Travel reviews by Lola from Canada

"Renovations are lovely."

"Ol Donyo really is a wonderful lodge. Beautiful rooms and welcoming dining/lounge area. The staff were superb and went out of their way to accommodate my needs. My overall game viewing was mediocre. I was told my stay yielded below average wildlife densities and this could partly be blamed on the unusual heavy rains that proceeded my January arrival, and persisted through half the stay. Highly unusual for this time of year. However, I know the lodge cannot control weather or wildlife densities.

My biggest disappointment, and what has kept me from an "excellent" rating, was the design of the rooms. For some reason I cannot fathom why Great Plains have chosen to put heavy glass doors (and curtains) on the fronts of the bedroom and bathroom of their gorgeous suites. The glass doors are aesthetically very out of place to me and feel more appropriate to a big city hotel. The doors and heavy curtains also make the room very stuffy at night with little ventilation coming in-I cannot imagine what it would be like on warmer nights. But the worst aspect for me is they completely cut you off from the night sounds in the bush. During the day the rooms look out onto beautiful vistas and you feel very connected to the location. But at night, you may as well be at a W hotel. I have stayed at over 30 safari camps/lodges, and this was the first time I really felt disconnected from my surroundings. It was a shame really, as spending the night in the bush, listening to both the quiet and louder sounds, is a magical experience.

Had it not been for the bad weather, I would have slept out on the Star Bed every night."

"Lovely camp-including tents, main areas with views and property pathways. Very good vehicles.

They have two types of vehicles. The first day I was in, what I understood to be their newer vehicles. Very high rood covering and completely open-no windshield. These are very comfortable and roomy vehicles with great visibility. As a photographer, I found the lack of option to stand a bit problematic-both for spotting and for variety of shooting positions. It would be especially advantageous with such high grass. But they were very accommodating to switch me to one of their older style vehicles where you can stand. The visibility is a little less open as the trucks are bulkier and there is a windshield, but the amity to stand out weighed that. There was also better camera support shooting from seated. SO, overall both vehicles are very good, but I do think the newer ones are more suited to wildlife viewing and not equipped for photographers who might need lens support and different angles of view.

The camp itself is very good. My game drives were somewhat lacking, which can happen when dealing with wildlife.

The food was, in my opinion, well below what I would expect for a camp of this standing. Very disappointing. Honestly, this was a big shortcoming for a camp of this standing. The food was absolutely not at all comparable to other properties I have stayed at. In fact, I would say it was the most disappointing of any camp I have stayed at both in terms of quality, variety and presentation. (When plated(as opposed to served at the table, which was more usual) the food was just piled on the plate with no sense of presentation at all.) The lack of variety was very disappointing. (ie: over 4 lunches there were cubed beets served 3 times and pizza served twice(I will say the pizza was actually the best of what was served for lunches.) One lunch had 3 different servings of carrots on the plate-grilled, shredded carrot salad and cubed and mixed in rice. It was accompanied by a dry vegetarian patty, but when I inquired what that was made of, no one could tell me. One lunch I was served plain spaghetti noodles. No sauce. (There was a meat sauce for those eating meat but no sauce option for vegetarian. Packed breakfast included the same fruit option every day. A whole apple, orange or tree tomato ( I think?) These were the only fruits included all 4 mornings. I even mentioned that I don’t eat apples, but they were still on offer every day and again in the evening when a half of small apple by itself, warmed with a sprinkle of sugar and cinnamon was served for desert. At dinner one night I asked what the vegetarian option was made of, and the server did not know. So, I opted to try the lamb cubes-(which were served on two of the 4 nights)-but found it very tough and difficult to chew. The soups in the evening were very good, as were the savoury items at breakfast, but other than that, very disappointing."

"This visit was a host of issues.

Room smell problem, tv didn’t work, phone didn’t work… Also-Sunday is family day at the hotel and it is absolutely packed with locals for brunch and swimming.

They did fix the issues as they came up. The staff are really quite helpful. I just think my room was possessed."

"Charles and Patrick were great! The guide tent is in much better shape.

The front end staff are always there when you need them - Kennedy and Abraham were big favourites."

"The camp is getting too large in my opinion. The conservancy is also much busier and there were two sightings with 8-9 trucks circling in and out. I hope the camp does not expand further.

Once again, the radio use in the trucks was a complete distraction. I must have asked to have it turned down at least 10 times. It is by far the worst camp I have been to in this regard. Constant noise. Why not get headsets for the guides who like to be on the radio a lot?

Andrew is doing a great job with the camp. It looks better than it ever has-albeit large. But he is carving out lots of small spaces for folks to hang out. The new tents will be a great addition."

"Beautiful lodge, great service and very friendly and accommodating staff. Be prepared for stairs though!

Staff and management went out of their way to make sure my needs were met and I enjoyed my stay. I loved having a fire in my room when I returned in the afternoon. Also great having a soaking tub after a tough hike.

The main lodge has lots of different areas to hang out and enjoy the surroundings. You can always find a quiet nook for yourself. My hiking boots never looked better than when they whisked them away and cleaned them after my trek."

"Wonderful place to relax. Beautiful views from both the room and the main area. The pool is wonderful for a dip to cool off…and also sometimes serves as a water dish to elephants! The drought is very difficult right now in Namunyak which is difficult to see. Wildlife sightings were minimal as many of the animals have moved up into the mountains. But wonderful reticulated giraffe sightings as well as elephants. A visit to Reteti Elephant orphanage is a MUST. As is a visit to the singing wells. I will be going back!"

"Always brilliant game viewing in Mara North-this time was no exception."

"Great camp. Great guides.

I do miss the old classic breakfasts Kicheche used to serve.

Things are a little more "fancy" now. :-)"

"Fabulous camp in Naboisho, which for me is the most beautiful of the 3 conservancies I regularly visit.

Game is not always as prolific as with Olare and Mara North, but we had great cheetah sightings, good lion and some wonderful elegies at sunset, so no complaints.

The conservancy was in dire need of rain."