Sanctuary Olonana

Masai Mara National Reserve Kenya

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Sanctuary Olonana Lodge,Masai Mara Kenya

Sanctuary Olonana Lodge is an exceptional luxury safari lodge set on a private stretch of the Mara River in the heart of Kenya’s most famous game reserve, the Masai Mara National Reserve.Featuring 14 glass-sided suites, Sanctuary Olonana is inspired by the Masai Mara’s breath-taking natural wonders, an abundance of wildlife, and a dramatic river which runs right past its forest setting.

Game drives, cultural visits, bush dinners, sundowners, scenic flights and balloon rides, Olonana makes for a wonderful African safari..

Why visit Sanctuary Olonana Kenya

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.

Accommodation

Featuring 14 glass-sided suites, Sanctuary Olonana is inspired by the Masai Mara’s breath-taking natural wonders, an abundance of wildlife, and a dramatic river which runs right past its forest setting. Game drives, cultural visits, bush dinners, sundowners, scenic flights and balloon rides, Olonana makes for a wonderful African safari

14 Glass Sided Suites

Glass Sided Suites

Sanctuary Olonana boasts 14 exceptional suites inspired by the great outdoors, with contemporary clean lines, organic, elegant furnishings and specially commissioned African art. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors unveil the magnificent river, while sumptuous king-sized beds and deck daybeds invite relaxation; a spacious lower lounge grants panoramic views of the landscape.

All suites come with ensuite bathrooms, decked out in marble and slate, complete with a generous bathtub, double sinks and a refreshing rain shower, plus attentive details, such as mini bar complete with wine and beer. Travelling with children? Three family-friendly suites feature an extra bedroom, ensuring all guests can enjoy their stay together.

142m2 including bedroom, bathroom and outdoor decking.

Rate includes all meals and drinks
King size bed
En-suite with bath and separate shower
Air conditioning
Mini bar and tea/coffee facilities
Separate lounge area
Private outdoor deck with views of the Mara River

Geoffrey Kent Suite

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.

Rate includes all meals and drinks
Two ensuite bedrooms complete with rain shower and freestanding bathtub
One additional connecting bedroom for children
Fully open floor-to-ceiling windows
Air conditioning
Wraparound private decking area with infinity pool overlooking the river
Private vehicle and safari guide
Private lounge and dining area
Exquisite meals freshly-prepared by an in-suite chef
Fully stocked private bar with premium drinks

Olonana Camp Family Travel

Sanctuary Olonana welcomes families with children of all ages.Our family suites feature two bedrooms – perfect for families with young children.

Kid’s` Activities

KIDS’ ACTIVITIES

Our expert guides will take children out on special game drives and accompany them to the nearby Masai village where they will learn how to make and shoot a traditional bow and arrow, make a fire, build a hut, herding cattle to name a few.

Children will also be able to interact with the local children while playing football together and learning maasai songs and traditional dances. Other activities include going out on a nature trail where they will learn about animal footprint identification or enjoy our bush treasure hunt followed by planting their own tree and we have a selection of board games available for the entire family to enjoy.

Child Friendly

Child friendly menus available and evening meals can be served earlier than the normal meal times for children.
Children between the ages of 5 and 11 years are permitted to participate on the game drives, at the sole discretion of the lodge manager. Children under 5 require the permission of the lodge manager and is subject to the booking of a private vehicle.
Children below 15 years of age are required to share a room with an adult.

Activities

Game drives

At Sanctuary Olonana, game viewing starts from the camp. A pod of hippos lives permanently in the river just below camp and many other species come to drink there. Sanctuary’s experienced guides take you to all the hidden spots and our customised open safari vehicles offer all-round views, allowing for excellent photography opportunities.

The Mara’s rich eco-system includes acacia-studded savannah, riparian forest and woodland which attract more than 300 bird species and a stunning variety of animal life all year round.

Bush Breakfast, picnics,sundowner &dinners

Cultural visits to a Masai Village

Get an insight into the vibrant and still traditional way of life of the Maasai. Learn about the medicinal plants that grow here, the importance of cattle and the stages of life through which all Maasai pass, from young boy or girl to respected elder. Accompanied by an experienced Maasai guide you are invited to visit the village which is built along traditional lines; complete with cattle enclosure, outer palisade and mud and cow dung huts.

Meet the elders, their wives and families and learn about the social structure of the homestead, the role of women in their society and many more aspects of their daily life. Interaction and discussion is encouraged, so whether the ladies are building a hut, the warriors are dancing or making fire with stones and sticks, guests are free to join in.

Hot Air Balloon Safari

Your balloon is inflated against the first rays of sunrise and once aloft floats gently over the plains and the plethora of game. The balloon lands around one hour after taking off with breakfast being prepared nearby. The smells of bacon, sausages and eggs drift on the breeze as you begin breakfast with platefuls of exotic Kenyan fruits and homemade pastries and, of course, glasses of bubbly to toast your flight.

(Additional cost)more than 300 bird species and a stunning variety of animal life all year round.

Spa

Between activities, why not enjoy our in-room spa experience? Offering a range of treatments including body massages, we use products from the Africology and French marine-based Thalgo range.

