LAIKIPIA PLATEAU & OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY
The Laikipia Plateau is a vast, high-altitude wilderness in Kenya, offering a unique mosaic of cattle ranches and wildlife conservancies. It is a critical hub for conservation, famed for its stunning views of Mount Kenya and its pioneering community-based wildlife management.
This region stands as one of East Africa’s most important biodiversity strongholds, providing a refuge for endangered species and a model for sustainable tourism. It is an authentic safari experience away from the crowds, focused on true wilderness and conservation impact.
Most Popular Attractions
Conservation & Endangered Species Focus:
Ol Pejeta Conservancy: A globally renowned conservancy, famous for its successful rhino protection program and home to the last two northern white rhinos on Earth.
The Northern White Rhino Enclosure (Ol Pejeta): The sanctuary of Najin and Fatu, the final two northern white rhinos, offering a powerful, poignant conservation experience.
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary (Ol Pejeta): The only place in Kenya to see chimpanzees, rescued from West and Central Africa and living in a natural, protected environment.
Borana Conservancy: A vast, scenic conservancy known for its commitment to rhino conservation and sustainable ranching practices.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy: A UNESCO World Heritage site and a pioneer in rhino and community conservation, offering luxury safari experiences with high game density.
Igwesi Hills Conservancy: A community-owned conservancy known for its authentic cultural interactions and important elephant migratory routes.
Rhino Patrol/Tracking Experience: Available across various conservancies, offering a chance to learn about anti-poaching efforts and track rhinos with rangers.
Endangered Species Boma: Specialized enclosures within conservancies that allow closer viewing of critically endangered species under intense protection.
Landscape & Viewpoint Focus:
Mount Kenya Views: Numerous lodges and vantage points across the plateau offer spectacular, unobstructed views of Africa’s second-highest peak, especially at sunrise.
Ewaso Ng’iro River: The lifeblood of the region, flowing through the plateau and attracting diverse wildlife, excellent for river walks and birdwatching.
Mukogodo Forest: A vital indigenous forest area on the plateau, offering beautiful scenery and unique opportunities for forest walks and exploration.
Loisaba Conservancy’s Starbeds: Unique, elevated outdoor sleeping platforms that offer incredible views of the night sky and the vast, open landscape.
Loldaiga Hills: A picturesque mountain range providing rugged terrain for hiking and stunning panoramic views of the plateau.
The Plains of Solio Ranch: One of Kenya’s oldest and most successful private wildlife sanctuaries, offering exceptional sightings of both black and white rhinos in a scenic setting.
Safari Activity & Adventure Focus:
Night Game Drives (Ol Pejeta/Other Conservancies): An opportunity to spot nocturnal animals like aardvarks, porcupines, and leopards, often restricted in national parks.
Bush Walks/Walking Safaris: Guided walks that provide an intimate, ground-level perspective of the ecosystem, focusing on tracking, flora, and smaller wildlife.
Camel Safaris: A traditional and serene way to traverse the landscape, especially in the northern parts of Laikipia, offering a slow, immersive experience.
Horseback Safaris: An exhilarating way to get closer to non-predatory wildlife, allowing riders to cover vast distances and feel truly immersed in the plains.
Mountain Biking Safaris (Specific Conservancies): Guided rides through the wilderness, offering a unique, active way to view plains game.
Cultural Visits (Maasai/Samburu Villages): Opportunities for respectful, guided visits to local villages to learn about their traditions and way of life.
Cattle Ranching Experience: Learning about the sustainable coexistence of livestock and wildlife, a unique aspect of the Laikipia conservation model.
Scenic Flights/Hot Air Ballooning: Offering a breathtaking aerial perspective of the vast plateau, the winding rivers, and the herds of animals below.
Activities & Experiences
Rhino Tracking on Foot: Join expert rangers for a thrilling walk to locate and observe rhinos (both black and white) in the bushveld, an incredibly intimate conservation experience.
Chimpanzee Sanctuary Visit: Spend time at the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary within Ol Pejeta, the only place in Kenya to see chimpanzees, rescued from West and Central Africa.
Night Game Drive: Go out after sunset with professional guides to spot elusive nocturnal animals like aardvark, leopard, and nightjars, which are rarely seen during the day.
