OL JOGI IS, BY FAR, MY FAVORITE SAFARI LODGE IN AFRICA
April 19, 2025
Ol jogi is every African experience in one
by Ian Proctor
My Reviews
I am constantly researching travel offerings - on the lookout for things that are exciting, different, and real.
I'm tired of property reviews that don’t really tell me anything... that leave me unsatisfied and no closer to understanding what makes a place special.
Therefore I will do my best to impart why you should, or shouldn't, stay at each location... what I personally liked, what I loved, and in some cases what I hated or drove me up the wall!
Introduction to Ol Jogi Safari Lodge
As a safari planner I am often asked "what is your favorite place to go in Africa?" For many years I didn't have an answer as there were so many places I loved for various reasons... then I visited Ol Jogi.
I have stayed at more than 410 of the continent's top lodges, camps, and hotels over 30 years and I can tell you unequivacolly that Ol Jogi is hands down, my absolute favorite safari experience and property in Africa! There is no contest... it's not even close. Let me tell you why in great detail!
Imagine you and your family, or a few close friends, taking over a billionaire’s private Big 5 safari estate for a week... and when I say "taking over" I mean you get the entire property exclusively for you - to do what you want when you want.
Unlike other conservancies in Africa Ol Jogi is booked on an exclusive use basis for as few as 4 guests. You get the whole place – the whole lot – the rooms, the manor house, the pool and spa complex, the guides, the chefs, the tennis courts, and 58,000 acres of wildest Africa filled with more animals than you can shake a stick at.
Wildlife
Ol Jogi offers some of the densest wildlife viewing in Africa.
They not only offer the Big 5 (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and over 80 black rhino and 40 white rhino) but cheetah, wildebeest, oryx, eland, wild dog, striped and spotted hyena, and great number of other mammals.
Ol Jogi is also home to roughly 20% of the world's Grevy’s zebras (the largest single population on the planet out of an estimated population of under 2,500) and is home to 450 of the world’s remaining reticulated giraffe.
Guests may also spot up to 400 bird species.
Activities at Ol Jogi
Activity wise guests may experience day and night wildlife viewing drives in both open and closed vehicles, explore the private reserve on horseback, or you may track wildlife on foot with your professional guide.
And you can go much deeper in many more ways... during the day you may meet and feed Bella, a 2 year old rescued rhino, and at night you might dance with the local Masai.
You can lunch on the verandah with your hosts while giraffe and gerenuk drink from the nearby waterhole. After you can visit the award-winning Montessori-certified primary school.
You can visit the Twala cultural village or partake in a bloodhound tracking exercise with the anti-poaching security unit.
Helicopter excursions allow guests to explore the fiery volcanoes and flamingo filled lakes of Northern Kenya or to visit Retiti for an elephant interaction.
Ooh and let me not forget Travelling Telescopes.... fly these guys in for an amazing nightime experience viewing the rings of Saturn and the mountains on the moon! Being so near the equator you can see both northern, and southern hemisphere constellations.
If you are into art you wish to visit Ol Jogi's neighbor, Murray Grant, whose bronze sculptures are stunning.
And then there are the one of a kind experiences you simply can't plan for... at the drop of a dime guests may be asked if they want to help save an endangered species. You might participate in rescuing an elephant, partake in a rhino intervention, or get immersed with one of the ongoing wildlife rehabs.
The work being done at the Wildlife Rescue Center and state-of-the-art vet complex is simply astounding. Recently a cheetah at a neigboring conservancy had shattered one of it's front legs. No one would fix it but a surgeon from Nairobi's Aga Kahn hospital (who did not work on animals) was flown in, along with an anastetiologist, and they were able to repair it.
Ol Jogi offers some utterly unique, tear and smile inducing experiences!
Some Rhino Love
Bella is a 2 year old rhino who was injured in an altercation and needed assistance. She is being rehabilitated at Ol Jogi. She’ll be released back into the wild when she’s 4 and able to take care of herself. Alfie, Ol Jogi's blind rhino, loves time with guests and researchers alike. His anklet is a pilot project with Rhino Custodians who chose Ol Jogi to kick-start their work in East Africa.
Ol Jogi was Kenya’s second private sector rhino sanctuary and today has 120+ eastern black and white rhino on its 58,000-acre private conservancy. They are well protected by 110+ security personnel. They also have 30 Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) personnel in situ to provide additional support. No poaching incidents have occurred in more than a decade.
