Ol Malo Lodge Cottages Laikipia Kenya

Ol-Malo Lodge or 'The Place of the Greater Kudu'great map of Kenya, Some 100 kilometres to the
the perfect Luxury Africa Safari Lodge is set in asouth is Mt Kenya. A little closer are the Lolldaiga
5000 acre ranch and game sanctuary along theHills, and a short distance to the east, Samburu
Uaso Nyiro River, overlooked by the massivelies just behind a ridge of hills. Go north from here
snow covered Mount Kenya in the background,and you enter Kenya's wild Northern Frontier
and it overlooks the Mukagodo home of thedistrict. Ol Malo Lodge lies on the edge of Laikipia,
nomadic Ndorobo people. Ol-Malo hotel was builtthis area of Kenya feels tantalizingly like the edge
by the Francombes who were both born andof civilization; Ol Malo Hotel was one of the first of
raised in Kenya, and they both knew exactlyKenya's bush homes, so of course a large part of
what was required when they built the lodge, andstaying here is getting a taste of what it's like to
how they wanted it to be.actually live here, as the Francombes do.
To stay at Ol Malo Hotel is to live by a differentColin, Rocky and their son Andrew are relaxed
rhythm - measure the day by the time-wornand affable hosts, so you quickly feel as though
patterns of nature, wake up to see theyou've known them for a while. Conversation is
mind-blowing sunrise, framing the snow-cappedeasy and, inevitably when you enter a world as
peaks of Mt Kenya. Celebrate the new day with adifferent as this is compared to most people's
dawn ride into the wilderness, feel night's chill burnlives, there are numerous stories of animals,
off with the rising of the great equatorial sun,people and places. Ol Malo Lodge is still very much
keep tempo with the world by the roll of thea home; the family dogs are much in evidence
camels stride, tour the colourful Samburu nomads(they're well behaved so you won't be bothered
of the North and sink with the dying sun into theby them if dogs aren't your thing) and family
waters of the pool. At night luxuriate in the peacephotos hang on the walls, giving a glimpse of
and comfort of Ol Malo and tune into the magicalenchanted African childhoods. Principally this is
sounds of wild Africa under an ancient starscape.somewhere to soak up the intoxicating and
Ol Malo Lodge lies about 314 kilometers fromrarified atmosphere of this part of Africa and just
Nairobi, Kenya and will take about 5 hours driving.take it all as it comes. If you take this approach
By Air 45 minutes from Nairobi (Wilson Airport) toit'll knock your socks off.
Samburu or Shaba airstrip. Ol Malo Lodge is aThe plains and dense bush round Ol Malo Lodge
5,000 acre ranch and game sanctuary, which liescontain an enormous number of species, some
along the edge of Kenya's north-eastern province.unique to the area, this is the birthplace of
Without apparent effort you will move in Africamankind and home to some of the greatest
time, totally controlled by sunrise and sunset, it willbio-diversity on earth. Those with an inclination to
be as if the real world doesn't exist anymore, andtake in the wonders of the natural world will have
you may find yourself viewing the abundant gamea full program of events to cover. Elephant,
from much closer than a safari vehicle.buffalo, Eland, Beisa Oryx, Grant gazelle, Impala,
You could be high on a camel, on horseback, orcommon and grey Zebra, reticulated Giraffe,
on a mountain bike if you choose. One thing isLelwels Hartebeest Gerenuk, Greater Kudu,
certain you will almost certainly see and get closeWater Buck, Klipspringer, Steenbok, Gunthers Dik
to game that is so protected and undisturbed byDik, Warthog, Wild dog, Leopard, Cheetah, Lion,
human contact; they come to Ol-Malo Lodge as aspotted and striped Hyena: where else on earth
place of security and safety. You will almostcan you go out for a drive in an open vehicle -
certainly view Elephant, Giraffe, Leopard, Lion,with a Samburu guide and driver - and be virtually
Hyena, Common Zebra, and the rare Grevy? scertain to see such a wide-ranging selection of
Zebra, more endangered than the Rhino. At nightelusive, wild game?
you will return to perhaps a dusk swim, watchingAn experienced Samburu guides will take you on
perhaps a herd of Elephant arriving at thea nature walk to show you the Little Five - ant
waterhole, absolutely memorable cuisine, andlion, leopard tortoise, elephant shrew, rhino beetle,
perhaps a night in the game hide watchingbuffalo weaver. Or you can choose to learn about
Leopards close up but in total safety.the plants the Samburu use for medicine and
When owner Colin Francombe talks you throughfood. Or stand in amazement at the sight of the
the panorama from the verandah at Ol Malo Hotel330 named species of birds found at Ol Malo.
in Laikipia, it feels as though you're standing on a