Ol Pejeta Conservancy


Ol Pejeta Conservancy was once one of the largest cattle ranches in Kenya, but is now a 365-sq-km, privately owned wildlife reserve. It markets itself as the closest place to Nairobi where you can see the Big Five and possesses a full palette of African plains wildlife, including a healthy population of rhinos.

It's the rhinos that form the centrepiece of what is done here – the conservancy's 111 (at last count) black rhinos form the largest population in East Africa. A reminder of the challenges they face came when a pregnant black rhino was poached in February 2016.

Though it's not just about rhinos – Ol Pejeta's role in the wider Laikipia ecosystem extends beyond its boundaries thanks to its partner agreements and wildlife corridors that link it to other Laikipia ranches.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Chimpanzee Sanctuary

2.56 MILES

Home to 39 profoundly damaged chimpanzees rescued from captivity across Africa and further afield, Ol Pejeta's Chimp Sanctuary encompasses two large…

2. Endangered Species Enclosure

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This 283-hectare drive-through enclosure next to the Morani Information Centre is home to the last three remaining northern white rhinos (one male and two…

3. Morani Information Centre

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Part education or interpretation centre, part museum, this three-roomed structure is appealingly interactive and comes with instructions to 'please touch'…

4. Solio Game Reserve

14.42 MILES

This family run, private 71-sq-km reserve, 22km north of Nyeri, is Kenya's oldest rhino sanctuary and an important breeding centre for black rhinos. The…

6. Highland Castle

24.7 MILES

If you are trekking along the Burguret Route, you will likely camp just below the lava cliff of Highland Castle at 3700m. If time allows and you're…

7. Mt Kenya National Park

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Africa’s second-highest mountain is also one of its most beautiful. Here, mere minutes from the equator, glaciers carve out the throne of Ngai, the old…

8. Baden-Powell’s Grave

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