A bush dinner at Ngerende Lodge

The Standard
Published on 19/11/2008
By Damaris Mukami

Somewhere at Olchoro Oirogua Conservation in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, is the all-suites Ngerende Lodge, locally named to describe the shrubs in the expansive grassland.

Stunning in its unique design and majestic interiors, the lodge is the latest entrant in the luxurious league of Mara’s magnificent lodges. Unlike many of Mara’s lodges and tented camps, Ngerende basks in her own class — it offers exclusive accommodation to 14 guests in individual and contemporary designed suites.

The lodge has a unique combination of mahogany floors, canvas and double skinned walls for warmth. In the suites, a convenient fireplace safely tucked at a corner is lit early every evening.

The bathrooms shine with top class Villeroy and Boch Germany fittings. A full-length bath overlooks the terrace, a great temptation for a lunchtime open-air bath.

All rooms offer stunning views of the Mara River. In the main building, the dining room extends to the verandah overlooking the Mara River and the nearby hippo pool.

A sundowner bush dinner and sunrise breakfasts are some of the unmistakable spoils here.

For lovers and newlyweds

Robert and Eunice Glenie (the couple owning the Lodge) say they dreamt of opening a memorable resort that would offer pure relaxation and pamper its guests. "We had visited Maasai Mara many times and it inspired us to design a unique boutique lodge that provides guests with contemporary style and a luxurious environment to enjoy the very best of Kenya’s Maasai Mara," they say.

For lovers, especially newly-weds looking for memorable romantic escapades in the wild, an inviting and irresistible honeymoon suite beckons. It is isolated from the main camp ostensibly to provide extra privacy.

Olchoro – Oirogua is a mass grassland covering over 5,000 acres of mainly open savannah except along the banks of the Mara River, which are heavily wooded making it an ideal habitat for wildlife. Some memorable moments include enjoying delightful panoramic views of the Mara River and the woodland on the bank, thanks to a raised platform where all suites are anchored.

In line with wildlife conservation, Ngerende Lodge’s management have initiated a noble project to rear the endangered white rhino and later release them to the wild once they are old enough to fend for themselves.

Ngerende Lodge is a two-hour drive from Narok town. However, guests can also fly in as the lodge has an airstrip.

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