About This Property
Sanctuary Olonana — now branded Olonana Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary — sits on a private stretch of the Mara River at the Oloololo Escarpment, just north of the Mara Triangle and bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve. It was Sanctuary’s first camp, opened in 1999, later rebuilt as 14 glass-and-adobe suites (three of them family) plus a separate Geoffrey Kent Suite. A&K still has the suites mudded each year by Maasai women with local clay.
We send people here for the river. A hippo pod lives below the terraces. In July–October the wildebeest migration uses this stretch of the Mara; the rest of the year the reserve is still Big Five country. Game drives run into the national reserve. Off-road driving is not allowed there. Kichwa Tembo Airstrip is about 30 minutes away, which makes this a straightforward fly-in from Nairobi Wilson.
Suites are 142 m² on A&K / Wetu, with floor-to-ceiling glass onto the river, a king bed, sunken lounge, private verandah, air conditioning, overhead fan, mini-bar, tea and coffee, and an en-suite bathroom with a freestanding bath, double basins and a rain shower. Wetu also lists an outdoor shower. Three suites add an adjoining twin for children. The Geoffrey Kent Suite is 478 m², down a private road, with two en-suite bedrooms, a children’s connecting room, wraparound deck, infinity pool, private chef, bar, vehicle and guide.
The main lodge holds the lounge, bar and dining room, fireplaces at each end, a library, a river terrace, a mini spa, a secluded pool, an open-sided gym and a gift boutique. Meals use the lodge’s own herb and vegetable garden. An all-day snack menu has replaced afternoon tea.
The Go2Africa rate is a game package from USD 875 per person sharing. Park fees sit on top on the operator sheet. Children of all ages are welcome, with a children’s retreat for ages 4–12. Ballooning, spa treatments and night drives are extras.
Why We Love It
We love Olonana for the geography A&K has not changed since 1999: a private bend of the Mara River, hippo below the deck, and the Mara Triangle next door. In migration months the crossings are the point. The rest of the year you still have resident Big Five and a short hop from Wilson to Kichwa Tembo.
The rebuild is the other reason we book it. Fourteen glass-and-adobe suites of 142 m², air conditioning, a proper bath, a gym and a mini spa — unusual on this river. Three of those suites take children in an extra twin. The Geoffrey Kent Suite is a full private camp for four, with its own pool, chef and vehicle, if that is the trip you are building.
We are straight about the trade. You game-drive in the national reserve, so you share roads and you do not leave them. Park fees sit on top of the Go2Africa game-package number. Confirm drinks and whether walks are in or extra. Stay three nights if you can, longer in July–October, and leave a morning for the river terrace if the migration is running in front of camp.
Rooms & Details
Suite
Fourteen glass-and-adobe suites (A&K / Wetu), 142 m², each with a Mara River view. King-size bed with mosquito net, air conditioning, overhead fan, sunken lounge, private verandah with a daybed, mini-bar, tea and coffee, safe and complimentary Wi-Fi.
The en-suite bathroom has a freestanding bathtub, double basins and a rain shower with a view; Wetu also lists an outdoor shower. Standard occupancy is two. Hardwood floors and signature amenities on Go2Africa.
Family Suite
Three of the 14 suites add an adjoining twin bedroom for children (Go2Africa). The operator sheet allows two children aged 18 or under in that room, plus a sofa bed for a child aged 12 or under.
The river deck, bath, rain shower, air conditioning, fan, mini-bar and Wi-Fi match the standard suites. Children 15 and under share with an adult. All ages are welcome at camp.
Geoffrey Kent Suite
One suite of 478 m² (A&K / Wetu), reached by a private road. Two en-suite bedrooms, each with a freestanding bath, plus a third adjoining room for children.
Floor-to-ceiling windows, a wraparound deck and an infinity plunge pool sit over the river. Private lounge and dining, a fully stocked bar, an in-suite chef, and a private vehicle and guide (Go2Africa and A&K). The unit rate is based on four adults.
Main lodge
Lounge, bar and dining room with fireplaces at each end, a library, a river terrace and a gift boutique. Meals use the lodge’s own herb and vegetable garden; an all-day snack menu has replaced afternoon tea. A children’s retreat is listed for ages 4–12.
