Here is a list of the best places to visit in Laikipia County. Laikipia County is one of the 47 counties of Kenya, located on the Equator in the former Rift Valley Province of the country. The county has two major urban centres: Nanyuki to the southeast, and Nyahururu to the southwest. Its capital is Rumuruti.
The county is one of the most diverse counties. Its vast plains are home to a variety of wildlife, cultures, conservancies and beautiful lodges. Without further ado, here is a list of the best places to visit in Laikipia County.
1. Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a 90,000-acre wildlife conservancy situated between the foothills of the Aberdares and Mount Kenya. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is one of the best places to visit in Kenya. The 360-square-kilometre private game reserve is devoted to protecting wild animals and is home to endangered white rhinos, globally recognised for housing the last two remaining Northern White Rhinos in the world. While here, remember to visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only chimpanzee sanctuary in Kenya.
A diverse range of species can be found in open plains, acacia forests, hilly slopes, and swamps. There are many black rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, Grévy’s zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, Thomson’s gazelles, Grant’s gazelles, black-backed jackals, ostriches, baboons, waterbucks, oryx, eland, and other animals. With several hundred species present in the conservancy, birds will not be disappointed. The conservancy offers a variety of activities, such as game drives, walking safaris, and horseback riding. The area is wild, with only three camps in the conservancy, and you rarely see another vehicle. The reserve is only an hour’s drive from the small town of Nanyuki and offers a very wild experience on the Laikipia Plateau.
2. Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy
Ol Jogi is one of Africa’s most impressive private wildlife conservancies. It has been family-owned for over 40 years and is a haven for the preservation and future development of Wildlife Conservation. The landscape, which consists of 58,000 acres (270 km2) of unspoiled wildlife habitat in Kenya’s Laikipia District, astounds and is unique in its diversity within Kenya. Ol Jogi provides guests with a personalised experience that accommodates all of their specific requests and preferences.
The Conservancy is Kenya’s second-largest rhino sanctuary and houses the only grizzly bear in Africa. The bear is named Potap, a gift from Russia. The bear is 19 years old, and the lifespan of a bear is 35 years. The real treasure lies in the untouched nature and the wildlife that unfolds before your eyes. It’s such a wonderful place. The Conservancy is home to 55 black and 25 white rhinos, 400 elephants, 5 large carnivore species, 3 primates, 22 ungulate species, and 310 bird species. A tourist may enjoy game drives, horseback riding, walking with baboons, visiting the Twala Cultural Centre, and a variety of other activities.
3. Thomson’s Falls
Thomson’s Falls is one of the waterfalls in Nyahururu and it attracts visitors from all over the world. It’s a 74-meter waterfall, a few kilometres away from Lake Ol Bolossat, which drains from the Aberdare Mountain Range. Tourists can view the falls from above and there is a trail down the bottom of the ravine. Upstream from the falls is one of the highest hippo pools in Kenya. The falls appeared in the TV movie, The Man in The Brown Suit, the movie was in theatres around 1988.
There is a nice children’s play area and great views right above the falls. There’s also a craft village nearby. It’s an excellent location for picnics and bird-watching.
4. Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
Located at Mount Kenya’s base is the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy. The conservancy was established to protect some of the area’s pristine wilderness and wildlife, including the almost extinct mountain bongo, a species of antelope. Elephants, leopards, buffalo, giant forest hogs, and many other wildlife species can be found in the conservancy. The conservancy runs a breeding program for the rare white zebra and the bongo, as well as rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned and abandoned wild animals.
Visitors to Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy are welcome to stop by the animal orphanage, where they can get to know and learn about the local animals. The orphanage also houses cheetahs, leopards, pygmy hippos, and other native animals; it may be your only chance to see a mountain bongo in the wild.
