Grand Burnham Hut and gardens in Ol Kalou, Kenya

Academic residencies · Ol Kalou, Kenya

A home for your work
in Kenya.

Stay in Ol Kalou with time to write, research or meet with colleagues. Rooms, meals and shared workspaces are arranged around your stay.

Discover the residency Plan your stay

Ol Kalou, Kenya / Aberdare regionExplore the house

Included in your stayPrivate chefLaundry serviceSafari experience

Plan a stayTell us when you would like to come.

Individual stays University & group stays

Welcome to Grand Burnham Hut

Welcome to Grand Burnham Hut.

Accommodation and workspaces for researchers, writers, educators and visiting teams.

Come on your own, with a colleague or as a group. We welcome short retreats and longer residencies in Ol Kalou, in Kenya’s Aberdare region.

We will help you plan the room, meals, and working arrangements. Private chef service, laundry, and a safari experience are included.

Meet Grand Burnham Hut

The full entrance hall, twin staircase and seating areas at Grand Burnham Hut — A warm welcome inside

Made for your working day

Workspaces and facilities.

5G Wi-Fi is available, with workspaces in the guest rooms and on the rooftop, a private library, and a conference room.

5G Wi-Fi

Stay connected during your residency. If your work depends on video calls or large uploads, ask us about current speeds and coverage.

Plan your working day

Room & rooftop workspaces

Start a chapter in your room, then take your notes to the rooftop for a change of scene.

Explore the workspaces

Library & conference room

Spend an afternoon with a book in the private library, or bring your colleagues together in the conference room.

Explore shared spaces

Our location

Ol Kalou, Kenya.

Grand Burnham Hut is in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County. Our countryside setting gives you a place to settle into your work and enjoy time in Kenya.

Airport transfers are available by prior arrangement. Share your airport, flight details, and group size so we can confirm the pickup and price.

Explore the location & arrival details

Ways to stay

On your own or with colleagues.

Choose a writing retreat, a base for research, or a group stay. Private chef service, laundry, and a safari experience are included.

Writing retreats

Set aside time for a dissertation, book, article, or proposal. Work to your own schedule.

Explore individual residencies

Research stays

A residential base for independent scholars and practitioners, with time to prepare, reflect, and write between field days.

Explore research stays

Group residencies

Bring your department, research team, or writing circle together for a focused stay with a shared purpose.

Plan a group residency

Around the house

Work, meals, and time off.

Use the library and rooftop workspaces, join others for meals, or take time outdoors.

Explore shared spaces

guests in conversation on a sheltered terrace — Terrace

residents sharing a meal with a countryside view — Shared dining

Meals and laundry,
taken care of.

Your stay includes private chef service and laundry. Let us know about dietary needs before you arrive, and we will agree meal times and laundry arrangements with you.

Beyond the desk

Explore the highlands.

Ask about guided safari walks, hiking and outdoor dining during your stay.

Use Ol Kalou as your highland base for exploring the Aberdares and the Rift Valley lakes. Your included safari itinerary is agreed before arrival.

Explore safari walks & day trips

Guests and guides walking near zebras in Kenya — Safari walks in Kenya

Stay for the work ahead

A short retreat
or a longer stay.

Discuss a short writing retreat or a longer residency of one, three, six, or twelve months. Every proposal is tailored to your dates, room needs, and intended stay.

All durations are subject to availability and a personal quote.

Explore residency options

For universities & institutions

University and team stays.

Arrange a writing retreat, planning meeting or research stay for your group.

Private chef service, laundry, and a safari experience are included. Tell us about your group and we will discuss accommodation, shared space, and a schedule that leaves room to think.

Explore institutional stays

Entrance hall with twin staircase and seating areas — Entrance hall

Coming from overseas?

Travelling from overseas.

We welcome enquiries from Europe, Asia, the Americas, and beyond.

Send your dates, budget and any travel or access requirements. We will confirm accommodation and arrival arrangements with you.

Guide for international visitors

Reading lounge beneath a woven timber ceiling — Reading lounge

Who stays here

Individual and group stays.

We welcome independent guests, universities, volunteer groups and nonprofit teams.

Volunteer stays

Come to volunteer in Kenya and return to a welcoming home. Meals, laundry, and space to unwind make daily life simpler.

Explore volunteer accommodation

Nonprofit & NGO teams

Bring your team together for a field visit, planning retreat, or extended stay, with a conference room and shared workspaces.

Plan your organisation’s stay

Universities & researchers

Arrange time for writing, analysis and meetings with your colleagues.

Explore university stays

Monthly residencies

Monthly rates.

Settle into your work with a 30-night stay. Meals are included in both room options.

Private room

US$1,499

30 nights · one guest

A room of your own, with a workspace for your reading, writing, and research.

Request availability

Deluxe suite

US$2,000

30 nights · one guest

A deluxe suite for a 30-night stay, with meals included.

Request availability

Both options include meals prepared by our private chef, laundry, 5G Wi-Fi, access to the room and rooftop workspaces, the private library, and an included safari experience.

Rates are in US dollars for a 30-night stay for one guest. Airport transfers are quoted separately. Your written quote confirms the total payable, tax treatment, safari arrangements, and any requested extras. Ask about conference-room use, additional guests, or a different length of stay.

Scholarships to cover accommodation are available

Disciplines we welcome

Disciplines we welcome.

Bring your own research, writing or professional project.

Psychology, global health, women’s and gender studies, sustainable agriculture, education, the environment, and more.

Interdisciplinary projects and other areas of study are welcome.

Explore the disciplines we welcome

Support for your stay

Scholarships

Accommodation scholarships are available. Contact us about eligibility, dates and the application process.

Tell us about your project and the accommodation support you need.

Include your preferred dates, length of stay and a short description of your work. We will explain the support available and the next steps.

Your award will confirm the accommodation covered and any costs you would need to meet, including meals, laundry, safari, and transfers. Please confirm these arrangements before booking travel.

Enquire about a scholarship

Guest feedback

Have you stayed with us?

Tell us what worked well during your stay and what we could improve.

Tell us what you enjoyed and what we could improve. If you are happy for your comments to appear on this website, please say so and tell us how you would like your name displayed.

Share your experience

Planning a stay?

Enquire about a stay.

Send your dates, room preference and a brief outline of your plans.

Enquire about a stay

A home for your workin Kenya.