Our story

Moving to East Africa

In 2007, the Chapman family went on the safari of a lifetime to East Africa. Little did they know that just a year later, they would uproot their lives in Australia to purchase and convert an old family homestead into a safari lodge on the edge of Nairobi National Park, Kenya.

Sharing our passion

Over the years, the family has fallen in love with the people, culture, and wildlife of this beautiful continent. Ololo Safaris is their way of sharing this passion with you, using travel as a force for good to have a positive impact on the people and environment that we hope to enjoy for generations to come.

It starts and ends at the family lodge

Most safaris start and end at the family lodge, where you will then explore some of the most stunning wilderness areas that we have discovered over the last 15 years.

We look forward to showing you around Ololo, sharing stories and welcoming you to this beautiful country!

Personalised Safaris

All our safaris are personalized to suit your ideal budget, travel dates, and travel style.

Positive Impact

Curated sustainable experiences and accommodation that maximize the benefits to local people and place.

Handpicked Lodges & Camps

Stay at a selection of boutique lodges and camps handpicked by us, that care for the planet.

Family Owned and Operated

When you first arrive you’ll stay at our family owned and operated lodge. You’ll feel welcomed into our little piece of paradise.

Speak to Jim or Charley

We'd love to chat with you, and help plan the most incredible safari! Having spent the last 17 years living and travelling around Africa, there's nothing we love more than sharing our passion with guests from right around the world!

My fondest memories as an 8-year-old were running around Ololo barefoot, going on safari and chasing baboons with friends, quickly falling in love with the widlife and people here! I think I knew from an early age that I would lead a life in the safari industry.

Over the years, I’ve grown a passion (addiction?) to travel, and enjoy nothing more than welcoming guests to Africa and helping them explore my favourite places.

I have also enjoyed growing the Ololo Foundation over the years, and we are proud to fund St John’s School in Nairobi, through our safaris.

Anyway, I look forward to helping you plan your dream trip, and hopefully meeting you over here one day!

With experience living, working and traveling in Kenya and across the continent – I knew I was destined to live and breathe the safari life. Over the years, I have curated countless safari experiences and journeys, each driven by my passion for Africa and the natural world.

At Ololo Safaris, we are passionate about exploring lesser-known wilderness areas and sharing these hidden gems with our guests, offering them a unique and authentic experience. This allows us to craft personalized, conservation-centered journeys across Africa.

I look forward to welcoming our guests to Ololo and helping our guests fall in love with this beautiful continent!

Kind words from our travellers

Perfect family safari

“Jim organised a perfect holiday in Kenya for our family of 5. He understood exactly what we were looking for from the moment we first spoke and was always on hand via Whatsapp to answer questions and make suggestions. We spent 2 nights at Ololo Lodge to start – what a beautiful place. From there we visited El Karama Lodge in Laikipia and Enkewa Camp in the Masai Mara. Both places were very special – small and intimate, we were welcomed, looked after and made to feel like family. Perfect for us with 3 children ages 10, 14 and 16. Beautiful accommodation, staff, food, and of course amazing wildlife. Everything ran seamlessly – internal flights, hot air balloon ride and transfers etc. Thanks Jim!”

Erika McGreal (Australia) ~ travelled July, 2025

Amazing adventure in Africa

“Our African safari adventure was organised by Charley from Ololo Safaris and was tailored perfectly for us….incredible from start to finish. We traveled through Kenya staying at Ololo lodge with safaris in Nairobi and the Masai Mara…looked after by our guide Steve who made the experience very special! On to Uganda to trek to the gorillas…magical! Back to Nairobi and a chill out at Ololo before heading to Zambia … highlights Victoria Falls (of course) and a stay in a private lodge on the Zambezi River where we were pampered by our private chef and butler. We travelled on to the Chobe River in Botswana for more amazing wildlife experiences. Thank you Charley and everyone at Ololo for giving us the trip of a lifetime!”

Kym Collins (Australia) ~ travelled June, 2025

Family trip of a lifetime

“From the first contact with Jim Chapman, I believed that we were on the right track. Catering for the interests and comfort of 10 people ranging in age from 7 to 77 years, would appear to be a challenge, but the resultant 19-day safari was a dream come true. Questions were always answered promptly and nothing was too much trouble. We were treated like family members ourselves. Ololo Lodge itself was peopled by the most wonderful and obliging staff, including drivers, bar and kitchen staff and, of course, the Chapmans themselves. Accommodation and meals were first class, and the morning and evening safaris in the greatly under-appreciated and advertised Nairobi National Park, a revelation. Never to be forgotten!”

Our Story