Laikipia

Summary

Sandwiched between Mount Kenya and the northern deserts, Laikipia is where Kenya’s wild and semi-arid northern frontier country begins. The region is made up of privately owned and community ranches centred around the Laikipia National Reserve. Known as one of Kenya’s best safari areas, the high plains of Laikipia feature vast open stretches of African savanna scattered with abundant game including: Grevy’s zebras, black rhino, lion, leopard, wild dogs, buffalo and thousands of elephants. Visitors can enjoy a luxury safari experience at a private lodge or stay in the worthwhile community-run lodges which support the local Samburu and Ilaikipiak and Mokogodo Maasai communities.

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Rooms: 8Type: Safari LodgeLocation: Kenya

Segera lies in the high grasslands of the Laikipia Plateau, its six timber and thatch villas raised above a profusion of botanical life to offer views towards Mount Kenya. Each large, en-suite bedroom has a private deck with sun loungers, swing bed and sunken jacuzzi into the deck outside the bedroom. The recently restored Farmhouse Homestead, gracious Segera House and Villa Segera boast even greater privacy and luxury. The main area comprises the Paddock House, Wine Tower and renovated stables, complete with bar and dining room filled with contemporary African art from The Zeitz Collection.

With many extraordinary indoor and outdoor settings, dining at Segera is an unforgettable experience. What’s more, our internationally renowned kitchen delivers delicious healthy meals, created using home-grown, organic and free-range ingredients.

INSIDER’S TIP: Activities are facilitated through an Experience Host and Guide and can be tailor-made to guests’ preferences.

Rooms: 7Rating: Type: LodgeSpoken Languages: English, SwahiliSpecial Interests: Adventure, Birding, Cycling, Flora, Hiking, History Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, WildlifeLocation: Kenya

The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille, Laikipia’s first all villa property is a lodge that is proud to be different. With 360 degree spectacular views, we have the best views in Laikipia in a secluded private conservation area.

The team, with the local communities, have proudly created, conserved and protected over 40,000 acres of pristine wilderness which means guests enjoy an area almost three times the size of Manhattan to explore privately at their leisure! We can only accommodate up to 14 adults across our four stunning villa’s (plus six children) so exclusivity doesn’t get any better than this.

Ol Lentille is a pioneering example of how private partnerships with the community can successfully work in Kenya. We are ground-breaking partnership between private investors, conservation organizations and the neighbouring Maasai and Samburu communities balancing luxury travel and economic development with ambitious conservation and community development programmes.

Staying here is, notably, a “holiday” and there is downtime to enjoy the numerous unique and special activities that the lodge and Laikipia offer. Your stay is not the safari format of game drives every morning and evening (yes you can do this if you want) but as most guests have been in the Mara and been in cars for the duration of their stay we want to show our guests the space and isolation of our stunning location. We often don’t even put guests in a car and prefer to do walking and other activities that Laikipia is renowned for.

Importantly, your stay is designed to be restful, guests aren’t woken up at 5.30 / 6am for the first activity (unless they want to be) – instead you have a full nights sleep and have a private breakfast in your villa when you like and then do the morning private activity of your choice. This flexibility combined with unlimited spa treatments ensures guests relax in this stunning environment and leave revitalised!

Tourism is helping and improving the lives of the local communities – each stay helps protect and conserve the area and helps the local people as money goes directly to them. Since the lodge opened in 2007 our trust (www.ol-lentilletrust.org) has raised over $5 million which has built four schools and numerous classrooms at eight other schools, a hospital, and water and sanitation projects. Tourism is helping and improving the lives of the local communities– each stay helps protect and conserve the area and helps the local people as money goes directly to them. Guest donations are very much welcomed but not sought

Ol Lentille offers exclusivity, pristine game viewing, authentic cultural experiences, numerous activities and first class hospitality. Four spectacular villas with discreet butler service offer guests a truly special and memorable stay in northern Kenya’s stunning Laikipia region. Located at one of the highest points in Laikipia and offering spectacular views in every direction it’s a very special property with lots of wow factor.

Ol Lentille opened in 2007 as Laikipia’s first lodge with private villas and is an amazing example of sustainable tourism, community partnership, world class architecture and interior design and authenticity.

The lodge is located in a private conservancy of over 40,000 acres of stunning hills and valleys and offers excellent sightings of elephant, leopard, wild dog, cheetah, hyena, zebra and greater kudu to name a few.

Elephant numbers have really grown in recent years and some months several thousand sightings are recorded. There are six packs of wild dog (averaging 20) that traverse the area around the lodge and there are between 10 to 20 wild dog sightings for some months in this area.

The four private villas are one, two or three bedrooms and are all individually designed and themed offering an incredibly high standard of accommodation with discreet butler service and wow factor. Some additionally offer plunge pools and the property is ideally set up for families, groups of friends, honeymooners, and couples wanting privacy and exclusivity.

Guests experience a very personal and private stay in a spectacular wilderness setting coupled with authentic Maasai and Samburu culture. The property also boasts a library, spa and stunning infinity pool.

The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille offers a huge amount more than just its game viewing and exclusive accommodation. The concept here is do what you like when you like.

Guests can experience:

Day and night game drives
Private game drives as standard
Walking safaris
Camel trekking
Horse riding (chargeable extra and only for experienced riders)
Mountain and quad biking
Conservation initiatives first hand
Authentic community experiences
Maasai and Samburu culture
Unlimited spa treatments
Bush meals in stunning locations
Privacy and exclusivity

The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille – your own private paradise in the bush