Your Safari Q&A

Everything you need to know about your stay with us at Ol Maisor River House

Directions

Be sure to use this link from NANYUKI because if you Google map directly to the River House it sometimes takes the wrong route.

We recommend using Google Maps.

Getting here

From Nairobi: approximately 5½ hours
From Nanyuki: approximately 2½ hours
From Rumuruti: approximately 40 minutes

The recommended route from Nairobi is via Rumuruti, with most of the journey on tarmac and the final section on dirt road.

4x4 recommended for exploring the farm.

Google Map directions from NAIROBI

Google Map directions from NANYUKI

RECOMMENDED PACKING LIST for Ol Maisor River House
Camp chairs for sundowners or sitting by a dam
Cool box / bag
Fishing rod/s for tilapia in Acacia Dam - we provide worms FOC and have 3 rods your can rent for 1000/- per rod a day
SUP or paddle boards for the dams
Hat
Mosquito repellent - we are not in a malaria area but in the evenings while sitting on the verandah the mozzies can be annoying. We have nets on every bed.
Sunscreen
Swimsuits
Towels for swimming in the dams
Bin bags - Please take your rubbish with you, especially recyclables. Recycling is tricky up here so thank you for helping us keep it clean.
It’s hot here during the day, shorts and shirt weather but it gets chilly in the evenings so bring a jumper/jacket and trousers.
Yes. The house is powered by solar energy, and guests are asked to conserve electricity. Hairdryers should not be used.
Yes. Good Wi-Fi is available at the house, although phone signal is limited in some parts of the farm.
Check-in is from noon and check-out is by 10:00 am.
Yes.
Yes. An askari/guard patrols at night.
Ol Maisor River House is an exclusive-use, four-bedroom self-catered safari house on the private Ol Maisor wilderness in Laikipia, Kenya. Guests enjoy complete privacy, self-drive wildlife viewing and the freedom to explore thousands of acres of beautiful African bush.
Ol Maisor River House is located on Ol Maisor in Laikipia County, approximately 264 km (around five hours) from Nairobi, about 2.5 hours from Nanyuki and 40 minutes from Rumuruti Town. The final part of the journey is on dirt roads.
Unlike many safari lodges, the River House gives guests exclusive use of the entire property, allowing them to enjoy a private safari experience at their own pace. Guests can self-drive around the farm, relax by the pool, fish, watch wildlife and enjoy complete flexibility.
It is a private house that is booked exclusively by one group at a time.
Yes. Families particularly enjoy the spacious garden, swimming pool, wildlife, fishing, flexible accommodation and activities.
Yes. The Ol Maisor River House is on a popular cyclist route through Laikipia. The River House pool is perfect for cyclists to enjoy after a long hot ride.
We recommend staying for at least two nights to give yourself time to settle into the house, explore the property and enjoy a self-drive safari. A longer stay allows you to experience more of the wilderness at a relaxed pace and make time for activities such as fishing, swimming and visiting the sniffer dogs.

General FAQs

The River House has 4 spacious bedrooms with flexible rooming. Room 1. located in the main house, double room that’s ensuite with a shower. It has one double bed and one single bed. There is space to add another single bed/cot for kids if needed.
Room 2. located in the main house, double room plus a kids bunkbed, that’s ensuite with a shower and bath. There is space to add another single bed/cot for kids if needed.
The other two rooms make up a detached cottage, are smaller and share a bathroom.
Room 3. located in a separate cottage. Double bed room and shared bathroom - shower only. There is space to add another single bed/cot for kids if needed.
Room 4. located in a separate cottage. Double bed room and shared bathroom - shower only. There is space to add another single bed/cot for kids if needed.
4 bedrooms
Two bedrooms in the main house are en-suite, while the two bedrooms in the detached cottage share a bathroom.
Yes. Every bed has a mosquito net.
Yes. Extra beds, a cot and a high chair are available for families with young children.
Yes. Guests are welcome to pitch additional tents in the garden for an extra nightly fee, with children aged 0–12 staying free in the tents. Tent guests share the house bathrooms.
Yes. We can arrange a cook for you at an extra price and subject to availability.
Fully equipped kitchen (4-hob gas oven, fridge/freezer, utensils & crockery). Plus a BBQ and charcoal.
Yes. The River House is self-catered. We only provide drinking water.
Yes.
Yes. We provide a BBQ and charcoal.
Very basic groceries, drinks and supplies can be purchased in Rumuruti Town, around 40 minutes away. If you forget something, local delivery can usually be arranged.

Accommodation FAQs

You can see all of the Big 5 apart from Rhino. Elephants, giraffes, zebra, antelope and buffalo move through the wider farm area.
Yes. Elephants can come around the house but this isn’t common. You’ll more likely see them while out on a drive.
Yes. We have regular lion, leopard and cheetah sightings.
Yes. It’s fantastic for bird watching, even just sitting on the River House verandah.
Yes. This is one of the main activities at Ol Maisor River House. We provide a map of the farm and recommended hotspots.
No. Guests can explore independently using the provided wildlife map, although guides are available if preferred.

Wildlife FAQs

Self and guided game drives, swimming in the pool or one of our dams, fishing at the dam, sniffer dogs experience and sundowners.
Yes. Guests can fish for tilapia at Acacia Dam. Fishing rods are available to hire if required, and worms are provided free of charge.
Yes. The Ol Maisor River House has a pool, or your can swim in our dams.
Yes. Guests can meet Ol Maisor's bloodhounds and learn about their training and security work.
Yes.
Yes. Game drive, swimming, fishing and the sniffer dogs are all activities that children can enjoy.

