Safaris In Laikipia Region
At the center of conservation is the Laikipia plateau area of central Kenya – one of the most exciting places to witness firsthand African wildlife conservation efforts. As well, witness stretches of complete wilderness across open plains, dramatic escarpments and stays in private conservancies. Laikipia remains one of the most exclusive and diverse safari destinations in Kenya, and is home to incredible wildlife, luxury safari lodges, authentic wildlife conservancies and eye-catching landscapes, Laikipia offers a more private Kenya safari tour away from the crowds.
Instead of national parks, Laikipia is spread with community-run conservancies, most of which offer incredible wildlife viewing, great scenery, and ultra-luxury tented camps and lodges, delivering an all-inclusive safari experience.
Laikipia is a prime Big Five safari territory, with top conservancies & best places in Kenya to see Rhinos alongside good numbers of endemic species such as the Grevy’s Zebra and reticulated giraffe as well as African wild dogs and sitatunga antelope. Laikipia is also home to indigenous communities, including the Laikipia Maasai and Samburu.
Laikipia Safari Packages
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The Best Wildlife Conservancies In Laikipia
Let’s talk about the best private conservancies in Laikipia wilderness. These are some of East Africa’s finest and most exclusive wildlife safari destinations, this massive, lesser-visited safari destination offers exclusive private Kenya safari experiences with diverse wildlife and luxury lodges.
These wildlife conservancies found in Laikipia provides an essential stronghold for rare animals such as the Grevy’s zebra and black rhino, including impressive numbers of lions, leopards, cheetahs, and northern Kenya specialities such as reticulated giraffes, greater and lesser kudus, gerenuks, and beisa oryxes.
Within these top conservancies in Laikipia wilderness, discover on privately guided safari activities, enjoy striking scenery and diverse wildlife experiences which you are not allowed to do inside Kenya Wildlife Parks.
The Top Things To Do In Laikipia
When you consider doing a safari in Laikipia, Kenya – travelers who stay inside the conservancies are able to take part in a number of wildlife safari activities that are not allowed inside the Kenya National Safari Parks, including night game drives and bush walks.
The same case applies to Laikipia safari region, the wildlife game viewing here is very private with just a few visitors allowed inside the park. That said, walking safaris and night game drives are possible in Laikipia Conservancies as well as community and village visits. You will be offered the freedom to discover this remote part of Africa by car, bike, or on foot, immersing you in the African wilderness. Each one of these outdoor safari activities is adaptable and can be suited to families and people of all ages.
1. Safari Game Drives In Laikipia
Guided game-drives are the best way to cover ground and see the most wildlife in Laikipia. Accompanied by an expert safari driver guide, you’ll move around the safari tracks, rocky terrains, and dry sandy riverbeds as you search for the big five safari animals – lions, rhinos, buffalo, leopards and elephants among the giraffe, and hyenas before stopping for a freshly prepared bush breakfast or sundowners if you wish to.
2. Discover Laikipia On Helicopter Trips
Set out on an early morning scenic flight around the peaks of Mount Kenya.
From the wildlife plains of Laikipia, we head north west into the Great Rift Valley. Our first stop is on the summit of Silale crater, we then continue into the Suguta Valley. The landscape is constantly changing – desolate salt plains, lava flows and crocodile pools, through the colourful ‘painted’ and ‘hoodoo’ valleys. We touch down on the sand dunes, fly over the soda lake of Logipi where flocks of flamingo paint the shores pink, and we finally arrive at the fresh waters of Lake Turkana. We will land next to Nabuyatom Crater for a picnic.
We return following the most scenic route, over the Ndotos and Matthews – a dominant mountain range that rises from the arid plains, with mist forests and ancient cycads on its summit. Our final leg takes us low level over the savannahs of Samburu.
3. Bush Dinners & Sundowners In Laikipia
Your list of what to do in Laikipia doesn’t stop with wildlife game-viewing drives, there are still plenty of unforgettable safari adventures inside conservancies.
As the sun slowly fades from view and the clouds turn dark you will be resting at the perfect vantage spot inside the conservancy, complete with cocktail drinks in hand, tasty homemade ‘bitings’ bonfire, and close to your loved ones or friends. You can also opt for an African bush dinner set-up where you’ll enjoy your African meal surrounded by wildlife.
