Extraordinary Africa>Kenya>Masai Mara>Olonana
Olonana’s been a favourite of ours from the moment we first arrived. This striking luxury lodge is right on the banks of the Mara River, next to the ravishing Masai Mara Reserve.
What’s Olanana really like?
Olonana has 14 glass sided suites, decorated in a light contemporary style. They’re large, airy and comfortable, and stretched along the Mara River (close enough in some cases to hear the hippos honking). Three of the suites are family suites which have an extra room for children. There is also one, ultra-modern, ultra luxurious “Geoffrey Kent Suite” which has two ensuite bedrooms, and has its own private lounge, dining area, and safari vehicle. Over the main lodge you’ll be served cold drinks and hot dinners, and there’s also a small pool for a lazy afternoon dip between game drives. The style here is clean and modern, far removed from the tented camps elsewhere in Kenya, so we’d recommend this to guests who prefer a more polished style of luxury.
What can I do at Olonana?
The highlight for guests staying at Olonana, is, of course, heading out on a game drive in the Mara Triangle. You’ll head out in special safari vehicles (usually 6-8 people in each vehicle) with expert safari guide- beyond that- we can’t tell you what’ll come next- whether you’ll be caught amongst herds of wildebeest, tracking a family of elephant for hours or looking for leopards high in the branches of trees. Also included in your stay are walking safaris (over 16’s only), and visits to Olonana’s eco-projects. It’s also possible to arrange community visits to a nearby Maasai village, and hot air balloon safaris for an extra fee. If this all sounds a bit much, Olonana also has a small spa using delicious Africology products.
What about children at Olonana?
If you are travelling with tiddlers in tow, there are a number of activities that can be adapted to suit younger children- nature walks, treasure hunts, spear throwing and even planting a tree as part of Olonana’s eco project.
Giving back at Olonana:
Olonana works closely with the local community to help support essential needs. This includes providing a water purifier to eleven schools so there is clean drinking water for pupils, helped build classrooms and a library, and supporting the local clinic. They take Maasai children into the park to learn about the wildlife, and support women’s beadwork projects- you can buy some of their beautiful work in camp.
Want to know more? We’ve been here, so just
EXTRAORDINARY AFRICA 