Sanctuary Olonana Lodge, Masai Mara

Contemporary luxury beside the Mara River, with space for a memorable family safari.

Sanctuary Olonana, now known as Olonana Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary, is a luxury safari lodge on a secluded stretch of the Mara River, bordering Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

The lodge has 14 spacious river-view suites, including three family suites, plus the Geoffrey Kent Suite. Glass-fronted interiors and private terraces bring the river into your stay, while air-conditioning, a heated swimming pool, a gym and spa treatments provide comfort between wildlife outings.

Families have particularly good reasons to consider Olonana: adjoining bedrooms, a dedicated children’s retreat and activities that introduce younger guests to the landscape and local culture.

We help you compare accommodation, transport, guiding and complete safari prices, with the arrangements explained before booking.

Request Your Sanctuary Olonana Safari Quote

Sanctuary Olonana Highlights

• Fourteen spacious suites overlook the Mara River from private terraces.
• Three family suites provide adjoining bedrooms for comfortable shared stays.
• Geoffrey Kent Suite combines private accommodation, dedicated service and guiding.
• Heated swimming pool and wellness facilities complement daily wildlife outings.
• Children’s activities introduce younger guests to safari life and culture.

Sanctuary Olonana at a Glance

Our Assessment of Sanctuary Olonana

Olonana is a strong choice when room comfort, riverside scenery and service are central to your safari.

Its spacious suites suit guests who want substantial accommodation, with room to read, relax and enjoy the river between outings. Air-conditioning and generous bathrooms also make it appealing for first-time safari visitors who value familiar comforts.

For families, the adjoining-bedroom suites and children’s retreat are important advantages. We would prioritise the right room configuration and a suitable game-drive pace before adding optional experiences.

The Geoffrey Kent Suite suits a different brief: a family or small party seeking private living spaces, dedicated service and their own guiding arrangements.

We recommend at least three nights. Four or five nights allow more time for wildlife viewing and the lodge itself, and qualifying longer stays can benefit from reduced accommodation rates.

Best For

• Families seeking spacious accommodation and children’s activities.
• Couples who prefer contemporary lodge interiors.
• Honeymooners combining wildlife viewing with time to relax.
• Travellers who value river views, dining and personalised service.
• Small parties considering the Geoffrey Kent Suite.
• Guests including the Mara in a longer Kenya holiday.

Consider Another Property If

You prefer canvas accommodation, have a lower package budget or want to stay physically inside the Mara Triangle.

For guests with mobility requirements, we check the suite, paths, shared facilities and vehicle access before recommending accommodation.

Sanctuary Olonana Prices and Safari Packages

Sanctuary Olonana rates depend on travel dates, suite category, occupancy, number of nights and the services included.

A river-view suite and the Geoffrey Kent Suite have different accommodation and service arrangements. We quote them separately so you can compare the complete experience.

Flying Safaris to Olonana

Fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Kichwa Tembo Airstrip, followed by a vehicle transfer to the lodge.

We coordinate flights, transfers, accommodation and guiding together. Depending on the dates and package selected, game drives are handled by the lodge or our separately arranged local Maasai guide.

Your quotation states whether the vehicle is shared or exclusive.

Private Road Safari Arrangements

Travel from Nairobi in a private safari vehicle, with the route and arrival planned around your stay.

We agree how game drives will be handled before pricing the package. Where the lodge’s ground package includes wildlife outings, those services are reflected in your quotation.

Geoffrey Kent Suite Packages

The Geoffrey Kent Suite is quoted separately according to dates, party size, occupancy and dedicated services.

It is particularly relevant for families and small groups who want private living spaces and their own safari arrangements.

Request Your Sanctuary Olonana Safari Quote

River-View Suites at Olonana Lodge

Olonana’s 142-square-metre suites have folding floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening onto private terraces overlooking the Mara River.

The interiors combine natural materials, African artwork and contemporary furnishings, with comfortable sitting areas and space to relax indoors or outside.

Suite Features

• King or twin bed configurations.
• Air-conditioning and overhead fans.
• River-facing terrace with a daybed.
• Spacious bedroom and sitting areas.
• En-suite bathroom with bathtub, double vanity and rain shower.
• Minibar.
• Tea and coffee facilities.
• Mosquito nets.
• Wi-Fi.
• Type G sockets, USB and USB-C charging connections.
• Hairdryer.

Triple occupancy is available in suitable arrangements, subject to confirmation. Tell us your preferred beds and any access requirements before booking.

Family Suites and Safaris with Children

Three of Olonana’s suites have adjoining twin bedrooms, accommodating up to four guests each.

The arrangement gives families separate sleeping spaces while keeping everyone together. The lodge welcomes children of all ages, with children under 15 sharing accommodation with an adult.

We plan around your children’s ages, room requirements, meal preferences and a comfortable safari pace.

Cheza Cheza Children’s Retreat

The Cheza Cheza children’s retreat offers activities for ages 4–12, including giant Jenga, tetherball, beading and child-friendly archery.

