The Laikipia Region

The Laikipia region is made up of a variety of private ranches, game sanctuaries and community lands

This huge tract of wilderness, running from Mount Kenya & Samburu in the east to Great Rift Valley in the west, offers a wide range of experiences, including culture & community, big game and conservation, walking, horse-riding, fly-camping, river swimming, helicopter flights, camel riding and climbing.

The diverse landscape is dominated by rugged hills, lava plateaus and rocky escarpments that give way to the semi-arid savannahs of the north. Some areas offer first-class game viewing, such as the Ol Pejeta and Lewa-Borana private conservancies, whilst others offer much more of a wilderness experience. The scenery is stunning throughout, and a Laikipia safari will generally offer very exclusive experiences and high levels of personal hosting.

We often recommend a few days in the Laikipia in combination with some time in the Masai Mara. Not only is this logistically easy to undertake, but there is a significant contrast between the experiences. The variety of activities on offer in Laikipia is a major attraction to many travellers, and knowing that the Masai Mara is so amazing for game drives, it is easy to spend time in Laikipia enjoying a more alternative schedule, with walking, culture, conservation, relaxation and wilderness taking centre stage. This can be especially relevant for families looking for an all round Kenya experience.

The area has good general game concentrations though for pure game viewing The Ol Pejeta and Lewa-Borana Conservancies are the best options to consider. These conservancies offer a more traditional big game experience, but in addition to normal game drives are also able to offer a varied program of activities. Ol Pejeta is home to a chimpanzee sanctuary, where guests are able to meet and learn about the chimps, and also the last two remaining Northern White rhinos on earth. The Lewa-Borana Conservancies began as a rhino sanctuary on Lewa Downs and offer walking, horse and camel riding, behind the scenes conservation activities, and day trips to the nearby Ngare Ndare Forest.

In the more wilderness regions of Laikipia, wild dogs are seen regularly and some camps are able to track them using radio signal, whilst in the community lands it is possible to visit and learn about the local Maasai and Samburu peoples.

Laikipia offers something for everyone, it is just a case of deciding on your priorities. Please call us on +44 (0) 1787 888590 to discuss your requirements, or email us via our Contact Us page.