Rhinos in Number
More than 100 black rhinos and around 40 southern white rhinos make Ol Pejeta one of the best places in Africa to see both species.
Kenya Reserves & Conservancies
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Beneath the snowy outline of Mount Kenya, Ol Pejeta is a haven for rhinos and one of Africa's most inspiring conservation stories, with the Big Five, rare species and chimpanzees all in one place.
- Location
- Laikipia, central Kenya
- Known For
- Black & white rhinos
- Wildlife
- Big Five & chimpanzees
- Best Time
- June – October
Discover Ol Pejeta
A pure haven for rhino lovers.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is one of Kenya's most famous protected areas, set up to safeguard endangered species. If you are a rhino lover, this is a pure haven on earth: the conservancy protects a population of more than 100 black rhinos, the largest in East Africa, together with around 40 southern white rhinos and the last two northern white rhinos left anywhere in the world.
Spread across the Laikipia plateau between the Aberdare Range and Mount Kenya, Ol Pejeta offers beautiful landscapes and varied habitats, from open grassland and acacia woodland to riverine forest along the Ewaso Ng'iro. Endangered and unusual species thrive here, including African painted dogs, which range across Laikipia, Grevy's zebra, oryx and Jackson's hartebeest, alongside the full Big Five, cheetahs, hyenas and vibrant birdlife.
Ol Pejeta is also home to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya where you can see chimpanzees, man's closest relative. The sanctuary gives a lifelong home to chimpanzees rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, making a visit here as moving as it is memorable.
Why Ol Pejeta
Conservation you can see up close.
Ol Pejeta combines superb game viewing with direct access to some of the most important conservation work in Africa, all within easy reach of Nairobi.
The Last Northern White Rhinos
Meet the world's last two northern white rhinos, both female, guarded around the clock in a dedicated enclosure.
Chimpanzees in Kenya
The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary offers the only chance in Kenya to watch chimpanzees, all rescued from trafficking and abuse.
The Big Five
Lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinos all live on the conservancy, with excellent chances of seeing them in a single stay.
Rare Northern Species
Grevy's zebra, beisa oryx and Jackson's hartebeest are found here, species missing from most southern Kenyan parks.
Views of Mount Kenya
On clear mornings, the jagged peaks of Mount Kenya rise above the plains, a magnificent backdrop for game drives and photographs.
Location
Where is Ol Pejeta Conservancy?
Ol Pejeta Conservancy lies in Laikipia County in central Kenya, on the equator between the Aberdare Range and Mount Kenya. The nearest town is Nanyuki, about 15 km away, and the drive from Nairobi takes around 3 to 4 hours on good tarmac roads. Scheduled flights from Wilson Airport to Nanyuki take under an hour.
Ol Pejeta is a natural stop between Nairobi and Samburu, and pairs well with Mount Kenya, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara. Travellers coming from Arusha usually connect via Nairobi, around 5 to 6 hours by road through the Namanga border.
When to visit
Every season tells a different Ol Pejeta story.
Ol Pejeta's high altitude keeps temperatures pleasant all year, and its resident wildlife means game viewing is good in every season.
Long Dry Season
The best time for game viewing, with short grass, clear skies and animals gathering near water. Mornings and evenings are cool.
Short Rains
Brief showers refresh the plains, and migratory birds arrive. Wildlife remains resident and easy to find.
Short Dry Season
Warm, dry and clear, with superb views of Mount Kenya and excellent rhino viewing.
Long Rains
The greenest months, with fewer visitors and lush scenery. Some tracks become muddy, but wildlife stays on the conservancy.
What is the best month to visit Ol Pejeta?
Ol Pejeta can be visited year-round, with the dry months offering the easiest game viewing and the clearest views of Mount Kenya.
Dry and sunny, with excellent rhino viewing and clear mountain views.
Warm and dry, one of the best months for photography on the plains.
The long rains begin late in the month, turning the grassland green.
The wettest month, with lush scenery, fewer visitors and resident wildlife.
Rains ease, leaving green plains and good birding.
The dry season begins, with cool mornings and rewarding game drives.
Cool and dry, with animals gathering around waterholes and the river.
Dry and clear, a popular month to combine Ol Pejeta with the Masai Mara migration.
Excellent game viewing with short grass and good predator sightings.
Dry and warm before the rains, with superb views of Mount Kenya.
Short rains arrive, bringing migratory birds and fresh green growth.
A mix of sunshine and showers, with green landscapes and festive-season visitors.
Explore the area
Discover the different faces of Ol Pejeta.
From rhino enclosures to riverine forest, Ol Pejeta's highlights are close together but each offers something different.
Conservation centreNorthern White Rhino EnclosureThe protected home of Najin and Fatu, the last two northern white rhinos, where rangers share their story and the science working to save the subspecies.
Western conservancySweetwaters Chimpanzee SanctuaryA sanctuary on the Ewaso Ng'iro River where rescued chimpanzees live in large natural enclosures.
Open plainsGrassland and Acacia CountryWide plains where black and white rhinos graze alongside zebras, buffalo, elephants and prides of lions.
Conservation centreMorani Information CentreAn information centre near the rhino enclosures where visitors learn about the threats rhinos face and how Ol Pejeta protects them.
Equator lineCrossing the EquatorOl Pejeta sits right on the equator, and a stop at the marker is a fun part of the drive in or out.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Ol Pejeta
Ol Pejeta protects the Big Five alongside a remarkable list of endangered species. Black and white rhinos are the stars, but the conservancy is also home to Grevy's zebra, visiting African painted dogs, Jackson's hartebeest, oryx, cheetahs and chimpanzees, with vibrant birdlife throughout.
