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

“AMAZING from start to finish! Charley arranged the perfect trip for us tailored to our desires. He made all the arrangements, yet allowed for flexibility as needed. Ololo lodge was a perfect start for our Kenya journey. The entire staff worked together to make our stay all it could be. ”

Lorrie P

“Jim & Charley were fantastic in organising our trip to Kenya. We had a group of 21 and they were so helpful and accommodating to all our needs. We saw the Big 5, the ugly 5, the great migration in the Mara and also visited a traditional Masai village.”

Kylie M

“I can’t thank Jim and the team of Ololo Safaris enough for making my birthday trip into a something I’ll never forget! They hooked us with the best guides and the most beautiful lodges in Kenya where I got to see wildlife that I’ve been wanting to see since I was a child. ”

Our Story