Visit Baraka the Blind Black Rhino: Meet and feed Baraka, a blind black rhino who serves as an ambassador for his species, offering an up-close and personal conservation moment.
Bush Walks/Nature Walks: Explore the conservancy on foot with a Maasai or Samburu guide, learning about tracking, traditional medicinal plants, and the smaller ecosystems often missed in a vehicle.
Lion Tracking Project: Participate in the monitoring of the resident lion prides using telemetry equipment, assisting researchers in gathering vital conservation data.
Cultural Visits to Local Communities: Spend an afternoon with local Maasai or Samburu communities, learning about their nomadic lifestyle, traditional ceremonies, and sustainable coexistence with wildlife.
Scenic Sundowners: Conclude a thrilling game drive with a classic African ‘sundowner’—drinks and snacks at a beautiful viewpoint as the sun sets over Mount Kenya.
Equestrian Safaris: Explore the vast plains of the Laikipia Plateau on horseback, allowing you to get closer to the wildlife (including plains game) than you could in a vehicle.
Stargazing & Astronomy: Given the high altitude and minimal light pollution, take advantage of the crystal-clear night skies for a spectacular astronomy session, often hosted by lodges with telescopes.
Junior Ranger Program for Families: Engage children with tailored educational activities focused on conservation, tracking, and bush survival skills, making the safari interactive and educational.
Local Tips & Transport
Fly-In Safari is Recommended: The most convenient and popular way to reach the region is via scheduled or chartered flights from Nairobi (Wilson Airport, WIL) to one of the local airstrips, such as Nanyuki (NYK) or the private airstrips within the conservancies. This minimizes travel time on rough roads.
Internal Game Drives: Once at your lodge or camp, all game drives are conducted in 4×4 vehicles (usually open-sided safari Land Cruisers) operated by the camp’s professional guides. Self-driving for game viewing is generally not permitted within the conservancies to maintain safety and wildlife management standards.
Road Travel from Nairobi: While possible, the drive is long (4-6 hours) and the roads can be rough, particularly the final stretch to the lodges. A private shuttle or a tour operator’s vehicle is highly recommended over a standard rental car.
Walking/Walking Safaris: Walking is limited to specific, guided activities. You must never walk outside of designated, secure camp areas, as the region is home to the ‘Big Five’ and other dangerous wildlife.
Conservation Focus: The Laikipia Plateau, and Ol Pejeta in particular, is a leader in conservation and community development. By visiting, you are directly contributing to the protection of endangered species like the black rhino and the well-being of local communities. Look for opportunities to engage with the conservancy’s mission.
Tipping (Gratuities): Tipping is customary in the safari industry. It is generally given to your safari guide/driver and the general camp staff (housekeepers, waiters, etc.) at the end of your stay. The standard recommendation is often $10–$20 USD per guest per day for the guide and a similar amount for the general staff pool. Use clean local currency (Kenyan Shillings, KES) or US Dollars.
Dressing for Safari: Dress in neutral colors (khaki, brown, green) to blend with the environment and avoid attracting attention from tsetse flies. Layering is essential: mornings are cool, daytime is hot, and evenings can be quite chilly, especially at the higher altitudes of Laikipia. A wide-brimmed hat is crucial for sun protection.
The Altitude: Laikipia sits at a high elevation (around 5,000 to 9,000 feet). The air is thin, and the sun is intense. Drink plenty of water and wear high-SPF sunblock, even on cloudy days.
Cultural Respect: When visiting local communities (Maasai, Samburu), always ask your guide for permission before taking photographs of people. It is polite to offer a small contribution (which your guide can facilitate) if you take pictures, or purchase a souvenir from their craft markets.
Hidden Gems:
Dormant Volcanoes: The Laikipia landscape is dotted with striking geological features, including extinct volcanoes like Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Range as a backdrop. Look for the unique views and photographic opportunities.
The Northern Species: Laikipia is one of the few places to spot the Northern Five—Grevy’s Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Somali Ostrich, Gerenuk (or ‘Giraffe Gazelle’), and Beisa Oryx. Keep a sharp eye out!
Conservation Innovation: Visit the pioneering projects, such as the deployment of anti-poaching K-9 units or specific initiatives like the canine patrol units in Ol Pejeta, for a deeper look at modern conservation efforts.