4. Cultural Village Tours In Laikipia
Laikipia region is home to the most vibrant cultural communities – the Samburu and Masai tribes. Visit the Samburu villages and witness yourself, a community with a vibrant and proud cultural heritage. The Samburu sub tribe is the third largest in the Maa community of Kenya and Tanzania, after the Kisonko (Isikirari) of Tanzania and Purko of Kenya and Tanzania. Samburu people just like the Maasai tribe, still retain many of their traditions as they live largely untouched by modern day civilization, in areas surrounding Samburu National Reserve and to the South of the Lake Turkana.
5. Bush Walks & Private Walking Safaris In Laikipia
Guided bush walks in Laikipia are yet another way to discover this adventurous safari destination. These walking trips are led by our expert guides, a mix of Samburu and Maasai warriors, and the focus being the rich bird life, encounter wildlife on foot, and discover how the Masai make use of the indigenous plants for medical and ritual purposes.
A normal interpretive safari walk tells a story and this beautiful tale unwinds at a leisurely pace as you spend a couple of hours strolling in the bush with your Maasai or Samburu guide. For more adventurous walking tours, your guide can also take you for active walks across valleys and mountains, to discover parts of the Conservancy that are not accessible by vehicle.
6. Night Safari Drives In Laikipia
Experience the dangers of the night! More quiet and watchful game viewing as we discover the endless Laikipia plains on a night game drive, a completely different feeling.
This area is rich with nocturnal wildlife and our night drives open up a previously unseen world for many guests. Head out just after dinner with your guide and search for aardvarks, striped hyenas, porcupines, bat-eared foxes, leopards, lions, honey badgers, caracals, genets, civets and aardwolves (just to name a few) using our respectful, red-filtered spotlights. This is done in the comfort of a 4×4 open-sided safari vehicle with our qualified ranger guide.
Animals & Wildlife In Laikipia
Laikipia is still considered when planning Big Five safaris in Kenya, it is home to all of the Big Five, though the private conservancies offer very different wildlife experiences, and some have better animal concentrations than others. Laikipia is home to more than 60% of the world’s remaining Grevy’s zebra population, and it’s a good place to see the reticulated giraffe. It also has good numbers of wild dogs, (although sightings are never guaranteed), and the private reserves are home to one of Kenya’s most significant lion populations. This safari area supports large numbers of elephants and plenty of predators. Most of Laikipia conservancies have a good number of both black and white rhino whereas the fenced Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary at Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy supports the rescued chimpanzee population. In general, the wildlife viewing is excellent.
Birdlife & Birds In Laikipia
With more than 350 birdlife species recorded including many north Kenya specials, such as the stately Somali ostrich, Laikipia is a great birding destination in Kenya. The region features plenty of variety, you might see arid-zone ground-dwelling birds such as sandgrouse not far from colorful forest species such as turacos, and grassland birds that include bustards, be sure to be on the lookout for Raptors which are well represented too.
The Best Time for Bird Watching In Laikipia
Featuring good bird watching year-round, the best months to go birdwatching are from December to March. Migratory species arrive from Europe and North Africa from November to April and this partly coincides with the Wet season October to May when many species appear in breeding plumage.
Best Time To Visit Laikipia
As for Laikipia, there is good wildlife viewing year-round in the conservancies. Expect the wet season within the months of April to May. The best time to visit Laikipia for wildlife viewing is from June to December, which falls during the Dry season. January to March is also good.
The Best Ultra-Luxury Safari Lodges In Laikipia
A luxury safari in Africa can be enjoyed with us at All Kenya Safaris, we provide exceptional camps and lodges to suit every traveller’s preference. With a focus on luxury, each wildlife lodge exudes opulence in all aspects, from the exclusive location to the exceptional staff, cuisine, and genuinely offered services.
These are ultra-high-end luxury trips, featuring a great range of accommodation on the Laikipia Region. Looking to splash out on a luxury safari lodge, or a family-friendly safari lodge? Or perhaps you want to experience sleeping under the stars? We have done the hard work for you and selected the best places to stay in Kenya during your safari trip, and our travel consultants are on hand to help, often with first-hand experience. For something truly wild, we’ll recommend stays in the Laikipia wilderness.
Laikipia Safari Tours
Browse some of our favorite Laikipia safaris & tours which promise a more intimate adventure especially for travelers longing for a more private safari experience far away from the crowds with plenty of flexible safari activities, this is your one chance to do one of Kenya conservancy safaris & tours. Maybe you’re planning your honeymoon safari in Africa or rather you just desire a more private family safari experience just know that you have plenty of options to choose from.
Ready To Plan Safaris To Kenya?
Browse our selection of private Kenya holiday packages above, or get in touch with one of our African safari experts to help tailor-make the best itinerary for you.