spaces to live in our boutique FARM STAY LODGE

Matembezi House

5 ensuite bedrooms, with private sitting rooms, verandahs, outdoor fire place, living room, dining room, tv room, exercise and library

Matembezi House takes its name from the Swahili word for wanderer, and the spirit of the traveller is woven into every corner of this extraordinary home.


More than one Instagram caption has called it the most beautiful house in Kenya. We won't argue. As the crowning glory of architecture and design at Olepangi Farm, this five bedroom house is a world shaped by beauty, curiosity and a lifetime on the road.


There is not a minimalist bone in its body. Outrageously elegant rooms unfold one after another, filled with art, antiques and textiles collected across continents. The living room is wrapped in custom wallpaper from Istanbul titled 'Tales of the Silk Road,' a mural that seems to shimmer with caravans and trade routes and the memory of distant journeys.



Look closer and the house keeps talking. A small collection of Egyptian artefacts sits near a shelf of Central Asian textiles. Wentworth wooden puzzles wait for a rainy afternoon. Soapstone figurines hold their poses in quiet corners. Antique Indian textiles layer across beds and walls. Nothing here was bought to fill a space. Everything was brought home from somewhere, by someone who couldn't leave it behind.


Then there is the library. Guests walk in, take one slow look around, and ask if they can just stay. It shouldn't work, by any conventional measure, there is simply too much: Persian carpets, hundreds of books, candles, paintings, fabrics from six continents. And yet the eye settles. The room holds you rather than overwhelms you.


This is a house for people who think of themselves as travellers, not tourists. It does not chase the pale, uniform, greige look coming out of so many lodges further south. Matembezi is unapologetically full, specific, and entirely its own thing. Cosy in a way that most hotels never manage. It feels less like a hotel suite and more like an exquisite home from home, one you happen to have inherited from a slightly eccentric, very well travelled aunt.


There is a dining room made for long candlelit evenings, a cosy TV room, an exercise room, and a generous sweep of terraces that open onto Mount Kenya and the wild northern plains beyond.



Matembezi House is farm luxury in its most soulful form. A refuge for the wanderer in every guest, a place to rest, dream, and plan the next journey.

AMENITIES
  • Outdoor Setting
  • Verandah
  • Wireless Internet
  • Views
  • Living Room, Dining Room, Library
  • 2 King Beds, 3 Queen Beds, 2 Twin Beds
  • Non-Smoking
  • TV Room
  • Exercise Room
  • Shower - Separate
  • NO electrical hair appliances allowed
  • Linen and Towels Provided
  • Daily Room Service

Little Moon House at Matembezi

2 ensuite bedrooms, with a private sitting room, outdoor shower and private garden

Little Moon House sits beside Matembezi House like a beautifully kept secret. Smaller in scale, it shares the same spirit of adventure and global collecting: two charming bedrooms and a private sitting room that glow with antique textiles, art and soft, layered colour. It feels romantic, imaginative and deeply comforting, the kind of cottage where stories seem to rise out of the walls.


The sitting room is red and round, crowned with a tiled ceiling, a small nod to old Istanbul and the Topkapi Palace. It is a room built for lingering, candlelight and conversation that runs late.



The master bedroom has its own private garden, an indoor and outdoor shower, and a hand painted ceiling above the bed. Step outside and the landscape stretches to infinity. Step inside and you feel held, as if the moon itself has settled gently over the rooms.



Matembezi House and Little Moon House are, in truth, one single, very large five bedroom house. They can be rented as a complete five bedroom property, or as the two bedroom Little Moon side on its own. It is not available as a three bedroom space.

AMENITIES
  • Outdoor Setting
  • Verandah
  • Wireless Internet
  • Private Sitting Room
  • 1 King Bed, 2 Queen Beds
  • Non-Smoking
  • Views


  • NO electrical hair appliances allowed
  • Linen and Towels Provided
  • Daily Room Service

Olepangi House

3 / 5 bedrooms, with private lounges

Olepangi House is our fabulous 5 bedroom house with panoramic views north to the Lolldaigas and south to Mount Kenya. Tastefully decorated with antiques from the owner's far-reaching travels, our boutique lodge is the perfect place to reconnect with friends and family. 


