Ten Best Activities At Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ten Best Activities At Ol Pejeta Conservancy

The ten best activities at Ol Pejeta conservancy include, game drives, riding with rhinos, lion tracking, day rhino safaris, campfire among others. Imagine stepping into the world where the sun rises over the majestic black and white rhinoceros African savannah, painting the sky with hues of crimson and gold, welcome to Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Central Kenya.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy is the largest black rhinoceros sanctuary in East Africa and is situated on an area of 360km, west of the equator in Laikipia county between the foothills of the Aberdares National Park and Mount Kenya in Nanyuki town. However, in colonial era, Laikipia plateau was just an extensive area for cattle ranching.

It is also a habitat for great apes and known for housing two of the worlds’ last remaining of northern white rhinos which were brought from the Czech Republic in Dvur Kralove Zoo. The Ol Pejeta conservancy has a chimpanzee sanctuary at Sweet waters which shelters the orphaned, abandoned and rescued chimpanzees and it’s the only place in Kenya where visitors can view or see chimpanzees.

It is also known for being a home to the Big Five animals and also runs a livestock program that benefits both wildlife and local pastoralists. This conservancy promotes eco-tourism and sustainable tourism development and community-based tourism which has helped in reducing poverty levels in this region area.

Ten Best Activities At Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ol Pejeta Conservancy has got the amazing thrilling features like the plateaus, its landscape and the beautiful sceneries that motivate tourists to participate in several activities like game drives, lion tracking, day rhino safari, chimpanzee watching, riding with rhinos, among others.

1. Game Drive, this simply means an exciting adventure where tourists move around in the park to observe and take photographs of wildlife in their natural habitat on a four wheeled tourist vehicle or van with an experienced tour guide and game ranger. The sanctuary has diverse wildlife and myriad bird species. The wonderful big five animals like rhinos, elephants and lions, leopards and buffalos are also present. Big Five are usually the top priorities of a number of tourists as most of them come to Africa simply to see them. Game drives are always done on 4X4 land cruiser with a open roof for game viewing and it can accommodate 4 to 5 guests and safari vans that can accommodate up to 7 people each with a window seat as they experience the morning, afternoon, evening and night game drives.
2. Lion tracking, lion tracking not only provides a thrilling wildlife encounter but also creates awareness about the lions’ way of life in Ol Pejeta Conservancy. This therefore is an exciting and unique experience where tourists can be driven through the forest to observe the lions in their natural habitats. Visitors and tourists always get a chance to track the collared lions by the help of researchers and game rangers in the conservancy as they learn the differences between the individual lions from the others.
3. Rhino tracking. This safari is usually led by experienced rangers or guides. Seeing rhinos up close in the wild is a thrilling and educational experience that allows you to appreciate the beauty and importance of these endangered species. This conservancy helps the tourists to experience the rare worlds last two white rhinos in the north. On addition to that, you can also meet and see Jackson’s hartebeests in this well gazzatted and protected free predator environment.
4. Sweet water chimpanzee sanctuary, this sanctuary provides a safe haven for chimpanzees.  It is the only place in Kenya where chimpanzees can be seen. It was started in 1993 as a joint alliance amongst Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenyan Wildlife Services (KWS) and The Jane Goodall Institute. The Ol Pejeta conservancy rehabilitates orphaned chimpanzees which were brought from Bujumbura, Burundi to Kenya. Therefore, tourists or visitors can observe the chimpanzees and learn about their stories and protect these intelligent endangered primates.
5. Riding with rhinos, Ol Pejeta conservancy offers an extra-ordinary experience to tourists and visitors of riding with the rhinos. This therefore creates a chance for people to get close and personal with these amazing and magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. This gives a fantastic and remarkable experience and opportunity to witness the beauty of rhinos.
6. Endangered boma species, the Ol Pejeta conservancy offers tourists an opportunity to visit the boma grounds which is known for its endangered species. These include the gravy’s zebra though there is a high decrease in their numbers over the past four decades compared to plain zebras which are all over sub-Saharan Africa, there is the Jackson’s hartebeest which can easily be distinguished from other normal antelopes, cheetahs among others. People will therefore enjoy sighting at the rare, endangered animals in central Kenyan province once they get a chance to visit this area.
7. Running with rangers in Ol Pejeta conservancy, this activity is mainly amongst the fitness enthusiastic people who love the outdoor tourism activities. It’s always a pleasure and healthy for visitors to start their day by doing a running exercise since its good for relieving and stretching the muscles. That is to say, tourists join the rangers as they take a 5 to 7km run which follows gentle terrain across the plains.
8. Anti-poaching canine unit visit in Ol Pejeta conservancy, this unit welcomes everyone and its always open to visitors. That is to say, tourists always engage in hide and seek game with the dogs and finding a spot to hide within the Moran center to tease and get to know whether these animals undergo training to become anti-poaching patrollers hence a remarkable interesting experience. This activity is however restricted and children below 12 years of age cannot participate in it.
9. Camp fire, while at Laikipia and Kicheche camp, the management or game rangers always organize the campfire for their visitors after experiencing the day’s activities like game drives and chimpanzee tracking. While at campfire with other people, there are always games and storytelling amongst the tourists as they converse about the experience and amazing wildlife they encountered during the day.
10. Nature walks and cultural or community visits. Some interested visitors or tourists engage in cultural walks by visiting the nearby communities around Ol Pejeta as they interact and learn about the different amazing and rich African culture. Charitable works are also done by few visitors who wish to give back to the community and the less privileged local community people.

