Located in northern Kenya’s spectacular Laikipia region, The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille is regarded as one of Kenya’s most exclusive safari lodges in the most spectacular and breath taking location. Indeed lots of people say we have the best views in Africa – we agree!

Laikipia

We offer total privacy and total seclusion. We can be either an adventurers’ paradise or a relaxing retreat to start or finish your Kenya adventures! Laikipia offers a truly exceptional experience and is best combined with the iconic Masai Mara, an easy combination offering two very contrasting and different experiences. We opened in 2007 as Laikipia’s first lodge with private villas and are a pioneering example of sustainable tourism, community partnership and world class architecture. A total one off – there is nothing like us in Kenya.

Exclusivity guaranteed

This is a lodge that is proud to be different. The team, with the local communities, have proudly created, conserved and protected over 40,000 acres of pristine wilderness which means guests enjoy an area three times the size of Manhattan to explore privately at their leisure. We can only accommodate up to 14 adults across the stunning four villas (plus six children) so exclusivity doesn’t get any better than this.

Journey into the ancient lands

Staying here is, notably, a “holiday” and there is downtime to enjoy the numerous unique and special activities that the lodge and Laikipia offer. Your stay is not the safari format of game drives every morning and evening but as most guests combine us with the Masai Mara where they will be in cars for the duration of their stay we want to show our guests the space and isolation of our stunning location. We often don’t even put guests in a car and prefer to do walking safaris and other activities that Laikipia is renowned for. Guided by Samburu and Maasai warriors this is a very special journey into their ancient lands.

A day at Ol-Lentille

Importantly your stay is designed to be restful, guests aren’t woken up at 5.30 / 6am for the first activity (unless they want to be) – instead you have a full nights sleep and have a private breakfast in your villa at the time of your choice and then do the morning private activity of your choice. This flexibility combined with unlimited spa treatments ensures guests relax in this stunning environment and leave revitalised!

Community partnership

Ol Lentille is a pioneering example of how private partnerships with the community can successfully work in Kenya. We have a very special and unique story which we are incredibly proud of – our commitment to responsible tourism has rejuvenated and protected a spectacular part of Laikipia for future generations to enjoy and cherish. Tourism has greatly impacted and improved the lives of the local community with over 5 USD million being raised, and invested in the community: building schools, hospitals and water sanitation projects. Our goal from the outset was to give back and enhance this spectacular part of Kenya. In partnership with the Maasai community we balance luxury travel and economic development with ambitious conservation and community development programmes.

Design

The villa’s, designed by young Nairobi architect Lengai Croze with interiors by Chris Payne and Emma Campbell, each echo a Voice of Africa. They have been built by arguably East Africa’s finest creative builder, Mark Glen. All our villa’s have an abundant mixture of unique courtyards, decks, gardens, and lawns. Some have plunge pools. Each villa is located to ensure your privacy.

Food and wine

Great food tailored to your tastes served wherever and whenever you want by our Italian-trained Chef from the Kenya Coast. A specialised wine list of twelve great red and twelve great white wines from the southern hemisphere. “A gastronomic delight”. All our breads, pasta, and ices are made here. Two of our breakfast specials have been met with great enthusiasm by our guests: Eggs Benedict and Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Salmon are real favourites. There are no fixed meal times with us, you eat what you like, when you like . Your meals are private and you always eat in different locations, a bush dinner is a must when you stay with us!

Flexibility

Bedrooms in The Chief’s villa and Colonel’s villa can be equipped with either a king bed or with twin beds. The Eyrie has a top quality hand crafted sumptuously large, round and comfortable bed. The Sultan’s villa has a fabulous king-size four-poster. Bed linens at The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille are the finest high thread-count Egyptian cotton. Bathrooms are provided with snowy white thick terry towel bathrobes and handmade natural herbal soaps, shampoo, and conditioner by Cinnabar Green. The kitchens in our villa’s are modern and well equipped. Some guests will want the kitchen to be the domain of their Butler; others will want the pleasurable convenience of being able to help themselves to a midnight snack from the fridge. The choice is yours. All our villa’s have study areas with a desk where creative writers may find inspiration from the magnificent vistas beyond the window.

