Osoita as it's name implies is not so much a hotel, more an upmarket game lodge. Situated on the edge of Nairobi National Park about 5miles from the entrance of the park and about 15miles from the city center.
It is owned and run by a charming Indian family who are unfaillingly considerate and helpful. Their staff, taking their lead from them, are also a delight.
The only draw back, and of course this is not the owners fault, is the attrocious traffic on the Ongata-Nairobi road. Driving standards in Kenya are a disgrace by Euroean standards. I suspect Ongata has grown since the lodge was built contributing to the congestion on a not particularly good road.
None the less the lodge is an oasis of calm and I truly enjoyed my stay there. Just allow plenty of time in the morning rush hour from about 6a.m.if you need to go toNairobi. Returning after a long hot day touring the lovely cool pool was a special treat.
The food was was good and plentiful and reasonably priced, as were bar prices. The menu is International but with an Indian bias and a large vegetarian section on the menu. A particularly thoughtful gesture was, that when I had to leave early for a tour, a "Pic Nic" breakfast was made up for me.
I highly recommend Osoita Lodge and Ongata Rongai for anyone who wishes to enjoy "local culture". If you are a 5 star luxury sort of person maybe not so much, but you will miss out on a truly wonderful experience.
