Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta covers about 360 km² and holds the largest population of black rhinos in East Africa. It is also home to Najin and Fatu, the last two northern white rhinos on Earth, guarded around the clock while scientists work to save the subspecies. Visiting their enclosure is a moving experience. Read Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
The conservancy has all of the Big Five, along with Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, cheetahs and large herds of plains game. The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya to see chimpanzees, cares for chimps rescued from the illegal pet and bushmeat trade.
The wider Laikipia region
Beyond Ol Pejeta, Laikipia’s conservancies offer some of Kenya’s best wild dog sightings, as well as Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and beisa oryx, species of the drier north. Many lodges are owned or run in partnership with local communities, and activities include walking safaris, camel treks and horse riding.
Things to do
- Rhino tracking and a visit to the northern white rhinos.
- The chimpanzee sanctuary at Sweetwaters.
- Night drives and guided walks in the conservancies.
- Crossing the equator near Nanyuki.
A sample stay
Drive north from Nairobi, stopping at the equator, and reach Ol Pejeta for an afternoon game drive. Spend the next morning with the rhinos and the afternoon at the chimpanzee sanctuary, then end with a night drive looking for leopards, hyenas and smaller nocturnal animals.
What to expect
Ol Pejeta and Laikipia sit at around 1,800 m, so mornings and evenings are cool. Roads within the conservancies are good, and vehicle numbers are low. Conservancy fees support anti-poaching teams and community projects.
Combining Ol Pejeta with your safari
Ol Pejeta pairs naturally with Samburu National Reserve to the north and the Masai Mara to the south-west. Read how much a Kenya safari costs and the best time to visit Kenya, then get safari pricing.
Practical tips
- Book the northern white rhino visit in advance; numbers are limited.
- Bring a warm jacket for early drives at altitude.
- Conservancy rules may allow off-road driving to sightings; follow your guide’s lead.
Who it suits
Ol Pejeta and Laikipia suit families, first-time visitors who want rhinos, and returning travellers who want a quieter safari with walks and night drives. The conservancy model means your visit directly supports rangers, rhino protection and local communities, which many travellers value as much as the wildlife.
Where to stay
Accommodation ranges from comfortable tented camps inside Ol Pejeta to exclusive lodges in the wider Laikipia conservancies, some owned in partnership with local communities. We choose by the activities you want, such as walking, horse riding or camel trekking, and by your budget. Many travellers spend two nights at Ol Pejeta and two more in a quieter Laikipia conservancy for walks and wild dogs, ending with a flight back to Nairobi.