12 animals to look for
Black rhino
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Bush and acacia woodland
Ol Pejeta protects more than 100 black rhinos, the largest population in East Africa.
1 / 12
Southern white rhino
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Open grassland
Around 40 southern white rhinos graze the plains and are often seen at close range.
2 / 12
Northern white rhino
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Protected enclosure near the conservation centre
The last two of their kind, guarded around the clock and visited with conservancy rangers.
3 / 12
Chimpanzee
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Rescued chimpanzees live in a large riverine sanctuary, the only place to see them in Kenya.
4 / 12
Lion
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Grassland and plains
Ol Pejeta has a healthy lion population, with prides hunting zebra and buffalo.
5 / 12
Elephant
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Woodland and wildlife corridors
Elephants move through corridors linking the conservancy with the wider Laikipia ecosystem.
6 / 12
Leopard
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Riverine forest and thickets
Present but elusive, most often seen at dawn or dusk.
7 / 12
Buffalo
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Grassland and near water
Large herds graze across the conservancy.
8 / 12
Grevy's zebra
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Open plains
An endangered northern zebra with narrow stripes and large rounded ears.
9 / 12
Jackson's hartebeest
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Open grassland
A rare hartebeest with a long face, found in only a few areas of Kenya.
10 / 12
Beisa oryx
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Drier open plains
A striking antelope with long straight horns, adapted to dry country.
11 / 12
Cheetah
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Open plains
Cheetahs are seen on the open plains, often in the early morning.
12 / 12
Meet the Last Northern White Rhinos
Standing beside a species on the brink.
Ol Pejeta is home to Najin and Fatu, the last two northern white rhinos on earth. With rangers who care for them daily, you can learn about their story and the pioneering scientific work that aims to bring the subspecies back from the edge of extinction.
Combine this unforgettable encounter with a game drive in search of black and southern white rhinos, a visit to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary and a sundowner with Mount Kenya glowing on the horizon.
Safaris to 中文
Tours that include Ol Pejeta
Kenya safaris that include Ol Pejeta, often combined with Samburu, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara.
Kenya · 7 days
7-Day Hartebeest Safari
Ol Pejeta Conservancy · Lake Nakuru · Masai Mara
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Kenya · 10 days
10-Day Kenya's Grandeur Safari
Samburu National Reserve · Ol Pejeta Conservancy · Lake Nakuru · Masai Mara
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Kenya · 8 days
8-Day Through Kenya's Wild Heart: Maasai Lands & Big Five
Ol Pejeta Conservancy · Lake Nakuru · Masai Mara
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Kenya · 8 days
8-Day Ultimate Kenya Safari Experience
Samburu National Reserve · Ol Pejeta Conservancy · Lake Nakuru · Masai Mara
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Kenya · 9 days
9-Day Big Five Signature Safari: Tracks of Legends
Aberdare · Ol Pejeta Conservancy · Lake Nakuru · Masai Mara
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Kenya · 11 days
11-Day Kenya Buffalo Safari: The Wild Horns of Kenya
Aberdare · Ol Pejeta Conservancy · Lake Nakuru · Masai Mara
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Kenya · 12 days
12-Day Across Wild Kenya: Where Rhinos Roam
Ol Pejeta Conservancy · Lake Nakuru · Masai Mara · Lake Naivasha
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Kenya · 15 days
15-Day Kenya Road Trip: The Magical Kenya Wildlife Odyssey
Samburu National Reserve · Ol Pejeta Conservancy · Lake Nakuru · Lake Naivasha
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
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Tell us what you would love to see and how long you have. A GIP Adventure specialist will help you build a Kenya safari that includes Ol Pejeta's rhinos and chimpanzees, combined with Samburu, Lake Nakuru, the Masai Mara or Tanzania.
Usually replies within minutesHeritage
The story behind Ol Pejeta.
Ol Pejeta began as a cattle ranch in colonial Kenya and was later turned towards wildlife conservation. Today it is a not-for-profit conservancy that combines wildlife protection with livestock farming, showing that cattle and wildlife can share the land and support local livelihoods.
The conservancy's rhino programme has made it one of the most important rhino sanctuaries in Africa. It is also home to the last northern white rhinos, brought from a zoo in the Czech Republic in 2009 in the hope they would breed in a natural setting. After the death of Sudan, the last male, in 2018, scientists have continued working on assisted reproduction to save the subspecies. Tourism revenue helps fund rangers, community projects, schools and healthcare in the surrounding area.
Can I see rhinos at Ol Pejeta?
Yes. Ol Pejeta has more than 100 black rhinos and around 40 southern white rhinos, so sightings are very likely, and you can also visit the last two northern white rhinos.
Are there chimpanzees in Kenya?
Chimpanzees are not native to Kenya, but the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary at Ol Pejeta cares for chimpanzees rescued from the illegal wildlife trade.
How far is Ol Pejeta from Nairobi?
About 3 to 4 hours by road, or under an hour by scheduled flight from Wilson Airport to Nanyuki.
Can I see the Big Five at Ol Pejeta?
Yes. Lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinos all live on the conservancy, though leopards can be elusive.
How many days should I spend at Ol Pejeta?
Two nights allows game drives, a chimpanzee visit and time with the northern white rhinos without rushing.
What activities are available?
Game drives, bird watching and guided nature walks, along with conservation experiences such as visits to the rhino enclosure and chimpanzee sanctuary.
Is it cold at Ol Pejeta?
Days are warm, but mornings and evenings can be cool because of the altitude, so bring a fleece or warm layer.
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