Ol Pejeta Wildlife Safaris
Established to protect wildlife and support local communities, Ol Pejeta is an incredible Kenya safari destination. Ol Pejeta is home to the Big Five safaris, and remains the only place in East Africa where you can see both black and white rhinos, worldwide famous as the home of the last two northern white rhinos left on earth, and one of Africa’s largest chimpanzee sanctuaries.
Ol Pejeta is the most accessible of all the Laikipia conservancies and combines good wildlife viewing with exciting scenery, not forgetting the extensive range of luxury safari lodges and some active safari activities including game drives, mountain biking, horse riding, lion tracking, running with rangers, cycling and community visits. Ol Pejeta is also the best place to see rhinos in Kenya, and with fewer visitors, you can experience an intimate private safari in Kenya
Ol Pejeta Safari Packages
4 Days Masai Mara Private Safari
Discover the big five wildlife in style with our exclusive …
9 Days Luxury Kenya Safari
Join us on this luxury safari, visiting some of the most epic wildlife locations…
5 Days Private Kenya Safari
Discover Kenya’s iconic destinations in this epic adventure…
6 Days Kenya Safari Tour
An unchartered wilderness journey on a 4×4 in Kenya’s intimate…
The Top 10 Things To Do In Ol Pejeta Conservancy
When planning on taking a safari trip to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, travelers who stay inside the conservancies are able to take part in a number of wildlife safari activities that are not allowed inside National Parks in Kenya, including night game drives and private bush walks.
Discover Ol Pejeta on exciting game drives, journey out into the wilderness on night safaris and photographic safaris, witness the remarkable efforts of the canine anti-poaching unit, and even join a run with the wildlife rangers. You can tailor your safari experience to your liking and create unforgettable memories in this incredible wildlife conservation haven.
1. Safari Game Drives In Ol Pejeta
Guided game-drives are the best way to cover ground and see the most wildlife in Ol Pejeta. Accompanied by an expert driver guide, you’ll move around the safari tracks, rocky terrains, and dry sandy riverbeds as you search for the big five wildlife 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. Night Safari Drives In Ol Pejeta
On a night game drive in Ol Pejeta, experience this unique wildlife adventure by exploring the depths of the African darkness. Here, you’ll discover antelopes, predators, and nocturnal creatures like aardvark, zorilla, porcupines and white-tailed mongoose. Some of these animals are incredibly rare, making sightings a special treat. Head out just after dinner with your guide in the comfort of a 4×4 open-sided safari vehicle with our qualified ranger guide using our respectful, red-filtered spotlights.
3. Meet the Northern White Rhinos
Experience a rare opportunity to visit the world’s last two remaining northern white rhinos. These rhinos are protected by 24-hour armed security within an enclosed habitat. As well, you can see Grévy’s zebra and Jackson’s hartebeest in this secure and predator-free environment.
4. Bush Dinners & Sundowners In Ol Pejeta
Your list of what to do in Ol Pejeta doesn’t stop with wildlife game-viewing drives, there are still plenty of unforgettable safari adventures inside Ol Pejeta. When you stay at the high-end safari lodges, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in your location of choice. Let your personal host prepare an in-villa breakfast in your kitchen, enjoy lunch with a view at our infinity pool and end off the day with a bush dinner around a campfire. Or, 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.
5. Guided Lion Tracking Experience In Ol Pejeta
In Ol Pejeta, walk along with the wildlife researchers as they track collared lion throughout Ol Pejeta Conservancy, learn about various prides, and distinguish individual lions from one another.
6. Canine Anti-Poaching Unit In Ol Pejeta
Explore the Conservancy’s bloodhound dog kennels to discover the specialised training that turns these dogs into effective anti-poaching patrollers.
7. Guided Bush & Birding Trips In Ol Pejeta
The rangers on Ol Pejeta know the 90,000 acres like the backs of their hands. In this experience, you will join them in their everyday activity in the wild and get to know the routes, the best places to see wildlife and acquire a lot of fascinating information about the different species you get to see.
8. Rhino Monitoring & Identification In Ol Pejeta
Experience an unforgettable and educational adventure with Ol Pejeta Rhino Monitoring team. You will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with these iconic species, which are the signature species of the Conservancy. The rangers are dedicated to monitoring and protecting these magnificent animals, and they know each rhino by name and their home range. Learn how to identify individual rhino by their unique ear notches, and assist the rangers in the collection of valuable data about their body condition, habitat, and activity.
9. Visit Baraka The Blind Rhino In Ol Pejeta
Born in the wild, Baraka, lost an eye in a fight with another rhino, and then lost sight in the other due to a cataract, because of this, he is unable to live in the wild. He now lives at the conservancy full-time, safeguarded 24/7 under the watchful eye and close care of the dedicated rangers.