Activities FAQs

Accommodation includes exclusive use of the house, cleaning lady, security guard, firewood, gas, drinking water, bedding, towels, soap, toilet paper and a self-drive wildlife map.
Bronze Level Guide — KES 2,000 per group per day (in your own vehicle)
Guided game drive in the Ol Maisor vehicle — KES 12,900 for a half day per group
Fishing rods — KES 1,500 per rod per day (worms provided free)
Cook — KES 1,500 per day
Gratuities — KES 500–1,000 per employee per day
Yes. Bronze Level Guide — KES 2,000 per group per day (in your own vehicle).
Guided game drive in the Ol Maisor vehicle — KES 12,900 for a half day per group.
All cancellations must be made in writing. Cancellations will only be effective on receipt of written notification.
- More than 30 days before arrival, a full refund of the deposit will be issued.
- Between 30 and 15 days prior to arrival, 50% of the full value is forfeited.
- Less than 15 days, no-shows and early departures, 100% of the full value is forfeited.
A booking will only be confirmed upon receipt of a 50% deposit.
Collaborative, honest, and straightforward. We're here to guide the process, bring ideas to the table, and keep things moving.

Booking FAQs

Yes. Ol Maisor River House is particularly well suited to families looking for a relaxed, private safari experience. The house has four bedrooms, a swimming pool, large outdoor spaces and plenty of opportunities for children to experience wildlife and nature. Families can also enjoy fishing, self-drive game viewing and visiting the Ol Maisor sniffer dogs.
Yes. The four-bedroom layout works particularly well for multi-generational families. Two larger en-suite bedrooms are located in the main house, while two additional bedrooms are in a separate cottage and share a bathroom. Extra beds can also be added where required.
The house has four double bedrooms, with additional sleeping arrangements available for children. Extra single beds or cots can be added where required, and a cot for babies aged 0–2 years and a high chair are available.
Yes. A cot is available for babies aged 0–2 years, and the house also has a high chair. Families should let the River House team know the ages of children when booking so that suitable sleeping arrangements can be prepared.
Children aged 0–5 years stay free of charge. Children aged 6–12 years are charged at Ksh 2,500 per person per night from Monday to Thursday. Weekend and minimum-stay charges also apply according to the current rates.
Yes. Ol Maisor River House has a small swimming pool. Children must always be supervised, as the house is in an unfenced wilderness area and wildlife can move freely around the property.
Yes. Families can explore Ol Maisor on self-drive game drives in a suitable 4x4 vehicle. A map with recommended wildlife viewing hotspots is provided. Children can also enjoy fishing and learning about the bloodhounds at Ol Maisor.
Family-friendly activities include self-drive game viewing, fishing for tilapia, swimming in the pool, visiting the sniffer dogs and enjoying the outdoors. Fishing is particularly popular with children, and fishing rods can be hired if required.
Yes. Fishing for tilapia at Acacia Dam is a popular family activity. Guests can bring their own fishing rods or hire one from Ol Maisor, and worms are provided free of charge.
For families who value privacy and flexibility, it can be an excellent alternative. The house is booked for exclusive use, is self-catered and allows families to explore the Ol Maisor wilderness at their own pace rather than following a fixed lodge schedule.

Family Travel FAQs

Laikipia offers a different kind of Kenyan safari experience, with extensive private and community-managed wilderness areas, varied wildlife habitats and fewer of the traditional large safari crowds found in some of Kenya's most famous parks. At Ol Maisor River House, guests can experience this wilderness from a private, family-run property and explore independently on self-drive game drives.
Laikipia supports an impressive variety of wildlife. At Ol Maisor, guests may encounter elephants, buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard and cheetah, as well as many other species and exceptional birdlife.
A self-drive safari is a wildlife-viewing experience where you explore a safari property in your own suitable vehicle rather than travelling with a professional driver-guide. At Ol Maisor River House, guests receive a map with recommended wildlife viewing hotspots and can explore the property at their own pace.
Laikipia is a large wilderness region and wildlife safety is an important part of any safari experience. At Ol Maisor River House, the property is unfenced and wildlife can move freely around the house and wider farm. Guests are required to remain vigilant, and children must be supervised at all times.
Ol Maisor River House is a year-round destination. The best time to visit depends on what you want from your stay, including wildlife viewing, landscapes, birdwatching and outdoor activities. Ol Maisor's wilderness, dams and wildlife make it possible to enjoy a safari experience throughout the year.
Yes. Laikipia is known for its diverse birdlife, and Ol Maisor has particularly good birdwatching opportunities. The River House website describes the birdlife as exceptional, with high concentrations of different species.
Yes. Ol Maisor River House can be reached by road from Nairobi. The journey is approximately 264 km and takes around five hours, with the route via Rumuruti being recommended because most of the journey is on tarmac. The final section (20 mins) is on dirt roads.
Ol Maisor River House is approximately 2.5 hours from Nanyuki, with the route mainly involving dirt roads.
Rumuruti is approximately 40 minutes from Ol Maisor River House. The route from Rumuruti includes approximately 25 minutes on dirt roads.
Yes. Ol Maisor has an airstrip. However, the property recommends driving rather than flying if you want to explore the wilderness yourself, as game-drive vehicles are not provided for guests who fly in.
It can be an excellent choice for travellers who want a more independent and relaxed introduction to safari. The River House combines comfortable accommodation with the opportunity to explore the surrounding wilderness independently in a 4x4, while guided game drives can also be arranged.