Ololo Lodge and Farm

Ololo is perfectly situated and nestled on the banks of the Mbagathi River, which meanders along the southern border of the Nairobi National Park and is a mere 45 minutes from the capital city Nairobi. The secluded location feels like a world away from the busy city centre as guests discover, when they across the suspension bridge and walk up to the lodge.

The main lodge, built of stone and clad with ficus vine, was once an old Kenyan family homestead. Panoramic views can be taken in from the shady terraces overlooking the park and to the famed Ngong Hills in the west. The old established gardens host many of the 500 species of birds that are in the park, and four of the ‘BIG 5’, lion, leopard, rhinoceros and buffalo are often spotted while enjoying a leisurely breakfast from the front deck. With the fire blazing in the cooler months in comfortable lounges, a well-stocked stone wine cellar and library close at hand, guests can choose to relax in comfort indoors in the evening.

Ololo is a 45-minute drive through Nairobi National Park (NNP) to JKIA international airport and Wilson domestic airport. Guests are able to enjoy a game drive en-route to Ololo while avoiding the notorious Nairobi traffic. The lodge is able to pick up and transfer guests throughout the night from JKIA with special permission from Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). Guests access Ololo from the park via a classic footbridge, a wonderful arrival to Ololo with the night ‘askaris’ lighting the way up to the lodge with lanterns.

There are five styles of rooming categories at Ololo, all unique and eclectic in different ways.

• Two Suites, Terrace Suite x 1 and Tower Suite x 1
• Three Tented Cottages
• Seven old original Stable Rooms
• One three- bedroom Stable Cottage
• One Family Wing, sleeping 5

The Ololo Farm, a separately run entity, welcomes all guests to visit and see where the fresh produce comes from, help collect eggs or get up early to milk Joyce and Rejoice, the Friesian dairy cows. The farm is now fully organic certified with all salad’s greens, vegetables, mushrooms, eggs, duck and chicken meat. Fresh produce from ‘paddock to plate!’

Activities on offer at Ololo include: game-drives into Nairobi NP twice a day/visits to the famed Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage/sundowners’ and ‘biting’s on afternoon drives/tours of the Ololo farm and furniture workshop/close proximity to Kitengela hot glass & Anselm glass studios, guests are able to walk there with an Ololo guide/ close proximity to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust & nearby Karen, where the Karen Blixen Museum, Giraffe Centre, Kazuri Beads, Langata Link Shops, Matbronze foundry, & the Utamaduni Craft Centre are located.

Guests should note that the lodge is situated approximately 20km from the runway at JKIA and is under the flight path and consequently there is intermittent aircraft noise as the planes approach. This generally doesn’t bother guests as they appreciate being in the bush rather than in the city.