Ol Pejeta Conservancy
The last two northern white rhinos on Earth live under round-the-clock guard at Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Covering around 360 square kilometres of the Laikipia Plateau between the Aberdares and Mount Kenya, it also shelters East Africa's largest black rhino population, making it a conservation landmark among Kenya tourist attractions.
Once a colonial-era cattle ranch, Ol Pejeta became a wildlife conservancy in the late 20th century and still runs a herd of cattle alongside its wildlife, showing how livestock and conservation can coexist. Its two remaining northern white rhinos, both females named Najin and Fatu, were brought here from a Czech zoo in 2009. Since the death of Sudan, the last male, in 2018, scientists have been working on assisted reproduction to try to bring the subspecies back from the brink.
Why visit Ol Pejeta?
The Big Five roam with Mount Kenya as a backdrop, and the conservancy offers activities parks cannot: night drives, walking safaris, lion tracking and meetings with the rhino keepers. The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary cares for rescued chimpanzees, a species not native to Kenya.
Ol Pejeta also has one of the highest predator densities in Kenya, with lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas regularly seen. The chimpanzee sanctuary was set up in 1993 with the Jane Goodall Institute to give a home to chimpanzees rescued from the illegal pet and bushmeat trade elsewhere in Africa; they cannot be returned to the wild, so they live here in large, forested enclosures.
Getting there and around
Ol Pejeta lies near Nanyuki, roughly 200 kilometres north of Nairobi – about four hours by road, or a short flight to Nanyuki airstrip. It can be done as a guided day tour from Nairobi, though an overnight stay is far more relaxed.
Self-drive visitors can explore the conservancy's network of well-maintained tracks, and maps are available at the gate. Nanyuki, a lively market town on the slopes of Mount Kenya, is the nearest place for fuel, supplies and banks.
Highlights not to miss
- Northern white rhinos: Meet the last of their kind and learn about the science aiming to save them.
- Chimpanzee sanctuary: Rescued chimps in a natural forest setting along the Ewaso Ng'iro River.
- Night drives: Aardvarks, hyenas and other nocturnal animals, with the chance of a hunting lion.
- The Equator: The line runs right through the conservancy, marked by a sign for photos.
- Morani's: An information centre where you may meet Baraka, a blind black rhino cared for by keepers.
Practical tips
Book special activities such as the rhino visit ahead; conservancy fees fund conservation and local communities.
Fees are higher than in some national parks, but they directly support anti-poaching teams, research and community projects. At around 1,800 metres, mornings and evenings are cool, so bring a fleece.
Best time to visit
Ol Pejeta is rewarding year-round thanks to its permanent water.
The dry months from June to October and December to March offer the easiest game viewing and the clearest views of Mount Kenya, while the rains of April and May bring green landscapes and fewer visitors.
Accommodation and food
Luxury tented camps, safari lodges and simple campsites all operate inside the conservancy. The 3-day, 2-night Ol Pejeta safari and the private 2-day tour from Nairobi both include a night inside.
Some camps overlook waterholes or the river, and several serve beef and vegetables produced on the conservancy itself.
How does it compare to other Kenya tourist attractions?
No other Kenyan destination does rhinos better, and it is a short drive from Samburu and the Aberdares.
Its range of activities and focus on conservation make it a more educational experience than most national parks, ideal for families and curious travellers.
In summary
Rhinos, chimpanzees and the Big Five in one conservancy: a visit here directly supports one of Africa's great conservation success stories.
