Ol Malo Lodge

Ol Malo is a privately-owned game sanctuary on the edge of the Laikipia Plateau and bordering the tribal heartlands of the nomadic Samburu people – 5000 acres of spectacular bush country overlooked by Mount Kenya and teeming with wildlife.

Atop a rock escarpment the Francombe family and their Samburu neighbours have created Ol Malo Lodge. The main building, especially its wonderful pool, provide a fine clifftop vantage point overlooking activity at the watering hole and salt lick below. A maze of slated pathways wind down to four rock and olive wood cottages. Each 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.

Game drives in open vehicles are led by Samburu guides, on the lookout for elephant, buffalo, beisa oryx, zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, African wild dog, leopard, cheetah, lion, and hyena. There’s plenty of scope for adventure too with horse or camel riding on the plains – a wonderful way to see the game up close – cross-country mountain biking, fishing, river tubing, scenic helicopter flights, running with a Samburu warrior and community visits.