ol Donyo Lodge's founder Richard Bonham had often flown over this spectacular landscape but one day in the 1980s, he was moved to land his Ces sna on the open plains and meet the local Maasai. That was only the first of many meetings, before the birth of a pioneering community conservation tourism project. The concept was simple: Richard brings guests to this remote group ranch to participate in safaris, and the Maasai share the benefits. But nothing in Africa is that simple, really. And so began a life-long relationship with the Maasai, the wildlife and the ranch.
In the early years Richard and his guests would be excited if they even saw the spoor of a passing elephant or lion. Today, after years of working together in a partnership whereby both the wildlife and the people benefit, there are elephant in front of the lodge almost every day. In fact, six bulls with some of the largest ivory in East Africa are regular visitors. Lion and cheetah, which were always present in small numbers, are on the increase and much less elusive. In a world where the last Black rhino was nearly shot to extinction, Mbirikani Group Ranch and the Maasai protect a secure breeding population deep in the Chyulu Hills’ mist forests.
John Heminway, one of the most experienced and astute writers about Africa wrote recently in Travel and Leisure: "Richard Bonham could well be the father of the bush guest house. He built ol Donyo Lodge many years ago and it still sets the standard." Over the years, Richard and Tara Bonham with Richard’s sister Trish Luke have created one of the most beloved of East Africa's bush lodges; and in the process, have played an integral leadership role in community conservation in the region.
When wildlife thrives, the people prosper.
For over 20 years ol Donyo Lodge was the Africa cognoscenti’s dream destination. Tucked away in the spectacular Chyulu Hills, above the heat and malaria of the coast, and far away from the tourist circuit, ol Donyo Lodge was a model for many of the ‘bush lodges’ that would follow.
