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Amboseli & Chyulu Hills

Ol Donyo Lodge

Iconic African luxury beneath Mount Kilimanjaro
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4.9 out of 5 stars   Average guest rating
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or call us on: +1 (646) 542 0667
Our guests rate us excellent
4.9/5 (930 reviews)

About Ol Donyo Lodge

ol Donyo Lodge lies in an extraordinary setting between two of Kenya's national parks, Tsavo East and Amboseli, in the heart of the Chyulu Hills. Presided over by Mount Kilimanjaro, Chyulu Hills is a place of timeless wild beauty and Masai spiritual life, and has inspired artists, photographers and writers such as Ernest Hemingway. The lodge itself lies on a vast group ranch that is leased from its Masai owners. Set in thick woodland on a hillside with views across the plains, the lodge is so luxurious you'll find it hard to leave, and the wildlife is even better.

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From $1,260 person/night

Lodge
10 Rooms

Highlights

Morning and evening game drives, which always reveal something new and exciting. Giraffe, zebra, huge numbers of antelopes, cheetah and, lion and elephants, especially big tuskers. There are lots of birds too, including the rare grey crowned crane.


Seeing the sights from a saddle. Horseriding safaris are avilable for all guests, novice to professional, as are mountain bike excursions.


Taking a long walks into the mist forests, and descending into the volcanic caverns of the Chyulu Hills to explore the world’s second-longest underground lava tube.

The property

The thatched communal area is vast, with a comfortable lounge area hung with beautiful photos of wildlife and views of the real creatures in front. There's a well-stocked bar, a library with reference books that'll help you identify the many, many antelope and other species. Sundowners (don't miss the macadamia chicken canapés) and meals are served on the large veranda or outdoors. There's a large infinity pool for hot days and a gift shop with beautiful Masai beaded work.

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The rooms

Ten thatch-roof suites have views of the waterhole and across the plains to Mount Kilimanjaro. The celings are high throughout and the front walls are glass, with heavy curtains that are drawn at night. There's a king-sized bed, a coffee-making station and two comfortable chairs facing the waterhole. The en-suite facilities include an indoor and outdoor shower, a bathtub and, in most units, a private plunge pool. The units also have a "star bed" for rooftop sleepouts – a magical experience.

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One more thing...

We had an out-of-this-world experience – a suite that fulfilled all our dreams and a ride through a veritable Eden of animals, even a pair of cheetahs, followed by a super-posh bush breakfast under a huge acacia tree. One tip: ask for a room with rooftop sleeping (weather permitting).

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Activities

Cultural
Game Drives
Horseback riding
Walking safari

Take a game drive, go horse- or bike riding, visit the fascinating lava tubes, set off on a walking safari, sleep under the stars and have breakfast and dinner in the bush. Watch the animals from an open-air hide or book a fly-camping adventure. Great Plains works with the local community to protect endangered species and reduce poaching. The lodge may be expensive, but it's good to know that a percentage of each visitor's conservancy fee goes to the community.

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Positive impact

ol Donyo Lodge is owned by Great Plains which is dedicated to creating lasting, sustainable conservation solutions for the world's iconic wildlife and wilderness areas. Through their model of compassionate protection and intelligent management, funded by low-impact tourism, they integrate communities, governments, and the private sector. Embracing the concept of 'Conservation Tourism', they prioritise environmentally sound practices while ensuring benefits directly support conservation efforts without a negative impact on the land or wildlife.

A contribution of $95 per guest, which is included in the nightly rate, goes towards the above goals.

Reviews

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NaN out of 5 stars

About Amboseli & Chyulu Hills

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Wildlife in Amboseli & Chyulu Hills

Elephant
Abundant
Giraffe
Abundant
Hippo
Rare
Black Rhino
Occasional
White Rhino
None
Lion
Occasional
Cheetah
Occasional
Leopard
Occasional
Hyena
Occasional
Wildebeest
Occasional
Buffalo
Abundant
Zebra
Abundant
Warthog
Abundant
Wild Dog
Rare
Meerkat
None

The Amboseli and Chyulu Hills region enjoy a diverse landscape of open savannah, acacia thicket and riverine forest, characterised by sweeping views of Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. It's a place of extreme scenic beauty, with wildlife to match. Witness lions, buffalo, leopard, spotted hyena, cheetah, giraffe, warthog, a diverse range of antelope and more than 300 species of bird. However the true highlight is the magnificent herds of elephant containing the last of Africa's big Tuskers.

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What our guests are saying

4.9 / 5
Based on 930 reviews
Guest
Feb 2025 • 9 nights in Kenya
Annie Irankunda went to all lenghts and further to make my trip to Kenya lovely. She helped with all the things I... Read more
Rosalie
Feb 2025 • 14 nights in Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda
Kevin was so patient in getting my trip setup. It took months before I finally had a plan put together and he was... Read more
Anita
Feb 2025 • 12 nights in Kenya and Uganda
A huge thank you to Timbuktu for helping us plan our dream honeymoon! From start to finish, we felt incredibly... Read more
Larisa
Jan 2025 • 15 nights in South Africa and Mauritius
Amazing way to plan a trip! They made everything so seamless and easy prior to our trip. Took the stress out of... Read more
Guest
Jan 2025 • 13 nights in South Africa and Zimbabwe
Jenna was very helpful in developing a trip that met our wants while remaining within our budget. Highly recommend... Read more
Guest
Jan 2025 • 5 nights in South Africa and Zimbabwe
Joanna was so quick to respond to any and all questions I had. She communicated clearly and often. She also gave me... Read more
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