Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a privately owned wildlife reserve in Kenya, famous for being the closest place to Nairobi to see the Big Five and other African plains wildlife. It was once a large cattle ranch and is now a 365sqkm conservation area. Ol Pejeta is one of the few private conservancies that accommodates day visitors.

Self Drive Kenya - Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Self Drive Highlights Of Ol Pejeta Conservancy

  • Variety of lodgings for all budgets and preferences
  • Spectacular wildlife viewing
  • Huge White and black rhino sanctuary in E.Africa
  • Clear views of Mt Kenya
  • Night game drives for the Big 5

Self Drive Packages to Consider

From USD 1,400

14 Days Kenya Rooftop Tent Self-drive Safari

Activities in Ol Pejeta Conservancy

The conservancy has many activities, such as bird walks, guided bush walks, night wildlife viewing, and dog tracks, which you can arrange at the park gate or through your accommodation.

The conservancy is now cashless. You can pre-pay online or via card or bank transfer.

Lion-tracking

Easily our pick of the activities on offer, this nightly excursion trains you in the art of identifying individual lions and takes you out to find them using radio receivers. The data you gather forms part of the conservancy’s database on Ol pejeta’s estimated 65 to 70 resident lions. The rangers will collect you from your accommodation.

Hippo Hide Walk

This 20-minute meander along the riverbank happens in the company of a knowledgeable local ranger, hopefully, you will see hippos but it’s worth doing even if you don’t. Open today visitors, there is no set schedule for the walks, but you can request one of the standby rangers to take you.

sights of Ol Pejeta Conservancy

It’s the rhinos that form the centerpiece of the conservancy effort here, its 111 black rhinos form the largest population in East Africa. However, Ol pejeta’s role in the wider ecosystem extends beyond its boundaries thanks to its partner agreements and wildlife corridors with other Laikipia ranches. Ol pejeta is also extremely active in local community projects including school infrastructure, health care, and the provision of clean water.

Endangered Species EnclosureWhite rhino at ol pejeta conservancy in East Africa

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 females), an ever-so-close to being extinct subspecies. The rhinos were brought here from the Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic in 2009, but have not yet bred successfully. Also in the enclosure are the endangered Grevy’s zebra and Jackson’s hartebeest.

Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Home to 39 profoundly damaged chimpanzees rescued from captivity across Africa and further afield, Ol Pejeta’s Chimp Sanctuary encompasses two large enclosures cut in two by the Ewaso Ngiro River. There are an elevated observation post and keepers are usually on hand to explain a little about each chimp’s backstory; note the tiny replica cage in which one of the chimps was chained for years on end prior to being brought to the sanctuary.

Accommodation in Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ewaso Campsite

Protected by dense foliage but with good river views, this is probably the pick of the sites in the park center.

Kicheche Laikipia

Close to the geographical center of the park and overlooking a waterhole, this excellent tented camp has six stylishly furnished tents, an overall air of sophistication and impeccable service. It’s Ol pejeta’s most exclusive accommodation.

Sweetwaters Serena Camp

The 56 large and beautifully appointed en-suite tents by the reliable Serena chain are high-end but with prices that are more accessible than those of other properties. The central location is a plus (handy for most of the conservancy) and a minus (things can get busy around here), depending on your perspective.

Morani’s Restaurant

Next to the Morani Information Center, this terrific little cafe with outdoor tables serves up excellent dishes that range from the Morani burger made from prime Ol pejeta beef to Kenyan beef stew or a Mediterranean wrap. Fresh juices, fine smoothies and Kenyan coffee round out an excellent package.