Olonana Lodge

Olonana Lodge is where the Sanctuary story began. Opened in 1999 on a secluded stretch of the Mara River bordering the Maasai Mara National Reserve, just north of the Mara Triangle, it has since been expanded and rebuilt as a pared-down contemporary lodge of local wood, stone, homespun textiles and African art. A resident pod of hippos wallows below the terraces, and the forested riverbank behind the suites shelters bushbabies and vervet monkeys.

The 14 glass-and-adobe suites are mudded each year by Maasai women using local clay. Each is 142 sq m and open-plan, with a canopied king bed that converts to twins, a sunken lounge, folding glass doors to a private terrace over the river, air-conditioning and a slate-and-marble bathroom so large it takes up nearly half the suite, with a deep bath and a rain shower. Three suites have an adjoining bedroom for families. Down its own driveway, the two-bedroom Geoffrey Kent Suite adds a heated infinity pool on a wraparound deck, a smaller third bedroom for children, and a private chef, housekeeper, waiter, vehicle and guide.

Twice-daily game drives with Maasai guides and a Maasai community visit are included, and the Great Migration crosses the Mara River here between July and October. Bush walks and night drives in the neighbouring Oloisukut Conservancy, hot-air balloon flights and a rhino sanctuary visit can be added. Back at the lodge there is a heated pool in gardens rewilded with more than 10,000 indigenous trees, an open-sided gym, in-suite spa treatments with Healing Earth products, an organic kitchen garden and the Cheza Cheza children's retreat for ages 4 to 12, with archery, tracking and community visits for teenagers.

Stays are fully inclusive of meals, drinks, activities, laundry and the transfer from Kichwa Tembo Airstrip, 30 minutes away. Maasai Mara National Reserve park fees are charged on top. Children of all ages are welcome.