Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is an area of protected land and has one of the biggest rhino sanctuaries in East Africa. This is a very special place in Kenya with amazing wildlife diversity and density. Travel here for the day and see a multitude of birdlife and different animals, including the Big Five. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is an ideal safari destination to see many animals thriving on the natural land. The conservancy is a non-profit and its profits are re-invested in conservation efforts. This is a remarkable place that helps to protect the wild, natural environment and its animals. A visit here is a rewarding and enriching safari experience!
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Best Time to Go
June - September
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Average Safari Cost
$100 - $600 pp/day. Park fee: $85 (adult), $42 (child).
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Highlights
The last northern white rhinos in the endangered species enclosure, The Big Five, night drives, Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, lion tracking, guided walks in the bush, and more.
Why Visit Ol Pejeta Conservancy
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is an important and impressive sanctuary in Kenya. Its goal is to find ways of sustaining the natural environment and wildlife as the developing world grows. It also helps the local area as some of its earnings are focused on the community's sustainable development. A visit here is extremely rewarding and with its great wildlife densities you are guaranteed some amazing wildlife encounters.
This is also the only place in Kenya to see chimpanzees as the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary rescues these endangered animals. Game drives and nights drives allow you to see the incredible wildlife diversity the reserve has to offer as well as the chance to see the Big Five. The guides are very knowledgeable and know where the best places to see different animals are so you can experience some excellent wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Great rhino sightings
- The Big Five - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino
- Multitude of activities on offer
- Stunning landscapes and scenery, perfect for photography
- Great for a day trip
Cons
- Limited wildlife viewing route
- Lacks the appeal of a real wilderness safari
Best Time to Go
Wildlife viewing at Ol Pejeta Conservancy is good all year round but it is better to avoid the rainy season as heavy rainfall can disrupt planned activities. The dry season is from June to September and is when animals can easily be found as they gather around water sources. Days are mostly pleasant and sunny averaging temperatures of about 75˚F (24˚C). Nights and mornings are quite cold with an average temperature of 50˚F (10˚C).
The wet season is from October to May. 'Short rains' occur in October and November while the 'long rains' take place from March to May. There is a dry period in between the rains from December to February. Days are still warm and pleasant with some afternoon showers, while nights are cold and average about 48˚F(9˚C).
For more information when to visit see our Kenya Safari - Complete Travel Guide.
Start your African Adventure
Popular Tours in Kenya
The Great Migration Safari
Experience East Africa's landscapes and wildlife at their finest on this independent itinerary, embarking on game drives through majestic national parks and reserves in Kenya and Tanzania, keeping watch for the famous "Big Five," and visiting a Maasai village. Stay in the best boutique camp and luxury safari lodge accommodations in East Africa, and discover Africa's astounding diversity, including the iconic "Big Five" Experience six nights in the heart of the Great Migration - three in the Serengeti and three in the Masai Mara Explore Olduvai Gorge on a private visit, where the Leakey family discovered fossils linking man to his distant ancestors Visit a vibrant village in Tanzania to get a sense of daily life, as you ride by tuk-tuk and explore the local market.
Samburu & Olpejeta Safari
The Samburu National Reserve is a game reserve on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro river in Kenya. On the other side of the river is the Buffalo Springs National Reserve. Situated 350 kilometers from Nairobi while the Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a 90,000-acre not-for-profit wildlife conservancy in Central Kenya's Laikipia County. It is situated on the equator west of Nanyuki, between the foothills of the Aberdares and Mount Kenya.
3 Days Olpejeta Conservancy Safari
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a 90,000-acre not-for-profit wildlife conservancy in Central Kenya's Laikipia County. It is situated on the equator west of Nanyuki, between the foothills of the Aberdares and Mount Kenya. Here you will enjoy the wild & nature feeling at it's best, not forgeting the conservation of the rhinos and chimpanzees.
4 Days Mara & Nakuru Safari
You'll have a chance to visit Maasai Mara National reserve that's BEST for wildlife and a great probability of seeing the BIG five among other wildlife. This is where the wild beest migration takes place and should visit in the months that the migration takes place you are likely to encounter this beautiful experience. Nakuru will offer you abit of bird watching and a big likelyhood of seeing the rhinos.
Wildlife and Birds
- Lion
- Elephant
- Leopard
- Buffalo
- Giraffe
- Black Rhino
- White Rhino
- Chimpanzee
- Warthog
- Wild Dog
- Zebra
Rare Animals
- Leopard, wild dog
Common Animals
- Elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, black rhino, hyena
With over 500 recorded species of bird, The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is an excellent birding destination. Visit Scott's Hide for some incredible bird watching, game viewing and photographic opportunities!
Endangered Birds
- Hooded vulture, Ruppell's vulture, white-backed vulture, grey crowned crane
Getting There and Safety
One of the ways to get to Ol Pejeta Conservancy is by flying to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and then driving to the reserve. Alternatively, there are scheduled flights to the Nanyuki airstrip, which is closer. You may also organise a chartered flight to Ol Pejeta Conservancy's airstrip from another park in Kenya.
For the flights to Kenya, it is advised to check Skyscanner (for multiple destination flights), to see which airlines can take you there and compare various ticket prices.
If you are based in the UK and Europe, check out these flights to Kenya.
If you are based in the USA and Canada, check out these flights to Kenya.
All foreign visitors must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after their visit. Foreign visitors of most nationalities need to apply for a visa, however, single-entry visas may be obtained upon arriving in the country. Kenya's eVisa website can give you more information on whether you should apply for a visa or not.
For more information on visas see our Botswana Safari - Complete Country Guide.
Several vaccinations are recommended when travelling to Kenya. These include: hepatitis A and B, rabies, meningococcal meningitis, typhoid and yellow fever. It’s better to check with your local medical authority which vaccinations are required.
There is a high-risk for malaria in Kenya so anti-malarial drugs are advised as well as insect repellent and wearing clothes that cover your arms and legs at night.
Check your local travel health authority for more information:
Going on a safari in Africa comes with obvious risks. We recommend you get travel insurance for all safaris in Kenya. Make sure your insurance has full medical coverage, emergency air evacuation, repatriation and the standard travel insurance for cancellations, delays and luggage cover.
Check World Nomads’ travel insurance calculator to see the cost of your safari trip cover.
You will need to pack clothes for both warm and cool weather as it can get quite warm during the day and cold at night. Try to pack neutral, earthy toned clothes and avoid bright colours. Other essential items are a hat, sun screen, toiletries, closed shoes, torch, batteries, insect repellent, binoculars and camera.
For more details on what to pack see our Safari Packing List.