On the Mbirikani Group Ranch – 111,000 hectares (275,000 acres) of private wild Africa bordering Chyulu Hills National Park and owned by 4,000 Maasai – ol Donyo Lodge blends contemporary design with the rich culture of the Maasai, creating the perfect setting for a Kenya safari. This Great Plains Conservation Réserve-Collection property is perched on a hillside with views of East Africa’s classic savannahs below.

“We consider the community our partners, and there are financial benefits beyond the lease fees we pay that go to them, teachers, and scholars. Other community projects based on wildlife conservation and tourism are strategically designed to uplift our communities.” Dereck adds: “Your tourism dollars, at ol Donyo Lodge, help us make this safari property one as a model of collaborative conservation. As a result, we have excellent conservation success stories regarding lions, cheetahs and the icon bull elephants, some of the last remaining large tuskers in Africa.”

Each suite at ol Donyo Lodge offers its own window to the soul of the East African safari. Their views look out over the suite’s plunge pool and across the rolling plains to Mount Kilimanjaro. All six suites, plus a two-bedroom family suite, have stunning star beds, where you can sleep out under the canopy of stars and listen to the hyenas and lions moving around. ol Donyo Lodge embraces its community heritage, and our guides can take you to a nearby village, offering authentic Kenya safari experiences that will change your life. We offer guided walking safaris, mountain bike safaris, horseback safaris, and open vehicle game drives – all allowing you to explore the conservancy, later returning to Relais and Châteaux quality meals served by our Executive Chef and his team.

Relais and Châteaux stand for that excellence in fine dining, wine (in this case, from our hand-picked wine selection and our private cellar) and service excellence. ol Donyo Lodge is one of Kenya’s only three Relais & Châteaux properties. The others are its sister properties, Mara Plains Camp and Mara Nyika Camp