When enjoyed as a three-bedroom house, the East-wing master bedroom is exquisite and features a 7-foot wide (king size) British Raj bed made in India dating from about 1840 and stunning antique textiles. The bed would have been used by a senior officer of the British military. It features stunningly carved bare-breasted angels in the headboard. It's private-lounge area leads out to both a north and south-facing balcony with arguably the best views on the property.


Downstairs, there are a further two bedrooms, one with queen bed and it's own private balcony with swing chair. And, the third room features two twin beds perfect for children. All rooms are ensuite with handmade soaps and body creams made in Kenya.

When booking the full five-bedroom house, the West Wing offers an additional master bedroom with it's own private lounge and balcony. It enjoys an ensuite shower room and has access to a luxurious outdoor bathroom with shower, double sinks, a loo and a bath with view.


Downstairs is an additional large twin room with its own balcony and swing sofa.


The large lounge connecting the East and West wings is home to many of the owner's personal collection of art and exotic antiques from far-reaching travels around the world. It features a large, open fireplace, separate dining area, multiple verandahs and views of Mount Kenya to the south and Ole Naishu to the north. For those who enjoy dining alfresco, there is a stunning large central garden space perfect for breakfast and starry nights. 


A very special home away from home, Olepangi Farm boutique lodge is a true hidden gem 4.5 hours north of Nairobi, ideally situated to explore Laikipia and Ol Pejeta.

AMENITIES
  • Daily Room Service
  • Double Bed
  • Balcony
  • Bath
  • Dining Setting
  • Fridge - Bar Fridge
  • Lounge Area
  • Non-Smoking
  • Outdoor Setting
  • Shower - Separate
  • Stairs
  • Tea/Coffee Making
  • Views
  • CD Player
  • Kitchenette
  • Wireless Internet
  • Television
  • Single Bed
  • Shower over bath
  • Oven
  • DVD Player
  • NO electrical hair appliances allowed
  • King / 2 single beds
  • Bathrobes Provided
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Linen and Towels Provided
  • Verandah

The Round House

1 bedroom, with private lounge and balcony

The Round House is set at the centre of our farm stay property with spectacular views across the valley and of the river below. The Round House has a queen bedroom upstairs with an open plan bath and it’s own living and dining room downstairs, it's the perfect place for a romantic dinner for two or intimate family dinner. It is also decorated with antique furniture and Persian carpets. 


The balcony is the spot to take in the dramatic views of the valley over a cup of tea in the morning.

The Round House also features its own private outdoor bathroom with a "loo with a view" and outdoor shower perfect for a hot shower under the stars. It also comes with beautiful organic soap, shampoo and conditioner handmade in Kenya.


*Please be aware that this cottage is not suitable for those who have difficulty with stairs. It is also not suitable for children under 5.

AMENITIES
  • Bathrobes Provided
  • Daily Room Service
  • Dining Setting
  • Outdoor Setting
  • Room Service
  • Stairs
  • Verandah
  • Wireless Internet
  • Views
  • 2nd bathroom
  • Balcony
  • Non-Smoking
  • Cots Available
  • Lounge Area
  • Bath
  • Shower - Separate
  • NO electrical hair appliances allowed
  • Double Bed

The Round House and Bunk Room

Sleeps Max 6, with private lounge

Nestled under The Round House, is the Bunk Room (formerly the farm's kitchen.) A fun and funky room with 4 built-in bunkbeds suitable for kids and young adults. With a small, ensuite shower room and use of The Round House outdoor shower, the room is filled with beanbags, children's games, colouring books, TV/DVD and with a modern, stainless-steel eating/ play space. 


Close by, yet a world away, this is the ideal spot for the young and young-at-heart to enjoy this unique stay in the heart of Kenya.

Thesiger Cottage

1 bedroom

Named after Wilfred Thesiger, an iconic 20th century explorer, known for his adventures throughout Africa and the Middle East. He lived his later years in his beloved Kenya.