At Ol Jogi there are no other tourists, vehicles, camps or lodges. As noted previously you get the manor house, all the rooms (you can sleep in a new bed every night if you wish), all the staff, the resort pool area, and the 2,000 square foot hamman for treatments!
Chef Kurt and his team are ready to feed you day and night… the guides are at your disposal to explore as you wish. Fred, the home's major domo, oversees it all.
Ol Jogi is your own private Africa and it is magic!
By the way did I mention that Ol Jogi is non profit? All revenues are reinvested into conservation and educational outreach programs. The balance is contributed by the directors. Incredible!
Ol Jogi's History
Ol Jogi has been in the same family for 5 decades.
The property itself was developed with, according to the builders Symbion, "unlimited scope" in the 1980s. It is a property built without compromise to fulfill the owners (the Wildensteins - one of the world's wealthiest and powerful art dealing dynasties) every desire. We're talking 55 lakes, a pool complex with cascading waterfalls, a golf course, and back in the day tigers kept behind bulletproof glass each with their own swimming pool.
Over the year's Ol Jogi Ranch became a retreat for the world's super rich including the infamous Saudi arms dealer Adnan Kashoggi.
Today the property is under the stewardship of Alec Wildenstein Jr., head conservation manager Jamie Gaymer, and his wife Carol who also act as your hosts (and awesome hosts they are in my opinion).
Ol Jogi employees 300+ staff and is economically responsible for more the 1,000 people (health, eduction, housing, transportation, employment). Some families have been at Ol Jogi for several generations.
Exclusive Accommodations
When it comes to guests Ol Jogi prefers to devote all of their attention to one family, one group of friends, one celebratory event at a time.
Ol Jogi can accommodate up to 22 guests, including children of any age, in 2 ultra luxury main suites and numerous cottages. If you need more space Ol Jogi can arrange accommodations in "Under the Stars" luxury tents.
Ol Jogi works very well for a family traveling together or 2 couples traveling with their family's. As an example the parents of each family each take one of the two ultra lux primary suites whilst children and grand children are accommodated in the cottages. If you have 3 or 4 couples you need to figure out in advance who will be staying in the two lux suites.
The 2 ultra luxury suites, Simba and Mbogo, are are the height of 80s billionaire glam and are located a 1 minute walk from the main house. They share an entrance lounge centered around a massive purple geode… purportedly the largest in the world when found.
Each large air conditioned suite has a master bedroom with wood burning fireplace, a ladies and gents dressing room and ladies and gents bathrooms with Hermes amenities.
Mbogo has an office and also an offset room, which can be used as an additional children’s room if required.
Doors are handcrafted with hidden hinges, there are Murano glass fixtures, and colorful stained glass windows.
My last visit I stayed in Simba with it's remarkably plush carpets, large canopied bed, and fireplace which remained lit for most of my stay. With the press of a button the curtains opened to reveal 40 foot wide floor to ceiling curved bulletproof glass window overlooking the main waterhole. There was a her’s bathroom with sunken Jacuzzi tub (which was fantastically relaxing) and skyshower, and a her’s walk in closet with over 20 wardrobes built to the highest standards. The gentlemans bathroom had a telephone shower, toilet and bidet, and a his dressing room with endless closests as well.
The cottages, which wrap around the kopjes (rock outcroppings), are round like traditional Masai huts and have been decorated in colonial style. The cottages are not air conditioned but this really isn't an issue due to the properties altitude. I was particularly taken by the built in bunk beds in the Tandala cottage... they looked as if they were from a steam ship back in the day. When we recently built our family's custom home I had a similar bunk installed above the bookshelves in our library.
Here is a quick overview of the cottages:
Swara and Gerenuk are situated next door to each other and have views of Mount Kenya. They are located a two-minute walk from the main house.
The remaining cottages have garden views.
Chui is located a half-minute walk from the main house.
Cheetah contains a king bed, two bathrooms, two dressing rooms and living room with a pull out sofa that can be converted into a bed for a child.
Impala and Tandala are located a half-minute walk from the main house as well. Impala contains a king bed, two bathrooms and two dressing rooms. Impala and Tandala do not overlook the waterhole.
The family suites, Patas and Sykes, are situated within a wall-enclosed garden that harbors a Seychelles giant tortoise. They are located a two-minute walk from the main house. Patas contains a king bed, which can be converted into two twins if preferred, a bathroom with shower and tub, and a dressing room. Sykes contains a king bed, a bathroom and dressing room. Both suites sit on either side of a living room that has a sofa, dining table and a kitchen, making them perfect for families with smaller children. Patas and Sykes do not have direct views over the waterhole.
