Fair Value Disclosures - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, at fair value	$ 35,996		$ 37,661
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities of Och-Ziff Funds, Fair Value Disclosure	0
Investments in Och-Ziff funds	36,349		37,794
Management Company Related | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
United States government obligations included within cash and cash equivalents	19,977		139,974
Investments in CLO, Fair Value Disclosure	22,048	[1],[2]	21,341
Investments, at fair value	42,025		161,315
Management Company Related | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level I
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
United States government obligations included within cash and cash equivalents	19,977		139,974
Investments in CLO, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[1],[2]	0
Investments, at fair value	19,977		139,974
Management Company Related | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level II
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
United States government obligations included within cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Investments in CLO, Fair Value Disclosure	0	[1],[2]	0
Investments, at fair value	0		0
Management Company Related | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level III
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
United States government obligations included within cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Investments in CLO, Fair Value Disclosure	22,048	[1],[2]	21,341
Investments, at fair value	22,048		21,341
Consolidated Och-Ziff funds | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bank debt	35,996		37,661
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities of Och-Ziff Funds, Fair Value Disclosure			8,204
Consolidated Och-Ziff funds | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level I
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bank debt	0		0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities of Och-Ziff Funds, Fair Value Disclosure			0
Consolidated Och-Ziff funds | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level II
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bank debt	19,333		19,534
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities of Och-Ziff Funds, Fair Value Disclosure			8,204
Consolidated Och-Ziff funds | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level III
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bank debt	16,663		18,127
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities of Och-Ziff Funds, Fair Value Disclosure			0
Investments in CLO | Management Company Related
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contractual Principle on CLO Investment	$ 21,600		$ 21,300

[1] As of March 31, 2017, investments in CLO had contractual principal amounts of $21.6 million outstanding.

[2] The Company elected to measure its investments in CLO at fair value through consolidated net income (loss) in order to simplify its accounting for these instruments. Changes in fair value of these investments are included within net gains on investments in Och-Ziff funds and joint ventures in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). The Company accrues interest income on its investments in CLO using the effective interest method.