Visit to a School

More and more popular are the visits organised by our guides to a variety of local schools during school term. These visits are free but we would recommend a donation to the school of anything upward of $15 per person.

Sanctuary Olonana Camp Rates

Sanctuary Olonana Suite and Family Suite-Full Package Rates n in USD per Person per night

Rates

Sanctuary_Retreats_Kenya_Game_Package_Rates_2024_RACK-1 Download

Special Offers

Sanctuary Olonana Special Offers

Stay longer, pay less 2023

Enjoy extra on your safari getaway with Sanctuary Retreats’ extended stay offer valid for 2023 and 2024, when you stay at one or more of our properties depending on your season of travel:

Stay 4-6 nights & save up to 25%
Stay 7+ nights & save up to 30%

To find out more about this offer, please refer to the rates

Accommodation Information:

Long Stay Rates

Long stay rates depend on season of travel and the duration of the total stay, starting from 4 nights. The total stay can be in one camp/lodge only, or be made up of stays in different Sanctuary Retreats camps/lodges anywhere in Africa. Stays in different camps/lodges do not need to be consecutive, but must belong to one itinerary.

Single Occupancy

There is no supplement for single occupancy of a maximum of 3 suites in Low season. Further single occupancy bookings in Low season are subject to a 50% single supplement. All other single occupancy bookings are charged at the single rates listed.

Extra Adults in a Suite

An adult sharing a suite with two other adults pays 75% of the sharing rate during Low season, and 85% of the sharing rate during High and Peak seasons (subject to availability).

Children Policy

Children of all ages are welcome at Sanctuary Olonana. Children aged 15 and younger are required to share with an adult. A private vehicle must be booked for game drives by families including children aged 5 and under.

Child Rates

The maximum age for child rates to apply is 15 years inclusive. One child staying with two paying adults stays free of charge in Low season, and a second child sharing the same suite pays child rate. One or two children staying with two adults pay child rate in High and Peak seasons. Two or three children staying with one adult (who is paying standard sharing rate) pay the child rate in Low season. When two or three children stay with one adult in High and Peak seasons, one child pays adult sharing rate and the other child(ren) pay child rate. In all other circumstances children pay the applicable adult fare. Triple and quadruple suites are subject to availability.

Olonana Safaris-Sample Itinerary

8 Days Safari to Liakpia & Masai Mara

Day 1-Nairobi/Sanctuary Tambarare

Upon arrival at Nanyuki or Kamok Airstrip via Wilson Airport, you will be met by a Sanctuary Retreats representative and transferred to your camp located in Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Nestled amongst fever trees in the shadow of Mount Kenya, Sanctuary Tambarare boasts 10 luxurious tents from which guests can enjoy views of the 90,000 acres of unspoilt terrain in the award-winning Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

The rest of your afternoon is at leisure to explore the camp grounds and its surrounding. Should you wish, you may take part in an afternoon game drive to catch a first glimpse of the wonders that await you during your stay here. Once back at camp, freshen up before you sit down for dinner where you will enjoy sumptuous meals prepared by our talented chef.

Meals included: LD
Overnight: Sanctuary Tambarare

Day 2-Sanctuary Tambarare

After a hearty breakfast in camp, head out into the bush or opt to meet the Conservancy’s K9 Anti-Poaching Unit*. Spend your morning interacting with the rangers and learn about what it takes to look after this specially trained canine team. After a tour of the facilities, try your luck at outsmarting and outrunning this elite squad. Not only will this be a great opportunity to stretch your legs, you will also be actively involved in the dogs’ training.

Return to camp for lunch and rest before heading back out in the afternoon. Explore the plains on foot in presence of an experienced ranger*. This interpretive walk will get you up close with the sights, smells and sounds of the African bush. You will learn about game trails, identifying spoors as well as the smaller mammals of Ol Pejeta.

As the sun sets, enjoy drinks prepared by a member of the team while you are still out in the Conservancy. Sip on your cocktail to the sounds of the bush as the fiery colours of a classic African sunset fill the sky. Finally, enjoy a well deserved dinner before retiring to your tent for the rest of the night.

* Additional cost applies and subject to availability at the time of booking.

Meals included: BLD
Overnight: Sanctuary Tambarare

Day 3-Sanctuary Tambarare

Kick off your day with a morning run*. Join the park’s rangers in their daily morning exercise routine, and on this 5km journey soak in your surroundings as the savanna slowly wakes up with the warmth of the sun. For other guests, wake up to the smell of hot coffee and enjoy a cup on your private veranda.

If you are lucky, you might be greeted by a herd of elephants roaming through the grassy plains in front of your tent. Aboard one of our specially customised 4×4, explore Ol Pejeta Conservancy alongside our local guides. Their knowledge and passion to educate create an enriching experience.

While out on one of our daily game drives, you can expect to meet the Big Five, cheetahs, hippos, jackals, hyenas and Ol Pejeta’s 130 resident black rhinos. At lunch, your guide will bring you to a secluded area of the conservancy for you to enjoy a specially prepared picnic surrounded by wildlife and jaw dropping landscapes.