Additional guests can be accommodated in "Under the Stars" luxury safari tents near the tennis courts.
VVIP guests, or additional guests may, on occassion, be accommodated for a surcharge in the owner's private home, Rock House, which has 2 bedrooms. It is even more opulent than the primary lux suites however all dining, socializing, and such must occur in the main manorhouse, not at Rock House.
"Ol Jogi is especially ideal for muligenerational groups as there are exciting and intriguing experiences for every age traveler!
In the morning you might explore the 245 square kilometers of private big 5 wilderness on a game drive.
Mid-day the kids can be playing in the pool complex, your teen son is off lifting weights, your nieces are getting hands on with Bella the 2 year old rescued rhino, and your spouse is relaxing with a treatment in the hammam.
In the evening you might enjoy drinks eye to toe with giraffe and rhino in the underground wildlife viewing hide before a special family dinner out in the bush or in the formal dining room.
Ol Jogi celebrates special events and holidays in grand style. The Christmas / New Years period is one of the most sought after times to visit - it can take a week for staff to prepare the main dining room!"
- Ian Proctor -
Ultimate Africa Safaris founder & top experience curator
The Manor House at Ol Jogi
The main manor house at Ol Jogi awes with Persian carpets, French silks, parquet floors and an expansive collection of one-of-a-kind art and artifacts from couture houses around the world.
The living room is centered on George Bouverie Goddard's priceless painting "The Fall of Man". It is so important that in the event of a fire the staff have been instructed to save it.
In another part of the manor there is a secret panel behind which you will find a walk in vault - home to the custom Buccellati silver and remarkable little butter dishes, knife rests, etc… a treasure trove collection.
In the formal dining room meals are served on custom Wedgewood china under an impressive Russian chandelier. The vintage porcelain has been designed exclusively by Christian Dior and Hermés and the thin stemmed wine glasses are from Cartier.
This is the type of property where, even after several days, you will find yourself getting lost... there is a Yamaha Grand piano in a sitting room, a billiards room, an upstairs lounge cum office space, a library with a hidden bumper pool and poker table, and countless fireplaces… there is a media room for movie nights as well.
The bar, with leopard print booths, is a delight.
Adjacent to the bar a spiral staircase takes one underground where you enter a 200 foot long carpeted tunnel. This leads to a sunken wildlife viewing hide putting you mere feet from giraffe and rhino. With barstools it is quite easy to spend several hours here nursing a few cold Tusker beers.
Back at ground level, and emerging from the main home, a panoramic expanse opens. The waterhole and salt lick teems with wildlife - giraffe, zebra and elephant take centerstage. Guests have witnessed animal births and even a wild dog kill here. The plains stretch out from Mt Kenya to the horizon. In short you don't even need to leave the house to be on safari!
Ol Jogi's Secret Wine Cave
One evening Jamie and I were making our way from the wildlife viewing hide through the underground tunnel back towards the main house. Jamie stopped and asked if I had noticed the secret panels? I had not and was intrigued.
He reached upwards flipping a hidden switch. The walls opened to reveal a dimly lit room carved from the bedrock... in the center stood a multi ton steel bank vault door. After a bit of turning and twisting there was a click. I pulled on the vault door and it opened, slowly at first due to its immense weight. Behind I could see a lantern lit stone tunnel descending further.
We made our way down the path... the air was cool. We emerged into an underground wine grotto filled with antique French wine making equipment. If I recall correctly the vault door came from a French bank that went under during the economic slow down of 2009.
Jamie explained that when they were dynamiting the granite cavern Fred, the home's major domo, had to hold onto object d'art in the main house as everything shook.
The Pool, Spa, and Hammam
Adjacent to the main house there is a solar heated pool complex with extensive tropical gardens and waterfalls, a two story pool house, bar, and lounge.
There is an amazing 2,000 square foot Moroccan inspired hamman with mud and scrub rooms, a steam room along with a cold bath, a well equipped but dated fitness center, a yoga room, a cedar wood sauna, and a winding path takes you to a jacuzzi hidden amongst the tropical foliage.
80s Time Capsule
I have heard some complain about the overlook and interior design of Ol Jogi.