The concession borders the Masai Mara National Reserve. Other live Mara stays on this site include Angama Mara, Mahali Mzuri and Angama Safari Camp.
Pool and gym
A secluded pool sits off the river terrace. The gym is open-sided. A mini spa is on site; treatments are extra, as is hot-air ballooning.
Amenities & Features
Photo Gallery
Rates
Prices start from $875 per night. Final pricing depends on season, room type, and availability. Check current rates on our booking partner's site for the most accurate pricing.
What's Included
- Breakfast (produce from Olonana’s organic herb and vegetable garden — Go2Africa; A&K also flags the garden)
- Lunch (terrace overlooking the river, picnic on the plains, or a secluded riverside spot — Go2Africa)
- Dinner (terrace, picnic or riverside under the stars — Go2Africa)
- Beverages on the game package (see Booking Notes); all-day snack menu has replaced afternoon tea and pre-dinner snacks (Go2Africa)
- Twice-daily game drives, or one full-day game drive and a Maasai village visit, in the Masai Mara (operator 2026 game package; park fees extra on the same sheet)
- Nature / safari walks (Go2Africa highlight and safari.com inclusions; operator extra list also prices a bush walk at USD 95 — confirm whether walks sit on your rate)
- Return transfers from Kichwa Tembo Airstrip
- Laundry service
- All meals and beverages; safari.com excepts champagne and premium brands, while a partner copy of the 2026 Sanctuary Kenya sheet says premium brands are included — confirm drinks on your invoice
- Emergency medical evacuation (operator 2026 sheet)
- Night drives listed on Wetu activities-on-site and priced extra on the operator sheet (USD 95 pp); one Go2Africa guest noted no night drives or off-roading inside the reserve — confirm current park rules
- Hot-air ballooning, spa treatments and exclusive-use vehicles extra (Go2Africa / operator extra list)
Go2Africa Game Package: accommodation, meals and the activities listed on that card. Operator 2026 Kenya sheet (partner reprint): all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (premium brands included on that reprint; safari.com excepts champagne and premium brands), return transfers from the nearest local airstrip, laundry, emergency medical evacuation, twice-daily game drives or one full-day game drive and a Maasai village visit. Park fees extra. Geoffrey Kent Suite also includes exclusive use of a game vehicle, private safari guide, private chef, dedicated waiter and housekeeper. Spa, ballooning, night drives, bush walks and exclusive-use vehicles extra unless your invoice says otherwise.
Location
How to Get There
From Nairobi (Wilson Airport)
A&K Sanctuary: light aircraft to Kichwa Tembo Airstrip, then about a 30-minute drive to the lodge. Flight time Wilson–Kichwa Tembo about 1 hour on the A&K stay page; partner pages also print about 45 minutes. Go2Africa names the nearest airport as Masai Mara — Kichwa Tembo (MRE, Mara Lodges Airport). Return Kichwa Tembo transfers are included on the game package. Luggage on light aircraft: A&K 20 kg / 44 lb per person in a soft-sided bag including hand luggage; a partner 2026 Sanctuary Kenya sheet also prints 15 kg — confirm the airline you fly.
Other airstrips and road
Some partner pages also list Mara North Airstrip (about 15 minutes on one itinerary note). Road from Nairobi is published at about five to six hours via Narok. Road and inter-camp flights run in daylight. Check-in time is not printed on A&K or Go2Africa; operator T&Cs on a partner rate page give check-out at 10:00.
Nearby Attractions
Masai Mara National Reserve (Mara Triangle, Big Five, seasonal wildebeest river crossings), Mara River hippo pods, Maasai cultural visits, hot-air ballooning, A&K Philanthropy school / community visits, KWS rhino sanctuary visit (operator extra, USD 90 pp on the 2026 extra list)
Things to Do
At the property
Secluded swimming pool; mini spa with river views (treatments extra); open-sided gym with treadmills, bikes, weights and a rowing machine (A&K); lounge, bar, library and river terrace; boma; gift boutique of Maasai craft. Children’s retreat for ages 4–12 (A&K: giant Jenga, croquet, tetherball, beading). All-day snack menu rather than a set afternoon tea. Private dinners can be arranged (riverside or in the Geoffrey Kent Suite).
