Ol Malo and Conservation

Posted on by Lucinda Morris

We are often asked about Ol Malo’s contributions to the community and conservation. Chyulu Francombe clarifies this beautifully:

‘The Samburu Trust works in an ecosystem trying to balance all the many parts – The People (education, medical, women groups/ the arts) – The Wildlife (Warrior Scouts, conservation fees) – The land (grazing and open water reservoirs)

The key thing for guests to understand is that Ol Malo is a family business and we support through tourism by employment, conservation, and most importantly we are a base for the Samburu Trust projects to be seen by guests. The Trust is a not for profit who’s projects are funded by donations and the Samburu Trust shop. Other than Julia Francombe whose full time life involves running the Trust,  all of us other  ‘Francombes’ give our time for free helping with the running of some of the projects where needed (i.e the medical side / anti-poaching flying and animal rescues / open water reservoir construction / taking guests to the shop and school etc). 
Ol Malo and the Trust have a symbiotic relationship but the Trust does depend on donations, people aren’t donating by staying here.
With regards to Conservation, the ranch supports Ntepes a Community Based Organisation (CBO) across the river from Ol Malo, we give grazing during droughts and they protect the elephants who love that area for the acacia seed pods and natural salt deposits. Likewise alongside the Trust we support the communities on our other two boundaries and then the Trust is involved in over 1 million acres with CBOs and warrior scouts doing a huge amount for conservation of all species, anti-poaching, and the scouts provide a unique link between KWS (Kenya Wildlife Service) and the communities.

Ol Malo and their Samburu Neighbours

Posted on by Lucinda Morris

We love this short clip showing the wonderful colours and sounds of the Samburu. The video was shot at Ol Malo and highlights the strong relationship between the Lodge and its Samburu neighbours.  Ol Malo offers an unrivaled cultural experience, genuinely Kenyan.  Watch it here: https://youtu.be/w-fF4FZPqPU

Savanna Lodge boasts about refurbishments with NEW images

Posted on by Lucinda Morris

Savanna Lodge has undergone an extensive refurbishment including adding new plunge pools to the Luxury Suites, changing the design of the tented roofs of the Executive and Luxury suites and upgrading and redecorating the main lodge area.

Take a look at the images and download to update your files and website:

New Savanna high res images

Hemingways Hotel and Residences update

Posted on by Lucinda Morris

Firstly, thank you for your patience – we know that you are as excited as we are about the ‘new look’ Hemingways Watamu.  The rebuilding works are progressing well and whilst it has been a huge project we are on course for a completion date in November 2017.  So what’s new?
Hemingways Watamu Hotel
Our new boutique hotel comprises 39 guest rooms (reduced from 74), located on three floors of the North Wing block of the property, overlooking the Marine Park.
A new porte cochère, hotel reception and raised walkway winding down through landscaped gardens to the hotel terrace has been designed. The restaurant and bar roof structures have been retained, however the circular super-structure of each has been altered to create an open plan design – but dont worry, the iconic bar remains in place! The reception area structure has been removed and transformed into an open plan coffee garden looking out onto the terrace/ocean to the south and new landscape gardens to the north. The existing terrace and pool areas have been completely redesigned with an additional new water feature, complete with beautiful landscaped gardens incorporating a sandy beach effect.  A second new pool has been constructed behind the North Wing block of the property and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and adjacent to this can be found the stunning new spa and gymnasium.

Hemingways Private Residences
The 21 luxury apartments have been designed and constructed by the same team that built Hemingways Nairobi which was completed in 2013 and is now rated in the top 5 hotels in Africa.  They represent coastal luxury at its very best,  comprising 3 x 1 bedrooms, 16 x 2 bedrooms and 2 x 4 bedrooms, all of which are ocean facing and have large terraces. These stunning apartments will all have access to the amenities of the 5 star Hemingways Watamu Hotel.

In a nutshell…..