 

Five Reasons As To Why People Visit Ol Pejeta Conservancy In Central Kenya

Ol Pejeta conservancy was known as an extensive cattle ranching ground during colonial era; however, it was rehabilitated as a sanctuary by the government and Kenya Wildlife Authority to conserve and protect the endangered animal species. Therefore, people visit this area due to the following reasons stated below,

1. Presence of both white and black rhinos, this conservancy hosts and rehabilitates the only two remaining northern white rhinos in the world which were imported from the Czech Republic. They were four at first, both male and female named Sudan and Suni that passed on and Fatu and Najin who are both females. The conservancy harbors the highest number of rhinos in East Africa hence attracting many people to visit the area.
2. The availability of chimpanzees, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy is the only place where chimpanzees are found in Kenya. There is a Sweetwater’s chimpanzee sanctuary which acts as a rehabilitation center for the abused, vulnerable and rescued chimpanzees. This sanctuary attracts many people to visit the conservancy so that they learn more about the orphaned chimpanzees which creates a unique feeling.
3. Presence of the big five animals, The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a home to the big five animals and an amazing destination to visit on a Kenyan safari. The available big five animals at the conservancy include rhinos, lions, elephants, leopards and buffaloes. Additionally, many different bird species can also be spotted and many other wildlife during the safari.
4. Riding with rhinos, by visiting Ol Pejeta conservancy one will be able to ride with the rhinos and this tourism product is believed to be among the major reasons as to why people visit such that they can get a great experience while on a central Kenyan safari. Rhinos are also known for being aggressive towards anyone who invades them. Therefore, a tourist can have a guided ride around rhinos.
5. Accommodation, Ol Pejeta conservancy has got a variety of accommodation ranging from budget, midrange to luxury. These accommodations include Mainz camp and Moni resort which is budget, Moro River lodge which is midrange and Ol Pejeta house and Sweet Waters Serena for luxury tourists. Therefore, the availability of affordable and all accommodation types attracts people to visit the conservancy.

Accommodation At Ol Pejeta Conservancy

When someone talks about accommodation, it simply means a place or rooms in a building where someone can live and stay. The accommodation in Ol Pejeta ranges from luxury, midrange to budget  to suit every traveler’s budget. Some of the lodges and camps in Ol Pejeta Conservancy include Jambo Matara camp, Ol Pejeta house, Kechiche Laikipia, sweet waters serena camp, Ol Pejeta safari cottages among others.

It should be noted that accommodation is among the top tourism products as it plays an important role to the tourist in a particular destination as it involves shelter and food. Therefore, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Nanyuki town in central Kenya has a variety of accommodation facilities to offer to their esteemed visitors. Budget lodges are usually rated as 1 or 2 star hotels and they are designed to provide clean and safe place for tourists stay.

These rooms typically have a bed, clean bedsheets, bathroom, a table and cloths hanger. Midrange lodges or hotels often have bigger rooms than budget with more expensive amenities. These are always referred to as 3stars hotel since they usually have a restaurant, a bar, a gym. Luxury rooms or lodges are rated 4 and 5 star hotels and they posses lavish bathrooms with heated floors and soaking tubs.

The accommodation facilities at the Ol Pejeta conservancy include the following. The whole conservancy has a total of nine lodges and tented camps for example Ol Pejeta Cottages which is a four-star luxury lodge and wildly private. These cottages provide private game viewing on a four-wheel vehicle and guided by professional and talented tour guides and game rangers. It also offers all meals, bar services, picnics among others. There is also Ol Pejeta Bush Camp, this camp consists of seven capacious eco-friendly tents constructed along the Ewaso Nyiro river.

The Porin Rhino camp, it is a small and intimate safari camp positioned on a secluded valley under the shade of acacia trees,  and has eight comfortable and spacious guest tents. Others also include, Kicheche Laikipia camp, Mutara camp, Pelican house, River camp sanctuary Tambarare, The Stables among others.

The Best Time To Visit The Ol Pejeta Conservancy

The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is one of the amazing destinations which offers thrilling and remarkable wildlife safari experience in Central Kenya throughout the year. Therefore, the best time to visit this sanctuary is during the dry season which runs from June to September and sometimes December to February is also good because of the dry spell.

