The Diverse Wildlife of the Laikipia Plateau

Overview

Ol Donyo Lomboro is located in Central Laikipia with a most spectacular variety of landscapes. The low-lying land around the Ewaso Nyiro River is bordered by ridges dotted with ancient dry forest remnants. In contrast, the plateaus of the western ridges which signal the edge of the great rift valley, form flat grassy plains with brilliant escarpment views.

Within this 70,000-acre Landscape, Laikipia Expeditions has two camps; Laikipia Wilderness Camp and Laikipia River Camp. Both Camps are designed to provide an authentic safari experience while contributing to the local area economically and environmentally. Nestled on a hillside above the Ewaso Narok River, Laikipia Wilderness Camp enjoys a unique, more adventurous, relaxed safari experience where people prefer to stay longer and enjoy this family-owned camp.

Six spacious tented rooms complement central dining with indoor and outdoor living areas giving snug warmth and views of the stunning Laikipia Landscape. Plentiful books and board games enable reference and relaxation. Each bedroom and ensuite bathroom is individually designed using local materials, sustainable soaps and body wash. Cool, private verandas and day beds invite peace and relaxation while you enjoy the vista and the wildlife. Each tent has an open air bathroom, so you can enjoy showering under the stars.

On top of a rock above camp, a swinging bench offers a 360-degree view of the Laikipia landscape with the impressive skyline of Mount Kenya on clear days. Grab a book or some binoculars and enjoy the tranquility of this unique vantage point.

Overview

Situated on the edge of one of Kenya’s most private wildlife and environmental conservation projects, the wildlife-rich Lewa provides guests a home-away-from-home experience that’s hard to find elsewhere. The advantage of being located in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is that guests are surrounded by rich game viewing opportunities without the crowds. A maximum of just 3 vehicles are allowed at a wildlife sighting, ensuring an exclusive game viewing experience.

There is a very good chance of seeing all of the “Big Five” and Lewa is one of the only conservancies where guests are almost guaranteed to see the endangered black and white rhinos while on safari. With the backdrop of snow-capped Mount Kenya and the diversity of scenery from open plains, rolling hills, valleys, escarpments and rivers, Lewa is a magical place to game drive for the ultimate Kenyan safari experience. And with their new electric game drive vehicles, they are leading the way in environmentally friendly game viewing.

There are six thatched cottages, built into the hillside with stunning visas overlooking Lewa’s Eastern Marania Valley. These provide the ultimate in privacy, where guests will feel like they are the only occupants for miles. A further 3 garden cottages are set amongst the brilliant green lawns, each boasting a sizeable open-plan living area complete with fireplace, flanked by a large room and bathroom on each side. Each cottage has en suite facilities, a cosy sitting area and fireplace. There are private verandas where one can enjoy a morning coffee whilst watching the sunrise, or perhaps a private dining experience.

Overview

Ol Pejeta Bush Camp is sited on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, a narrow waterway that flows from the slopes of Mount Kenya, down to the dry plains further south. The camp is in Ol Pejeta Conservancy within central Kenya’s Laikipia region, and is most famous for being the final stand of the northern white rhino, with its last duo of the species having been transferred here, along with two others. This was with the aim improving the chances of successful breeding, however, with the last male, ‘Sudan’, having died in 2018, only one female, ‘Najin’, and her female offspring, ‘Fatu’ exist today.

Ol Pejeta is world renowned for its pioneering conservation projects. As well as being home to the last remaining northern white rhino, conservation projects are ongoing for the critically endangered black rhino (with over 165 individuals in the reserve), and the near threatened southern white rhino (around 50 individuals present here). Endangered Grevy’s zebra and Lelwel hartebeest (also listed as endangered by the IUCN) are two other ungulates that are closely monitored here.

Considered extinct in the wild, the two northern white rhino live in a predator-free ‘endangered species enclosure’, where they are under 24-hour protection from armed guards. Ol Pejeta Bush Camp offers the experience of getting up close to these two gentle giants, a moment you will surely never forget. It may feel a sombre moment, the thought of seeing the last remaining individuals of a species, but there is hope yet. Scientists have been working for years to develop the practice of transferring embryos (produced from in vitro fertilisation using previously collected northern white rhino egg cells and sperm) to southern white rhino surrogate mothers.

Tents are extremely comfortable and spacious, with luxurious bedding (for those cooler nights an extra blanket and a hot water bottle are provided to keep you cosy) and private decking areas that provide the perfect place for a moment of blissful solitude, away from your campmates. To enjoy the social aspect of camp, gather with your safari companions around the central campfire in the evening, to share a glass of wine or a beer, and reminisce your day of wildlife watching in the bush together. Wonderfully prepared lunch and dinners are served up in an enjoyable communal setting also.