Olonana Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary
Olonana Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary
Olonana Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Kenya’s Maasai Mara is synonymous with safari. Surely among the most physically lovely, biologically diverse and culturally rich regions in Africa, it is the scene of one of the most astonishing wildlife spectacles on earth, the annual Great Migration when million-strong herds of wildebeest and zebra venture north in search of fresh pastures. Amid this dizzying swirl of natural beauty and drama, this luxury Maasai Mara lodge is a hideaway of rare elegance and serenity, in a prime position on a private stretch of the Mara River. As well as all the activities you’d wish for in a Maasai Mara safari lodge – year-round sightings of the Big Five, expert-led bush walks, night drives – there’s also a spa, pool and gym, and the option to add on a hot-air balloon ride over the legendary wilderness. Families love the spacious adjoining rooms and are brilliantly looked after on immersive activities with the Maasai guides. An organic garden supplying the freshest vegetables and the opportunity for guests to visit local schools and enterprises supported by A&K Philanthropy mean the lodge delivers on meaningful sustainability and community development too.
Perfectly placed for the Great Migration
Opportunities to spot the Big Five, year round
Enchanting riverside setting above a resident pod of snorting hippos
Walking safaris and night drives in Oloisukut Conservancy
Stylish and charming, with 15 spacious contemporary suites
Brilliant local Maasai safari guides who get you close to the action
Twice-daily game drives
4x4 adventures in the wild and Maasai community visits
Meals & drinks included
Delicious cuisine and daily sundowners
Wellness & relaxation
All-natural spa treatments, plus pool and gym
Expert guides
Wildlife tracking with local specialists
Air-conditioned suites
Keep cool in the wild
THE SAFARI EXPERIENCE
The Safari Experience at Olonana Lodge
The sound of the rushing Mara River just outside your huge suite bookends days at Olonana Lodge – after you’ve been greeted on arrival by a Maasai flute player, that is. With the restaurant overlooking a spot where hippos cross, breakfasts always offer a different watery drama accompanied by their honking, grunting and snorting. If you’re staying in the spacious Geoffrey Kent Suite, it’s likely you’ll see giraffes crossing nearby too. The wildlife spotting at this luxury Maasai Mara lodge gets even more exciting on morning game drives through acacia-dotted grasslands, with the throngs of wildebeest of the Great Migration (July-October) as well as the Big Five (year-round) on the doorstep. As you have the same expert guide throughout your stay, they will know which animals you’ve seen and will tailor your game-drive experience accordingly. Local life plays out alongside memorable African safari scenes, so it’s not unusual to see Maasai farmers herding their goats and cattle next to eland, zebra and impala; and guests can pick up locally made craft to take home from the Maasai women who have a dedicated space on site adorned with colorful beading. Following a delicious à la carte lunch of regional flavors such as okra, Kenyan beef and Lake Victoria tilapia, afternoons here allow for downtime: in-suite spa treatments for grown-ups; giant Jenga and croquet for the kids; poolside fun for all. Or there’s an open-sided bush gym where the steady flow of the river sets the pace for your workout. This truly is a Maasai Mara safari lodge geared for multi-gen travel. Everyone reunites to enjoy sundowners in the bush, before dinner of farm-to-table ingredients plucked from the organic garden. Other eco efforts at Olonana Lodge include a wetland system for the reuse of gray water, and there’s an A&K Philanthropy coordinator to talk about how the property engages with the local community. Night drives are an option for guests keen to continue exploring. At the end of the day the most peaceful night’s sleep imaginable awaits, with that rumbling river as nature’s ultimate lullaby.
Swap screen time for safari time: families with children in tow love the immersive activities involving the local Maasai
Each of the spacious suites has a private terrace overlooking the river and its resident animals – also look out for bush babies and vervet monkeys in the trees
Guests can marvel at the Maasai Mara setting from sky high and on ground level, with hot-air balloon rides and bush walks led by the knowledgeable Maasai and Kikuyu guides
There’s plenty of room for families to spread out in the dedicated suites with adjoining rooms; plus there are triple rain showers in bathrooms that are as big as the bedrooms
A dedicated coordinator at the lodge can arrange for guests to visit the nearby initiatives supported by AKP, including school lunch and safe water programmes
THE LODGE
A pioneering lodge in Kenya's Maasai Mara
Modern luxury in a secluded paradise
This is where the Sanctuary story began. Hidden away on a secluded stretch of the Mara River, bordering the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Olonana was our first camp – a pioneer of modern safari style when it opened in 1999. Today, expanded and rebuilt, this luxury Maasai Mara lodge is a remarkable essay in pared-down contemporary design, softened by the artful use of local woods and stone, homespun textiles and African art. Solidly built and “mudded” each year by Maasai women using local clay, the 14 glass and adobe suites and the two-bedroom Geoffrey Kent Suite allow for deep sleep induced by the ambient noise of the river.