Technology

Those who need to keep in touch with home or office need not be bound to the desk – the Reception Pavilion enjoys wireless access to the internet via satellite broadband. Just bring your laptop or wi-fi device. Or leave it at home and chill. Each villa is equipped with its own Bluetooth speaker so you can stream your own music. There is also an iPad Mini loaded with music as well as Bird Guides and information about Ol Lentille. Power and hot water are provided to you from the most modern solar systems. All bathrooms are equipped with special low-power hair dryers.

Accommodation

Perched on the flanks of a wooded rocky hill in the heart of our private conservation area, is The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille – a collection of four private, full-service, fully staffed villas for the discerning few.  The four private villas are one, two or three bedrooms and are all individually designed and themed offering an incredibly high standard of accommodation with discreet butler service and wow factor. The property is ideally set up for families, groups of friends, honeymooners, and couples wanting privacy and exclusivity.

The Eyrie

This is the villa for couples, honeymooners and wedding anniversary celebrations. The Eyrie was designed for two people, but there’s plenty of space to invite friends over from other villa’s at the lodge or your personal Maasai guide. The Eyrie has one gorgeous circular bedroom, and boasts some of the lodge’s best views. The valleys and plains stretch out before you, with rolling mountains and hills in the background. This room has a massive hand-made circular bed, with luxurious bedding and a beautiful faux fur throw. The en suite bathroom consists of a dressing room and shower and there’s also an open-air bathtub built into the natural rock – perfect for candlelit bathing under the starry African sky. The sitting room has an open fire – enjoy the aroma of burning acacia logs as you relax in the evening. Chill out on the classic retro sofas and bean bag chairs.

A place for romance

Location

We are situated in the far northern escarpment of the Laikipia Plateau with enormous views to the craggy peak of Mount Kenya, the Samburu sacred mountain of Ololokwe, the Matthews Range and the Karisia Hills. At one of the highest points in Laikipia – we command spectacular and breathtaking panoramas in every direction.

Wildlife

Our private conservation area is home to the endangered African wild dog, elephant, Grevy’s and Burchell’s zebra, greater kudu, leopard, cheetah, striped and spotted hyena and klipspringer to name but a few. Elephant numbers have really grown in recent years and some months several thousand sightings are recorded. There are six packs of wild dog (averaging 20) that traverse the area around the lodge and there are between 10 to 20 wild dog sightings for some months in this area.

Game drives

As so many of our guests combine Laikipia with the Masai Mara we hardly ever do two game drives a day, unless guests want to as there is so much to see and do in our area! Laikipia is “the holiday” bit of your Kenya adventures! We offer day and night private game drives and you are likely to see lots of elephant as well as a mix of plains game – if you are lucky you might spot leopard and wild dog!

Activities

Laikipia is so much more than just game viewing – you can do as little or as many of our exciting activities as you like and there is no fixed structure – you do what you want when you want and therefore leave us relaxed and refreshed. The Sanctuary at Ol-Lentille offers a huge amount more than just its game viewing and exclusive accommodation. All your activities are private – space, wow factor and privacy awaits our guests. Ol Lentille offers offer so much more than just game viewing! With Ol Lentille you can see real community projects and culture, experience camel trekking, walking safaris, quad biking and mountain biking and wonderful spa treatments to name just some of what we offer.

Walking safaris

We love taking our guests on walks in the local area to get up close to all the action and learn about the smaller things that can be missed when you are in a car! We have an incredible number of elephant and wild dog sightings are very good. Guided by Samburu and Maasai warriors this is a very special journey into their ancient lands.

