Ol Lentille

Straddling the Equator and stretching from the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya to the eastern rim of the Great Rift Valley, the Laikipia plateau is one of Africa’s most exciting and exclusive wilderness safari destinations – with abundant wildlife, spectacular scenery, extraordinary cultural and bio-diversity and some of East Africa’s most successful nature and game conservancies.

Ranching, conservation and high-end tourism go hand-in-hand, with few of the constraints that often apply in Kenya’s national parks and reserves.  Night game drives, bush walks, bike tours, horse-riding, camel treks, scenic flights and helicopter safaris are a few the exhilarating pursuits on hand in the extensive private ranches and conservancies that make up much of the region.

Laikipia hosts a wealth and diversity of wildlife second only to the Masai Mara in Kenya. It has significant populations of predators and the “Big Five”, with over 50% of Kenya’s rhinos, thousands of elephants, about 25% of the world’s endangered Grevy’s Zebra, and an increasing population of rare Wild Dogs. The region is home to more at-risk species than anywhere else in East Africa.

A 20-year effort to create this 40,000-acre conservancy has resulted in the successful rewilding of a remote and beautiful part of northern Laikipia, with flora and fauna having returned in numbers not seen in human memory. The sustainability of the conservancy, in a semi-arid part of the country, is a never-ending endeavour, with droughts and illegal grazing by pastoralists constant threats to the health of its animal and plant life.

The combination of community will and the lodge’s management skills, supported by the African Wildlife Foundation, has led to an astonishing recovery of wildlife and habitat. The area has gone from over-grazed semi-desert to an abundance of flora and fauna in a few short years. With grass recovery, erosion has been halted and the Ldarboi Spring, dead for at least 100 years, has come back to life. With improved vegetation cover, rainwater can permeate the soil, resulting in increased precipitation, creating a virtuous cycle of re-greening, and the return of wildlife in significant numbers.

The Ol Lentille Conservancy is a pioneering example of community-based conservation, which aims to align the interests of tourism and conservation with those of the communities who own the land. The Conservancy has no fences and is patrolled by a team of rangers who seek to protect it in a sensitive and collaborative manner, allowing for the passage of animals on their migratory routes.

Ol Lentille lodge was donated to the community on whose land it sits (the Kijabe community). It is managed under a long term agreement by the current investors. The four communities involved in the Ol Lentille Conservancy benefit directly from tourism. Each receives a share of the Conservation Fee levied on visitors to be used on community development initiatives according to their own self-defined needs. They also benefit from employment and training opportunities with the lodge.

Ol Lentille is remote but easily accessible by air and road. There are daily scheduled flights from Nairobi (50 minutes) and the Masai Mara (90 minutes) to the neighbouring Loisaba Conservancy – from where it is a 75 minute road transfer to Ol Lentille. Private charter flights can land at the Ol Lentille airstrip which is 15 minutes’ drive from the Lodge. Ol Lentille is around 2 hours by road from Nanyuki and 5-6 hours from Nairobi.

There is no set schedule at Ol Lentille and guests can choose from a variety of activities and excursions including –

• Private day and night game drives
• Walking safaris
• Camel safaris
• Birding expeditions
• Mountain and quad biking
• Interpretive nature walks
• Experiencing the “singing wells”
• Visiting a habituated baboon colony
• Experiencing Maasai and Samburu culture
• Young Morani camp – a bush camp for children
• Authentic community experiences such as an evening at a local ‘manyatta’ homestead
• Masai beading workshop
• Visiting local schools, hospitals and markets
• Relaxing by the pool
• Spa and beauty treatments
• Boardgames and books in the lodge Gallery
• Bush meals in magnificent locations

Further afield, the lodge can facilitate unforgettable experiences such as trout fishing on Mount Kenya, a helicopter trip to Northern Kenya and Lake Turkana, bird watching in the Matthews Range, fly camping and visits to Ol Pejeta and other conservancies and wildlife reserves.

“My wife and I stayed for 4 wonderful nights. The views, food and service were fabulous. This location gives you an opportunity to not only see incredible wildlife but to interact and get know the local people and culture. Truly a different experience than any other 5 star camps we visited. The architecture and decor of the property was unique and refreshing and the food was a great experience on its own. I also must comment on what lovely people the owners, staff and guides are. Our guide Boni was both fun to be with and completely knowledgeable about the animals and people of the area. I highly recommend Ol Lentille.”

“Laura and Jacques and all their staff are amazing! We enjoyed sundowners by the pool, sunrise hikes and amazing bespoke dinners tailored to our families wishes. The views from the property are breath taking. We loved being immersed in the local culture and getting to go to a local school. Our guide, Solomon, and our house host, Boni, were both extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. I would highly recommend Ol Lentille as part of your Kenyan adventure. Our only regret is that we didn’t have longer there.”

Standard Season (early January to mid June, October to mid December)

Boscia, Aloe, Acacia – $1000 per adult guest per night
$650 per child guest per night (5-15 years)
Carisia (2 guests) – $1150 per adult guest per night

Exclusive use of the entire property – $12,500 per night

Peak Season (mid June to end September, mid December to early January)

Boscia, Aloe, Acacia – $1350 per adult guest per night
$880 per child guest per night (5-15 years)
Carisia (2 guests) – $1500 per adult guest per night

Exclusive use of the entire property – $16,500 per night

Children up to 4 years old stay free of charge

Conservation Fees

$130 per adult guest per day
$65 per child guest per day (5-15 years)

Please contact us for comprehensive information on rates, inclusions, exclusions, optional extras and terms & conditions of booking