A heated swimming pool is set within a leafy oasis that has been rewilded by staff and guests over the past decades through a tree-planting project (more than 10,000 indigenous varieties, including East African greenheart, acacia and diamond-leaved euclea, have been planted). In the gardens, the chef grows organic ingredients for delicious farm-to-fork lunches and dinners served in the boma, a cool open-air lounge overlooking the river, where hippos wallow in the shade of acacias and iridescent hummingbirds flit across the water. The Bush Boutique is the place to pick up African craft to take home.
What makes this Maasai Mara safari lodge stand out as a crowd-pleasing multi-gen destination is the children’s retreat where 4- to 12-year-olds can play giant Jenga, croquet, tetherball and bows and arrows, and enjoy activities such as beading sessions. For teens, there’s archery, tracking and visiting local communities to experience Maasai life. Spa treatments using all-natural products are available for the grown-ups, and the open-sided gym has treadmills, exercise bikes, weights and a rowing machine. Yet the biggest thrills lie in the great beyond. The Maasai Mara is where the Great Migration plays out from July to October – but, year-round, the brilliant Maasai guides will reveal the reserve’s natural and cultural wonders, from the Big Five to sessions learning about bushcraft. A stay at Olonana Lodge is a deeply immersive experience that will change the way you see the world.
WILDLIFE & SURROUNDINGS
Big game and the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara
Enchanting riverside location in Africa’s most sensational reserve
Connoisseurs of the Maasai Mara – that vast, gorgeous expanse of wilderness in southwestern Kenya, at the border with Tanzania – know that its character changes subtly from one nook to the next. Olonana Lodge occupies a covetable position for game viewing, just north on the famous Mara Triangle, at the edge of the National Reserve – a marvellously secluded and leafy spot, between looming escarpment and fast-flowing river. Here the “Sanctuary” label seems especially apt. Below the terraces of the lodge, a resident pod of hippos wallows, snorting and harrumphing in the shade of acacia trees, which screen the property from the outside world.
Yet all around, the ceaseless pageant of wildlife and wonder rolls on. Olonana Lodge is uniquely placed for the seasonal Great Migration, due to its proximity to the Mara River and the Oloololo Escarpment. It’s a short drive from several crossing points, where between July and October great herds of wildebeest and zebra thunder through the crocodile-infested river – perhaps the climax of the most dramatic natural phenomenon in the world. The lodge’s expert guides can take you close to the action, and know about the best viewpoints away from other safari goers. These crossings are well-managed, with a limit of five vehicles per sighting. As well as pulse-quickening game drives tracking the Great Migration, slower-paced walking safaris and atmospheric night drives are also available as the wildlife-rich Oloisukut Conservancy is just a five-minute drive from the lodge. This 23,000-acre community-owned area bordering the national reserve was set up with the aim of improving the livelihoods of its members through conservation-based tourism and protecting the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.
While the game viewing in the Maasai Mara is excellent year-round (the Big Five are regularly spotted here), there is also the opportunity to experience Kenya's rich cultural heritage. Many local communities still follow traditional ways of life, practising ancient customs and rituals. Visiting such a village a short stroll from the lodge provides an opportunity to understand Maasai traditions and history through a cultural talk. A dedicated A&K Philanthropy coordinator can also arrange visits to local schools and enterprises supported by the non-profit network.
Olonana Lodge Offers
Stay longer, pay less at A&K Sanctuary in Africa
The longer you stay, the more rewarding the journey. Stay between four and six nights at A&K Sanctuary properties and your journey includes savings between 10%-20%. Extend your stay to seven nights or more for up to 25% savings.
Save on a safari honeymoon with A&K Sanctuary
Begin married life in the wild. Newlyweds receive 50% off one partner’s stay, transforming an already unforgettable safari into a once-in-a-lifetime beginning.
Solo Traveller Offer with A&K Sanctuary
Freedom, rewarded. Travel solo without the extra cost during selected seasons, opening the door to spontaneous journeys and independent exploration — without compromise.
Stay 5 nights, pay 4 in Africa with A&K Sanctuary
Linger a little longer. Spend five nights at our safari camps and lodges and enjoy your fifth night on us — a gift of unhurried sundowners, extra game drives and deeper connection to place.
Children Stay Free with A&K Sanctuary in Africa
Safari is even better when shared. For every full-paying adult, one child stays free — making it an ideal time for meaningful family adventures across Africa.
Plan your trip for
Jun 16 - Oct 31, 2026
All meals and beverages
Game Drives
Transfers to/from the nearest local airstrip
Maasai village visit and bush meals
Emergency medical evacuation, and laundry services
Geoffrey Kent Suite: Private vehicle, chef and housekeeper
All meals and beverages
Game Drives
Transfers to/from the nearest local airstrip
Maasai village visit and bush meals
Emergency medical evacuation, and laundry services
Geoffrey Kent Suite: Private vehicle, chef and housekeeper
Park fees
International and domestic flights, and road transfers to and from other camps and lodges
Travel insurance, boutique purchases, spa treatments, gratuities, and all other items of a personal nature
Park fees
International and domestic flights, and road transfers to and from other camps and lodges
Travel insurance, boutique purchases, spa treatments, gratuities, and all other items of a personal nature
Prices are per person. Prices are in USD.
