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At a glance

  • Just six pool suites and one two-bedroom family villa, all with views of the plains and Mount Kilimanjaro
  • One of Kenya’s only two Relais & Chateaux properties (the other being its sister property, Mara Plains Camp)
  • Fall asleep under the African night sky in the comfort of your rooftop star bed
  • Game drives, horse riding, mountain biking, bush walks and visits to Maasai villages
  • Children aged five years and older are welcome

Overview

A member of Relais & Chateaux, ol Donyo Lodge is built into the foothills of the Chyulu Hills between Kenya’s Tsavo and Amboseli national parks, in a 275,000-acre ranch leased from the local Maasai. Built entirely from local materials with advanced water recycling and solar power systems, it's one of Kenya's leading lights when it comes to sustainable tourism, with proceeds directly benefiting the local communities.

When to visit

  • January
    27ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    55mm
    Average Rainfall
    January is the height of the summer season and falls into the short dry season. It's an excellent time to visit pretty much all of Kenya’s parks and reserves, with warm temperatures and short grasses, making for excellent game viewing, including opportunities to spot newborn animals and hungry predators circling with intent. Birdwatching is spectacular with many migratory species present. Although days are hot, evenings and early mornings can be cool.
  • February
    27ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    42mm
    Average Rainfall
    February is well into the short dry season with hot, dry and clear days with the odd shower. It's an excellent time to visit pretty much all of Kenya’s parks and reserves, with warm temperatures and short grasses, making for excellent game viewing, including opportunities to spot newborn animals and hungry predators circling with intent. Birdwatching is spectacular with many migratory species present. Although days are hot, evenings and early mornings can be cool.
  • March
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    11ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    95mm
    Average Rainfall
    For most of March, days are warm and dry, however Kenya is approaching the long rains so more rainfall is expected. Although days are hot, evenings and early mornings can be cool. March is an excellent time to visit pretty much all of Kenya’s parks and reserves, with warm temperatures and short grasses, making for excellent game viewing, including opportunities to spot newborn animals and hungry predators circling with intent. Birdwatching is spectacular with many migratory species present.
  • April
    27ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    11ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    123mm
    Average Rainfall
    April heralds the start of the green season and the beginning of the 'long rains', which bring an explosion of greenery and a drop in temperatures. Days are still warm but evenings are cool so layers are recommended. There are also more mosquitoes about. The increased rainfall results in more water sources, which combined with the thicker vegetation makes wildlife viewing more challenging. However, with careful planning this is still an excellent time to visit: the landscape is lush and bright and there is hardly anyone else around. It's an especially good time for photographers to visit thanks to the vivid colours, dramatic skies and excellent air clarity. Some lodges and camps may close during the long rains,
  • May
    27ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    11ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    120mm
    Average Rainfall
    May is characterised by the long rains. Vegetation is thick and tracks into the park become very muddy. Days are warm and wet and layers are recommended in the cooler evenings. There are also more mosquitoes about. The increased rainfall results in more water sources, which combined with the thicker vegetation makes wildlife viewing more challenging. However, with careful planning this is still an excellent time to visit: the landscape is lush and bright and there is hardly anyone else around. It's an especially good time for photographers to visit thanks to the vivid colours, dramatic skies and excellent air clarity. Some lodges and camps may close during the long rains,
  • June
    26ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    20mm
    Average Rainfall
    Dry weather for the most part returns to Kenya in June, though there may still be some light showers. Days are clear and sunny with low humidity. Evenings can be cool so layers are recommended. The grasses and vegetation are still verdant after the rains making some wildlife viewing a bit more difficult. However, as water sources start to dissipate herds start to congregate around permanent water sources.
  • July
    26ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    20mm
    Average Rainfall
    Winter continues through July with warm, dry days and very little rain. Nights and early mornings can be very chilly, especially when you take wind chill in an open safari vehicle into account, so plenty of layers are recommended. Shrinking water sources and thinning vegetation makes wildlife viewing easier.
  • August
    27ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    25mm
    Average Rainfall
    August is the last month of winter in Kenya. Days are pleasantly warm with very little rain. Nights and early mornings can be very chilly, especially when you take wind chill in an open safari vehicle into account, so plenty of layers are recommended. Shrinking water sources and thinning vegetation makes wildlife viewing easier.
  • September
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    30mm
    Average Rainfall
    Temperatures start to increase as Kenya moves out of its winter. Days are warm and clear with little chance of rain. Nights and early mornings can be very chilly, especially when you take wind chill in an open safari vehicle into account, so plenty of layers are recommended. The dry conditions and limited water sources make for excellent game viewing.
  • October
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    11ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    35mm
    Average Rainfall
    October is the last month in the dry season before the short rains start in November. Temperatures are on the rise, days are warm and clear with little chance of rain, though early mornings and evenings can be very chilly. There is also the wind chill to consider when in an open safari vehicle, so layers are recommended. The dry conditions and limited water sources make for excellent game viewing and there are fewer visitors making for a more private safari experience. Many migrant bird species start to arrive from Europe.
  • November
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    11ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    105mm
    Average Rainfall
    November sees the start of the short rains, bringing with it a return to green and lush landscapes. Wildlife viewing becomes a bit more challenging with the thickening of vegetation and more surface water. There are lots of newborn animals around, days are hot with cooler evenings, and the birdlife is brilliant with many migrant species present.
  • December
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    17ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    80mm
    Average Rainfall
    By December the short rains have ended for the most part and the country tends to be sunny and dry, with lush landscapes following the short rains in November. Days are hot and humid, with early mornings and evenings slightly cooler. Wildlife viewing is a bit challenging due to the thicker vegetation. The birdlife is brilliant with many migrant species present.

Location

ol Donyo Lodge is located in the Chyulu Hills on the Maasai-owned Mbirikani Group Ranch, comprising 275,000 acres of wilderness between Amboseli and Tsavo national parks. There are daily light aircraft flights to ol Donyo Airstrip, which is 30 minutes from the lodge. Charter flights can also be arranged.