In the area
Morning and afternoon game drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve — Big Five, cheetah, and, in season, wildebeest river crossings. Nature walks (confirm whether included). Maasai cultural visits (included as an alternative to a second drive on the operator game package). Night drives are listed on Wetu and priced extra on the operator sheet; confirm current reserve rules. Birding along the river and in the forest.
Day trips
Hot-air ballooning over the Mara (extra; Go2Africa highlight). KWS rhino sanctuary visit (operator extra). A&K Philanthropy school and community visits (Safe Water for Schools and related projects). Exclusive-use vehicle extra (full day USD 750 / half day USD 375 per vehicle, max 6, on the 2026 extra list).
Good to Know
Name: Trades as Olonana Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary. Formerly Sanctuary Olonana / Sanctuary Olonana Camp. A&K: first Sanctuary camp, opened 1999, later expanded and rebuilt as 14 glass-and-adobe suites plus the Geoffrey Kent Suite. Suites are mudded each year by Maasai women using local clay. Location: Private stretch of the Mara River on a concession at the Oloololo Escarpment / Mara Triangle, bordering the Masai Mara National Reserve. Ecotourism Kenya Gold profile: 125.453 ha (310 acres). Hippo pod below the terraces (A&K). Children: All ages welcome (Go2Africa, A&K, operator Kenya child policy). Children 15 and under share with an adult. Private vehicle required for children aged 5 and under (operator sheet); safari.com also writes 6 and under for a private vehicle and shared-drive minimum age 6. Walking safaris: operator sheet 15 and under not permitted. Three family suites (extra bedroom for two children 18 or under plus a sofa bed for a child 12 or under). Standard suite: one child 12 or under on a sofa bed with two adults. Children’s retreat for ages 4–12 (A&K: giant Jenga, croquet, tetherball, beading). Babysitting on request (informal child-minder, safari.com). Children Stay Free annual offer excludes Olonana (safari.com). Check-in / check-out: Check-out 10:00 on the operator T&Cs reprinted by Beyond Kenya Safaris. Check-in not on A&K or Go2Africa; left blank. What is included: Game package: suite, meals, drinks (see Booking Notes), twice-daily game drives or a full-day drive plus Maasai village visit, Kichwa Tembo transfers, laundry, emergency evacuation. Park fees extra. Ballooning, spa, night drive, bush walk and exclusive vehicle extra on the operator extra list. Park rules: Game viewing is in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Off-road driving is not permitted in the reserve (Go2Africa guest note). Wetu lists night drives on site; confirm current Mara Triangle / reserve rules. Eco rating: Eco-Tourism Kenya Gold (Ecotourism Kenya facility profile; Ubuntu Travel). Malaria: The Mara is a malaria area; take medical advice before you travel. Luggage / power: Soft bags on the light aircraft. Wetu: air conditioning, tea/coffee, outdoor shower, complimentary Wi-Fi, 24-hour security. A&K: open-sided gym (treadmills, bikes, weights, rowing machine). What3Words: none published.
Who It's For
Families (all ages, three family suites, children’s retreat, babysitting) and couples who want a rebuilt, air-conditioned river lodge on the Mara Triangle side rather than a classic canvas camp. Honeymooners: Go2Africa flags secluded honeymoon suites; the Geoffrey Kent Suite is the private-pool option (honeymoon 50% offer excludes GK). Photographers should know this is national-reserve driving — no off-road, shared sightings. Anyone who needs a very small, unfenced tented camp should look elsewhere.
Best Time to Visit
Open year-round. Wildebeest Migration and Mara River crossings typically July–October (Go2Africa and A&K). Resident Big Five viewing is marketed year-round. Drier months are generally June–October. Partner 2026 Sanctuary Kenya seasons on the same lodge: low 1 April–31 May and 1 November–20 December; mid 3 January–31 March and 1–15 June; high 16 June–31 October and 21 December–2 January 2027. Go2Africa’s published band is USD 875–2,800 PPS.
