Overview
Home in the north
Perched on the cliffs of the Laikipia Plateau with a panoramic view across the Uaso Nyiro River to its private wildlife sanctuary and wilderness beyond, Ol Malo is Northern Kenya’s original luxury bush home.
Owned and run by the Francombe family who have a strong relationship with their Samburu neighbours, it really does feel like home. Six rooms, split between the main house and two cottages, are safari-inspired and made with wood, stone and thatch, with added Samburu beading flare.
Life at Ol Malo is about experiences. There are no pre-timed game drives or regimented schedules here. There are helicopters, game drive vehicles, mountain bikes, horses, and camels just waiting to take you on an adventure. All activities are tailored to pursue your every whim whether that be riding alongside zebra and giraffe on horseback, dancing in the dust with Samburu warriors, camping out on the open plains, flying alongside flamingos in Lake Logipi or simply chilling out at the house, warming up by the fire after a dip in the infinity pool.
Facts
At a glance
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Six rooms split between the main house and cottages
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Swimming pool, lounge, bar and dining room
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Completely flexible schedule
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Can be booked exclusively
Experiences
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![Ol Malo Lodge 24]()
Game drives
Here out in an open vehicle with a Samburu guide in search of the area's wildlife, including a number of northern specialties, such as elephant, buffalo, eland, beisa oryx, Grant’s gazelle, Impala, common and grey Zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, greater kudu, wild dog, leopard, cheetah, lion, spotted and striped hyena.
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![Ol Malo Lodge 11]()
Adventure
Tube down the rapids or fish for catfish and barbel. Go horse or camel riding on the plains – a wonderful way to see the game – mountain bike or try running with a Samburu warrior.
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![Ol Malo Lodge 25]()
Treehouse and hide stays
A night in the Ol Malo Treehouse or Leopard Hide are complimentary overnight activities for guests.
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![Ol Malo Lodge 13]()
Cultural visit
Pay a welcome visit to our neighbours, the Samburu people. Visit their nursery school and the Ol Malo workshop to see the women beading or the children painting.
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![Ol Malo Lodge 18]()
Helicopter flights
Day trip by helicopter over the Suguta Valley' sand dunes to flamingo covered lakes and beyond on epic scenic flights.
Community & Culture
Ol Malo lies in the heart of Samburuland. As neighbours, we have spent decades working hand-in-hand with the Samburu tribe to benefit the people, wildlife, and land surrounding the property. Julia Francombe, founder of the Samburu Trust and daughter of Ol Malo founders Rocky and Colin, spends the majority of her time living in the bush with her team of warriors to understand the needs and struggles of the Samburu and implement projects that make a real difference.
Ol Malo partners with the Samburu Trust, founded by Julia in 2000, to protect and secure the future of the Samburu people and their land through education, conservation, healthcare, water supply, women’s opportunities, and eco-tourism. Because of this deep and long-standing relationship, guests of the ranch are invited to visit the neighboring villages and manyattas (homesteads) for intimate and personal encounters not often experienced by outsiders.
Conservation
Ol Malo is a 2000 hectare game sanctuary where free roaming wildlife is protected. The area is patrolled by rangers and the grazing and water managed, so that wildlife can survive throughout the dry season. Employing community security teams on the Eastern boundary protects an important elephant migration and feeding area. Conservancy fees paid by guests assist in the funding of the security teams and conservation efforts in neighboring areas. Ol Malo works alongside the Samburu Trust whose wildlife team covers over 400,000 hectares of community rangelands bordering Ol Malo and further afield. The community livestock and elephant historically share similar migration routes and so this community conservation model works.
Ol Malo’s helicopters and aircraft provide air support for collaring and anti-poaching efforts, working alongside Kenya Wildlife Service, The Samburu Trust, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Save the Elephants, Space for Giants and in the past provided all the GPS data collection for the Wild Dog branch of the Laikipia Predator Project during its set up stage.
Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
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Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
What makes us different
Why Niarra
Niarra Travel is a forward-thinking travel company headquartered in London born out of a passion to do things differently.
In Swahili, a Bantu language spoken by millions in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, the name Niara means "with utmost purpose" and our team are united by a passion for exploration and a belief that the right kind of travel can make the world a better place.
Our Travel Researchers are here to create incredible trips with a positive impact for you.
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Unforgettable experiences
Creating your trip is entirely collaborative and our Travel Researchers are here for every step.
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Positive impact
Curated sustainable experiences and accommodation that maximize the benefits to local people and place.
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Fairness and transparency
An open, competitive pricing structure that ensures more money goes to where it's needed in the destination.