In the afternoon, return to camp, freshen up and relax for the rest of the day is at leisure. For guests interested to head back out, why not join the Conservancy’s team of trackers* as you locate lions and collect vital information needed to study this apex predator.Come nightfall, while most guests head in to sleep, we recommend embarking on a thrilling night game drive*.

The plains come alive at night, with nocturnal animals such as aardvark, white-tailed mongoose, zorilla (striped polecat), bat-eared fox and perhaps even lions and leopard. This night-time adventure is very special as it’s not possible in most of Kenya’s national parks and reserves.

* Additional cost applies and subject to availability at the time of booking

Meals included: BLD
Overnight: Sanctuary Tambarare

Day 4-Sanctuary Tambarare

Today, opt to explore the conservancy on horseback*. Accompanied by rangers, you will roam within the 600-acre endangered species enclosure where you will learn about the conservation work carried out in Ol Pejeta. Get up close and personal with southern white rhinos, Grevy’s zebras and Jackson’s hartebeests. Most importantly meet Najin and Fatu and listen to their incredible story narrated by their caretakers. This mother-daughter duo are the last two northern white rhinos in the world.

Return to camp to freshen up before lunch. You may wish to enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. However, we recommend meeting the local community in the villages surrounding the camp*. See firsthand the work the Conservancy undertakes in healthcare services, sustainable energy and community enterprise initiatives.Once back in camp, end your day with cocktails around the campfire recalling the day’s activities before sitting down to a gourmet dinner prepared by your chef.

* Additional cost applies and subject to availability at the time of booking

Meals included: BLD

Overnight: Sanctuary Tambarare

Day 5-Sanctuary Tambarare/Olonana

Awaken early this morning to a warm cup of tea or coffee served on the veranda of your tent, and should time allow it head out for a last game drive in the grassy plains of the Laikipia plateau. You will be met by a member of our team who will transfer you to the airstrip for your onward journey to the Masai Mara. Upon landing, a member of our team will greet you and drive you to the camp.

Sanctuary Olonana is an exceptional luxury safari lodge set on a private stretch of the Mara River in the heart of Kenya’s most famous game reserve, the Masai Mara. Featuring 14 glass-sided suites, Sanctuary Olonana is inspired by the Masai Mara’s breathtaking natural wonders, an abundance of wildlife, and a dramatic river that runs right past its forest setting.

Offering game drives, cultural visits, bush dinners, sundowners, scenic flights and balloon rides, Olonana makes for a wonderful African safari.After your welcome drinks, you will be ushered to your suites by a Maasai warrior, all while being serenaded by the sweet melody of his flute accompanied by the sounds of the bush. The rest of your day is at leisure for you to unwind, relax and enjoy the panoramic views of the Mara River from your pavilion.

Day 6-Sanctuary Sanctuary Olonana

There is no better way to spend your first morning in the Masai Mara than exploring the bush on one of our customised 4×4 vehicles accompanied by your expert guide. Let him take you to all the hidden spots and listen to him talk about the Mara’s rich eco-system. From acacia-studded savannah, riparian forest and woodland which attract more than 300 bird species to a stunning variety of animal life all year round, you are in for a treat. If travelling between July and August don’t miss the chance of witnessing the Great Migration.

Back at the camp enjoy a cooling shower with mesmerising views before sitting down for lunch. In the afternoon we recommend heading out to meet local communities. Whether you wish to visit a school to see how Sanctuary Retreats’ philanthropy projects impact the daily lives of the local community, or meet the members of a local Maasai tribe, our guides will happily assist.

Upon your return, freshen up and treat yourself to an in-room spa experience with our team member professionally trained in facial and body massages.

Finally, end your day sipping on cocktails around the campfire recalling the day’s events, and head in for an early night to best enjoy the next day.

Meals included: BLD
Overnight: Sanctuary Olonana

Day 7-Sanctuary Sanctuary Olonana

Hot Air Balloon Ride

In the early hours of the day, you will be driven out to the Masai Mara in the morning’s darkness. After the captain’s safety brief, board the hot air balloon* as it inflates above your head. Take off, and rise in the air while the surrounding white noise slowly dissipates leaving you with the occasional roar of the flames keeping the balloon afloat.

Once high enough, look down and watch the landscape of the Masai Mara light up to the fiery sunrise that spreads under your feet. Drift through the air for an hour before landing back on firm ground to the smell of a freshly cooked breakfast for you to enjoy in the bush before returning to camp to spend the rest of your morning at leisure.

After lunch in camp, head out for an afternoon game drive to soak in your last few moments in the Mara. Top it all off by enjoying cocktails in the bush with an African sunset as a backdrop.Upon return to camp, soak in your bath. Relax and unwind to the flowing white noise of the Mara river below. Sit down to a last sumptuous dinner accompanied by stunning views of the bush and the African night sky.

* Additional cost applies and subject to availability at the time of booking

Meals included: BLD:- Overnight: Sanctuary Olonana

Day 8-Depart

Enjoy a leisurely morning relaxing at camp or venture out early on one last morning game drive before transferring to the airstrip for your light aircraft flight to Nairobi to connect with your onward flight.