Bird watching

Laikipia is a bird watchers paradise and we have over 150 species in our conservation area. The most common species here are some of the most spectacular. In the raptor department Martial eagle, Verreaux’s eagle, Bateleur, and Eastern pale chanting goshawk abound, and often provide close company at sundowner drinks at one of our favourite spots. Our guides are well experienced, friendly and here to show you the diversity of birds in our special area.

Camel safaris

Only northern Laikipia offer camel safaris and it’s a really special and unique experience that we encourage all of our guests to do. Led by Maasai warriors deep into the African wilderness you have instantly gone back in time. You marvel at the landscape, simplicity and surrounding wildlife on a scenic 90 minute camel ride to the river where your lunch is waiting for you. A great activity for everyone and a complete “must do” when you stay with us.

Horse riding

Our area is very hilly which means that it’s only suitable for experienced riders, you also need to be able to gallop away from an elephant should you need to! We have two horses and Gill can take experienced riders out one at a time. There is no extra charge for this activity and it’s a wonderful way to see a totally different perspective of our landscape and wildlife.

Cycling

Get fit and a really different way to explore our landscape, burn off our wonderful food and enjoy our wilderness! We have some really excellent mountain bikes to offer.

Quad biking

A really fun activity, probably something that you wouldn’t expect to do in Kenya! You can quad bike from the lodge to the local Maasai village, technology meets tradition! Only for guests 16 or over.

Authentic community experiences

Guests have donated over 5 USD million to our charity since we opened which has built 3 primary schools, a secondary school, and numerous nurseries, and classrooms at eight other schools, a hospital, and invested in water and sanitation projects. At Ol Lentille tourism is helping and improving the lives of the local communities. Come and visit our local village which is not a tourist experience it is an education experience, come and see a school we’ve built and meet the children, come and see the hospital. See the local shopping and come to the weekly livestock and vegetable markets.

Conservation with the community

At Ol Lentille you learn that successful partnership with the community has created the Ol Lentille conservation area of over 40,000 acres. This is one of the best examples of private partnerships successfully working with the community in Kenya.

Bush meals in stunning location

You might have a stunning bush dinner under the vast starry African skies, or a picnic lunch by the river. Meals out in the wilderness are really memorable, special and connect you to our stunning landscape.

Sundowners

As a safari tradition this is a daily ritual! As the sun sets over the vast wilderness you will be rewarded with stunning views and sunsets over the local area. Your favourite drinks are served cold with the backdrop of our wonderful and panoramic views. Humbling and very special.

Unlimited spa treatments

Our unique formula of unlimited spa treatments in our rates is a winning formula! Importantly, you are here to relax and recharge. A daily treatment will ensure you leave feeling much better than you arrived!

Yoga

The incredible views we offer make us a perfect place for yoga. Gill’s yoga sessions are the perfect way to start or finish the day and she will tailor make them for everyone, beginners are always welcome!

Romantic dinners

All your meals at Ol Lentille are private giving you lots of special time to enjoy privacy and each others company. We like to make sure you eat in different places every night and have lots of signature dishes to impress you with.

Kenyan culture

At Ol Lentille you see, experience and learn about Maasai and Samburu culture first hand. Our guides are fun, informative and your time with them will teach you all about the traditions, customs and history of the Maasai and Samburu people.

The library

The Library is a vaulted-ceiling rotunda of 50 feet diameter built into the living rock. Surrounding its central pillar is a rosette of hand made Kitengela stained glass which forms the floor of the deck above. So at night, the deck floor is illuminated through the glass. The library is our club room area where you can read, write, relax or chat with fellow guests and hosts with stunning views over the rolling hills. We encourage guests to have a private dinner in here one night, it’s a lovely space at night and with a really warm, welcoming and relaxing ambience. Above the library is a beautiful open air viewing deck which has a fire pit and a bar. Lots of guests have lunch up here;  pre-dinner drinks under the vast starry skies sitting around the fire is also a favourite pastime of our guests!