Safari at Ol Pejeta Conservancy Kenya – 2024

A safari at Ol Pejeta Conservancy Kenya should be on every visitor to Kenya’s bucket list.

Ol Pejeta offers a different experience to safari destinations like the Maasai Mara, Tsavo National Park, and Amboseli. The 90,000 acre conservancy is packed full of activities; it houses the only remaining Northern White Rhino in the world, Kenya’s only chimpanzee sanctuary, offers lion tracking, game drives, camping and much more.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy Kenya is a 4-hour drive from Nairobi or half an hour from Nanyuki. Ol Pej is located in Laikipia, a county the size of Wales with the richest diversity of wildlife in Kenya outside of the Maasai Mara. The Laikipia highlands conservancies and ranches are marked by the towering presence of Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest mountain.

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Safari at Ol Pejeta Conservancy Kenya

Ol Pejeta Conservancy Kenya covers approximately 90,000 acres with a very diverse range of habitats; this means that there is an opportunity to spot all the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo) and some harder-to-find species. Ol Pejeta has a comparatively large number of black and white rhinos, a healthy lion population, and big elephant families. You also have a middling chance of spotting the elusive wild dog and other sought after species such as Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra.

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Chimpanzee Sanctuary at Ol Pejeta Conservancy Safari

The Chimpanzee Sanctuary at Ol Pejeta is an essential visit, it’s the only place you can see chimps in Kenya and access is included in the Ol Pejeta entrance fee. The experience is in parts wonderful and utterly heartbreaking, an your tour with guides who patiently relay you the chimps’ stories’.

My heart bleeds for Poco, the oldest chimp of the group, sitting alone and staring into space. “He looks sad”, I say. “But he isn’t” says our guide, “he is happy to be free”. Poco spent 9 years locked in a cage in a shop in Burundi. The case was so small that he was unable to lie down to sleep. The conservancy rescued him in 1995 where he has flourished since I’m stunned by the cruelty of humankind. Poco is free now and happy but I know that but the legacy of 9 years in captivity will never leave him.

Northern White Rhino at Ol Pejeta Conservancy

At Ol Pejeta are the last two northern white rhinos, Najin and Fatu. Both Rhinos are female, and there is an ongoing IVF programme in which we hope a pregnancy occurs, leading to a possible future for these incredible animals. The animals are now heavily protected within a 700-acre enclosure.

Another rhino highlight is a visit to Baraka, a male Black Rhino. Born blind in both eyes and kept under the watchful eye of the park guards, it’s possible to walk right up the Baraka who is so placid the children could hand feed him. A once in a lifetime experience for sure.

A poignant experience as well as an educational one is a visit to the rhino memorial at Ol Pejeta, where the graves of 16 rhinos who have been killed by poaching lie.

Safari at Ol Pejeta Conservancy Activities

Ol Pejeta Conservancy sets itself apart from many other safari destinations in Kenya by offering a range of conservation and interest-based activities. As well as game drives in which you have the chance to see an incredible range of wildlife in their natural environment, activities in Ol Pejeta Conservancy include

• Guided Game Drives: Morning and evening drives through diverse landscapes such as savannahs, grasslands, and riverine forests. Guides help visitors spot a wide range of animals, from elephants and lions to endangered species like Grevy’s zebras.
• Walking Safaris: Guided walking safaris offer an up-close look at the landscape and smaller species, as well as birdwatching opportunities.
• Night Game Drives: A unique experience that allows you to see nocturnal animals such as leopards and hyenas.
• Lion Tracking: Visitors can assist in the conservation efforts by participating in lion tracking, where you can help researchers monitor the lion population using telemetry equipment.
• Horseback Riding with Rhinos: A rare opportunity to ride on horseback among rhinos, an eco-friendly way to explore the reserve.
• Conservation Programs: Ol Pejeta offers various opportunities to learn about its groundbreaking conservation initiatives, including anti-poaching efforts and innovative rhino protection.
• And of course, the aforementioned visit to Baraka, the Northern White Rhinos and Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

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Ol Pejeta Restaurant Morani

Ol Pejeta has an onsite Morani restaurant. It’s been a few years since I visited, but the meal was forgettable and overpriced. I would suggest you bring a picnic for lunch and hit Nanyuki for some of the excellent restaurants for supper.

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Where to Stay on Safari at Ol Pejeta Conservancy Kenya

Ol Pejeta Conservancy is blessed with various types of accommodation, from the stately Pelican House, which sleeps 8 in luxury, to the self-catering safari cottages. There are a couple of high-end hotels located within the conservancy. Or do what we did and wild camp at Ol Pejeta. Bedding down to the roaring of lions and the honking of hippos is an unbeatable experience.

Nanyuki, the biggest town in Laikipia, is approximately a 30 minute drive from Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Here is a blog on places to stay in Nanyuki.

Recommended Places to Stay inside Ol Pejeta Conservancy Kenya

$$$ Kicheche Laikipia Camp – Five Star/ All Inclusive

$$ Maisha Sweetwaters – Five Star

$$ Sweetwaters Serena Camp – Four Star

How Much Does Ol Pejeta Conservancy Cost?

• Foreign Tourists:
  • Adult (12 years and above): Approximately USD $60-80 per day.
  • Child (3-12 years): Approximately USD $30-40 per day.
  • Children under 3 years: Often free, but it’s best to confirm.
• Local Residents:
  • Adult: Approximately USD $30-40 per day.
  • Child: Approximately USD $15-20 per day.

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How to Get to Ol Pejeta Conservancy

By Road:

• The drive from Nairobi to Ol Pejeta Conservancy is about 3-4 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.
• You can take the A2 highway (Thika Road) north out of Nairobi toward Nanyuki. Continue on the road through Karatina and Nyeri towns, then follow signs for Nanyuki.
• Once in Nanyuki, there are signs to Ol Pejeta (about 17 km from Nanyuki). You can use Google Maps or the Conservancy’s official website for directions.
• The roads are mostly paved, but the last section might be on a rougher road once you approach the conservancy.

By Air:

• Several airlines offer scheduled flights from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to Nanyuki Airstrip, which is close to Ol Pejeta (about 45 minutes’ flight).
• From Nanyuki Airstrip, it is a 30-minute drive to the Conservancy. You can arrange for a pick-up service from your lodge or the conservancy itself.

By Public Transport:

• If you prefer public transport, you can take a matatu (shared minibus) from Nairobi to Nanyuki. Once in Nanyuki, you would need to hire a taxi or arrange for a transfer to the conservancy.
• Note that public transport options might not be the most convenient, and hiring a car for the last part of the journey is often recommended.

Tour Operators:

• Many tour operators in Nairobi offer packages that include transportation to and from Ol Pejeta. This can be a more convenient and organised way to visit if you prefer not to drive yourself.

Further Reading on Things to Do in Kenya

How Much Does a Masai Mara Safari Cost?

21 Incredible Family Friendly Resorts in Kenya 2024

The Ultimate 10 Days in Kenya Itinerary 2024

45 Unmissable Kenya Tourist Attractions & Secret Gems

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