Ol Pejeta Conservancy - Ol Pejeta Conservancy Kenya

Ol Pejeta Conservancy, nestled in the heart of Laikipia at the foot of Mount Kenya, is more than a wildlife destination—it is one of Africa’s most successful conservation blueprints. What sets Ol Pejeta apart is not just its iconic species or breathtaking landscapes, but its groundbreaking model of community-integrated conservation that offers hope for the future of wildlife in human-dominated landscapes.

OlPejetaKenya.org is not the official website of Ol Pejeta Conservancy, but an independent platform created by passionate conservationists. Our mission is to celebrate and amplify the incredible work being done at Ol Pejeta, while inspiring innovative, community-led conservation models that can be adapted and scaled across Kenya’s northern frontiers and beyond..

🌍 1. A Conservation Landscape of Global Significance

Covering 90,000 acres of protected land, Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a privately run, non-profit sanctuary that combines:

Rhino and predator protection
Chimpanzee rescue and care
Community partnerships
Sustainable cattle ranching
Science-based conservation research

At Ol Pejeta, wildlife and livestock coexist, community schools thrive alongside endangered species, and tourism directly funds anti-poaching and veterinary services.

🧭 Background & Overview

Location: Laikipia County, central Kenya
Altitude: ~1,800 to 2,000 meters above sea level
Nearest town: Nanyuki (~25 km away)
Landscape: Grasslands, riverine forests, acacia woodlands, and wetlands
Unique Selling Point: Where cutting-edge conservation meets unforgettable wildlife experiences

🕰️ 2. From Ranch to Rhino Refuge: A Brief History

Once a colonial-era cattle ranch in the 1940s, Ol Pejeta was transformed in the late 1980s when part of the land was repurposed into Sweetwaters Game Reserve. In 1993, it became home to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only one of its kind in Kenya.

The turning point came in 2004, when a group of conservation partners acquired the ranch and officially created Ol Pejeta Conservancy—a landscape designed from the ground up to serve both wildlife and people.

Today, it operates under a trust-based ownership model, reinvesting 100% of its income into conservation and community upliftment.

Management & Conservation Vision

Ol Pejeta is managed under a bold vision: to conserve wildlife, provide a sanctuary for great apes, and generate income for reinvestment into conservation and local communities.

Core pillars include:

Wildlife protection: Especially for rhinos, lions, elephants, and wild dogs
Community engagement: Support for schools, clinics, and enterprises
Sustainable agriculture: Livestock-wildlife coexistence via rotational grazing
Eco-tourism: As a tool for education, revenue generation, and conservation funding

🐘 3. Why Visit Ol Pejeta as a Conservation Advocate?

Home to the last two northern white rhinos on earth
One of the few places in Kenya to see chimpanzees
Contains both black and white rhinos in large numbers
Excellent Big Five sightings in a less crowded, more intimate setting
Cutting-edge conservation experiences you won’t find elsewhere
Easy access from Nairobi with a wide variety of accommodations
Family-friendly, educational, and purpose-driven tourism

This is real conservation—active, evolving, and deeply rooted in the local context.

🦏 4. Conservation Highlights at Ol Pejeta

🌍 The Northern White Rhino Program

Ol Pejeta is home to Najin and Fatu, the last northern white rhinos on Earth. Their survival is supported by armed protection, world-class veterinary care, and ongoing IVF research to bring back the subspecies using preserved embryos.

🦏 Black Rhino Protection

Over 130 critically endangered black rhinos roam within a secure and monitored habitat. Ol Pejeta has become East Africa’s most successful black rhino breeding sanctuary.

🐵 Chimpanzee Sanctuary

In partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute, the Sweetwaters Sanctuary offers lifetime refuge to chimpanzees rescued from poaching and trafficking.

