Our take
Set on a rocky escarpment overlooking the dramatic Laikipia Plateau in northern Kenya, Ol Malo is a luxurious family-owned lodge offering breathtaking views, unforgettable adventures, and a deep connection to the land and the local Samburu culture. It’s a place where wild beauty meets warm hospitality, perfect for travellers seeking both comfort and authenticity.
Ol Malo is a working ranch and intimate safari lodge that captures the spirit of Kenya’s untamed north. Built by the Francombe family, who still live and work there, the lodge reflects a deep love for the landscape and the Samburu people. Crafted from stone, wood and thatch, it blends seamlessly with its surroundings and offers an authentic yet luxurious base from which to explore this magnificent wilderness. Guests are welcomed like old friends, and every stay feels deeply personal and tailored.
We recommend Ol Malo selectively according to season, routing, room availability and the experience offered by the other stops in your itinerary.
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A closer look at the accommodation, atmosphere and setting.
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Accommodation
Accommodation at Ol Malo is in four beautifully designed cottages, each uniquely crafted with natural materials and featuring large windows or open fronts to maximise the sweeping views. Interiors are cosy and artistic, filled with handmade furniture, colourful textiles and thoughtful touches that echo the rugged landscape outside. Private decks invite guests to soak up the scenery, and outdoor bathtubs offer the chance to stargaze in complete tranquillity.
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Food & drink
Dining at Ol Malo is a relaxed and generous experience, often held al fresco to take advantage of the incredible views. Meals are home-cooked and delicious, featuring fresh produce from the ranch’s gardens alongside locally sourced meats and ingredients. Guests can enjoy shared meals with the family and other visitors, creating a convivial, home-from-home atmosphere that adds to the camp’s charm.
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What to do
Ol Malo offers a wide variety of activities that allow guests to truly immerse themselves in this spectacular region. Options include exhilarating game drives, guided bush walks, camel safaris, horseback riding, and helicopter excursions deep into the wild north. Guests can also visit local Samburu villages, offering an authentic glimpse into traditional life, or simply relax and watch elephants, giraffes and other wildlife from the lodge itself.
Good to know
This property can work for selected family itineraries, but room configuration, minimum ages and private-vehicle requirements vary. We confirm the right arrangement before proposing it.
Set on a rocky escarpment overlooking the dramatic Laikipia Plateau in northern Kenya, Ol Malo is a luxurious family-owned lodge offering breathtaking views, unforgettable adventures, and a deep connection to the land and the local Samburu culture. It’s a place where wild beauty meets warm hospitality, perfect for travellers seeking both comfort and authenticity.
Room layouts, activity schedules and facilities can change. We reconfirm the relevant details for your dates before booking.
Continue exploring
Compare a few alternatives, or open the full regional guide to see every property in this part of Kenya.
Laikipia
Lewa Wilderness is one of Kenya’s most iconic safari lodges, located within the renowned Lewa Wildlife Conservancy at the foothills of Mount Kenya. Known for its warm, family-run atmosphere and exceptional conservation legacy, it offers a truly personal and adventurous safari experience in one of East Africa’s most beautiful and wildlife-rich landscapes.
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Laikipia
Borana Lodge is an intimate luxury safari lodge set within the heart of Kenya’s 32,000-acre Borana Conservancy, on the foothills of Mount Kenya. Perched on a scenic hillside with sweeping views across rolling valleys and open savannah, the lodge combines exceptional wildlife encounters with a pioneering conservation ethos, offering an exclusive safari experience in one of East Africa’s leading private conservancies.
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Sosian Lodge is an intimate luxury safari retreat nestled within a 24,000-acre working cattle and wildlife ranch on the Laikipia Plateau, approximately 80 km west of Mount Kenya. With only seven air‑conditioned en‑suite cottages and the historic 1940s Italian farmhouse at its heart, Sosian provides an exclusive, home‑style safari experience blended with wide-open wilderness and stunning views.
View propertyTailor-made Kenya
We will explain how it compares with the alternatives and whether it fits your preferred dates, route and pace.
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