Ol Malo Lodge
A legendary northern Kenyan hideaway blending rugged adventure, wildlife encounters and warm family hospitality.
Overview Ol Malo Lodge
Set on a private 5,000-acre sanctuary along the Uaso Nyiro River, Ol Malo Lodge clings to a dramatic rocky escarpment overlooking Kenya’s wild northern frontier, with Mount Kenya rising in the distance. Created by the Francombe family alongside their Samburu neighbours, the lodge is a place where days unfold to nature’s rhythm, from dawn horse rides and bush breakfasts to camel walks, cultural encounters, sundowners, helicopter adventures into the north and starlit dinners in the heart of the African wilderness.
To stay at Ol Malo is to live by a different rhythm.
Situated along the edge of the escarpment, maximising the expansive views, Ol Malo Lodge has three ensuite one-bedroomed cottages and a two-bedroomed family cottage with a shared bathroom.
Using local and sustainable materials the spacious cottages were built to blend with the natural landscape. The interior decor is tasteful, complemented with bead work from the Samburu Trust that Ol Malo supports. Large picture windows frame a wild and constantly changing landscape.
Ol Malo Lodge was one of the first lodges to promote the “Bush Homes” concept. The welcoming sitting room with its open fireplace has been privy to many evenings of story telling by The Francombes. The dining room has dramatic views over terraced lawns leading up to the edge of the escarpment and on a clear day, all the way to Mt. Kenya. A cliff top infinity pool, one of the first built in Kenya, together with the pool house creates an ideal environment to spend an afternoon watching the activity at the watering hole and salt lick below the lodge.
Horse Riding
Samburu Village Visit
Bush Breakfast
Sleepout in the Ol Malo Treehouse
Sleepout in the Leopard Hide
Guided Walks
Sundowners
Day and Night Game Drives
Childrens Activities
Samburu Trust Beading Project
Walking with Camels
Sundowners by Helicopter
Journey to the Jade Sea
Ol Malo Nomad Experience
Ranch to Table Experience
Stay at Kampi Andrew
Fishing on Lake Turkana
Three Peaks Running Challenge
Fly Camp
Breath and Stretch
“Huge accommodations. Large spread. Great views of the valley and wildlife. Amazing relationship with local Samburu tribe. Guides were wonderful and showed us an amazing time.”
Born and raised in Kenya, Colin and Rocky Francombe built their lives in northern wilderness landscapes, working in ranching while creating safe havens for wildlife, particularly the endangered black rhino. A committed naturalist, Colin explored vast tracts of the north on foot, developing an unrivalled knowledge of the country and a gift for storytelling, whether beneath a thorn tree or beside the fire at day’s end. Long dreaming of owning their own piece of Africa, the couple seized the opportunity when land became available and moved to Ol Malo in 1991, carving a future for themselves and their children in this rugged corner of Kenya. Today, that pioneering spirit lives on, with all three of their children, and now grandchildren, playing an integral role in shaping life at Ol Malo.
“If you take the local people, the local Kenyan Africans, the pastoralists of the North, they can teach us an enormous amount. They are incredible family people; they have structure; wherever you look, look at us – us humans, our families; our families are the most important things in our life. This is our life, its everything we live for.”
Why Ol Malo Lodge?
Property Highlights
- Privately owned family ranch and game sanctuary in Northern Laikipia
- Owner-operated for over 35 years by the Francombe family
- Dramatically built into the escarpment with sweeping northern views
- Intimate lodge with just four luxury cottages (including one family unit)
- Set within a vast private conservancy offering complete freedom to explore
- Exclusive-use game drives with no vehicle congestion
- Exceptional riding terrain with horses for all riding levels (weight limit 90kg)
- Home to Kenya Choppers- Unique helicopter access and scenic flying experiences
- Access to fly camping and the Ol Malo Nomad Experience
- Sleep-outs at the Treehouse or Leopard Hide
- Private working ranch experience with owners actively engaged in daily hosting
- Fresh produce provided directly from the ranch
- Infinity pool on the edge of the escarpment with stunning views over Laikipia
- Wild, remote and cinematic Northern Kenya landscape
Positive Impact
- Partners with the Samburu Trust supporting education, healthcare and women’s enterprise initiatives
- Supports community-led conservation within the Laikipia ecosystem
- Tourism revenue contributes to the protection of privately managed wildlife habitat
- Operates on solar power with 24-hour renewable energy supply
- Supports local employment and long-term skills development within surrounding communities
- Partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service with the development of the South Island Trust to protect the lake and wildlife around South Island on Lake Turkana, home of Kampi Andrew Star Camp
- Through Kenya Choppers, Ol Malo supports aerial conservation and medical operations across East Africa - partnering with Kenya Wildlife Service, Save the Elephants, Space for Giants, African Parks and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
- In partnership with Kenya Choppers and Conserve Global, Ol Malo supports the ISVD initiative in Suguta Valley, strengthening climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods and community-led conservation in Kenya’s arid north.