Teenagers can ask about tracking, archery, conservation learning and community experiences. We confirm the programme, supervision and participation requirements for your stay.

An exclusive game-drive vehicle can be useful for families who want flexible breaks and outings tailored to their children’s interests.

The Geoffrey Kent Suite at Olonana

The 478-square-metre Geoffrey Kent Suite accommodates up to six guests in a secluded setting within the lodge.

It has two principal en-suite bedrooms, one with a smaller adjoining bedroom suitable for children, alongside private living and dining spaces.

Geoffrey Kent Suite Features

• Two principal bedrooms and an adjoining children’s bedroom.
• King or twin configurations.
• Air-conditioning and overhead fans.
• Private lounge and dining areas.
• Wraparound river-facing deck.
• Private heated infinity pool.
• Dedicated chef, housekeeper and waiter.
• Private safari vehicle and guide.
• Private outdoor dining and boma arrangements.

This is a distinct accommodation category, with services confirmed specifically for your booking.

Request Your Geoffrey Kent Suite Quote

Dining at Sanctuary Olonana

Meals combine contemporary cooking with local ingredients and produce from the lodge’s organic garden.

Breakfast and lunch are planned around your wildlife outings. Lunch can be enjoyed at the lodge or arranged picnic-style when the programme calls for a longer day exploring. Dinner offers a multi-course menu with a choice of dishes.

Your package specifies the included drinks, including premium brands where covered by the booked rate.

Share allergies and dietary requirements when enquiring. Special dining arrangements are checked separately, while Geoffrey Kent Suite guests have dedicated private-chef services.

Swimming Pool, Wellness and Time at the Lodge

Heated Swimming Pool

The heated pool is surrounded by gardens, with daybeds and parasols for relaxing between outings.

Children should remain supervised around the pool and follow staff guidance.

Spa Treatments

Treatments can be arranged in your suite or on the deck, using African-made wellness products. Appointment availability and additional charges are confirmed before booking.

Gym

The open-sided gym includes cardio equipment and weights, with views of the surroundings.

Riverside Relaxation

The lounge, bar and outdoor dining spaces provide opportunities to appreciate the river throughout the day. Hippos are a particular feature of the setting, although wildlife activity varies.

Leica binoculars are provided for guests, and the lodge has a boutique with African-crafted items.

Honeymoons, Anniversaries and Special Occasions

Tell us if your visit celebrates a honeymoon, birthday or anniversary.

We can request touches such as a private candlelit dinner or a specially prepared bath with sparkling wine. Arrangements and costs are confirmed beforehand.

Qualifying honeymoon and longer-stay offers may also be available for your dates. We check eligibility and permitted combinations when preparing your quotation.

Location: Olonana and the Mara Triangle

Olonana occupies a leafy riverside setting just north of the Mara Triangle, bordering Masai Mara National Reserve.

The lodge’s position allows a holiday combining reserve wildlife outings with permitted conservancy experiences. We plan access points, driving times and fees around the areas you want to explore.

Being beside the Mara River does not mean every section of the river is a migration crossing site. Accommodation location and the daily wildlife programme should be considered together.

Getting to Sanctuary Olonana

By Air

Fly from Wilson Airport to Kichwa Tembo Airstrip, then transfer approximately 30 minutes by vehicle to the lodge.

The indicative flight time is around one hour, but actual duration depends on routing and intermediate stops.

We confirm the baggage allowance for your booked flight. Although the lodge guide indicates 20 kg in soft-sided bags, including hand luggage, your selected airline’s allowance applies.

By Road

Allow approximately six hours or longer from Nairobi, depending on traffic, weather, your collection point and the final route.

We plan arrival around the lodge’s location and your agreed safari programme.

Compare Nairobi to Masai Mara Travel Options

Community and Conservation

Olonana’s community connections include A&K Philanthropy projects supporting education, health, livelihoods and environmental stewardship.

Examples include safe drinking water initiatives and school meal programmes. The lodge also has an indigenous tree-planting initiative in which guests can ask to participate.

Any project visit follows the community’s preferences and the relevant team’s arrangements, particularly where schools or children are involved.

Other Properties to Compare

Depending on your priorities, we can compare Olonana with:

• Mara Serena Safari Lodge — a lodge inside the Mara Triangle.
• Paradise Plains — spacious accommodation in the Musiara region.
• Surana Mara Camp — river-facing suites with wellness and photography facilities.
• Entim Private Camp — a smaller reserve camp with family accommodation and a pool.

Browse Our Masai Mara Camps and Lodges

Request Your Sanctuary Olonana Safari Quote

Share your travel dates, adult numbers, children’s ages, room preferences and visitor category.

Tell us whether you prefer flying or road travel, and whether family accommodation, the Geoffrey Kent Suite or exclusive guiding is important. We will prepare a quotation showing the accommodation, transport, activities, fees and total price.

Request Your Sanctuary Olonana Safari Quote