Stretching over a vast area from the north-east of the Great Rift Valley to the north-west of Mount Kenya, the high plains of Laikipia offers one of Kenya’s best safari experiences. Challenging the Maasai Mara National Park for an overall safari experience, Laikipia is fast becoming a must-do on an itinerary. As well as striking landscapes, working ranches and welcoming locals, the expansive region is home to several of Kenya’s leading conservation projects. Conservancies in this area include Lewa, Ol Pejeta, IL Ngwesi. Ranches include Borana, Solio, Sosian, El Karama among others.

Laikipia is home to a numerous number of endangered species including half of Kenya’s odd black rhinos. Spotting packs of Wild dogs, Grey’s zebras, reticulated giraffes is almost a certainty. You can find most of Kenya’s more common wildlife in Laikipia, too, as well as more than 2,000 elephants, which migrate between the slopes of Mount Kenya, the Laikipia safari conservancies and the Samburu region.

North of Laikipia is the traditional homeland of the Samburu people who were drawn to this hot and dry region by the reliability of the Ewaso Nyiro river for watering their herds. The Samburu people are known for their distinctive bright fabrics and layers of beaded jewellery. Many work as guides and staff in the region’s safari camps, presenting an opportunity for guests to learn about the tribe’s culture and traditions. The Ewaso Nyiro and its tributaries flow north through Laikipia from the Aberdare range and Mount Kenya in the central highlands attracting plenty of wildlife and dozens of species – plains grazers and browsers gather in the thick acacia and doum palm forest along the riverbanks to drink and seek shade.

Highlights

• Star bed experience
• Home to the enlarged Black rhinos
• Authentic cultural and conservation experiences
• Spend romantic nights under the African sky in a star bed
• Exhilarating game drives in search of the big and elusive black leopard

Safari activities

• Cultural experience
• Big 5 Safari
• Bird Watching
• Photographic Safari
• Night Game Drives
• Guided Walking Safari
• Horse and Camel Riding
• Picnic meals in the bush

When to go

The best time to visit Laikipia is during the cool-dry season from July to October and January to February. During these times, water sources are quite limited, so wildlife are easily found gathered near or around the last remaining water sources.