- Fresh produce from the organic vegetable garden and ranch provide delicious farm to table meals for guests
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Ol Malo's commitment to zero waste can be seen in their building work, recycled wine bottle wine glasses and other upcycled products across the properties
What to expect at Ol Malo Lodge?
Accommodation
- Four luxury cottages (three one-bedroom cottages and one two-bedroom family cottage)
- All individual cottages ensuite
- Family cottage has a shared bathroom between two bedrooms
- Stone and thatch design built into the escarpment with stunning views
- Fireplaces in cottages
- Private verandas with panoramic views
- Reliable WiFi in rooms
- Hairdryers available on request
- Stunning infinity swimming pool with pool house overlooking the Laikipia landscape
- Sleep out options available in the Leopard Hide and Tree House at no extra cost (subject to availablility)
Experiences Included (Safari Package)
- Exclusive day and night game drives
- Horse riding for all levels of riders (maximum weight 90kg)
- Guided walks and medicinal plant walks
- Camel treks
- Treehouse and Leopard Hide sleep-outs
- Samburu cultural visits including homesteads, bead workshops, local schools and twice-weekly markets
- 3 Peak Trail Running Challenge
- Sundowners
- Ol Malo Airstrip transfers
- Full board accommodation
- Soft drinks, local beers, non-premium wines and spirits
- Daily laundry service
- Conservancy fees not included in accommodation rates and quoted separately
Enhance Your Stay (Additional Cost)
- Helicopter excursions (scenic flights, heli-fly camping, Lake Turkana experiences)
- Fly Camping (mobilisation surcharge applies; guest room retained at lodge)
- Ol Malo Nomad Experience (minimum 4 nights, 2 of which consecutive nights in House or Lodge; mobilisation surcharge applies). Limited to experienced riders only for the horse riding option with 85kg weight limit.
- Transfers to/from Loisaba Airstrip
- Champagne, premium spirits and cellar wines
- Samburu market purchases (must be paid in cash, Kenya Shillings only)
- Samburu Trust shop beadwork purchases
Getting There
By Air
- Schedule flights from Wilson Airport, Nairobi to Loisaba Airstrip (road transfers between Loisaba Airstrip and Ol Malo payable extra)
- Private Charters to Ol Malo Airstrip
- By Helicopter
By Road
- Approximately 6 hours’ drive from Nairobi
- Transfer time from Loisaba Airstrip - 45 minutes
- GPS Coordinates: 0°39’21.8”N 36°52’25.7”E
Additional Information
Property Details
- Maximum 8 guests
- Closed April, May and November
- Check-in: 11:00AM
- Check-out: 10:00AM
- Altitude: approximately 1,600 metres
- Warm year-round climate (10–30°C range)
- Guide accommodation available
Power and Connectivity
- Solar power (24-hour supply)
- 3-pin square plug sockets
- Adapters provided in rooms
- WiFi in all rooms
- Intermittent phone signal
- CPAP supported
Facilities
- Swimming pool
- Payment accepted: Visa & Mastercard
- Tipping- Shukran App (accepts most major cards)
- Wheelchair access with assistance.
- No spa or massage facilities available
Child Policy
- Children of all ages welcome
Vehicles
- Toyotal Landcruisers- open
- Exclusive vehicle per group
- Refreshments provided
- Photography beanbags available