Nestled next to The Round House, Thesiger Cottage is a stunning room with two beautiful 5 feet wide British Raj, four-poster beds which would have been used by junior British military officers more than 160 years ago.

An antique Persian carpet, collected by the owner many years sits between to two beds both of which are adorned with traditional silk saris.


The cottage enjoys its own balcony and is a wonderful spot for admiring the flowers, views and bird life of our farm stay. The ensuite bathroom is fitted with a shower and comes with beautiful organic soap, shampoo and conditioner handmade in Kenya.

AMENITIES
  • Outdoor Setting
  • Verandah
  • Wireless Internet
  • Views
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Non-Smoking
  • Shower - Separate
  • NO electrical hair appliances allowed
  • Linen and Towels Provided
  • Daily Room Service

Burton & Speke

Family Cottage

Burton & Speke Cottage is ideal for families or couples travelling together. With a beautiful flower lined verandah, a secluded spot to watch the bird life with a morning coffee, the cottage has two ensuite bedrooms, each accessed from the verandah and without an inter leading door.


Burton's room offers a double antique Bombay bed and is decorated with fine antique carpets and original paintings by Kenyan based artist David Marrian, whose landscape work is well-known in Kenya and beyond. 

Speke's room has two beautiful wrought iron single beds with charming linen carefully selected for each bed. A lovely antique chest of draws sits in the room along with original paintings by Kenya-based artist Lavinia Grant whose "naive" style of painting wildlife is well-known in Kenya and beyond. Better suited for children but the beds can be joined to make a double. 


Both ensuite bathrooms are fitted with a shower and comes with beautiful organic soap, shampoo and conditioner handmade in Kenya. This cottage is a wonderfully unique choice for a weekend getaway near Nairobi with your loved ones.

AMENITIES
  • Daily Room Service
  • Verandah
  • Wireless Internet
  • Views
  • Non-Smoking
  • Shower - Separate
  • Outdoor Setting
  • NO electrical hair appliances allowed
  • Double Bed
  • King / 2 single beds
  • 2nd bathroom

Villa Gorilla

2 bedroom, with private living/dining room and kitchenette

Our villa is the perfect place to hang out and stay and stay and stay . . . could it be forever? A chilled space that is beautiful, yet doesn't take itself too seriously. Fun, quirky two-bedroom cottage that easily sleeps four adults. A cozy living/dining room with a kitchenette which can also be booked on a weekly or monthly self-catered basis.


Each bedroom has its own ensuite shower room and verandah. This boutique villa also features a common outdoor eating space overlooking the spectacular Ole Naishu private conservancy. Spot the elephant or giraffe or zebra!

Close to the Olepangi Farm pool, pool house, gardens, horse stables and organic vegetable, fruit and flower garden, yet set apart and private from the main guest lodge, our villa is a hidden gem for those looking to unwind, reset and explore somewhere stunning. 


Affectionately named Villa Gorilla after the Warren Zevon song, Gorilla, You're a Desperado. We try to amuse ourselves.

Markham Cottage

1 bedroom

Named for the intrepid Beryl Markham, traveller, author, racehorse trainer and first person to fly solo, non-stop across the Atlantic from Britain to North America. Early 19th century girl-power at its best.


Markham Cottage is cosy and, oh so tastefully decorated in Ian Sanderson fabrics, beautiful cotton quilts and antique Indian miniatures on the walls, collected from our travels over the years.

Tucked away, this cottage is slightly more private than the others, the perfect spot for a romantic weekend away or for admiring the views and enjoying the bird life from its private balcony. 


The ensuite bathroom is fitted with a shower and comes with organic soap, shampoo and conditioner handmade in Kenya.

AMENITIES
  • Outdoor Setting
  • Room Service
  • Verandah
  • Wireless Internet
  • Views
  • Linen and Towels Provided
  • Non-Smoking
  • Shower - Separate
  • NO electrical hair appliances allowed
  • Queen Bed