– 39 Bedrooms and 21 Private Residences all with fantastic ocean views
– New open plan restaurant – but the iconic Bar remains in place
– New reception and raised walkway through landscaped gardens
– New Gede themed open plan coffee shop and garden looking out onto the terrace and Marine Park
– New water features on the terrace – including an infinity “night sky” shallow pool overlooking the beach
– New second swimming pool behind the North Wing surrounded by beautiful gardens
– New spa and gymnasium adjacent to this new hotel pool
– Reinstated sea defenses that fit together like Lego and aligned at 45°

You can download the 2018 rates here: Hemingways Watamu rack rates 2018

 

 

The Hemingways Collection releases 2018 rates

Posted on by Lucinda Morris

Its the moment you have all been waiting for – Hemingways Watamu rates have just been released! Due to open in the last quarter of 2017, the building works are going well and are expected to complete on time.

We have also issued 2018 rates for Hemingways Nairobi and Ol Seki Hemingways Mara and are delighted to confirm that there is no rate increase from 2017!

Please download the rates here and contact us with any questions.

Hemingways Watamu rack rates 2018

Ol Seki Hemingways Mara 2018 Rates

Hemingways Nairobi 2018 Rates

Hemingways Collection Special offers 2018

6 ways to LOVE Kenya – Ol Malo style!

Posted on by Lucinda Morris

Its 2017, a new year, lets experience the world in as many different ways as we can. See it through other peoples eyes, between the animal’s ears and from above like a bird. Appreciate the little things in life, the glue that binds the natural world.

Here are 6 reasons why you should take yourselves to Kenya and add Ol Malo to your itinerary.

1. By Helicopter, through the eyes of a bird
Nothing beats soaring above beautiful Kenya. Within minutes you could be enjoying a view too staggering to imagine and only the winds of gods whispering around you. Or with a morning to explore, you could be miles from civilization passing over awe inspiring scenery, catching Nile perch for lunch, watching pink flamingos swarming below you and even if you were to take the same trip over and over – every day is different. On the last day of 2016 Andrew and guests saw a melanistic serval cat leaping across a river.

2. Between two ears
All levels of riders from kids on leading rein, beginner adults, happy hackers to 3-day eventers enjoy moving un-noticed among the wild herds. Gently, or at speed enjoying the sure footed-ness of a Kenyan homebred, guests can watch towering giraffe browsing above you or elephant through two pricked ears. Horseback has to be one of the best ways to explore Kenya. Last week we had a wild dog pup come within a meter of a horses’ nose, just checking us out!  Add in an Ol Malo Nomad horse safari and you’re alone in the wilderness, your belongings on a camel, traveling by trusty steed and living life as a Nomad.

3. On foot, through the eyes of a Samburu
Work off those 3 course meals… follow a bouncing Samburu stride! Stop tripping over those rocks like a town clown and learn to weave in and out of ‘wait a bit’ bushes like a London-er walking down Oxford street in rush hour. Feel that adrenaline rush as you climb a rock and watch peaceful elephant families rumbling below you. Learn about stitching ants and the tracks of last nights’ visitors on the path.

4. Sitting treetop height – riding a camel!
Swaying at treetop height, no need to concentrate on your footing on the back of a camel. Appreciate their character and hardiness and get close to the game. We’ve even seen lion from camels!

5. 4 x 4
Of course vehicle is always an option, but lets do them Ol Malo style viewing from the roof seats and add in a night drive…we’ve seen lots of aardvark lately!

6. From your balcony or lounging by the pool
Take a break, whilst sipping your morning tea or an evening sundowner scan below you … we’ve seen all sorts from our vantage point on the cliffs, standoffs between elephant and wild dog, cattle and elephant sharing the water trough, good things come to those who wait.

Hemingways Watamu rebuilding project progress report

Posted on by Lucinda Morris

We are delighted to report that the building works at Hemingways Watamu are coming along nicely! There will be 39 boutique hotel rooms with an additional 15, two and four bedroom apartments to make up Hemingways Watamu Private Residences.  The project is on target to open in September 2017.  We will keep you updated, but in the meantime, take a look at this short video showing a mock up of the Hemingways Watamu Residences apartments: https://youtu.be/rasNUtVCrIM