Ol Donyo Wuas

In the foothills of the Chyulu Range, superb views of vast plains stretch out before your eyes and you stand, awe struck before the rolling hills that extend in the distance. This is Ol Donyo Wuas, a lodge with 8 excellent cottages. Halfway between Tsavo and Amboseli, Ol Donyo Wuas lies within the youngest range of volcanic hills in Africa, the last volcanic activity having only happened about 600 years ago. Kilimanjaro peaks out in the distance, while flat top acacia trees and golden Savannah dazzle the eyes.

Accommodation at Ol Donyo Wuas consists of:

8 cottages are each defined by a unique character; with the emphasis on comfort and privacy. The architecture is uniquely African and the cottages were constructed using only local materials. The lodge has featured in leading European and African architecture journals. All cottages have a veranda with panoramic views of the plains and Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance. Ol Donyo Wuas also focuses on development and eco-tourism, forming the Maasailand Preservation Trust in 1992 to build schools, health clinics and also to oversee the training of 86 community game scouts in the Tsavo/Amboseli ecosystem.

The cottages have en suite bathrooms, with solar power lighting and hot showers. Wood burning stoves serve as as a back ups. Two of the cottages have an additional bedroom for guests traveling with children.

300 000 acres of wildlife lies stretched out in Ol Donyo Wuas, with only the one fence that surrounds the lodge to keep the wildlife out. 7000 head of resident wildlife and the Big Five roam within the 300 000 acres. A resident herd of elephant roam near the lodge. 71 species of mammals have been identified around Ol Donyo Wuas, including the Oryx, Eland, Gerenuk, Lesser Kudu, Giraffe, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Jackal, Hyena, and Bat-eared Foxes. 333 species of birds, 1030 species of plants, 28 species of reptiles and 68 species of butterflies have so far been recorded in the Chyulu Hills.

Activities include night and day game viewing from open landrovers. Horse riding on the open plains or through the misty forests, walking and hiking, are some other activities that involve you closely with the bush. The waterhole lies just below the swimming pool, giving you unlimited game views while you take a dip in the gorgeous pool.