5. Mugie Wildlife Conservancy
Mugie Ranch is found in the remote northwest of Laikipia, Kenya and is a truly remarkable private ranch and game sanctuary home to an abundance of wildlife, including many rare and endangered species. The Conservancy is a nice place to unwind, especially if you’ve had some activities that have strained you for months without rest. Tented camps are available for accommodation. This is a beautiful location for game viewing, bird watching, camping, and bush walks. Mutamaiyu House is Mugie’s exclusive lodge, offering a luxurious wilderness retreat with gracious, spacious accommodations, delicious home-cooked meals, and a variety of activities.
6. Ngare Ndare Forest ReserveÂ
Located in Timau, Ngare Ndare Forest is one of the best places to hike in Kenya. The lush indigenous forest offers a lot of beautiful scenery. walking over the 450-meter canopy hanging bridge. After the walk from the bridge, you can hike for about 3 kilometres. Enjoy swimming in the cold water of the pool, birdwatching, and viewing the wonderful wildlife. Since the forest is located in a remote place, a solo trip can be confusing and costly. We, therefore, recommend joining this affordable experience with a local guide. Entry fees are Ksh 2,000 per day.
7. Solio Ranch Conservancy
The Solio Ranch is Kenya’s oldest Rhino sanctuary. The park is a privately owned, fenced wildlife preserve dedicated to rhino conservation. The Solio Game Reserve was established in 1970 when the owner of the Solio cattle ranch fenced off a large area of land and dedicated it to conservation. The park is critical to the conservation and breeding of black rhinos in Kenya. Solio rhino breeding has been so successful that it has stocked game reserves across Africa. You can also see other wild animals, i.e gazelles, giraffes, lions, hyenas & buffaloes.
8. Sosian Lodge
Sosian Lodge seamlessly blends comfort and wilderness, making it ideal for those seeking a unique and intimate bush experience. Guests enjoy a fantastically private wildlife viewing experience with an abundance of wildlife, including elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, hippo, giraffe, and many rare species such as wild dog, Grevy’s zebra, and Jackson’s hartebeest. With over 250 bird species, this is also a birder’s paradise. Sosian is personally hosted by a highly experienced team of managers and local staff who create a warm and relaxed atmosphere that immediately makes you feel at ease. Days are tailored to each guest, with a wide range of safari activities available. Whether you go on a safari by car, horseback, or foot, you will undoubtedly leave with some unforgettable memories. No two days are the same, whether you’re galloping with giraffes, walking with elephants, tracking lions, or simply sitting still and taking it all in.
9. Loisaba Conservancy
Loisaba is a 57,000-acre conservancy within Laikipia County that is owned by Loisaba Community Trust, a Kenyan Trust incorporated under the Perpetual Succession of Trustees Act and is committed to wildlife and ecological conservation. The Loisaba mission is to protect and enhance critical wildlife diversity, abundance and habitat in the Loisaba landscape, which sits on the western edge of one of Kenya’s most important elephant movement corridors, while concurrently supporting sustainable livestock production and improving the lives of neighbouring communities.
Visitors to Loisaba are offered a myriad of activities to experience the wildlife and landscape on many different levels. Loisaba boasts a fleet of brand new, custom-designed Land Rover safari vehicles for game driving both day and night. Other activities include horse-riding, camel trekking, guided bush walks, fishing, mountain biking, cultural visits to Samburu villages and visits to the anti-poaching sniffer dogs.
10. Ol lentille Conservancy
Ol Lentille is a private conservancy of 14,500 acres, lying around 75 kilometres north of Mount Kenya. Named after the hill which dominates the area, Ol Lentille sits on the northern escarpment of the Laikipia Plateau. The Conservancy is based on Kijabe Group Ranch and works closely with the local community to protect the animals in the area; klipspringers can be seen leaping among the rocks, hyenas lurk in the hope of a good meal, and a flicker high among the trees could be a leopard. There is also a chance of seeing greater kudu and rare wild dogs in the conservancy.
Aside from the animals, the scenery on the ranch is breathtaking. Acacia and wild olive trees cover the rolling hills, and fig and fever trees grow in the sandy riverbeds. On a clear day, the ranch’s views are spectacular, and from high points, you can often see Mount Kenya, as well as the Matthews Mountains and Karisia Hills.
