It was recently announced that Great Plains Conservation would be breaking new grounds for Relais & Châteaux. olDonyo Camp is the first property ever to be accredited as Relais & Châteaux member in Kenya. The Relais & Châteaux 5C’s ethos of Calm, Charm, Character, Courtesy and Cuisine personifies the experiences at olDonyo Camp. In addition this Great Plains Conservation property adds a further two C’s into the mix in the form of their underlying Conservation and Community ethics.
Imagine…275,000 acres of scenic Africa, where the wildlife can be found free and roaming, without tourists in mini buses or a set schedule.
Imagine…travelling across the archetypal savannahs of East Africa in an open 4×4 game drive vehicle without limitation, feeling the rhythm of Africa beneath your feet as you walk with expert trackers, or horseback riding with Mt. Kilimanjaro as a backdrop.
Imagine…exploring this paradise, and then coming home to one of the most luxurious small lodges in East Africa where a hot bath, in or outdoor shower, or private swimming pool await – all with inspiring views across the expansive plains, plus delicious food, charming hosts and world-class service.
olDonyo Lodge is in the heart of the 275,000 acre Mbirikani Group Ranch, located on the slopes of the Chyulu Hills National Park between the Amboseli and Tsavo West National Parks in southeast Kenya. Its location is unrivalled with full views of Mount Kilimanjaro and in the path of seasonal elephant migrations. It is a lodge rich in history, passion and conservation.
olDonyo Lodge’s founder Richard Bonham had often flown over this spectacular landscape but one day in the 1980s, he was moved to land his Cessna on the open plains and meet the local Maasai. That was only the first of many meetings, before the birth of a pioneering community conservation tourism project. The concept was simple: Richard brings guests to this remote group ranch to participate in safaris, and the Maasai share the benefits. But nothing in Africa is that simple, really. And so began a life-long relationship with the Maasai, the wildlife and the game ranch.
olDonyo Lodge is a 20-bed lodge, rebuilt and redesigned in 2008, and perched on a hillside, with no two suites or villas the same. What is consistent is the attention to detail, the comfortable yet utterly luxurious décor and the tradition of greatness. Regarded as one of the most attractive lodges in East Africa, olDonyo Lodge is a place to call home for as long as possible.
There is a range of activities available – from cultural visits, good quality wildlife viewing and tracking, horseback riding and mountain biking – olDonyo Lodge is a holistic experience.
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