Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages
Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages comprises a collection of five private cottages in the south of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages were created by safari veterans, Andy and Sonja Webb, who have worked in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy for many years and who also run the cottages. The property is located along a patch of woodland in the south of the conservancy, surrounded by natural bush and overlooking a small river course. Accommodation is down to earth, homely and very comfortable while guiding and hospitality is top notch. With each cottage having its own team of staff and private guide and vehicle, the key here is exclusivity and flexibility. There are no set schedules so for couples looking for a private hideaway or families looking for a varied adventure, the cottages make an excellent base for exploring this wilderness area.
Rooms
There are five comfortably furnished cottages, each with a spacious lounge and dining area and a large and very comfortably furnished veranda. Three of the cottages have two en suite bedrooms and the remaining two have one en suite bedroom. There is sufficient space in each cottage for an additional bed. To the front of each cottage is a private lawn where a camp fire will be built for you in the evening. Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages offer an exclusive stay with each cottage having a private vehicle and guide for tailored and flexible game drives in the conservancy. The two bedroom cottages all have their own kitchen with private chef, whilst the one bedroom cottages share a kitchen/chef, and all cottages have their own dedicated waiter and askari.
Central Areas
There is a central lounge deck where meals can be taken, but on the whole dining is undertaken in your cottage and on a private basis. Andy and Sonja are your hosts but they do not generally dine with you unless requested.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for Charging – Yes
Swimming Pool – No
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 landscape’s 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.
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy straddles the equator, covering an area of over 100 000 acres. Owned by the Fauna and Flora International, the conservancy aims to generate profit from wildlife tourism and complementary activities (such as cattle) for reinvestment into community development in the local area.
The terrain is primarily one of undulating plains interspersed with glades of euclea and olive woodland. The Ewaso Nyiro River bisects the reserve creating wetland areas which are popular with elephant and a range of waders.
Wildlife viewing within the conservancy is incredible, especially for black rhino whose density numbers are higher here than anywhere else in Africa. Indeed, Ol Pejeta is the largest sanctuary for black rhino in East Africa. Other species likely to be encountered include white rhino, Defassa waterbuck, Jackson’s hartebeest, elephant, buffalo, lion, cheetah, leopard, spotted hyaena, warthog, Anubis baboon, vervet monkey, greater kudu, eland, impala, Bohor and Chandlers reedbuck, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle, as well as some of the species normally found to the drier north – reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra. Smaller, nocturnally active species, include genet, caracal, porcupine, white-tailed mongoose, honey badger and zorilla.
Within the former Sweetwaters section is the chimpanzee sanctuary where rescued animals are given the chance to live as near to the wild as possible. There is also a Research Centre.
As well as being a sanctuary for black rhino, Ol Pejeta and is home to the last couple of remaining northern white rhino who were shipped out to the conservancy from a zoo in Prague and live in the enlarged predator free ‘endangered species boma’ for additional protection. As they were captive animals, feeding still takes place and it is possible to join the 4 pm feed to see these rare animals close up. Early booking is essential as only two vehicles are allowed per feed. Other endangered species found in the boma are Grevy’s zebra and the Jackson’s hartebeest, both of which are being monitored for breeding purposes.
The birdlife is superb in the conservancy, with over 500 species recorded. To the east of the reserve is towering Mount Kenya, Africa’s second highest mountain with its snow-capped peaks.
Activities
Activities focus on daytime game drives into the conservancy, though night drives and bush walks are also possible. At extra cost, it is also possible to undertake day trips further afield to the Mount Kenya highlands (for forest walks and exploration), the Aberdare Mountains (with waterfalls, picnics and fabulous birding) or Ngare Ndare Forest (where there is a canopy walk, waterfalls and viewing platform). For an adventurous night in the bush, a night fly camping in the conservancy can also be arranged at an additional cost. Further additional activities can be arranged through the Ol Pejeta Conservancy itself, at extra cost, including horse riding, dog tracking, lion tracking and visiting the last remaining Northern White Rhinos.
Seasons
Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages are open year round, however April, May & November are rainy months.
Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages are an excellent option for families and children of all ages are welcome. The two bedroom cottages are ideal for families and the private guide and vehicle inclusion, and tailored meal-planning, means days can be structured to suit, with complete flexibility.
By staying on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, guests are contributing in fees which go directly to the wide range of conservation, research, wildlife protection, community and infrastructure projects carried out. Booking extra activities with the Ol Pejeta Conservancy further supports those specific projects. In addition to supporting the Conservancy with their conservation and community projects, Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages contributes directly to a nearby school (Nyakio primary school), an orphanage in Nanyuki town and a ladies self help weaving project (Spinners and Weavers).
Operations at Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages are operated by 24 hour solar electricity, whilst waste is efficiently managed and sent to a National Environmental Agency approved and licenced recycler in the nearby town of Nanyuki. Fruit and vegetable waste is recycled on site into compost for the vegetable gardens.
Fruit and vegetables are grown on site or purchased from local farmers and other supplies are sourced locally wherever possible. Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages employ 75% of their workforce from the neighbouring community thereby helping to support community upliftment.
