The Main Lodge

The breadth and depth of Ol Donyo Wuas' living and dining area is absolutely awe-inspiring. Upon entering, one is immediately struck by spaciousness and yet the intimacy. The entire main area is set high on the hillside, and opens completely to the plains below, and Kilimanjaro in the distance. The use of stone, thatch and wood make for a very tactile experience, which fills the senses. The magnificent iron-ore chandeliers coupled with grand fireplace provide a warm glow, accented by the rich earth tones. The space flows, there are no straight lines and unique architectural details give character to every area. Arched doorways, indoor gardens, bronze sculptures, big wood doors, Victorian furniture and romantic prose grace the space. It is one-of-a-kind.

Set just down from the main area, but still on the hillside is the stunning infinity pool. It is joined by a pool lounge and dining area. The entire space faces the lodge’s famous waterhole, and it’s a lovely spot to wallow away an afternoon.

The Chyulu Hills is a challenging area for construction. Due to the variability in weather, including winds, canvas was not an option for Ol Donyo Wuas. Therefore, we used a hybrid product in an effort to use as little cement as possible while still maintaining the strength of the structure. Each villa and the main area are constructed using the gunite process. The walls are constructed first of wire mesh, then covered in hessian cloth over which a thin layer of cement is sprayed (or gunited). It is the only lodge in Kenya to utilize this low-impact yet sturdy construction.