Luxury Lodges · Laikipia, Kenya
Ol Lentille
Overview
Ol Lentille, named after Laikipia's highest peak, is a lodge that is proud to be different.
Located in a remote and beautiful part of northern Kenya, guests enjoy the dramatic landscape and pristine wilderness of a 40,000-acre private conservancy which is home to many wildlife species. Game drives, walks (gentle, long or short), camel safaris, and even quad biking are some of the many activities at Ol Lentille. Or you may prefer to lounge around our sepctacular infinity pool, go for a relaxing massage at our spa or settle in a cozy corner by the fireplace in the Gallery.
But it is the people who make this a truly unique place. Ol Lentille is professionally managed but owned by the local Maasai community. That community, in additon to three other neighbouring communities (Maasai and Samburu) that co-own the conservancy benefit directly (financially), and indirectly )through employment and development projects) from the tourism activity. This creates a tight bond between tourism, conservation and the community. Here you stop being a tourist and become a guest of the community, with deep and authentic access to Maasai and Samburu culture, and to the key events in their life: a chat with elders in a village, a chance encounter on market day, a wedding, a warrior initiation ceremony, a women's blessing, or perhaps a visit to the "singing wells'.
At the lodge, we have four luxurious villas, recently renovated with fresh and contemporary interiors, each coming with its own house staff, guide and safari vehicle: Carissa (1 room), Aloe (2 rooms), Acacia (2 rooms - can be booked separately), and Boscia (3 rooms). With only 8 rooms in total, we can accommodate a total of 16 guests (a few more with extra beds). All activities and meals are private. This is Africa, as real and as exclusive as it gets.
Suites & Rates
Choose how you stay
Acacia house
Acacia is a two-bedroom thatched roof house, built into the mountainside, with large rocks blending spectacularly into the house. Its decor is inspired by the acacia tree, with accents of gold and blue gracing...
Aloe house
Aloe is a large villa built on two floors, with two large bedrooms on the upper floor, and dining and living areas on the ground floor, with a fireplace. Each of the bedrooms has...
Boscia house
The largest of Ol Lentille's houses, Boscia is a huge three bedroom villa with multiple common areas for people to congregate in, including a large living room with a fireplace. Named after the boscia...
Carissa house
Carissa is hidden on the property's highest point, with breathtaking 280 degree views of Laikipia's rugged landscape. The bedroom comes with a round bed and floor to ceiling windows. There is a sunken outdoor...
Details
Good to know
Languages spoken
English, Swahili
Ideal for
Adventure, Birding, Cycling, Flora, Hiking, History & Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife
Property facilities
Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Library, Malaria Free, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Secure Parking, Spa, Vegetarian
Accommodation & amenities
Balcony / Deck, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, Fan, Fireplace, Fridge, Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Mini Bar (Complimentary), Mini Bar, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Services
24-hour Security, Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card Facilities, Foreign Exchange, Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Meal on Request, Private Vehicle (Available), Room Service
On-site activities
Bird Watching, Boules, Cycling, Fine Dining, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Gourmet Picnic, Helicopter Scenic Flights, Massages, Night Drives, Quad Biking, Safaris, Scenic Flights, Walks (Guided), Wildlife Tours
Nearby activities
Adrenaline Activities, Animal Encounters, Big 5, Bird Watching, Fishing, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Helicopter Rides, Horse Riding, Mountain Biking, Quad Biking, Rock Climbing, Safaris
Location
Where you'll be
Video
See the stay
Ol Lentille introduction video
Ol Lentille introduction videoActivities
What you can do
Baboon walk
Visit Africa's only habituated baboon colony, a 30mn drive from Ol Lentille lodge. The field researchers will talk you through the behaviour and organization of that large group of baboons (numbering up to 100 individuals), as they slowly make their way to a rocky outcrop to roost for the night. That activity usually ends with a sundowner nearby, as you watch the baboons settling in for the night.
Boma dinner
Around a roaring fire at the lodge's "boma", the warriors appear unexpectedly out of the darkness, singing rhythmically and dancing like dervishes. Their vertical jumps, a way of demonstrating their athletic prowess to the young women who accompany them. Almost unconsciously, our Ol Lentille staff get dragged into the dancing circle, and then our guests. That signature Ol Lentille activity is an exhilarating evening, that culminates in a traditional Kenyan meal served under the stars.
Camel safaris
A camel safari through the African bush, led by Maasai warriors, and ending at the bend of a river for a tranquil picnic lunch under a fig tree, and perhaps a refreshing swim in the river.
Maasai and Samburu culture and traditions
Be invited to a wedding, where the bride and groom go through elaborate rituals before departing for their new home, with the event culminating in a joyful celebration of their new life together which all the in the area are invited to join.Or maybe attend a women's blessing ceremony, a young man's circumcision day or the initiation of a new age set of warriors. Those unique moments are always fascinating, moving and memorable.
Quad biking
Go for an exciting quad biking adventure around the community lands, or down the rugged trails of the conservancy (16 years and above),
Singing wells
A tradition unique to northern Kenya, the "singing wells" are dug in dry river beds by warriors to find water for their cows. The warriors form a human pyramid in the 10-12ft wells to bring buckets of water to the surface, while singing individual songs to each of their cows. The songs, reverberating in the valley, and heard well before you see the wells are a magical and haunting experience.
Spa
Enjoy a relaxing spa treatment in the comfort of our secluded spa, followed by herbal tea served on the spa deck
Visit a Maasai or Samburu village (manyatta)
Experience authentic Maasai and Samburu culture, by visiting a traditional homestead, having a cup of smoky milk tea with a mama or a drink of honey mead with the Wazee (Elders). Learn about the social structure of the homestead, and the joys and challenges of everyday life. This is a very natural and authentic experience where you are treated as a guest, not a tourist.For the more adventurous, we will set up dinner at the manyatta. Chef David will barbecue a goat and we will have dinner under the stars inside the manyatta, sharing for a moment, the life of our Maasai and Samburu neighbours.
Walking and hiking
With 40,000 acres of unspoilt and dramatic wilderness, Ol Lentille is ideal for walking adventures, from a gentle walk down a dry river bed that reveals spectacular "lost world" views to a vigorous climb up Ol Lentille peak, Laikipia's tallest, or a full day adventure hiking in hidden valleys
Wildlife and game drives
The 40,000 acres of the private Ol Lentille Conservancy are a vital wildlife migration corridor and as such, remain unfenced. It is home to large herds of elephant, painted wolves, leopards, hyenas, greater kudus, elands, as well as many species of smaller antelopes. Rare northern species such as the Grevy's zebra and gerenuk are also found here. Ol Lentille is also a paradise for bird watching, with many rare species making their home here. This is Africa at its most wild and original. Without fences, the animals move in and out of the conservancy following ancient migration routes and are not habituated to humans.
a 40,000 acre "restaurant"
At Ol Lentille we pride ourselves on never serving you a meal twice in the same location. You can enjoy meals in the privacy of your villa, on the pool deck, in the Gallery or on the rooftop. We arrange bush breakfasts, picnic lunches and bush dinners in a number of spectacular locations. And our sundowners are truly memorable!
Ready to plan your stay?
Tell us your dates and we'll handle the rest — flights, transfers and the lodge itself.
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