Kenya Cottages-Best Kenya Cottages on Africa Vacation Tour

Ol Donyo Wuas

Perched on a ridge in the foothills of the Chyulus is Ol Donyo Wuas, Richard Bonham’s Exclusive hideaway. The setting is superb. The land falls away, stretching for miles in green and golden waves with strange shaped hills and flat-topped acacia trees for accent. Beyond and above towers the whole Kilimanjaro massif with the famous snow-capped peak unbelievably high in the sky. It is clear that this site was carefully chosen for the view.

Richard Bonham built his home here in the middle of Masai country and has added thatched rondavel-style cottages for guests. There are seven Kenya cottages for a total of fourteen guests. The main room is a large separate stone building with a high thatch roof. It is open on one side to frame the compelling view. There are comfortable stuffed chairs and couches in faded florals, an inviting fireplace, shelves crammed with books and music, and intriguing animal pictures on the walls. This room serves as lounge, dining room and bar area. It has a lived –in atmosphere-a place to feel home, put your feet up, help yourself to a drink.

The cottages are well spaced among bushy trees. They have been artistically decorated with local Kenyan furniture, fabrics and handicrafts, and each has a veranda and fire-place. There are mosquito nets, solar powered electricity and ensuite bathrooms with hot showers and flush toilets.

One of the cottages is extra large and has two bedrooms and a shared bathroom –ideal for families. The favorites are built on stilts and have the best view. There is also a small sitting area which, like the bed, faces the marvelous view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The high roof comes almost down to floor level and a wide opening has been cut in the thatch to frame the view. No glass here between you and the immensity of Kenya and Africa.

No glass or walls either between the long drop and the view! Sheltered behind by trees and built at the edge of the ridge is the long-drop toilet, magazines piled at the side and one of the most spectacular views imaginable in front. Although there are toilets and showers in each cottage, the long drop is recommended when convenient because all water has to be brought up from the pipeline below.

Ol Donyo Wuas means "the Spotted Hills" in Masai and is situated miles from any major settlement. To reach it you drive through open veld dotted with plains game towards the impressive Chyulus range, a younger volcanic range running between Amboseli and Tsavo west National Park. During the rains the Masai move in to this area. You can often see young Masai herders with their cattle at home among the wild animals. The land which Richard Bonham leases is part of a 100,000hectare Masai group ranch.

You may be surprised by a bush breakfast-eggs and bacon cooked in the open and served under a tree with a mountain view. It is a joy to go on a game drive in Richard’s cutaway Land Rover with a high bench seat built in the back. Again, there is nothing between you and the enormity of the scene: the game, the mountains, the tremendous sense of distance and sky. There are many options, lots of flexibility, and no other tourists to clutter up the scene.

Richard continues to organize unusual safaris and spends his time each time between Ol Donyo Wuas and the Selous Game Reserve, leading exclusive walking and boat safaris in the most remote and unspoiled areas that he operates in. Sand rivers Selous is his latest lodge-eight kenya cottages built of local materials overlooking the Rufiji River with the same charm and atmosphere of Ol donyo Wuas.

Special Offerings
Horse back riding, horse safaris (meeting fly camps each evening), day and night game drives, walking safaris, bird shooting available July to October, and airstrip.

Robert is degreed in Kenya tourism management with landmark safaris. Check more details of your Kenya cottage vacation safari here.
http://www.landmarksafaris.com