Ol Pejeta Conservancy

 

Introduction

Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a 360 km2 in Central Kenya’s Laikipia county. It is situated on the equator west of Nanyuki between the foothills of the Aberdare and Mount Kenya. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy works to conserve wildlife, provide a sanctuary for great apes and generate income through wildlife tourism and complementary enterprises for re-investment in conservation and community development.

The Conservancy boasts the largest black rhinoceros sanctuary in east Africa and in 2013, it reached a population milestone of 100 black rhinos and also houses the two remaining northern white rhinos in the world which were moved from Dvur Kralove zoo in the Czech Republic. The Sweet waters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is situated here which provides a haven for orphaned, abandoned and rescued chimpanzees and the only place in Kenya where chimpanzees can be seen. The Conservancy is host to the big five animals with a large selection of other African animals which makes it a popular safari destination. It operates a successful livestock program which serves to benefit local pastoralists and wildlife. Through the conservancy’s community development programme, Ol Pejeta gives funding to surrounding communities to aid health, education, water and infrastructure projects, and also support the provision of agriculture and livestock extension services and the development of community-based conservation tourism ventures.

The rare animals that can be found on Ol Pejeta include the endangered African wild dog, oryx, Jackson’s hartebeest, greyy’s zebra, seval, cheetah and bat eared fox, giraffes, monkeys, baboons, hippos, impala, eland and a lot more. There are also over 300 bird species on the Conservancy.

 

Activities in ol Pejeta conservancy for tourists.

 

Ol Pejeta Conservancy provides one-of-a-kind experiences which highlight what makes this beautiful region of Kenya so special and if you’re planning on spending time in ol Pejeta bush camp, here are our 5 favourite unique and captivating activities that can be experienced at Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Canine Anti-Poaching Unit Visit

Ol Pejeta’s anti-poaching dog unit is open to visitors after an insightful tour of the training these animals undergo to become anti-poaching patrollers, you can play a human-canine hide and seek trying to dodge the canines and finding a spot to hide within the Morani Information Centre which is a fun way of interacting with dogs, and get a bit of exercise. The visit to the unit is limited to six people per group and the activity is not suitable for children under the age of 12 years old.

Lion Tracking

This is a fun and unique opportunity for tourists to contribute towards lion conservation within the conservancy. You can spend time with the conservancy’s researchers to track and learn about the lions living there. You can participate in helping them to gather important research information needed to monitor the lions. When identifying lions, features such as ear tears, whisker spots, and nose spots can be used and it is an excellent way to learn about lions while also spending time with them while out in the bush.

 

Riding with Rhinos

Enjoy a morning and a late afternoon horse ride within the Endangered Species Enclosure which is predator-free and this area offers you a wonderful opportunity to an encounter of a myriad of plains game. However, the reason of this activity is to meet the last remaining northern white rhinos which are Najin and Fatu which are the daughters of Sudan which became world-famous after being the last remaining male northern white rhino before he died in March 2018.

 

Junior Ranger Programme

If you’re travelling with children between the age of four and twelve and wondering how you will keep them entertained while on safari, your little ones can become a ranger for the day by purchasing a Junior Ranger Pack which include a book filled with fun activities, colouring crayons and stickers. As they venture through the conservancy, the children have to work through all the activities, completing the questions in the booklet as they go. When they reach the end of their adventure, the tourism team at Morani Information Centre will be waiting to ask them to repeat the official ranger oath, before presenting them with a certificate, ranger hat, and a pin to confirm their status as honorary rangers.

Wildlife viewing.

Ol Pejeta conservancy is the largest black rhino sanctuary in east Africa and the only place n Kenya with chimpanzees, and a home to all the big five with also white rhinos which are common. The conservancy has the highest predator destiny in Kenya with also a chance of spotting lions, cheetah and hyena.The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is a refuge for chimpanzees rescued from the black market and it is the only place to see these charismatic apes in Kenya. Tourists can also see the two northern white rhinos in the entire world from endangered species enclosure where they can learn about efforts to bring the subspecies back from the extinction.

 

Where to stay in l Pejeta conservancy

 

Ol Pejeta Bush Camp

Overlooked by the dramatic snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya, Ol Pejeta Conservancy is in central Kenya’s Laikipia County. It’s home to the two remaining northern white rhinos on the planet and many other endangered animals, all protected around the clock by dedicated rangers.

 

Ol Pejeta safari cottages

Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages are tucked along a beautiful acacia studded river line in the heart of Ol Pejeta Conservancy’s exclusive wilderness area. The Safari Cottages are the brainchild of safari industry veterans that were built by Andy and Sonja Webb who wanted to create an environment that makes tourists feel like they have always belonged here. You will find unfussy, eco-friendly luxury, superior service and top-quality food and guiding. Your stay includes a private guide and customised 4WD safari vehicle at no extra cost and a private chef to cook food just to your desires. The conservancy is a home to large prides of lions, leopards, elephants, rhino and more and you will spend your days with one of our highly trained and knowledgeable guides exploring Ol Pejeta’s open plains and secret valleys by day and night.

Camping in the conservancy.

From wild camping by the river, to the lap of luxury in the old colonial ranch house, there are nine accommodation choices on Ol Pejeta suiting every budget and taste. Ol Pejeta has a close working partnership with tourism operators ensuring that tourism here is sustainable and beneficial to wildlife and the local communities’ tourists who camp within the conservancy get to enjoy the best experience with the wildlife and beautiful sounds of nature.

Pelican house.

This is a self-catering house that caters for 8 people but can fit 12 with extra beds added. You can bring your own food and cook for yourself or even hire a cook to help or even opt for the fully catered option. A chef is an addition per day. For fully a fully catered experience, expect to pay $130 – $150 per adult/$105 per child, per night.

 

How to access ol Pejeta conservancy.

By road

From Nairobi, it is approximately 3-4 hours drive along a smooth road to the improved infrastructure, and few kilometres to the conservancy however rough with too much dust and 13 kilometres to Ol Pejeta is a well-maintained all-weather road. From Nakuru or Naivasha, you will follow a 6.5km Nyahururu and Nyeri route to enter Ol Pejeta through Nanyuki and upon reaching Nanyuki airstrip, there is a sign to Ol Pejeta on the left, and it is labelled all the way to Rongai Gate.

The 4×4 vehicles are suitable for navigating the road around the west and north of the Conservancy especially in the wet conditions. Most people access Ol Pejeta Conservancy through Rongai gate located to the East at the end of the road from Nanyuki town. The conservancy can also be accessed via Serat Gate on Rumuruti Road.

Air

The easiest way to get to Ol Pejeta conservancy is to take one of the daily scheduled flights from Nairobi to Nanyuki airstrip which is a 45-minute drive. It is also possible to use a charter flight from any other park to Ol Pejeta’s airstrip. Charter flights between parks are usually booked by tour operators as part of the tour package. Scheduled flights to Nanyuki leave from Wilson Airport 6km/4mi south of Nairobi and Flights can be booked with the different domestic carriers.

When to visit the conservancy

Ol Pejeta Conservancy offers good wildlife viewing throughout the year but heavy downpours in the peaks of the Wet season can disrupt planned excursions. A 4×4 vehicle is essential if visiting in the Wet season months of October to November and March to May.

The best time to visit Ol Pejeta is in Kenya’s dry seasons, from June to September which are cool and dry or January to February. October is also a good time to visit when prices are lower and experience a little rain, but it shouldn’t be too much. During the rainy seasons, you will need a 4×4, especially if you are planning to do safaris in your own car.