The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille

The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille in Laikipia is located on the 14,500 acre private Ol Lentille Conservancy at the community-owned Kijabe Group Ranch on the northern escarpment of the Laikipia Plateau. The lodge is a collection of private, full-service, fully-staffed houses that cater to the discerning luxury traveler. The Sanctuary is a partnership between investors, conservation tourism organizations, and the Maasai community that seeks to balance luxury travel with conservation and community development programs.

Property Details

The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille in Laikipia comprises four private, fully-staffed houses:

The Chief’s House

The Chief’s House at the Sanctuary at Ol Lentille sleeps six in three double bedrooms. There is also a kitchen and dining room as well as a sitting room with an open fire. The outdoor deck has a plunge pool, and the house features a contemporary African décor. Each bedroom has a private bathroom, and the master bedroom features a large outdoor bath set on the rocks for bathing under the stars.

The Sultan’s House

The Sultan’s House sleeps two to four guests, with one large double bedroom and a sitting area that can be converted into a second bedroom for children. The stone house was inspired by the Lamu style and has a thatched papyrus roof, fine plaster carvings, and lavish furniture.

The Colonel’s House

The Colonel’s House of the Sanctuary at Ol Lentille has two double bedrooms to sleep four guests, as well as sitting and dining rooms and a kitchen. Each bathroom has a sunken bath, and there is a plunge pool in the courtyard. The décor is designed to give the feel of a home belonging to a well-traveled military man with oriental carpets and brass furniture.

The Eyrie

The final house at the Sanctuary at Ol Lentille is The Eyrie, perched at the top of the kopje and outfitted with one bedroom, a sitting and dining room with an open fire, and a kitchen. The circular bedroom features a huge round bed, and just outside is a secluded outdoor double rock bath with spectacular views over the rugged hills to the deserts of the north.

Each house of the Sanctuary at Ol Lentille has a private resident staff that is there to cater to every need. A dedicated butler serves as the head of the staff and arranges all meals and drinks wherever guests are on the property. A private valet will ensure that the house is neat and tidy, while an askari focuses on personal safety and security at night as guests travel from place to place. Finally, the each private Maasai guide is a highly qualified member of the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association and is always eager to share a wealth of knowledge about the area and his culture as he escorts guests via game drive vehicle and accompanies them on safari activities.

The cuisine at the Sanctuary at Ol Lentille is presented by an international chef and can be tailored to each guest’s needs and tastes. Here, guests dine when they want, where they want, alongside a specialized wine list specifically chosen for their quality. The main building at the Sanctuary at Ol Lentille has a gorgeous infinity swimming pool with lounging areas, as well as a library lounge for relaxing, reading, and conversing with other guests. Atop the rotunda is a viewing deck with an open fire, a bar, and a GPS-controlled telescope for stargazing. The lodge also features a spa for guests’ indulgence.

The Ol Lentille Conservancy surrounding the Sanctuary at Ol Lentille is named for Ol Lentille, a hill of about 6,500 feet in height, and is full of grassy hills and valleys and acacia forests. Ol Lentille is home to the endangered African wild dog, greater kudu, leopard, striped and spotted hyena, and klipspringer, in addition to more common species. The lodge is a community project, working with the Laikipia Maasai of the Kijabe Group Ranch to improve both their communities and conservation efforts in the region. Guests are therefore welcome to take part in a delightful array of activities in the conservancy. Enjoy day and night game drives and bush walks, horseback riding, camel riding, and mountain biking. For the more adventurous, there is abseiling and rock climbing, quad biking, and a bush skills course. One can also arrange for fly camping in the conservancy, or choose to join researchers on some conservation work. Other activities that can be arranged outside of the conservancy at an additional charge include scenic flights and helicopter flips, trout fishing on Mt. Kenya, kayaking and river rafting, and trips to other nearby parks and reserves.