- Located on a private stretch of the Mara River bordering the epic Masai Mara
- During annual Wildebeest Migration, the action happens less than 40 minutes camp's doorstep
- Easily accessible, only a 45 minute flight from Nairobi
- Newly opened Geoffrey Kent Suite featuring 2 ensuite bedrooms, private dining, infinity pool and private vehicle and guide
- Offers game drives, cultural visits, bush dinners, sundowners, balloon flights and scenic flights
- Gold Eco-Rated by Ecotourism Kenya and winner of "Africa's Leading Eco-Lodge" in World Travel Awards 2015
- In the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame. This unique accolade is granted only to those businesses that have won the Certificate of Excellence for five years in a row.
Sanctuary Olonana is located in the Masai Mara on a private stretch of the Mara River. The camp is accessible by air via the Kichwa Tembo Airstrip which is approximately 20 minutes’ drive from Sanctuary Olonana.
Flying time:
• Nairobi Wilson Airport NBO (WIL) to Kichwa Tembo Airstrip (KTC) - 45 minutes
Road transfer:
• From Nairobi to Sanctuary Olonana – 6 hours
PLEASE NOTE:
The luggage restriction for light aircrafts is 15kg / 33lbs per person in a soft-sided bag.
The climate in Kenya is mainly characterised by warm days and cool evenings. December to March are usually the warmest months of the year, while June to August are the coolest. April and May often see intermittent rains, and from September to November the days are warm with short scattered rains falling in November.
Clothing should be cool and comfortable; and colours should blend in with nature as much as possible.
Greens, browns and khaki coloured clothing are advisable for safaris. Guests are advised to pack their swimwear. We suggest long sleeves and long trousers and for morning and evenings due to mosquitoes; and a fleece, sweater or warm jacket for morning and evening game drives. Sturdy and comfortable shoes are essential. A complimentary overnight laundry service is offered in the camp.
Accessories: Sunscreen, sunglasses and hats are essential. Binoculars and good cameras are an absolute must. The camp provides a torch as well as complimentary mosquito repellent and toiletries.
Please should discuss health precautions for your travel itinerary with a qualified health professional at least six weeks before you depart. We advise all travellers to take precautions against malaria and we recommend speaking to your GP or personal physician four to six weeks before departure. A yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers to Kenya.
All extras can be paid for with Visa, MasterCard, American Express and traveller’s cheques. US dollars, Pounds, Euro’s and Kenyan Shillings are also accepted; however change will be given in the local currency. Diners Cards are not accepted.
Tipping is not obligatory but generally accepted rates are $15 per guest per day for the guide and $10 per guest per day for the rest of the staff.
Sanctuary Olonana prides itself on its personalised services. Please let us know if you have any special requests, dietary requirements, allergies or medical conditions.
Guests celebrating their honeymoon will receive special surprises during their stay. All attempts are made to keep honeymooners separate from other guests.
Our honeymoon services include:
• Special honeymooner welcome
• Fruit Basket in the room
• Private meals on deck
• A bottle of sparkling wine during dinner
• Traditional Maasai blessing ceremony
• Complimentary 30 minute back massage and spa treatments at reduced rates
• Complimentary private vehicle (subject to availability)
We welcome children of all ages at Sanctuary Olonana.
With spacious family suites and a wide variety of activities for guests of all ages, Sanctuary Olonana is the perfect choice for a family safari in Kenya. Activities can be arranged especially for children including tailored game drives, nature walks, treasure hunts, bird watching and animal print identification. Visits to the local Maasai village can include a variety of activities including mock spear throwing, fire making, hut building and cattle herding. There is also the opportunity to help with conservation by planting a tree in Sanctuary Olonana’s “tree sanctuary!” We are flexible with meals and meal times for children.
Children aged 15 years and younger are required to share with their parents. Sanctuary Olonana offers 3 family suites, featuring two bedrooms. Private vehicle must be booked for children aged 5 or younger. Babysitting service is available on request (not a registered babysitter) at a nominal fee which will be paid directly to the child minder. Baby cots are available.
Breakfast, lunch, snacks during activities and dinners are all included in your stay. Breakfast is served before the morning game activity. During your morning game viewing activity, coffee, tea and a selection of scones and biscuits will be served out in the bush. Lunch will be enjoyed back at the camp. Afternoon and evening game drives include classic sundowner cocktails and canapés at specially selected spots before returning to the camp for pre-dinner drinks and dinner. Romantic private dinners on your room deck or by the pool can be arranged upon request. With prior notice, our camps are able to arrange halaal meals, however, please note our kitchens aren’t strictly halaal and our chefs are not trained in halaal food preparation. Unfortunately, we are unable to arrange kosher meals.
Meals typically consist of the following:
• Breakfast: Continental and full English Breakfast
• Lunch: Table d’Hote
• Dinner: Table d’Hote, 3 course meal with 2 to 3 choices, one being a vegetarian
Schedule:
• 06:30 Wake-up call
• 07:00 Breakfast
• 07:30 Depart for morning game drive
• 12:00 Lunch
• 14:00 Optional Activity (Maasai Village Visit/Nature walk)
• 16:00 Depart for afternoon game drive
• 18:00 Sundowners
• 19:00 Dinner
Now the most discerning travellers can immerse themselves in the ultimate wildlife experience, from the secluded luxury of the sublime Geoffrey Kent Suite. The sophisticated, free-flowing space contains two private bedrooms, each fully en-suite, a private lounge, bar and dining area and infinity pool. The suite is accessed by a private road for additional privacy.
478m2 including bedrooms, lounge, dining area and outdoor decking.
Sanctuary Olonana boasts 14 exceptional suites inspired by the great outdoors, with contemporary clean lines, organic, elegant furnishings and specially commissioned African art.
Please click here for more information
MASAI MARA CONSERVATION PROGRAMME
Sanctuary Retreats Philanthropy works with Maasai communities in the Masai Mara to positively impact education, encourage conservation, and develop community enterprise.
SAFE WATER FOR SCHOOLS INITIATIVE
The Safe Water for Schools Initiative introduces sustainable, non-invasive means to acquire clean water for Maasai students in Kenya
Enkereri Village and school: Enkereri Village, is located at the top of the Siria Escarpment close to Sanctuary Olonana. This Maasai village actively works on projects to improve the way of life and education for its people. Sanctuary Retreats Philanthropy is working together with Enkereri on a number of projects including extending gas piping into designated “cooking huts” in the village in order for them to make use of biogas, a renewable energy source used for cooking and heat.
Indigenous tree planting: Make a difference while on holiday and help us combat increasing deforestation by planting your own tree in our tree nursery.
Wetlands Project: Through a unique system, wastewater is cleaned and released back into the Mara River and used in the irrigation system for our tree nursery.
Maasai Women’s Beadwork: Guests have the opportunity to see the women producing the beadwork and purchase the handicrafts in the Sanctuary Olonana gift shop.
Organic Garden: Enjoy a delicious fresh salad picked from our own organic vegetables garden - one of the simplest forms of conservation
