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OL DONYO WUAS LODGE
Ol Donyo Wuas Lodge is in the heart of the Mbirikani Maasai Group Ranch, located on the slopes of the Chyulu Hills National Park between Amboseli and Tsavo West National Parks in southeast Kenya. Its location is unrivaled - full views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and in the path of traditional wildlife migration routes. It is a lodge rich in history, passion and conservation.
The 20-bed lodge (inclusive of the four bed private bush home) was rebuilt and redesigned in 2008. Perched on a hillside, every view looks out across the vast savannah, and onward to Mt. Kilimanjaro. No two suites or villas are the same, but what is consistent is the attention to detail, the comfortable yet utterly luxurious dcor and the tradition of greatness. Regarded as one of the most attractive lodges in East Africa, Ol Donyo Wuas is a place to call home for as long as possible.
Special care has been taken in every aspect of the lodge. There is no dearth of activities from culture to wildlife to tracking to horseback riding to mountain biking Ol Donyo Wuas is a holistic experience.
A Proud History
For over 20 years Ol Donyo Wuas Lodge was the Africa cognoscenti's dream destination. Tucked away in the spectacular Chyulu Hills, above the heat and malaria of the coast, and far away from the tourist circuit, Ol Donyo Wuas was a model for many of the bush lodges' that would follow.
Ol Donyo Wuas' founder Richard Bonham had often flown over this spectacular landscape but one day in the 1980s, he was moved to land his Cessna on the open plains and meet the local Maasai. That was only the first of many meetings, before the birth of a pioneering community conservation tourism project. The concept was simple: Richard brings guests to this remote group ranch to participate in safaris, and the Maasai share the benefits. But nothing in Africa is that simple, really. And so began a life-long relationship with the Maasai, the wildlife and the ranch.
In the early years Richard and his guests would be excited if they even saw the spoor of a passing elephant or lion. Today, after years of working together in a partnership whereby both the wildlife and the people benefit, there are elephant in front of the lodge almost every day. In fact, six bulls with some of the largest ivory in East Africa are regular visitors. Lion and cheetah, which were always present in small numbers, are on the increase and much less elusive. In a world where the last Black rhino was nearly shot to extinction, Mbirikani Group Ranch and the Maasai protect a secure breeding population deep in the Chyulu Hills' mist forests.
John Heminway, one of the most experienced and astute writers about Africa wrote recently in Travel and Leisure: "Richard Bonham could well be the father of the bush guest house. He built Ol Donyo Wuas many years ago and it still sets the standard." Over the years, Richard and Tara Bonham with Richard's sister Trish Luke have created one of the most beloved of East Africa's bush lodges; and in the process, have played an integral leadership role in community conservation in the region.
When wildlife thrives, the people prosper
It was agreed, that though progress was being made, the lodge needed a new injection of investment, activities and conservation initiative. And so Great Plains joined the family, together with Richard and Tara, to initiate further possibilities to the benefit of both the Maasai and the wildlife. This will not be without its challenges, as we look to the pressures facing the people and the land. Population is expanding and in turn so is agriculture. The pressures on conservation and wildlife have never been so acute. We recognise that we must adapt and evolve, while working with the Maasai both on Mbirikani Group Ranch and surrounding group ranches to forge new partnerships and innovative thinking. It is the intention and the job, that by building a sustainable model for conservation and tourism, we will uplift our neighbouring communities and protect the region's wildlife.
Ol Donyo Wuas Lodge and the Maasai people of the Mbirikani Group Ranch are partners in plotting our communal destiny. The Maasailand Preservation Trust manages the partnership. The Trust maintains a series of important projects including The Predator Compensation Fund, Community Game Scouts, Environmental Scouts and education, Lion Guardians and field research, water management and reforestation.
A visit to Ol Donyo Wuas Lodge is not simply about being a guest; it is about being a participant in community conservation. Each guest contributes to the survival of the region's flora and fauna, and its noble people, the Maasai.
About Ol Donyo Wuas Lodge
Ol Donyo Wuas is a very diverse experience, so we've highlighted some its most special characteristics:
Located in one of the most spectacular and scenic locations in all of East Africa with Mount Kilimanjaro visible from end-to-end, the 275, 000 acre Mbirikani Group Ranch offers the Amboseli National Park experience without the crowds, and in utter privacy.
Where all the Big Five' can be found running free and wild.
With the traditions and history of two decades, but the luxuries of a 21st century rebuild, the lodge is arguably the most impressive in all of Kenya.
One of the few properties in Kenya with private villas a "lodge within a lodge" concept consisting of two suites, private lounge and swimming pool. These villas are designed for extra privacy or for families, groups of friends or multi-generational parties. (Special children's safari activities are offered as well).
Among the most diverse range of activities in Africa. Included in the all-inclusive rate are: 4x4 game drives; night drives; walks with armed guides; half and full-day horseback safaris (with a choice of over 20 quality horses that suit both advanced and novice riders); mountain biking on the open plains; close-up, safe, elephant experiences in the lodges open-air "log-jam" hide; fly camping; romantic roof top "star-beds"; bush breakfasts; dinner under the stars, authentic Maasai cultural visits; tracking with the Bloodhounds, and still more. The all-inclusive rate includes activities, all meals, all local drinks and house wines and laundry.
The Maasailand Preservation Trust, one of the most comprehensive community outreach programmes in Africa, which has pioneered and implemented The Predator Compensation Fund (PCF). The PCF has stopped the retaliatory killing of lions throughout the immediate area and has now been implemented throughout the entire region, including Amboseli National Park. Further, the Trust deploys over 100 game scouts to patrol the region, ensuring the protection of the region's 80 to 100 pound tusked elephant.
The lodge and the Maasailand Preservation Trust are in the final stage of the creation of a 23,000 wildlife conservancy whereby the lease payments are paid directly to the Maasai out of the lodge revenue.
Easy and reliable daily scheduled flights on Safarilink from Nairobi to the lodge's private airstrip, with convenient onward connections to the Masai Mara, Laikipia and elsewhere.
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