Laikipia Wilderness Camp

AREA & ACTIVITIES

Habitat & Wildlife
The Laikipia covers a significant portion of dramatic countryside in northern Kenya, sandwiched between Samburu and Mount Kenya in the east and the Aberdare Mountains and Great Rift Valley in the west. The central section of the area is covered by a lava plateau which creates a series of rocky escarpments offering epic views, whilst a series of rocky outcrops and hills dot the landscape revealing the landscapes much more ancient history (some of these rocks are thought to be around 80 million years old). The region is divided into a number of private ranches, conservancies and community lands with farming (cattle mainly), wildlife conservation and local populations all existing in relative harmony. As the region is increasingly closely managed, and the local communities are made more aware of their role in conserving wildlife and benefitting from this, there has been an increase in properties dedicated solely to wildlife, and in these areas the wildlife populations are growing steadily. Some private ranches have been concentrating on wildlife conservation for many years and offer superb game viewing experiences, though in general the Laikipia region is better known for its wilderness, scenery and the wide variety of activities on offer.

Laikipia Wilderness is located on the Ol Donyo Lemborro ranch. The terrain and habitat is varied with rolling hills of scrub bush and open grassland interspersed with thickets and riverine woodland along the Ewaso Narok river. Around 250 species of birds have been recorded and the mammal list includes greater kudu, gerenuk, wild dog, elephant, buffalo, cheetah, leopard, lion, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Thompson and Grants gazelle, eland, Beisa oryx, defassa waterbuck, striped hyaena, spotted hyaena, baboon, vervet monkey, jackal, warthog and many smaller species such as caracal, African wild cat, serval, genet, civet, porcupine, aardvark, aardwolf and rock hyrax. The Laikipia region has one of the fastest growing populations of wild dogs in Africa.

Activities
Activities are varied at Laikipia Wilderness and no fixed schedule means every day will be different. Daily day and night game drives take place in open and closed vehicles but the speciality here, and Steve’s own passion, is walking. Walks are tailored to personal preference and fitness and can last from thirty minutes to several hours. For the energetic and adventurous rock climbing, river swimming, tubing and rafting can all be arranged as can fishing, bird watching and local village visits.

For many, a highlight of their stay is a night sleeping out in the wild. After a dinner in the bush you will sleep under the stars on bedrolls provided with sheets and blankets beside the campfire.

The camps’ close ties with the Laikipia Predator Project allows guests to track the collared wild dogs and lions on their land. Meeting the dogs at ground level can be a very special experience but this cannot be guaranteed.

Seasons
Laikipia Wilderness is open for the whole year and wildlife viewing is good all year round.

Families

Laikipia Wilderness is fantastic for adventurous families. Steve and Annabelle have children themselves and during school holidays, and at weekends, they can often be found in camp. The camp will cater for children of all ages (staff and very used to supervising and entertaining!) but perhaps active families with slightly older children will benefit most from the wilderness experience and the more adventurous activities on offer. The two bedroomed family tents (with one shared bathroom) are ideal if your children are too young to take their own tent and is able to accommodate up to four children.

CONSERVATION & COMMUNITY

Laikipia Wilderness supports The Laikipia Predator Project (LPP) which mainly studies lions in the area, aiming to encourage a positive coexistence between predators, people and livestock. By understanding how they coexist in Laikipia, they can assist other areas of Africa that do not have any formal wildlife protection. Their aim is the conservation of lions, protection of livestock from predators and making sure the communities within these areas gain economically from having wildlife on their land. Laikipia Wilderness helps by working directly with the Laikipia wild dog project, providing data and daily sighting reports and following the movements of their local pack. This is not only important information for the project but also monitors any outbreaks of disease.

Laikipia Wilderness supports a rabies vaccination program across Laikipia by sending their vehicles and staff to drive a team carrying out vaccinations on domestic dogs, preventing the spread of rabies whilst protecting domestic and wild animals.

They also support a nearby Samburu school by providing materials and funding the salary of one teacher every year.