Sanctuary Olonana is an award-winning safari lodge on a private stretch of the Mara River bordering Kenya’s most famous game reserve, the Masai Mara. Adventure, enchantment and ‘Luxury, naturally’ – all delivered with a quiet, understated charm and understanding of place – is the guiding philosophy of Sanctuary Retreats and our luxury safari lodge, Sanctuary Olonana.
Sanctuary Olonana is an exceptional safari lodge located on a private stretch of the Mara River at the foot of the impressive Siria Escarpment, close to where the famous last scene from “Out of Africa” was filmed. Set in lush woodland on the banks of the Mara River in the Masai Mara, where the great outdoors is invited indoors
with 14 glass-sided suites and the two-bedroom Geoffrey Kent Suite.
• Located in a private stretch of the Mara River bordering the epic Masai Mara
• Easy access to the Great Wildebeest Migration, only 45 minutes flight from Nairobi
• Very strong conservation and community interaction
• Offers an array of activities including game drives, cultural visits, bush dinners, sundowners, balloon flights and scenic flights
• Complimentary Wi-Fi in the rooms
Sanctuary Olonana is an exceptional luxury safari lodge set on a private stretch of the Mara River bordering Kenya’s most famous game reserve, the Masai Mara. The 14 glass-sided suites at Sanctuary Olonana are at least 130 sqm in size and feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors that fold open to reveal magnificent Mara River views. Three suites boats an extra bedroom, ideal for families. Sumptuous king-sized beds, with overhead fans, glamorous ensuites and a daybed on the deck invite you to relax inside or out, while the sprawling lower lounge area offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
The main dining area, lounge and vast decking area command views over a dramatic stretch of the river. There is also a swimming pool and a mini-spa offering luxurious treatments ranging from facials to body massages. The Geoffrey Kent Suite, launched in 2019, allows travellers to immerse themselves in secluded ultra-luxury in this
sophisticated free-flowing space. Guests will enjoy two ensuite bedrooms, an additional family room, wraparound private decking and infinity pool, lounge and dining area, and private vehicle and safari guide.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the rooms. Electricity supply is a combination of silent packed generator, solar power and battery system.
Sanctuary Olonana welcomes children of all ages.
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.
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.
Sanctuary Olonana is an exceptional luxury safari lodge set on a private stretch of the Mara River bordering Kenya’s most famous game reserve, the Masai Mara. The 14 glass-sided suites at Sanctuary Olonana are at least 130 sqm in size and feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors that fold open to reveal magnificent Mara River views. Three suites boats an extra bedroom, ideal for families. Sumptuous king-sized beds, with overhead fans, glamorous ensuites and a daybed on the deck invite you to relax inside or out, while the sprawling lower lounge area offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
The main dining area, lounge and vast decking area command views over a dramatic stretch of the river. There is also a swimming pool and a mini-spa offering luxurious treatments ranging from facials to body massages. The Geoffrey Kent Suite, launched in 2019, allows travellers to immerse themselves in secluded ultra-luxury in this sophisticated free-flowing space. Guests will enjoy two ensuite bedrooms, an additional family room, wraparound private decking and infinity pool, lounge and dining area, and private vehicle and safari guide. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the rooms. Electricity supply is a combination of silent packed generator, solar power and battery system.
Breakfast, lunch, snacks during activities and dinners are all included in your stay at Sanctuary Olonana. Breakfast is served before the morninggame 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
The Masai Mara Reserve is legendary for its abundance of wildlife. Fabulous for seeing big cats, their prey and all of
the Big Five year-round, the Mara is also the stage for the greatest show on Earth – the wildebeest migration. From
around July to October millions of grunting wildebeest and zebra cover the plains, often crossing the Mara River and
moving between Tanzania and Kenya, closely followed by crocodile, lion and cheetah. Key wildlife include: lion, leopard,
elephant, buffalo, hippo, giraffe, zebra, cheetah, impala, wildebeest. The following activities are included in your stay:
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 Retreats’ 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.
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.
Walk with our naturalist and learn about plants, trees and insects and their use in the daily lives of
the Maasai tribe. Visit our award-winning wetlands, which cleanse wastewater naturally before returning it to the
environment. There is an opportunity to plant a tree, leaving a positive mark in Africa. Our naturalist shares his intimate
knowledge of the surrounding environment and how many of the trees and plants are used for medicinal purposes. Your
guide will also point out animal signs which are everywhere, but not that easily noticed.
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
Masai Mara hot air balloon ride is the perfect way to crown your Masai Mara experience. Your balloon is inflated against the first rays of sunrise and once aloft floats gently over the plains and the plethora of game. After about one hour the balloon lands and nearby, breakfast is already being prepared. The smells of bacon, sausages and eggs drift on the breeze as you begin breakfast with platefuls of Kenyan fruits and
pastries and, of course, glasses of bubbly to toast your flight.
Between activities, relax at our mini-spa which offers a range of treatments from facials to body
massages. With spectacular views over the Mara River and the soothing sound of the river and hippos in the
background – you’ll have no choice but to relax. Africology uses healing essences of some of South Africa’s indigenous
plants, Rooibos, Aloe Ferox, Marula and African Potato. They are dermatologically tested to EU standards, not tested on
animals nor use any animal products.
Additional activities are at an additional cost and can be pre-booked or booked while guests are in camp
Guests celebrating their honeymoon at Sanctuary Olonana 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)
