Sanctuary Olonana

The lodge boasts 14 spacious and elegantly designed glass-sided suites, each with a minimum of 141 sqm and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that offer breathtaking views of the Mara River. Three suites offer an extra bedroom, making them ideal for families. The suites are equipped with sumptuous king-sized beds, air conditioning, glamorous en-suite bathrooms, and a daybed on the deck, offering guests a comfortable and relaxing experience.

The lodge also features a main dining area, lounge, and vast decking area with stunning views of the river. Guests can take a dip in the swimming pool or indulge in luxurious treatments at the mini-spa. The recently launched Geoffrey Kent Suite offers a sophisticated and secluded ultra-luxury experience with two en-suite bedrooms, a family room, wraparound private decking, infinity pool, lounge.

Dining Experience at Sanctuary Olonana

All meals including breakfast, lunch, snacks during activities and dinner are provided during your stay. The breakfast is served before the morning activity. During the morning game drive, coffee, tea and pastries are offered in the bush. Lunch is served back at camp. Classic sundowner cocktails and appetizers are provided during afternoon and evening game drives before returning to camp for pre-dinner drinks and dinner. Private romantic dinners by the pool can be arranged upon request. With prior notice, halaal meals can be arranged but please note that the kitchen is not strictly halaal and the chefs are not trained in halaal cooking. Unfortunately, kosher meals cannot be arranged.

The meals typically include:

• Continental and full English breakfast
• Table d'Hote for lunch and dinner, with a 3-course meal offering 2 to 3 options, including one vegetarian option.

 Game Drives While Staying at Sanctuary Olonana

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:

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 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.

Maasai Village Visit: 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.

Nature walks: 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.

Local School Visit: 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