Ol Gaboli Community Lodge – Laikipia Hotels
Ol Gaboli Community Lodge is a unique medium sized accommodation facility located in a serene and conducive environment in the picturesque. Olmotiok Group Ranch which was created by the local community by setting aside prime grazing land totaling 5,000 acres as a conservation area. “Ol Gaboli” is a Masai word meaning ‘Fig Tree’, the facility is located under the enormous spreading branches of the largest and oldest fig tree in the area on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River. The fig tree had massive spiritual significance before missionaries arrived. Locals would bring goats and cattle, drain them of blood, and leave them overnight under its branches alongside a fire’s glowing embers. By morning the carcasses had gone. The Gods had visited. They had accepted the sacrifice. The lodge can be accessed by road (75 km from Nanyuki – about 1.5 – 2 hours).
The rooms are built with local stone and a traditional thatch roof made from reeds. The lodge has seven cabins – or bandas with en-suite solar showers, nestle alongside a shop, verandah, library and dining, chill-out building with huge snobby cushions. Overlooking the muscular Ewaso Nyiro River, it’s the perfect sundowner spot. Hot water and light is provided by solar power. There is an expansive combined lounge and dining room looking out onto the grassy riverbank and the towering Fig tree which make the lodge a “Heaven in the Shaded of an Enormous Fig Tree”. The bandas can accommodate 2 to 8 people depending on sleeping arrangements.
Possible activities include bush walks, fly camping, rafting, canoeing, mountain biking, rock-climbing, abseiling, camel safaris and guests have the opportunity to interact with community and get insights into community projects and traditional hunting methods.
Ol Gaboli, owned and run by the Il Motiok women’s group and is one of several ranch projects financed by the EU. You’ll also find a cultural boma, bee-keeping enterprises and locally trained wildlife scouts.
