Good to know

Ololo Safari Lodge & Farm is located on the southern border of the Nairobi National Park at an altitude of 1,795 m / 5,800’ above sea level, approximately 142 km south of the equator. Nairobi is generally warm and temperate with nightly lows of 13ºC and daily highs of up to 27ºC. Temperatures tend to drop during the rainy periods.

Nairobi and Nairobi National Park, is a malaria-free zone thanks to our high-altitude, offering travelers a safe and worry-free environment to explore.

Return transfers through Nairobi National Park are inclusive in the Non-Resident rate. Ololo picks up all Non-Resident guests from: JKIA International Airport; or Wilson Domestic Airport; or Hotels in the vicinity of these airports; or from the Main Gate to Nairobi National Park if arriving by car or tour operator * Ololo’s driver will greet you with a sign at either airport, or at the Main Gate to the Nairobi National Park and assist you with your luggage. Our transfer vehicles from JKIA and Wilson, are branded with the Ololo eland antelope logo. Our driver will bring you to the Main Gate of the Nairobi National Park on Langata Rd. and you will be met by one of our guides and transferred in one of our 4x4 safari vehicles and transported through the national park to Ololo (approx. 40 minutes.) Ololo is able to transfer guests through the park at all hours of the day and night. * If you are already in Kenya and arriving by vehicle, our driver/ guide will meet you at the ticket office to the Nairobi National Park (near a large statue of a rhino). This is the Main Gate Entrance (NNP Head Quarters) to the NNP, located on Langata Road Nairobi. If we could have your approximate time you will be arriving at the Main Gate.

Ololo Safari Lodge & Farm is open year-round. Although becoming harder to predict there are two rainy seasons in Kenya; the long rains typically occur from the end of October to November and the short rains are towards the end of March or April and throughout May. ​

We recommend packing a fleece or warm jumper, as well as a lightweight, windproof jacket. Cotton or linen clothing is the most comfortable for the warm days, and muted colours are best for game viewing. At this high altitude, sun cream, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat are essential. The sun can be very strong. A good pair of walking shoes is also highly recommended as the grounds around Ololo can be a little uneven in some areas and many of our guests chose to enjoy a walk up to the Ololo Farm, or over to the Anselm glass blowing workshop. Ololo has a non-heated swimming pool so remember your swimwear! ​

Due to the high altitude, Nairobi and Ololo Safari Lodge & Farm do not have malaria carrying mosquitoes. We do have mosquito nets however in all our rooms and also insect sprays, as with anywhere in the world insects can find their way into the rooms. ​

The chefs at Ololo Safari Lodge & Farm are well trained in a selection of worldwide cuisine. There is a strong Paddock to Plate ethos, with the majority of ingredients being sourced from our organic farm and vegetable gardens (shambas). We produce our own pasture raised chicken and duck meat, as well as eggs, mushrooms and milk, which we make into our delicious house made yoghurt and ice-creams. Please let us know ahead of your stay with us - if you have any particular dietary requirements or food allergies and we will address these. For Non Resident bookings house bottled wine and house beers are included with your stay as well as selected ‘bottom shelf’ spirits, sodas and fresh juices. ​

Filtered drinking water is provided in jugs or glass urns to our rooms and also to your table with meals. We have another glass urn in the bar area should you wish to help yourself at any time. We also have sparkling and still glass bottled water if preferred, and these go out with you on game drives. We do not recommend drinking the water from our taps as it is sourced from our own borehole and can be a little salty. It is fine however for bathing and cleaning teeth and is tested regularly. ​

There is wifi throughout Ololo. This is stronger in the main guest areas - the front terrace, and restaurant. The main local telephone service provider is Safari com. Ololo has 24hr power provided 24 Volt AC with a back up power generator. All rooms have 3 pin square power points. We have a DSTV connected projector screen in our large guest living room and we can also play our selection of DVD movies if you wish. We normally have DSTV running when there are special events occurring around the globe - like the Olympic Games or the Rugby World Cup or major Football games. We also have shared universal adaptors & phone charging stations in our library area off the Main Living Room and in the bar area of the 'Kitchen at Ololo’, our signature restaurant. ​

A daily laundry service is included for Non-Resident guests.

Ololo recommends $15 USD for your guide per day and $25 USD for the general tip box at the Point of Sale area at the Ololo Bar. All staff share equally, including the farm staff and carpenters per room per day (excluding guides and office staff). These can be paid by cash or card on departure. This is only a guideline and tips are very much at your discretion.

When we first bought the the property back in 2008 as an old homestead, it was already named Ololo. When we enquired about the meaning of the name, we discovered it to be of Maasai origin, as the owner had moved from the Masai Mara, and brought the name with him. As we dug deeper and asked local Masai, we were given a few different meanings. Some say it means to meander and bend like a river, which is quite fitting considering our location on the edge of the Mbgathi river. Another Masai said it meant the ‘meeting place’ as his elders would once gather to Oloololo ridge in the Mara, many years ago. Anyway, we loved the name and had no reason to change it!