That is to say, the the peak season runs from June to October and then December to March to the extent that all lodges get very busy and full during this season. As earlier on stated, June to September is always a dry season in Kenya and its mostly sunny with little or rain, roads are also in good condition during this season, the vegetation is always thinner and there is better spotting of animals and lastly, it is the best time to view wildlife as most of the gather around water sources.

Whereas a tourist might also be willing to know about the low season peak which is between the months of April, May and November where roads are muddy and slippery and in bad conditions because of long and short rains. Some camps are also likely to close during this season because of the rains.

In conclusion, people that love outdoor activities which makes up most part of a safari are advised to visit the Ol Pejeta conservancy during the dry season in the months of June, September, October, December and March because there either partial or no rains during this period and the best hours to visit and explore is 7.00am and also gates are closed at 7.00pm and visitors who are staying overnight in Ol Pejeta premises are urged to get back to their lodges at exactly 7.00pm. Beyond 7.00pm no one is allowed to drive in the park unless it is an Ol Pejeta Vehicle and being authorized by the management to take a drive.

The Animals That Are found At Ol Pejeta Conservancy

The Ol Pejeta conservancy is famously known for rehabilitating the two worlds remaining white north rhinos which were imported from the Czech Republic in the Dvur Kralove zoo. However, it also rehabilitates the big five animals, and it is the largest rhino sanctuary in East Africa located in Central Kenya.

The estimated number of black rhinos at Ol Pejeta is approximately 160, this conservancy is also said to be having the highest number of predators in Kenya compared to Maasai Mara National Park and Amboseli as well.

Therefore, this indicates that there will be a high chance of visitors to view and watch the lions, hyenas, cheetahs among others while on the wildlife Kenya safari. The registered available wildlife animals at this conservancy include, elephants, buffalos, zebras, giraffes, hyenas, white rhinos, black rhinos which are commonly seen around the sanctuary.

The rarely seen wildlife animals are hippos, leopards, wildebeests, cheetahs, and lions among which some of them are occasional. The rescued chimpanzees are also available at the sweet waters chimpanzee sanctuary which acts as their refuge.

How To Access The Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Central Kenya

The Ol Pejeta conservancy can be both accessed by air and road transport for both the outside visitors and local tourists respectively. To the international visitors, they can access this conservancy through first flying into Kenya’s main airport Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. This conservancy is approximately 210 square km or 130 miles northeast of Nairobi and the drive takes 3 to 4 hours from Nairobi. It is also advised to use 4X4 vehicles during the rainy season to easily navigate the roads.

There are also domestic flights which visitors can take from Nairobi to Nanyuki airstrip, and this only takes 45minutes. A tourist can as well fly from another national park to Ol Pejeta’s airstrip which is now only open to charter flights. These scheduled chartered flights to Nanyuki always depart from Wilson airport WIL 4mi or 6km south of Nairobi and flight bookings can be done through Air Kenya which flies to or from Nairobi Wilson airport, Meru and Masai Mara.

The Ol Pejeta has got several entry points and some of them are Rongai and Serat gate. Tourists and visitors should know that the main entry to the Ol Pejeta conservancy is the Rongai gate to the east if accessed from the road of Nanyuki town. Some people can also access the conservancy via Serat gate. The sanctuary’s visiting time is from 7.00am to 7.00pm. The management does not allow visitors after 7.00pm and driving after 7.00pm is highly prohibited. People with authorized Ol Pejeta vehicles can be permitted to drive after 7.00pm.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Ol Pejeta Conservancy in central Kenya famous for?

The Ol Pejeta Conservancy in central Kenya in Nanyuki town is famously known as a haven for the two white rhinos which were imported from Czech Republic, and it is the largest home for Rhinos in East Africa. The conservancy is the only destination where visitors on a Kenyan safari can be able to see and ride with rhinos. The conservancy is also the only place in Kenya where chimpanzees can be seen.

2. Does Ol Pejeta conservancy have the Big Five animals

Yes, the Ol Pejeta conservancy has all the Big Five animals that is, lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalos and leopards.

Conclusion

Kubwa Five Safaris is a tour company that operates in many African countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda  Tanzania and Burundi and it is ready to serve and offer a variety of tour vacations to both local and international visitors in East Africa to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy or any other tourism destination of interest. We do not only operate in East Africa but also in Southern African countries like South Africa, Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

Do not hesitate to book with us as we are ready to offer you the thrilling and breathtaking safari and vacation across Africa both in Savannah regions and the Sahara regions.

Plan or book your thrilling wildlife vacation with Kubwa Five Safaris across Africa. Find us on all social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok Twitter and our website www.kubwafivesafari.com or call us on 256774313798 for immediate feedback and all updates about exciting Africa’s destinations.