The Sanctuary At Ol Lentille | Best Kenya Safari Lodges

The place

The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille is set on the slopes of a stony hill in the northern extremities of northern Kenya‘s Laikipia escarpment, in the Ol Lentille Conservancy. The views are spectacular in every direction: low, rolling hills in the foreground rising to the peaks of the Matthews Range and Ololokwe. As it’s a clear day, we can see all the way to Mount Kenya. The best place to enjoy this view is from one of the lounging pods by the horizon pool, which also overlooks two nearby waterholes frequented by local elephant. It’s a surprisingly green landscape, with many rocky outcrops – each of which looks ideal for a sundowner. The manager explains to us that we’ll be sharing this private 25,000ha reserve with only our fellow guests (and elephant and wild dog, to name but a few). He puts this in context by explaining that Manhattan could fit inside the conservancy three times over. The varied shapes of the hills – some conical, others more jagged – are reflected in the architecture of this luxury Kenya safari lodge.

The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille is set on the slopes of a stony hill in the northern extremities of northern Kenya‘s Laikipia escarpment, in the Ol Lentille Conservancy. The views are spectacular in every direction: low, rolling hills in the foreground rising to the peaks of the Matthews Range and Ololokwe. As it’s a clear day, we can see all the way to Mount Kenya.

The best place to enjoy this view is from one of the lounging pods by the horizon pool, which also overlooks two nearby waterholes frequented by local elephant. It’s a surprisingly green landscape, with many rocky outcrops – each of which looks ideal for a sundowner.

The manager explains to us that we’ll be sharing this private 25,000ha reserve with only our fellow guests (and elephant and wild dog, to name but a few). He puts this in context by explaining that Manhattan could fit inside the conservancy three times over.

The varied shapes of the hills – some conical, others more jagged – are reflected in the architecture of this luxury Kenya safari lodge.

The room

Each of the four luxury villas at The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille is different in size and style. We’re thrilled that ours will be The Eyrie, a romantic retreat for just two adults. The circular villa is perched on a rocky promontory with wrap-around windows that face the almost never-ending views. Appropriately enough, given its name, an eagle wheels and soars above us as we step onto our private terrace and look down to the sunken bath set among the rocks. The lodge manager describes the décor as ‘African retro’, but he’s being modest: stylish contemporary pieces contrast wonderfully with the round shape of the villa, and the large circular bed that forms its focal point. Mirrors reflect facets of the phenomenal views, and we very quickly spot the perfect place to read a book, have breakfast, enjoy a candlelit dinner… our list goes on. The clean, almost minimalist lines of much of the furniture are offset by playful touches like the faux-fur throws on the bed, and we find ourselves lapsing into ‘60s phrases as we explore our groovy new pad.

Each of the four luxury villas at The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille is different in size and style. We’re thrilled that ours will be The Eyrie, a romantic retreat for just two adults. The circular villa is perched on a rocky promontory with wrap-around windows that face the almost never-ending views.

Appropriately enough, given its name, an eagle wheels and soars above us as we step onto our private terrace and look down to the sunken bath set among the rocks.

The lodge manager describes the décor as ‘African retro’, but he’s being modest: stylish contemporary pieces contrast wonderfully with the round shape of the villa, and the large circular bed that forms its focal point. Mirrors reflect facets of the phenomenal views, and we very quickly spot the perfect place to read a book, have breakfast, enjoy a candlelit dinner… our list goes on.

The clean, almost minimalist lines of much of the furniture are offset by playful touches like the faux-fur throws on the bed, and we find ourselves lapsing into ‘60s phrases as we explore our groovy new pad.

What sets it apart

The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille is well-named. The sense of seclusion and privacy is simply wonderful, and we also appreciate being free to plan our own daily schedule – or no schedule at all. Everything is on offer, including doing nothing but relaxing and losing ourselves in the views. It’s clear we won’t need to lift a finger, with our villa being attended to by a butler and a night askari. Meanwhile our own private guide is always available should we choose to head out on a game drive, walking safari or camel trek. This complete flexibility, in combination with the small size of the lodge and the vast landscape around us, imparts a carefree, relaxed vibe – although that could also be due to the unlimited spa treatments, which I for one will be taking full advantage of!

The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille is well-named. The sense of seclusion and privacy is simply wonderful, and we also appreciate being free to plan our own daily schedule – or no schedule at all. Everything is on offer, including doing nothing but relaxing and losing ourselves in the views. It’s clear we won’t need to lift a finger, with our villa being attended to by a butler and a night askari.

Meanwhile our own private guide is always available should we choose to head out on a game drive, walking safari or camel trek. This complete flexibility, in combination with the small size of the lodge and the vast landscape around us, imparts a carefree, relaxed vibe – although that could also be due to the unlimited spa treatments, which I for one will be taking full advantage of!

At a glance

Small, secluded safari lodge with just four villas and spectacular views over mountains and hills from one of the highest points in Laikipia. No two villas the same, and a vast private conservancy to explore. The two larger villas have plunge pools.
Private conservancy, flexible schedules with no set meal times, private dining, private vehicles, unlimited spa treatments and butler, valet, night askari and dedicated guide services.
Game drives, night drives, walking safaris, camel trekking, mountain biking, quad biking, spa treatments, horse safaris (additional cost), bush meals and cultural experiences.
Children are welcome, and can be accommodated in the three larger villas. Complimentary babysitting.

Small, secluded safari lodge with just four villas and spectacular views over mountains and hills from one of the highest points in Laikipia. No two villas the same, and a vast private conservancy to explore. The two larger villas have plunge pools.
Private conservancy, flexible schedules with no set meal times, private dining, private vehicles, unlimited spa treatments and butler, valet, night askari and dedicated guide services.
Game drives, night drives, walking safaris, camel trekking, mountain biking, quad biking, spa treatments, horse safaris (additional cost), bush meals and cultural experiences.
Children are welcome, and can be accommodated in the three larger villas. Complimentary babysitting.

Prices

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.