Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a large wildlife conservancy in Laikipia County in central Kenya that combines conservation, tourism, and community development on private and communal lands. It is internationally known for its rhino conservation work and for hosting sanctuaries for endangered species.

Visitors use guided game drives and walking experiences along established routes to view resident wildlife including elephants, African wild dog, lions, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and diverse antelope species; the conservancy also operates lodges and camps. The site includes dedicated areas for intensive species protection and rehabilitation.

Ol Pejeta manages targeted conservation projects such as anti-poaching operations and a chimpanzee sanctuary, and it has been prominent in global conservation efforts due to its role in protecting northern white rhinos and black rhinos. Management combines tourism revenue, donor support, and community partnerships to fund conservation.

The conservancy lies on the Laikipia plateau in central Kenya, north of Mount Kenya and roughly a few hours’ drive from Nairobi depending on the route. The terrain is savannah and dry woodland with designated wildlife corridors and private ranch lands.

• Size: The conservancy covers roughly 360 square kilometres, combining private land and community areas to support wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism.
• Notable conservation history: It was home to the last northern white rhinos in managed care, including the last male, which drew global conservation attention.

What to See#

• Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary: Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary cares for chimpanzees rescued from the pet trade and entertainment industries and is a key rehabilitation facility on the conservancy.
• Rhino sanctuary and anti-poaching area: The rhino sanctuary area is dedicated to protecting black rhinos and formerly contained northern white rhinos, with intensive anti-poaching measures and monitoring.
• Visitor centre and game-drive routes: Visitor facilities include a visitor centre and designated game-drive routes where guests can see elephants, lions, buffalo, giraffe, and large populations of plains game.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy is best reached from Nairobi by road or via a flight to Nanyuki. By car, take the A2 north from Nairobi toward Nanyuki - the conservancy area is roughly 180-220 km north of Nairobi and the drive typically takes about 3.5-5 hours depending on traffic and route.

There are also scheduled and charter flights from Nairobi (Wilson Airport) to Nanyuki Airstrip; from Nanyuki town it is a short drive (around 20-40 minutes, depending on which gate you use) to the conservancy.

• Book game drives and any visits to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary or guided rhino tracking through the conservancy in advance-spaces and permits can be limited, especially in high season.
• Plan early-morning and late-afternoon drives for the best wildlife activity; day-time transits are quieter and predators and rhinos are most active at dawn/dusk.
• If you want fewer crowds, stay overnight inside the conservancy-lodges and camps give access to private drives and early-entry windows that day visitors miss.
• Use only conservancy-licensed guides and vehicles for game drives to maximise sightings and support anti-poaching and community projects; guides know where resident rhino and big-game concentrations are likely to be.