🦁 Wildlife Research & Monitoring

Wild dog conservation and population tracking
Lion and predator monitoring using GPS collars
Elephant movement studies across Laikipia-Samburu corridor
Habitat rehabilitation through sustainable grazing and reforestation

🐘 6. Wildlife You’ll See

Big Five: Elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino (black and white)
Chimpanzees (in sanctuary only)
Cheetahs, Grevy’s zebra, giraffe, hippos, hyenas, jackals
Over 300 bird species
Rare species: Aardvarks, pangolins, and African wild dogs

🎯 7. Things to Do at Ol Pejeta

🚙 Day & night game drives
🦁 Lion tracking with researchers
🐶 Dog tracking (anti-poaching K9 demo)
🐾 Rhino monitoring and guided walks
🧬 Behind-the-scenes conservation tours
🐵 Visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
🤝 Meet the Neighbours community experience
🦓 Horseback safaris in predator-free zones
🧒 Feed Baraka the blind black rhino
🏞️ Self-guided walks on the Nature Trail
📸 Wildlife photography sessions with guides
🛍️ Shopping at the Conservation Shop
🧘‍♀️ Yoga and wellness activities (select lodges)

💰 8. Entry Fees (2025 Rates)

Visitor Type	EA Citizen	EA Resident	Non-Resident
Adult	KES 2,000	KES 3,500	$110
Child (3–11 yrs)	KES 1,000	KES 1,750	$55
Student	KES 500	KES 500	$32

🕒 Valid for 24 hours (overnight) or single entry (day trip)
💳 Ol Pejeta is cashless – book online at bookings.olpejetaconservancy.org

🚐 9. Getting to Ol Pejeta

🛣️ By Road:

From Nairobi: ~200 km (3.5–4.5 hours) via Thika–Nanyuki Road
From Nakuru: ~180 km via Nyahururu
From Samburu: ~140 km via Isiolo

✈️ By Air:

Fly to Nanyuki Airstrip (45 mins from Nairobi)
Transfer to Ol Pejeta (30–45 minutes by vehicle)

🚗 4×4 is recommended during rainy seasons. Transfer and vehicle hire available through the conservancy.

🏨 10. Where to Stay

🔹 Budget

The Stables – full board dorm-style rooms
Public campsites (self-catering, bring your own gear)

🔹 Mid-Range

Pelican House – self-catering, group-friendly
Kongoni Camp – in Nanyuki town

🔹 Luxury

Sweetwaters Serena Camp – tented comfort with a waterhole
Ol Pejeta Bush Camp (by Asilia) – conservation-focused eco-luxury
Kifaru House – private-use, exclusive lodge

All accommodation must be booked separately. Entry fees are not included.

🗓️ 11. Best Time to Visit

Season	Months	Why Visit
Dry Season	June–Oct, Dec–Feb	Easier game viewing, cooler, less muddy
Green Season	March–May, Nov	Lush landscapes, fewer visitors, excellent for birds

Wildlife is visible year-round, especially rhinos, chimps, and elephants.

🗺️ 12. Safari Planning Tips

Book game drives and experiences at least one day in advance
Plan for 2–3 nights minimum to enjoy the full experience
Combine Ol Pejeta with Samburu, Lewa, or Mount Kenya for a Northern Circuit itinerary
Bring sunscreen, binoculars, neutral clothing, and reusable water bottles (Ol Pejeta is plastic-free)

📞 13. Contact & Booking

Website: www.olpejetaconservancy.org
Booking Portal: bookings.olpejetaconservancy.org
Phone: +254 707 187141 / +254 705 911021
WhatsApp: 0110 094 457
Email: reservations@olpejetaconservancy.org

🧡 14. Final Thoughts: A Safari with Purpose

A visit to Ol Pejeta is more than a safari—it’s a contribution to a bigger cause. It’s where your travel dollars go directly into protecting endangered species, empowering communities, and sustaining ecosystems. You’ll leave with memories of lions on the plains, rhinos at sunrise, chimps in the trees, and a sense that your trip made a difference.

12. Join OlPejetaKenya.org to Amplify OPC’s Conservation and Support It

At OlPejetaKenya.org, we are not affiliated with the official conservancy—but we are advocates, researchers, storytellers, and grassroots conservationists who believe Ol Pejeta is a living example of what’s possible when communities, conservationists, and land managers come together.

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