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Hero Image Aerial View Ol Malo Lodge Laikipia
Hero Image Aerial View Ol Malo Lodge Laikipia
Laikipia, Kenya

Ol Malo Lodge

Ol Malo, meaning 'the place of the Greater Kudu', is Colin and Rocky Francombe's home. Owner-run, the lodge offers guests a seemingly limitless selection of activities - no two days here will be the same. Ol Malo, meaning 'the place of the Greater Kudu', is Colin and Rocky Francombe's home. Owner-run, the lodge offers guests a seemingly limitless selection of activities - no two days here will be the same.
Ol Malo, meaning 'the place of the Greater Kudu', is Colin and Rocky Francombe's home. Owner-run, the lodge offers guests a seemingly limitless selection of activities - no two days here will be the same. Ol Malo, meaning 'the place of the Greater Kudu', is Colin and Rocky Francombe's home. Owner-run, the lodge offers guests a seemingly limitless selection of activities - no two days here will be the same.
Pool Ol Malo Lodge Laikipia
Location
Laikipia, located between Mount Kenya and the Great Rift Valley is one of Africa’s most exciting success stories. Rugged escarpments lead down to scrub and grassland interlaced with rivers between Mount Kenya.

In the last 30 years Laikipia has grown into a vast grouping of wildlife conservancies formed of tribal land and ranches. Innovative partnerships between safari lodges, local communities and government mean that wildlife and people can thrive side by side. You play your vital part by paying to stay and see vital conservation in action.

Laikipia has more than half Kenya’s black rhinos and the country’s second biggest population of elephant. Each superb little lodge and camp plays its part and you can see this state of the art conservation at work.
Bedroom Interior Ol Malo Lodge Laikipia
Accommodation
Guests are offered a very personal and exclusive experience in this peaceful wilderness. Built with help from members of the local Samburu Community, the four guest cottages at the main lodge are discreetly situated between rocks and cliffs overlooking a waterhole and salt lick, surrounded by miles of rugged bush with Mount Kenya beyond. Each is made from locally sourced dead olive wood and natural stone, has high ceilings and a thatched roof. Inside, you’ll find beadwork created by Samburu Trust, which is supported by the lodge.
Ol Malo has a separate living area and dining room, with an open fireplace. Gather around the glowing fire during the cool evenings and share stories with one another. Views from the dining room are particularly special - look out to the edge of the escarpment and, if it’s a clear day, you’ll see right out to Mount Kenya.

The lodge is also home to one of Kenya’s first cliff top infinity pools. From here you can gaze over to the watering hole, admiring the beautiful natural vistas and spotting the wildlife that frequent it.
Bathroom Ol Malo Lodge Laikipia
Deck Views Ol Malo Lodge Laikipia
Dining Room Ol Malo Lodge Laikipia
Lounge With Fireplace Ol Malo Lodge Laikipia
Safari Riding Ol Malo Lodge Laikipia
Experiences
  • On land, trek through the bush on camel or horseback, visit the forests of the Karisia Hills, head out on exciting game drives or exhilarating mountain biking adventures.
  • On the water, raft the Ewaso Nyiro River or try your hand at river fishing.
  • Spend some time learning about and experiencing local culture at the nearby Samburu town of Maralal.

  • Adventurous guests can spend a night out under the stars at a mobile fly camp in the heart of the reserve.

  • Sleep in the Leopard Hide in the hope of catching a glimpse of these elusive predators.
Sundowner Ol Malo Lodge Laikipia
Elephants On Horseride Ol Malo Lodge Laikipia
Horse Camel Riding Ol Malo Lodge Laikipia
Positive Impact

We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.

Conservation
Conservation
Ol Malo’s partner, the Samburu Trust, have spent the last 20 years funding helicopter flights to dart and treat injured elephants, rescued and rehabilitated orphan animals, and worked with local government branches and Samburu communities to maintain safe passage for wild animals. This is done with guidance from tribal elders and in partnership with Kenya Wildlife Services, ensuring the coexistence between humans and wildlife thrives in the North.
Environment
Environment
Another initiative started by the Samburu Trust is the network of clean water reservoirs created along human and animal migratory routes. Sparked by the increased and longer droughts in recent years as a result of global warming, the reservoirs provide clean water from which people, livestock and wildlife can safely drink.
Community
Community
The Samburu Trust protects and secures the future of the Samburu people and their land through education, conservation, healthcare, water supply, women’s opportunities, and eco-tourism. The camp supports the trust by providing two schools, the Trust Burns Room, the Mamaʼs Beading Workshop, and the Trust Gift Shop to sell their beaded products. They also offer assistance on wildlife conflict, medical care, and building water reservoir systems to support the entire ecosystem for the benefit of local communities.
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