Ol Malo by Will Jones

Ol Malo, meaning ‘The place of the greater Kudu’, is the home of Colin and Rocky Francombe. The 5,000 acre ranch and game sanctuary lies along the Uaso Nyiro River on the edge of Kenya’s north-eastern province. It overlooks the Mukogodo, home of the nomadic Ndorobo people.

The cottages at Ol Malo are divine. Each rooms is built of natural rock with thatched roofs, and shaped by the rocks and the curve of ancient olive wood, overlook a much frequented water hole and salt lick, surrounded by miles of rugged bush with the loom of Mt Kenya beyond.

Ol Malo has always been popular due primarily to its design and the personal style with which the lodge is run. Wildlife can be a little limited but, depending on the time of year, they do have some fantastic elephant, giraffe and plains game. Last time we were there a black leopard had been spotted!

Why go there: Colin and Rocky Francombe are wonderful hosts, design of the lodge, private ranch, horse riding