Situated on the northern edge of the Laikipia plateau, Ol Malo is nestled into a rugged escarpment looking out across the time-honored lands of Kenya’s Northern Frontier District. These miles of dense thorn bush are favoured by the shy, elusive antelope from which the lodge takes its name, “the place of the Greater kudu”. An ancient land inhabited by wildlife and peoples of a time long ago, undisturbed and living by the rhythm of nature and as part of this untamed and beautiful landscape, is Ol Malo.

A family-owned working ranch and wildlife sanctuary, Ol Malo gives a unique insight into the thriving co-existence of wildlife and cattle on the Lakipia plateau. A stay with the Francombe family at their beautiful home ensures an intimate and highly personalised experience. With only four cottages, Ol Malo offers the perfect mix of comfort, luxury and life in harmony with nature.  Unconstrained by rules and regulations, Ol Malo is ideal for riding, walking, camping out, day and night game drives but ultimately connecting with the land and its people on a personal level.

As Ol Malo is a working ranch, it enables the Lodge to provide farm fresh produce for guests as well as protect the land. There is nothing better than serving ranch raised meats, freshly laid eggs, milk, organic honey and vegetables selected from the garden. Meals can be tailored to dietary needs and guests are welcome to get involved in the ranch activities. An early morning visit to the dairy herd to fill the milk jug for breakfast is the highlight for many children.

The Francombe family were among the early trail blazers of the “Bush Homes” concept of building and operating small owner-operated tourism enterprises and their lodge and home has stood the tests of time.

Built by the Francombe family in 1992 with help from the Samburu community and using locally sourced dead olive wood, Ol Malo Lodge was one of the first lodges to promote the “Bush Homes” concept.  The welcoming sitting room with its open fireplace has been privy to many evenings of story telling by The Francombes.  The dining room has dramatic views over terraced lawns leading up to the edge of the escarpment and on a clear day, all the way to Mt. Kenya.  A cliff top infinity pool, one of the first built in Kenya, together with the pool house creates an ideal environment to spend an afternoon watching the activity at the watering hole and salt lick below the lodge.

The Cottages Situated along the edge of the escarpment, maximizing the expansive views, Ol Malo Lodge has three ensuite one-bedroomed cottages and a two-bedroomed family cottage with a shared bathroom. Using local and sustainable materials the spacious cottages were built to blend with the natural landscape. The interior decor is tasteful, complemented with bead work from the Samburu Trust that Ol Malo supports.  Large picture windows frame a wild and constantly changing landscape.