One in particular described the massive geode displayed in the shared lounge between Simba and Mbogo as "some fake rock that must have been made from the broken dreams of the original interior designers". My opinion differs starkly.
In some ways Ol Jogi feels like a 1980s time capsule but I love the property's eccentricity and authenticity. I think it's wonderful when someone owns who they are.
What makes it even more charming is that it is a home and feels like one.
Late Night Shenanigans & the Luxury of Time
One of the greatest luxuries of visiting Ol Jogi is that you can literally do what you want when you want to do it. There are no boundaries.
After a full day exploring, and an amazing dinner, I retired to my room. I spent several hours catching up on notes and uploading photos... feeling restless at 11PM I walked over to the main house for a nose around.
I found my safari colleague Scott chatting with the bartender at the bar. Scott embarassingly explained how he had just knocked over a small stool and broke a porcelain dish! He was incredibly concerned that is was priceless.
The bartender poured me a Tusker and Scott and I made our way to the underground hide. Walking along the 200 foot underground tunnel was like being on a moon base. How did we end up as the central characters in this otherworldly experience?
We emerged at the underground hide where we watched as ever cautious zebra came to drink.
Beers finished we made our way to the library where Scott asked if I had ever played bumper pool. With my assistance we lifted the heavy wooden top off of an octagonal table revealing the green felt playing surface beneath.
After a quick tutorial the competition was on… the bartender kept our beer glasses filled and we turned up the stereo. Tina Turner, Vangelis, the Pet Shop Boys, and Barry White echoed troughout the manor...
Around 3AM I left my beer under the butt of a bronze warrior statue and poured myself into bed. As I fell asleep I made a mental note to procure a bumper pool table... not only because it is a lot of fun, but to preserve the memory of such a wonderful night. 3 years later, when my wife and I built a custom home one of the highlights was introducing our 3 young boys to the game of bumper pool (which they soon mastered and now they regularly beat me). But I digress...
The next morning there were no alarms. I started with a leisurely breakfast of fresh papaya and lime, Kenyan coffee, and a bit of eggs and bacon.
At noon I met Iris at the Hamman and steamed for 10 minutes before having an amazing scrub. I then sat in the cool room drinking mint tea with honey. After a dip in the cold pool I enjoyed grilled chicken accompanied by several healthy salads and washed down with a freshly made lemonade. The afternoon was spent feeding Bella the rhino!
Bush Dinner
My last night at Ol Jogi was the piece de resistance!
Jamie drove us 10 minutes through the impenetrable dark of the African night before coming to a stop and switching off the vehicle. Instead of the expected quiet our ears were filled with the sound of rushing water… we followed Jamie along a narrow path through some thick bush - the sound of rushing water growing ever louder.
We emerged at a river's edge - a suspension bridge hung before us… we wiggled and jiggled across the rope bridge, the wild dark waters swirling below, before stepping onto a fantasy island set aglow by 100’s of kerosene lanterns - they lined the pathway, hung from the trees, and were set atop the lavishly appointed dinner table.
A fire crackled and several local Masai welcomed us with their signature jumping dance - Adumu. The barman smiled behind his makeshift bar while the chef and his crew put the final touches on dinner - roast duck on a spit. This was followed by a chocolate mousse cake.
After dinner dawas (a local medicine made from vodka, honey, and lime juice) were taken as we talked about the magic of Africa around the fire. As the moon rose high in the sky we made the difficult decision to call it a night.
Conclusion
In 30 years I have only encountered a single handful of properties that consumed me... when visiting I felt a sense of melancholy that the magic I was experiencing would end in a matter of days... before I had even left I needed to know when I would return again.
When Crater Lodge opened on the rim of Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater 20+ years ago I immediately fell in love with the place... the setting, the warm staff, crackling fires, the food, the Masai meets Versaille designed rooms... although the Crater itself was crowded with tourists I could overlook that because I was in love...
Ol Jogi however is different. I can't find the faults. Every time I look I uncover more reasons to fall for it!
From the exquisite setting, service, and quirky retro style to the wildlife rescue center, conservation projects, school and community programs, Ol Jogi offers guests the opportunity to participate in one of the most deeply moving conservation platforms in all of Africa.
Ol Jogi is bigger than a safari experience and a magical home. As journalist Nancy Chuda wonderfully wrote nearly a decade ago
"Ol Jogi is about passion turning privilege into wonderment for all things alive.
Ol Jogi is fulfilling a need for humanity. Big and small, the animals have an innate purpose. Each one feeds a symbiotic necessity to the other.
