Located in Laikipia County, central Kenya, Ol Pejeta Conservancy is one of Africa’s most respected private wildlife sanctuaries. Famous for housing the last two northern white rhinos on Earth, it is also home to Kenya’s only chimpanzee sanctuary, the Big Five, and an array of other wildlife. But beyond the animals and landscape lies a powerful story of land transformation, ownership evolution, and pioneering conservation.
This guide offers a complete overview of Ol Pejeta’s land history, how ownership has shifted over the decades, and how this land has evolved from cattle ranching to a globally recognized model of conservation and community integration.
📍 Location & Size
- County: Laikipia, Kenya
- Altitude: ~1,800–2,000 meters above sea level
- Area: Approximately 90,000 acres (~364 square kilometers)
- Coordinates: Straddles the equator, near the town of Nanyuki
🐄 Phase 1: From Wilderness to Colonial Cattle Ranch (1940s–1980s)
🐮 The Ol Pejeta Ranching Company
- In the 1940s, British colonial settlers established Ol Pejeta Ranch as a working cattle ranch.
- The land was privately owned and used mainly for beef production, managed as part of large-scale livestock enterprises during colonial and post-colonial Kenya.
- Despite the ranching focus, the area remained home to many wild species, including elephants, lions, zebras, and buffalo, which often competed with livestock for space and water.
The ranch operated under extensive, fenced systems, and while wildlife was tolerated, it was not actively protected.
🔄 Phase 2: Transition to Conservation (1988–2004)
🦏 Enter the Conservation Era
In the late 1980s, as wildlife pressures grew and conservation awareness increased, Ol Pejeta began shifting its focus:
- In 1988, part of the ranch was transformed into the Sweetwaters Game Reserve, a smaller fenced wildlife sanctuary.
- In 1993, the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary was created in collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute to care for chimpanzees rescued from the black market pet trade across Central Africa.
- Wildlife populations began to recover as fencing, security, and ecological restoration were introduced.
🏢 Ownership Transitions
During this time, Lonrho Africa (a multinational conglomerate) owned and managed Ol Pejeta as a ranch with emerging conservation interests.
Eventually, the land’s potential for wildlife conservation and tourism outgrew its value as a cattle ranch.
🌍 Phase 3: Full Conservancy Status & Current Ownership (2004–Present)
🛡️ Formation of Ol Pejeta Conservancy
- In 2004, Fauna & Flora International (FFI)—a UK-based conservation charity—facilitated the purchase of Ol Pejeta Ranch through funding from donors including Arcus Foundation and The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
- The ranch was officially converted into Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a not-for-profit organization registered in Kenya with a mission to conserve wildlife, support local communities, and generate sustainable tourism revenue.
The organization is governed by a board of trustees and operates as a registered charity (also in the UK: Charity No. 1185926).
🧭 Land Ownership Model
- The land is owned by the Ol Pejeta Conservancy Trust, which holds it in perpetuity for the purposes of conservation.
- The governance structure ensures that profits from tourism, livestock, and philanthropy are reinvested into conservation, education, infrastructure, community development, and habitat protection.
- No shareholders—100% of funds raised support mission-based operations.
Who Owns Ol Pejeta Conservancy?
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is owned by the Ol Pejeta Conservancy Trust, which holds the land in perpetuity for conservation purposes. The conservancy operates through two main entities:
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy Ltd: A non-profit organization managed by a voluntary board, responsible for overseeing conservation efforts and community development initiatives.
- Ol Pejeta Ranching Ltd: A commercial subsidiary wholly owned by the conservancy, handling agricultural and tourism activities to generate income that supports conservation and community projects.
This structure ensures that all profits are reinvested into the conservancy’s mission, with no shareholders, thereby supporting wildlife protection, habitat preservation, and local community development
🤝 A Model of Integrated Land Use
Today, Ol Pejeta manages its 90,000 acres as a multi-use conservancy:
| Zone | Use |
|---|---|
| Core Conservation Area | Wildlife habitat, rhino sanctuary, Big Five viewing |
| Sweetwaters Enclosure | Home to chimpanzees and endangered species (northern white rhinos) |
| Livestock Zones | Carefully managed Boran cattle grazing in rotation with wildlife |
| Community Outreach Buffer | Support for schools, clinics, and livelihoods in surrounding communities |
This integrated model blends wildlife conservation with ranching, ecotourism, and community empowerment, proving that land can be productive and protective at once.
🧱 Land Protection & Legal Status
- Ol Pejeta has secure title deed ownership and is actively working on land easements and conservation leases to prevent future fragmentation.
- It partners with organizations such as:
- Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)
- Northern Rangelands Trust
- Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
- African Wildlife Foundation
These partnerships help maintain wildlife corridors connecting Ol Pejeta to Mount Kenya, Samburu, and the greater Laikipia-Samburu ecosystem.
🌱 Land Restoration & Use Today
- Former overgrazed or degraded cattle zones have been rehabilitated through:
- Grass reseeding programs
- Rotational grazing
- Reforestation and riverbank protection
- Approximately 7,000 Boran cattle are still raised under a wildlife-compatible system, generating revenue while improving grassland health.
- Cattle operations help fund ranger salaries and community education projects.
💡 Key Milestones in Ol Pejeta Land History
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1940s | Ol Pejeta Ranch established as a cattle ranch by British settlers |
| 1988 | Sweetwaters Game Reserve created for tourism and rhino protection |
| 1993 | Chimpanzee Sanctuary established with Jane Goodall Institute |
| 2004 | Ranch purchased and converted into Ol Pejeta Conservancy |
| 2006–Today | Expansion of wildlife zones, cattle integration, tourism growth, and community outreach programs |
🧡 Final Thoughts: Land for Wildlife, People, and the Future
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a powerful example of how land ownership, when aligned with purpose and vision, can drive sustainable change. From its origins as a colonial cattle ranch to its present as a conservation powerhouse, Ol Pejeta’s story is one of adaptive land use, inclusive development, and ecological hope.
Every visitor, donor, or supporter becomes part of this journey—helping to protect the land not just for wildlife, but for the people and future generations who depend on it.