DISCOVER OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY

Encounter enormous elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, including other animal species  and spectacular seasonal landscapes. Explore the park’s open savannahs, woodlands and seasonal wetlands, where animals and hundreds of bird species thrive.

OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY!

THE BEST OF OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY

OL PEJETA  CONSERVANCY

One of Kenya’s most important wildlife conservation areas, located on the Laikipia Plateau in central Kenya, near Nanyuki between the foothills of Mount Kenya to the east and the Aberdare Range to the west. The conservancy is situated around the equator and forms part of the wider Ewaso–Laikipia ecosystem. It is particularly renowned for its rhino conservation, diverse wildlife, chimpanzee sanctuary and integrated approach to conservation, tourism, livestock and community development.

Ol Pejeta covers approximately 90,000 acres, equivalent to about 364 km² (36,400 hectares). The landscape consists mainly of open savannah grasslands, bushland and riverine habitats, providing space for large populations of wildlife as well as sustainable livestock operations.

The conservancy’s relatively open terrain makes it especially suitable for wildlife viewing, while its location within the broader Laikipia landscape gives it an important role in maintaining ecological connectivity.

Ol Pejeta’s story began as a working cattle ranch in the 1940s, when the land was acquired by Lord Delamere. For several decades it operated primarily as a commercial beef ranch.

By the late 1960s and 1970s, Kenya was experiencing a severe wildlife-poaching crisis, with elephant and rhino populations declining dramatically. In response, the then-owner, Lonrho Africa, established the Sweetwater’s Game Reserve in 1988 to provide a protected area for rhinos and other wildlife.

 

WILDLIFE FOUND IN OL PEJETA  CONSERVANCY

Kenya’s important wildlife conservation areas, supporting a remarkable variety of mammals and birds across its grasslands, bushland, riverine habitats and wetlands. The conservancy is particularly famous for rhino conservation, but its wildlife experience extends far beyond rhinos.

Wildlife commonly encountered includes:

  • Black rhinos, Southern white rhinos, Northern white rhinos, African elephants, Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, African wild dogs, Hippopotamuses, Grevy’s zebras, Reticulated giraffes, Jackson’s hartebeest, Beisa oryx, Buffaloes, Warthogs, Primates, Spotted hyenas, Caracals, Bat-eared foxes, Black-backed jackals and other many species.

Importance for Rhino Conservation

Ol Pejeta has become internationally significant for rhino conservation. It holds the largest population of eastern black rhinos in Kenya and is also home to the world’s last two northern white rhinos. In 2009, four northern white rhinos were transferred to Ol Pejeta in an effort to encourage reproduction and prevent the subspecies from disappearing completely.

Birdlife

Ol Pejeta is also an excellent destination for birdwatching. The conservancy’s official monitoring bird species, including resident birds as well as seasonal visitors and migrants (More than 314 bird species).

Ol Pejeta Conservancy extensive birdlife includes:

  • Martial eagle, African fish eagle, Bateleur, Tawny eagle, African hawk-eagle, Long-crested eagle, Black-chested snake eagle, Mountain buzzard, Gabar goshawk, Eastern chanting goshawk, White-backed vulture, Rüppell’s vulture, Lappet-faced vulture, Kori bustard, Turacos, Starlings, Sunbirds, Francolins and other many birds’ species.

The combination of wetlands, woodland and open grassland creates habitats for a wide variety of resident and migratory birds.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS  & ACTIVITIES WITHIN OL PEJETA  CONSERVANCY

Ol Pejeta offers a wide range of experiences combining wildlife, conservation, adventure, education and nature.

Within the park.

  • Game Drives
  • Night Game Drives
  • Rhino Conservation Experience
  • Northern White Rhino Experience
  • Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Outside the park.

  • Horseback Riding

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT OL PEJETA  CONSERVANCY

Ol Pejeta Conservancy can be visited throughout the year, but the experience changes considerably with the seasons. Because Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a semi-arid park with numerous rivers, streams, wetlands and riverine habitats, rainfall has a strong influence on vegetation, road conditions and wildlife distribution. Kenya Wildlife Service describes Kenya’s parks as year-round destinations, while identifying July – December and December – March generally as favorable periods for wildlife viewing; April – May is the principal long-rain period.

Best time according to Moth’s

June – October: Excellent for wildlife viewing

  • Generally, one of the most rewarding periods for a classic Ol Pejeta Conservancy safari. This is the drier part of the year, when vegetation becomes less dense and animals are often easier to spot across the open plains. As the dry season progresses, wildlife increasingly depends on the park’s permanent wetlands, marshes and other reliable water sources. 

January – February: Warm and Dry

  • The weather offers another favorable window for visiting Ol Pejeta Conservancy. These months fall between the main rainy periods and can provide a good balance of wildlife viewing and green landscapes. There may still be water and vegetation in the wetlands, while the surrounding plains can remain relatively open for game viewing.

March – May: Long-rain season

  • The long rains generally occur from March to May, transforming Ol Pejeta normally dry landscape into a much greener and more vibrant environment. Rainfall brings fresh vegetation, replenishes wetlands and creates dramatic seasonal scenery.

November – December: Best for green landscapes, birdlife and a quieter atmosphere

  • Bring the shorter rains, which can gradually refresh the landscape after the dry season. The arrival of rain stimulates new vegetation growth, and the plains can become increasingly green. 

The best time to experience Ol Pejeta Conservacy is throughout the year, as each season offers a unique safari experience.

DRIVE TIME TO OL PEJETA  CONSERVANCY

  • Nairobi to  Ol Pejeta Conservacy: 3½ hours
  • Ol Pejeta Conservacy to Aberdare Area: 2½ hours
  • Ol Pejeta Conservacy to Meru National Park: 3½ hours 
  • Ol Pejeta Conservacy to Mount Kenya National Park: 2 hours

Typical Route: Nairobi → Ol Pejeta Conservacy

Nairobi → Thika → Karatina → Nyeri → Nanyuki → Ol Pejeta Conservancy

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