each features a private plunge pool, rooftop star bed, and open veranda, ensuring guests enjoy guaranteed privacy, luxury, and unmatched intimacy with the natural world.

Whether watching elephants from a sunken hide, horseback riding across open plains, or drifting to sleep under starlit skies, Ol Donyo is a sanctuary where wild beauty meets heartfelt hospitality.

Location & Accessibility

Ol Donyo Lodge is located in Mbirikani Group Ranch, nestled within the Chyulu Hills, southeast of Nairobi.

By Road:

✓ Access via 4×4 vehicle required
✓ 2-hour drive from Amboseli National Park
✓ Approximately 4.5 to 5 hours from Nairobi via Emali

By Air:

✓ 30-minute transfer to the lodge
✓ 1-hour flight from Nairobi Wilson Airport
✓ Charter flights to Ol Donyo Airstrip (private)

Accommodation

Ol Donyo Lodge offers nine spacious suites, each uniquely designed to provide a personal, luxurious experience.

Deluxe Suites (8 units)

✓ Lounge area
✓ Deep soaking tub
✓ Rooftop star bed
✓ En-suite bathroom
✓ Private plunge pool
✓ Covered and open verandas
✓ Indoor & outdoor showers
✓ Mountain or savannah views

Sambu Family Suite (1 unit)

✓ 2-bedroom family suite
✓ Ideal for families or groups
✓ All features of deluxe suites
✓ Shared lounge and expansive outdoor deck

Suite Amenities:

✓ Laundry service
✓ Safety deposit box
✓ Daily housekeeping
✓ Solar and generator power
✓ In-room massage available
✓ High-quality binoculars provided

Dining & Cuisine

Dining at Ol Donyo is a gourmet affair with flexibility and variety. Meals are paired with fine wines and can be enjoyed:

* In the main dining area
* Outdoors under the stars
* On private rooftops or decks
* Beside the fire pit or in the new fire deck

Culinary Highlights:

✓ Extensive wine list
✓ Private dinners & bush meals
✓ Packed picnic lunches for excursions
✓ Special dietary needs accommodated
✓ Locally sourced produce, meats, and dairy

Facilities & Services

✓ New open-air fire deck
✓ Laundry and 24-hour electricity
✓ Infinity pool with savannah views
✓ On-site spa & in-room treatments
✓ Star beds on private suite rooftops
✓ Young Explorers children’s program
✓ Sunken photographic hide at waterhole
✓ Community liaison & conservation talks
✓ Curated guest experiences and itineraries
✓ Complimentary use of cameras & binoculars

Activities & Experiences

At Ol Donyo Lodge, guests enjoy the widest range of activities in the Great Plains portfolio.

On-Site & Nearby Activities:

✓ Day & night game drives
✓ Spa & wellness therapies
✓ Photographic hide viewing
✓ Mountain biking adventures
✓ Rooftop star-bed experiences
✓ Birdwatching and plains exploration
✓ Scenic helicopter safaris over Kilimanjaro & Chyulu
✓ Horseback safaris (intermediate & advanced riders)
✓ Guided walking safaris (pre-booked for extended walks)

Cultural Experiences:

✓ Maasai village visits near Imbirikani
✓ Kimana local market visit (1.5 to 2 hrs)
✓ School visits with the Great Plains Foundation
✓ Community-led beadwork & cultural storytelling

Inclusions

✓ Star bed setup
✓ Laundry services
✓ Waterhole hide access
✓ All meals and selected drinks
✓ Personalized hosting and guiding
✓ Airport transfers (Ol Donyo Airstrip)
✓ Luxury accommodation in private suites
✓ Use of binoculars and photographic gear
✓ Game drives, walking safaris, and select activities
✓ Conservation fees and community support contributions

Ol Donyo Lodge Chyulu Hills Non-Resident Accommodation Prices Per Night Includes:

Fully inclusive of accommodation, scheduled activities (including horseback riding), meals, Star bed experience, Big Life conservation fees, daily laundry service, return Chyulu airstrip road transfers, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages including premium brand spirits and champagne

Notes

* Minimum age is 5 years
* Exclusive of Nairobi air transfers
* Maasai cultural visits – 30 US Dollars  paid directly to Maasai
* 9-Day Kenya Fly-in Safari Chyulu Hills & Masai Mara | Click Here
* Day trips to Amboseli National Park, scenic air flights, and spa services
* Great Plains Foundation Conservation & Community levy – 100 US Dollars per person per night
* Children 16 and older pay the applicable adult rates and will be accommodated in a separate suite
* Sambu Suite Rate is calculated on a per Suite basis sleeping a maximum of 4 guests sharing regardless of age
* Child rates are applicable for up to two children aged 15 and younger sharing with two adults in the Sambu suite
* Each guest room includes one pair of binoculars and a professional camera body and lens kit for complimentary use
* Child rates are applicable for up to one child 15 and younger sharing with two adults in an applicable standard and deluxe pool suite
* Late check-outs are subject to availability and additional cost. Check-out time remains 8:30 am and guests may use public areas until departure

OL Donyo Lodge consists of 10 spacious suites in 6 distinct villas. All of the suites have a lounge area, a private verandah, indoor and outdoor showers, a large bath, and a “star bed”. All of the suites have their private pools. There is also Wi-fi available in each guest suite.

There is a private veranda and rooftop terrace that gives guests an intimate space to gaze at the stars or watch the plains. The villas are individually appointed with thatch, native wood, African art, and other organic materials. Out of the 10 suites, eight suites have private pool plunges.

The lodge is designed so that each room has its window to the soul of East Africa:  looking out over the plunge pool, over the rolling plains, and to Mount Kilimanjaro… All six suites plus 1 two-bedroom family unit have stunning star beds, where you can sleep out under the canopy of stars and listen to the hyenas and lions moving around. 

The 4-bed private villas are excellent options for families and small groups who prefer that extra privacy. Guests can have a private chef prepare delectable meals to fuel their high-energy trip in the Chyulu Hills. 

The onsite restaurant serves local and international cuisines, and guests can enjoy their meals in the dining area or outdoors under the acacia tree. There is an outdoor pool for relaxing in the afternoons. The lodge’s main lounge is complete with a grand stone fireplace, a small library, an open bar, and an expansive verandah where guests rendezvous with new friends.

Ol Donyo Lodge Chyulu Hills activities include: day game drives, guided bush walks, bush breakfasts and dinners, night drives, hiking, horse riding, mountain biking, and room massages. Guests can also enjoy animal tracking, fly camping, conservation, community outreach programs, wildlife viewing in an open-air hide, and sleepouts on private “star beds”.

Mobile: + 254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com