Olonana Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary

Olonana sits on a private bend of the Mara River, just north of the Mara Triangle, where the Ololoolo Escarpment rises on one side and fast water runs on the other. A resident pod of hippos holds the river directly below the lodge; lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo move through the wider reserve, and the wildebeest migration crosses the Mara River within reach of the camp.

The lodge holds fourteen suites, each at least one hundred and thirty square metres, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open fully onto river views. Three of the fourteen have an extra connecting bedroom for families. The Geoffrey Kent Suite is a separate two-bedroom residence with its own infinity pool, wraparound deck, and private road access. All suites have en-suite bathrooms with freestanding tubs, outside showers, verandahs, and minibars. There is a main pool, a spa, a gym, and a restaurant that draws on an on-site organic kitchen garden.

Game drives run in customised open vehicles, with guides who also lead night drives into the Oloisukut Conservancy — where aardvark, bush baby and bat-eared fox are regularly seen after dark. Walking safaris operate in the same conservancy. A balloon flight launches at first light and lands roughly one hour later, with a bush breakfast set up on the plains. A visit to the white rhino facility on the Ololoolo Escarpment is offered as a separate excursion. Cultural visits to Maasai villages and school visits supported by the lodge are also available to guests.

A complimentary airport transfer is included, and the lodge accepts credit cards.