3 Days Off the Beaten Path in Kenya’s Laikipia Region
If you’re anything like me, you’ve been to some pretty amazing places. Maybe even to some of the most far-flung corners of the world.
But trust me, (and I say this as someone who’s been all over the world and had experiences most people only dream of), a side trip to the Ol Malo Lodge in Kenya will be one of the most epic experiences of your life!
Not just epic. Incredible. Fantastic. Fabulous. In fact, forget all those words.
It’s actually indescribable.
The beautiful scenery… the warmth of the lodge’s owners… the epic experiences you’ll have during your stay… indescribable!
What follows won’t do it justice, but here’s my best attempt to describe how incredible our trip to Kenya’s Ol Malo Lodge was… and how amazing it will be for you.
Ol Malo Lodge is located along Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau. And, gosh, the views go on forever. That was one of the first things I noticed when we got there.
But the view isn’t the only reason I took the photo. Not too far on the other side of that fence is a small watering hole and a leopard hide. You can sit in there in the early morning or at sundown (you’ll need a guard to escort you there and back) and watch the animals at the waterhole. We saw baboons and leopards when we went down there. It’s fantastic for anyone who loves seeing wildlife up close.
One of the only elements not built with reclaimed materials are the quintessential Kenyan thatched roofs, which were handmade on the coast and then brought to the lodge.
I absolutely love all the little details, like the cool wagon wheel they used as a window. And that carved hippo beneath it!
Look at the rich colors of those doors. They’re all handmade. And the stone stairs and walkway… Just beautiful!
I loved sitting here and watching the rock hyrax scamper around. They kind of look like a small groundhog and are very fun to watch. The area outside this cottage is also the route a baboon troupe uses to pass by, and I loved seeing mothers with little babies on their back stroll past.
Further inside, there’s that cool round picture window. Before you ask. Yes, it gets closed up for the night so you don’t have to worry about any critters – like those rock hyrax – getting in!
And, again, that view! I promise, you never get tired of it.
These guys are Moran warriors. They range in age from 14 to 30 and are considered to be in an in-between stage, where they’ve left childhood behind but haven’t yet reached manhood. As such, they are not allowed to marry.
One of the signature activities (included in the price of your stay) at Ol Malo Lodge is an early morning camel ride, complete with a stop at a dry stream bed for a lovely bush breakfast. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience.
Don’t worry if you never learned to steer a camel, one of the guides always has his hand on the lead rope, so no fears of your camel going rogue.
(And, yes, if you look closely, the lead guide has a rifle. You never know when a leopard might decide he wants a bite of your breakfast.)
Just one suggestion. If you’re planning on having more than a couple of drinks, take the jeep option to and from this idyllic spot, not the horse!
Another of Ol Malo Lodge’s signature activities (this one does cost a bit extra) is a helicopter tour of the Laikipia Plateau and surrounding areas. Here, we landed in the Sugutu Valley and took a hike in the dunes.
You’ll want to wear a swimsuit because you’ll have the chance to go swimming here. And, celebrate the day with a glass of iced Champagne.
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