Our Story

Rocky Francombe’s grandmother, Olga Watkins, shaped Kenyan history, particularly women’s rights. Married at 23 to a soldier and settler farmer, she was widowed at 24 during the First World War’s German East Africa Campaign. Recruited for British intelligence by Von Meinertzhagen, she later farmed coffee and worked in construction. Nairobi’s first female councillor, she entered the Legislative Council after Lord Erroll’s murder, supported African housing, and helped appoint Kenya’s first Director of Women’s Education, advocating for African women.

Colin’s father, Wing Commander Francombe, flew in Kenya during the war and went on to establish the Kenya Police Air Wing. He was also the first pilot to fly a British monarch. In 1952, he flew the late Queen Elizabeth II from Kenya after she received news of her father’s death while on honeymoon at Treetops. With no aircraft insulation, he wrapped her in newspapers to keep warm. Before telephones, he even dropped a sock containing a note to Colin out of the plane window, cancelling weekend plans.

Colin Francombe moved to Laikipia, where he has now resided for over 50 years, to begin a career in cattle ranching. He managed famous author and conservationist Kuki Gallmann’s ranch for 23 years.

Colin requested by the late Richard Leakey to assist in the smooth running of Kenya’s first ivory burn which took place in July 1989, where 12 tonnes of seized ivory were symbolically destroyed by then-President Daniel arap Moi. This event was a landmark moment in global efforts to combat poaching and the illegal ivory trade. The burn aimed to send a message about the devastating impact of poaching on Kenya’s elephant population and to reduce the market for ivory.

Colin and Rocky Francombe purchased 5,000 acres of land in Laikipia and began to build Ol Malo Lodge by hand while living in tents on the property.

It took a number of years to build the 4 rooms in the lodge, the were built organically as funds would allow with a lot of thought and care into the building process

Founded in 2000 by Julia Francombe, Colin and Rocky’s middle daughter, Samburu Trust grew from the devastating drought that affected northern Kenya. Working across Samburuland and North Laikipia, the Trust protects indigenous lands, wildlife and cultural heritage while supporting local communities. Its work includes wildlife protection through Warrior Scouts, women’s beadwork initiatives, education and healthcare, and improving access to safe water.

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6 bedroom property built. This took 2 years to build, the house was built as an addition to the lodge 4 bedroom property, but in order to maintain a small and personal style of hosting the property was added a distance alway along the escarpment as an independent property.

Both properties welcome guests with equal access to adventures on the ranch. We still remain the smallest and most unique property in Laikipia

Andrew, son of Colin and Rocky, and sister to Anne and Julia , marries Chyulu who he met in the DRC providing arial support for conservation. Chyulu’s childhood was spent in Garamba National park where her family spent 25 years battling to save the last wild Northern White rhino during times of constant civil unrest in the country that was then Zaire and transitioned to be the DRC.

Andrew having had a childhood passion for aviation and gaining his fixed wing licence at 21 transitions to helicopters after 14 years of fixed wing bush flying and starts Kenya Choppers, with 1 R44 the first helicopter of the fleet.

Now (2026) the fleet has expanded to 4 R66 helicopters, 1 R44 and a great team of pilots

Anne & Speedy join the team (Anne eldest daughter to Rocky & Colin) Oscar their eldest son joins and starts helicopter training

Increased conservation efforts in Kenya’s northern rift valley and lake turkana area by Ol Malo / Kenya Choppers. Funds generated through tourism to support rural communities and the creation of South Island Trust and Kampi Andrew on Lake Turkana.

First ‘tagged’ fish re-caught around South Island National park and highest number of successful crocodile hatchings on the island since extra conservation efforts initiated with Kenya Choppers and Ol Malo funding.