You can go and feed Baraka from a feeding platform which allows visitors a very unique interactive experience to see Baraka up close.
10. Visit The Chimpanzees In Ol Pejeta
Enjoy a unique opportunity of viewing chimpanzees behind the scenes and learn more about the day-to-day care of the chimpanzees in Ol Pejeta. Chimpanzees are not indigenous to Kenya. Habitat loss and commercial hunting for bush meat has become the most immediate threat to the future of these chimpanzees in the wild.
The Animals & Wildlife In Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is considered home to all of the Big Five safari animals, and on scheduled morning and afternoon game drives, a wide variety of wildlife can be seen, from lions to giraffes and elephants. Ol Pejeta remains the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, with sightings of both black rhino (more than 160) and white rhinos (40 plus) are common. Whether going on an Ol Pejeta photographic safari to capture the Big 5 animals or on a daytrip to Ol Pejeta, you’ll enjoy this private safari destination, with a good chance of seeing lion, leopards and hyenas. Go on a safari to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a refuge for rescued chimpanzees. Elsewhere inside the conservancy, watch for, defassa waterbuck and large herds of buffalos among other wildlife.
The endangered species enclosure is home to the only two remaining northern white rhinos left on earth. A day tour to Ol Pejeta will not allow you to witness these two and still do a full day game drive.
The Birdlife & Birds In Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta is home to a completely different range of bird species. With more than 500 birding species recorded, Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy is a bird-watcher’s paradise, and can be explored on scheduled early morning and afternoon bird walks, guided with a maximum of six people at the lodges. If your main theme is birdwatching trips, we recommend booking a private safari if birding is your main interest.
The common bird species found in Ol Pejeta include sandgrouse, Black-winged lapwing, Hildebrandt’s starling, Rosy-throated longclaw, Secretary bird, black-shouldered kites, Namaqua doves, yellow-necked spurfowl, white-bellied go-away birds, white-browed coucals, brown babblers, rufous-crowned rollers, marico sunbirds, red-billed hornbills, gabar goshawks, D’Arnaud’s barbets, bearded Woodpeckers, crested francolins, northern white-crowned shrikes, black-headed orioles, paradise fly-catchers and greater blue-eared starlings to name just a few.
The Best Time For Bird Watching In Ol Pejeta Park
As for the nature travelers, birding in Ol Pejeta Conservancy is good throughout the year, though it is worth taking note that the migrant birds from Europe and North Africa are present from November through April, coinciding with the Wet safari months of October to May – this is when many species can be seen in breeding plumage as they are nesting. Other best birding months are December to February. Discover from Africa’s heaviest flying bird (the Kori bustard) to the dazzling array of tiny sunbirds that flit between the flower blossoms.
The Best Time To Visit Ol Pejeta Conservancy
All travelers planning on taking safaris trips to Ol Pejeta, Ol Pejeta Conservancy offers good wildlife viewing throughout the year, with the best times to visit is during the dry season from June to February. Expect the downpours in the wet seasons from late March to mid-May.
Ol Pejeta Trips From January – March
Experience lush landscapes and crystal-clear air during these months without rain. February brings flocks of white storks, and clear conditions are ideal for photography. Savour the majestic sights of Mount Kenya by day and warm yourself by the campfire at night.
Ol Pejeta Tours From April – June
The rainy season is perfect for adventurous game drives if you want to avoid crowds and take advantage of lower rates. There is still plenty to see, as big cats often use roads to avoid wet grass, and there are enough dry spells to be out and about to explore. Lush vegetation and drier conditions arrive in June after the camp’s closure in May.
Ol Pejeta Safaris From July – September
The dry season is the perfect time for Big Five enthusiasts to spot wildlife as the vegetation thins and grass levels are lower. Watering holes become a hive of activity for predators as more significant game numbers gather at the available water sources. Crowds thin out in September.
Ol Pejeta Holidays From October – December
Late September through October is a great time to visit Ol Pejeta. With fewer tourists, it’s easier to spot wildlife. The short rains in November and December rejuvenate the grasslands, turning the landscape green and welcoming migratory birds. This is an ideal time to see cheetah using the taller grass to aid their hunting.
The Weather & Climate In Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Given the conservancies location along the Equator, and the surroundings high altitude, Ol Pejeta experiences a mild climate whereby temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year. Noticeably, daytime temperatures are in the mid-twenties Celsius while the nights are cooler. We therefore recommend warm clothes for the morning game drives. The wet season starts from March to mid-May.
Dry Season Beginning June To September
The Dry seasons has mostly sunny days, although rainfall is possible at any time whereas the nighttime and early mornings are cold.
Wet Season Beginning October To May
A drier period from December to February separates the short rains and long rains.
Ol Pejeta Safari Tours
Browse some of our favorite Ol Pejeta luxury 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 visit one of Kenya private conservancies. 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.