Ol Jogi allows one to observe the delicate balance that lies between us all.
Alec Jr is determined to leave something for future generations. It is his personal mission to transform the way wealth can leave an everlasting legacy of hope by trading despair and futility for human kindness for the preservation of all."
In short Ol Jogi aims to be a leading model for private conservation, with relentless efforts to pioneer new methods and techniques that enable all of us to protect wildlife and assist local communities.
Ol Jogi is a World unto Itself
Ol jogi is unique in that it is every African experience in one... it is the only property I can think of that offers everything so comprehensively...
The Big 5? Yep. Wildlife rehab? Yep. Hands on wildlife experiences? Yep. Antipoaching team? Yep. School, clinic, village? Yep. Pool, waterpark, gym, hamman? Tick. Canyons, silver service, mountains, lakes, boats, rivers, cars, helicopters, horses, underground hide, secret wine cellar, movie theater, art collection, billiards room... not for profit, non malarial, exclusive use with children of all ages welcome, all inclusive of the highest standard, and some of the most serious conservation credentials in Africa - if not the world... Ol Jogi is on another level.
Ol jogi is a world unto itself... a place that so completely encapsulates and perfectly presents an experience. For me Ol Jogi is an all or nothing property. There is no substitute. No peer. It is one of one.
Want to visit Ol Jogi?
Come up with any excuse you can - Wedding? Special birthday? Family reunion? Executive retreat? Holiday's such as Chinese New Year, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are very popular as well!
Gather together 4 or 20 of your closest and spend a week at Ol Jogi! No joke... no less. If you think "I will do 3 nights" you will feel like you missed out... that would be like going to a concert and hearing only 3 songs.
Stay 5-7 nights so you can take it in... feel it. Enjoy the hammam without feeling you are missing something else... spend the middle of the day poolside... a night celebrating in the wine cellar and sleeping in the next morning... exploring volcanoes and flamingo filled lakes by helicopter... Go hiking. Go horseback riding. Go on a game drive... spend an evening at the undergound hide.
Seriously how long should you stay? I would suggest no fewer than 4 nights while some guests choose to make this their only stop in Africa and stay 7 to 10 nights. I think this is a marvelous experience and am certain that guests that do so will remember their time at Ol Jogi as one of the top things they ever did in their life.
Ol Jogi would pair very nicely with 3 or 4 nights in the Masai Mara to take in the wildebeest migration... then round off the your trip with 4 to 5 nights in the Seychelles visiting another of my all time favorite exclusive properties - North Island!
Want the Ultimate Africa experience? We will arrange a pilot and aircraft allowing you to combine Ol Jogi with Tswalu in South Africa and North Island in the Seychelles. You cannot do any better... trust me - I know. I have tried.
Health & Comfort
The conservancy spans from Kenya's Ewaso and Nanyuki rivers in the West, to the Lolldaiga Mountains in the East, ranging from 5,800 feet to 7,200 feet above sea level. It is non malarial due to the altitude. The elevation also moderates temperatures.
Getting to Ol Jogi
The property is situated approximately 50km to the north of snowcapped Mt. Kenya and the equator and 225kms to the north of Nairobi.
With it's own runway Ol Jogi is easily accessed by a 45 minute charter flight from Nairobi.
What Does Ol Jogi Cost?
Ol Jogi operates at the highest level of all inclusive. All accomodations, on property activities, meals, spa treatments and hammam, the wine cave, tastings, pairings, cigars, etc.... it's included. You can have Moet with breakfast, Veuve with lunch, and 2008 Dom with dinner.
For 2026 prices start at US $17,500 per night which gets you the whole place - that's US $4,375 per person per night based on 4 guests and the minimum 3 night stay.
If you are curious, despite the Forbe's article noting Ol Jogi as the most expensive safari property in Africa - it is in fact not. Mombo Camp in Botswana is US $5,040 per person per night and you don't get exclusive use!
EXTRAS: Horseback rides, personal trainer / yoga / pilates instructors, rock climbing experts and helicopter excursions.
In my humble opinion this place takes the cake.
There is only one Ol Jogi and it is a pinnacle experience.
It is therefore my favorite property in all of Africa...
and that is saying something!
Coming soon:
Part 2 of "Billionaire Boltholes" featuring
South Africa's largest private game reserve - the Oppenheimer family's Tswalu!
Interested in learning more about Ol Jogi? Let's schedule a time to talk!
