Location: Nairobi National Park, Nairobi County, Kenya.
Overview
Ololo Safari Lodge is approx. 45mins drive (22.5miles) from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport through Mombasa Road, perfectly situated on the beautiful banks of the Mbagathi River which forms the southern border of Nairobi National Park. ‘Ololo’ is a Maasai word, meaning ‘Place of Movement’.
Set on a 20-acre working commercial farm Ololo provides the joys of delicious ‘paddock to plate’ fresh ingredients. The established and secluded gardens, guests can soak up a unique safari experience. The African story of Ololo Safari Lodge started in 2008, when the Chapman family moved from Australia and took an ambitious leap in purchasing a farm and old home stead in one of Kenya’s most beautiful and sustainable lodges.
The lodge opened officially in 2016, with wildlife right on the doorstep and breathtaking views over the national park, to the famed Ngong Hills in the west, and sundowner in hand. The lodge has a pool, one can take a tour of the Ololo Farm or an excursion into historic Karen.
The rooms are unique and diverse, each tastefully appointed with attention to historical detail, ranging from stables, tented cottages under makuti thatch, the original suites in the main house and two-family cottages.
Design and interiors are a blend of ole and new, filled with an eclectic collection of handcrafted furniture, made by the lodge’s skillful fundi carpenters with a backdrop of handprinted fabrics and artwork from both Kenya and Australia. The lodge has a stone clad cellar and a small library for guests to enjoy the serenity and home-style comfort that Ololo offers.
The Ololo Chefs create delicious menus daily, all pastries are baked in-house, menus are proudly created around the produce on hand, under the organic farming practices from the farm, harvested daily for the kitchen.
The chicken and duck meat are grown at the lodge, fresh flavored eggs, mushrooms for breakfast, all ice cream and yoghurt are made from the lodge’s own pasteurized milk, fresh from the farm.
Options of dining under the trees, on the terraces during the cooler nights, in the restaurant with small braziers (jikos) to ward off the cold night air. Afternoon enjoy a drink from the fully stocked bar, as you relax and watch the game pass by the open lounge area overlooking the park.
Uniqueness of this Camp
- Its close proximity to the National Park
- Ololo’s rooms are unique and diverse, each tastefully appointed with attention to historical detail.
- The tranquil garden setting for events.
- Luxury farm house with close proximity to the tourist excursions in Karen.
- The Ololo Kitchen offers fresh from their farm to your plate.
Accommodation
The Terrace Room: are spacious suite with a traditional living area, with armchairs, an open fireplace, colonial furnishings, artworks, flowers from our garden and ensuite marble bathroom with a classic roll-top bath/shower/washbasin. The suite’s private terrace can be used for relaxing or a setting for a romantic private dinner. An additional single bed can be added, or a baby cot and can interconnect to the Tower Room upstairs.
The Tower Room: is a in stone-clad tower with a balcony, a private rooftop terrace, the room has extensive views right across the park, and Ngong Hills in the west. A contemporary suite, light, airy and furnished with pieces of furniture made by our clever fundi carpenters, in the Ololo workshop. The room can also be made into a twin room + extra bed or cot cannot be added with an ensuite shower/wash basin, this room can be interconnected to the Terrace Room below.
Tented Cottages: are three cottages which provide guests with a bush experience of
sleeping under a traditional makuti thatch roof, with canvas and stone walls. Feature; safari-style king-sized beds, ensuite modern bathroom with either shower or bath, comfortable armchairs, a single bed or baby cot can be added in each cottage.
Tented Cottage Moja has a bath & shower with double basins, Tented Cottage Mbili has a shower and single basin, where as Tented Cottage Tatu has a shower and single basin. All are nestled amongst the gardens under the shade of the spreading acacia trees, with private terraces overlooking the national park.
The Stable Cottage: is a delightful three-bedroom cottage, located at the end of the Stable rooms which was once the farm’s hay shed. Features include modern light-filled interiors, 1st Bedroom is a double bedroom; 2nd has a double bedroom; 3rd has a twin bedroom
sleeps a maximum of six guests, one ensuite bathroom with a bath / shower / double basin, and other has a family bathroom with shower/single basin, living area with kitchen, and a large outdoor terrace overlooking the National Park and gardens. The cottage is perfect for families or groups, and can provide baby cots when needed.
The Old Stable rooms: are the original stone-walled stables of the property once housed the horses of the Ololo Farm, and now transformed into seven comfortable and cozy
rooms with an average room size (including the bathroom) of 17.6 square meters.
The rooms feature individually designed furnishing with historical detail, ensuite bathrooms, a small pergola covered terraces overlooking the gardens, with its abundant birdlife. These are popular with guests travelling in groups or family members who want accommodation close to each other. No extra bed can be added; however, a baby cot can be added.
The rooms are not interconnecting, and include 5 doubles, 2 twin rooms, all have bathrooms with shower and single wash basin.
The Family Wing: The latest to Ololo, this light filled family wing overlooks the Nairobi National Park and the lodge gardens, with a private sunny stone terrace and potted leafy plants, interior wing is light filled, furnished with Ololo’s handcrafted furniture.
Upstairs is a king-sized bedroom in a cozy mezzanine area, ensuite bathroom with and old classic bath under makuti thatch and single wash basin. Downstairs has three beds with ensuite family bathroom; bath, shower and single basin, rondaval shaped living area and kitchenette. The Family Wing sleep five people, and an extra bed can be added downstairs.
Amenities
Lodge Amenities: Outdoor swimming Pool, Badminton, Free high-speed internet, Patio, Airport transfers, Free parking, Restaurant, Bar, Lounge, Outdoor dining, Baggage storage, Massage treatment, Stone clad cellar, library.
Activities
- Game-drives in Nairobi National Park
- Sheldrick Wildlife Trust ‘Baby Elephant Orphanage
- Kitengela Hot Glass
- Massage Treatments at Ololo
- Ololo Farm Tour
- Games & Fitness
- Guided Birding tour around Ololo
- Paint & Sip
- Ololo Handmade
- The Giraffe Centre
- The Karen Blixen Museum
- E-bike through Karura forest
- Shopping around Karen & Langata
- Matbronze Sculpture Gallery and Cafe
- Oloolua Nature Trail
- The Nairobi National Museum
- Kiambethu Tea Farm Limuru
- Brown’s Cheese Farm