Overview of Sanctuary Olonana

Tucked away in a forest along a private stretch of the Mara River, Olonana is a luxurious and intimate lodge perfectly positioned adjacent to the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

During the Wildebeest Migration between July and October, you will enjoy easy access to the greatest spectacle on Earth as in excess of a million animals encounter treacherous river crossings and numerous predators on their endless journey to new grazing. Outside the Migration season, a host of resident animals remain, and you are able to enjoy Big 5 sightings. Game drives and safari walks get you close to nature, Maasai cultural visits enhance the experience, and hot-air balloon rides give you a bird’s eye view of this incredible landscape.

Built and operated along strong ecological lines, Olonana delivers a first-class experience without compromising on comfort or luxury. In addition to family-friendly accommodation, it also has romantic and secluded honeymoon suites, as a well as a mini spa to help you unwind even more.

 

Make a Positive Impact Through Travel

Sanctuary Retreats Philanthropy works with Maasai communities in the Masai Mara to positively impact education, encourage conservation, and develop community enterprise. The Safe Water for Schools Initiative introduces sustainable, non-invasive means to acquire clean water for Maasai students in Kenya. Sanctuary Retreats is currently supporting the construction of modern kitchens and the implementation of school feeding programmes, where children are provided with lunch at school.

Highlights & Activities

What's on offer whilst on this itinerary?
  • Located on the Mara River
  • Witness the Wildebeest Migration in season
  • Game drives & safari walks
  • Maasai cultural tours
  • Hot-air ballooning
  • Mini spa for relaxing therapies
  • Family-friendly accommodation
  • Secluded honeymoon suites
Bush dining

Bush dining

Game drives

Game drives

Guided walks

Guided walks

Hot air ballooning

Hot air ballooning

Local village visits

Local village visits

Sundowners

Sundowners

Rooms at Sanctuary Olonana

Unwind and relax, in your own private luxury
  • The spacious suites flaunt clean lines and organic materials, and are so comfortable that guests would be forgiven for being tempted to stay in.

    Luxury Tent

    Each luxurious suite is sited with privacy and seclusion in mind, and has stunning views of the river from a private verandah. Spacious and airy, the rooms feature hardwood floorings, two queen-sized beds draped in mosquito netting and an inviting lounge area. The en suite bathrooms have flushing toilets, double basins, signature amenities and showers with a view.

    General Facilities

    Olonana comprises a large main building housing the lounge, bar and dining areas. Colourful Maasai fabrics and artefacts enhance the comfortably chic furnishings, while a fireplace at each end adds warmth and atmosphere on chilly nights.

    French windows open out onto a large terrace overlooking the river, perfect for an alfresco meal or for simply lounging while taking in the view. A well-stocked library offers a variety of titles for you to enjoy while curled in the embrace of a plush sofa by the fire.

    The mini spa room offers river views while you are being pampered with a variety of invigorating treatments, and a secluded swimming pool area is perfect for a refreshing midday dip. A gift boutique offers Maasai craftwork, artefacts and mementos.

    Laundry service

    Laundry service

    Library

    Library

    Spa

    Spa

    Swimming pool

    Swimming pool

    Wi-Fi available

    Wi-Fi available

    Dining

    The menu features produce from Olonana’s own organic herb and vegetable garden, ensuring fresh, healthy and wholesome cuisine. Whether you are dining on the terrace overlooking the river, at a picnic out on the plains or in a secluded riverside spot below the stars, expect a delicious selection of mouth-watering dishes.

    Afternoon tea and pre-dinner snacks have been replaced with a scrumptious all-day snack menu, offering guests a unique range of delicious delights.

    Expert Opinion

    We know because we go
    Lauren Johansson

    Lauren Johansson

    Africa Safari Expert

    Olonana is perfectly situated in the Mara - the river on your doorstep! If you are going on honeymoon this is a very romantic option!

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    The money from your trip stays in Africa, supporting local communities and conservation projects long after you return home.

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    Traveller Reviews

    • RS

      Olonana was beautiful. It has been completely remodeled in the past few months. The location of the rooms right on the river is awesome. They don’t have screens in the bedroom area so you can’t really leave the doors open for air. Not an issue for us except it got a little stuffy at times. They are talking about putting in air conditioning.

      Robin Schiendelman
    • JH

      Then off to Kenya and the Masai Mara. We stayed at the Sanctuary Olonana Camp for 3 nights. The hardest part of this stay was leaving our rooms every morning. We have traveled extensively all over the world and have stayed in every form of accommodation imaginable ….this place is over the top. On the banks of the Mara River with hippos just below your deck serenading you all night. The staff is the most caring and attentive (not overbearing) you could possibly want. The viewing of wildlife was continuous. I think the range of motion of my neck has increased 100% from constantly spinning my head around to see a multitude of animals from a group of lion cubs play fighting to a huge pool of hippos basking in the sun. Benson, our driver did everything possible to get you close to the animals without harassing them. Many times we would come across sleeping lions who would raise their heads as we neared, see us, and just put their heads back down like we weren’t there. If there was a specific animal you hadn’t seen during your visit just mention it to Benson and he will make it his mission to find one.

      Janet Hennessey
    • SD

      We flew to the Masai Mara and stayed for four nights and saw a lot of lion, hyena, black rhino, warthog and a couple of leopard. A truly amazing time. Olonana was also a lovely place. The setting on the Mara River was very nice. Maurice the manager came and spoke to us at most meal times. The food was excellent with an incredible choice for breakfast. Two choices of starter for lunch and two choices of main and two choices of pud. In the evening three choices of mains. Once for lunch Colin didn’t like either of the mains so they cooked him something else. Then one night he asked which main to have as he liked the steak and the prawns so they did half and half, perfect. On the last night they brought me a birthday cake and all the staff sang. The tent was a very good size with a lovely view. Unfortunately there was no off roading or night drives in the Mara. However we did two full days and went to different areas both times and saw different habitats and animals.

      Sharon Dunn
    • AK

      We stayed at the Olonana Sanctuary in the Masai Mara and it was breath taking. Excellent location on the river where a family of hippo resided. Tented accommodation that a king or queen would have been proud of. Main game lodge that had more style that the Paris fashion week but what really set this place apart was the service of all that worked there.

      Ali Kerr
    • AL

      Oh. My. Gosh. I cannot say enough wonderful things about Olonana. We had one of the most amazing experiences of our lives there. From the moment Bonnie (our game driver) picked us up from the airstrip, we were treated so well and had the best time. I can’t even begin to capture how much we loved our time at Olonana. We planted a tree on the grounds that we hope to visit again very soon.

      Allison Lee
    • JG

      Your selection of accommodations was fantastic and each one had their own unique characteristics that we will always remember. At Olonano, we slept within a stones throw from a family of hippos. The food at all of these places was first class!

      James Grant
    • AV

      The safari was great and i will have lots of memories! the Olonana camp was perfect and if I EVER have the opportunity to go back to Kenya i am definatly going to that place again. it was everything I expected and much more!

      Alisha Valldeperas
    • AV

      The safari was great and i will have lots of memories! the Olonana camp was perfect and if I EVER have the opportunity to go back to Kenya i am definatly going to that place again. it was everything I expected and much more!

      Alisha Valldeperas
    • AV

      The safari was great and i will have lots of memories! the Olonana camp was perfect and if I EVER have the opportunity to go back to Kenya i am definatly going to that place again. it was everything I expected and much more!

      Alisha Valldeperas