Ol Pejeta is Africa's great conservation story made real — a vast plateau of golden savannah and acacia woodland on the equator between Mount Kenya and the Aberdares, home to the Big Five, the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa and the last two northern white rhinos left on earth. This is where a safari becomes something deeper: a chance to witness what dedicated conservation can achieve and what remains at stake.
Covering 360 square kilometres of Laikipia County in central Kenya, Ol Pejeta sits at 1,800–2,000 metres above sea level on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, which connects it to Mount Kenya and the wider Laikipia ecosystem. Originally a cattle ranch, it was transformed into a not-for-profit wildlife conservancy in 1988 and has since become one of East Africa's most successful models of conservation, balancing wildlife protection, community development and sustainable tourism. The conservancy protects over 130 critically endangered black rhino, thriving populations of lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and cheetah, rare species including Grevy's zebra and African wild dog, and Kenya's only chimpanzee sanctuary — established in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute. Over 300 bird species complete one of the most diverse wildlife portfolios in Kenya.
Hover over a month to discover what awaits
Ol Pejeta is the last home of Najin and Fatu — the world's only two surviving northern white rhinos. Visiting their sanctuary and learning about the groundbreaking efforts to save their subspecies from extinction is one of the most profoundly moving wildlife experiences in Africa.
The conservancy is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, protecting over 130 critically endangered black rhinos alongside a significant population of southern white rhinos. Rhino sightings are a near-daily occurrence — often multiple individuals in a single game drive.
Ol Pejeta is the only place in Kenya — and one of the only places in East Africa — where you can see chimpanzees. The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, established with the Jane Goodall Institute, provides lifelong care for rescued chimps from across Central and West Africa.
All of the Big Five are present and reliably seen. Lion prides roam the open grasslands, leopard inhabit the riverine corridors, elephant herds gather along the Ewaso Nyiro, and buffalo graze the acacia woodland — all with Mount Kenya's snow-capped summit as the backdrop.
Ol Pejeta offers more activities than any other conservancy in Kenya. Lion tracking with radio telemetry, night game drives, guided bush walks, horse riding alongside rhino, mountain biking, running with rangers and behind-the-scenes conservation talks go far beyond the classic game drive.
As a not-for-profit conservancy, every visit directly funds conservation and community programmes that support 45,000 people in surrounding communities. Anti-poaching patrols, education, healthcare and sustainable livelihoods are all sustained by responsible tourism — making every safari genuinely impactful.
Ol Pejeta is a year-round destination thanks to its stable highland climate, resident Big Five populations and conservation attractions that operate in every season.
The dry months — June through October and December to February — offer the finest game viewing, with short grass, concentrated water sources and exceptional visibility against the Mount Kenya backdrop.
The green season from April to May brings lush landscapes, wildflowers, peak birdlife and far fewer visitors. The northern white rhinos, chimpanzee sanctuary and Baraka the blind black rhino are accessible year-round regardless of season.
Ol Pejeta lies approximately 200 kilometres north of Nairobi — a comfortable 3.5–4 hour drive along well-maintained highways through the central highlands, with views of Mount Kenya growing ever-larger as you approach.
Scheduled and charter flights from Nairobi's Wilson Airport land at Nanyuki airstrip, just 14 kilometres from the conservancy's main gate. Most lodges arrange seamless airstrip transfers.
Ol Pejeta pairs naturally with Samburu, Lewa and the wider Laikipia conservancies for a northern Kenya circuit, or connects by charter flight to the Maasai Mara and Amboseli for a varied multi-destination itinerary.
Ol Pejeta delivers something no other safari destination can — the chance to stand metres from the last two northern white rhinos on the planet and understand what it truly means to be on the edge of extinction. But the experience goes far beyond that single moment. The Big Five roam freely, rhino sightings are a daily affair, chimpanzees play in Kenya's only sanctuary, and Mount Kenya watches over it all. This is a safari that moves you.
Ol Pejeta offers more activities than any conservancy in Kenya. Track collared lions with radio telemetry and rangers. Ride horseback through rhino territory. Cycle the bush on a mountain bike. Join an after-dark night drive to spot aardvark, bushbaby and leopard. Meet Baraka, a blind rescued black rhino who has become an ambassador for his species. Every experience here is designed to connect you to conservation in a tangible, personal way.
Ol Pejeta proves that tourism and conservation are not at odds — they are inseparable. Every shilling spent here funds anti-poaching patrols, ranger salaries, community education and healthcare for 45,000 people. The conservancy pairs beautifully with Samburu or Lewa for a northern Kenya circuit, and its proximity to Nanyuki makes it one of the most accessible private conservancies in the country. A safari with purpose, in every sense.
Kenya's most celebrated reserve — world-class big cat sightings, the Great Migration river crossings, and endless golden savannahs.
Explore →
Iconic views of Mount Kilimanjaro towering above vast elephant herds make Amboseli one of Kenya's most photogenic safari destinations.
Explore →
A rugged northern frontier where the rare Samburu Special Five — reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich and gerenuk — roam wild.
Explore →
A Rift Valley gem famous for flamingo-fringed shores, rhino conservation, and prolific birdlife in a compact and rewarding setting.
Explore →
East Africa's largest black rhino sanctuary and home to the last two northern white rhinos on earth — a conservation stronghold.
Explore →
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and pioneering rhino sanctuary set against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Kenya's northern slopes.
Explore →
Vast red-earth plains, the Galana River, and herds of dust-red elephants make Tsavo East one of Kenya's wildest and most expansive parks.
Explore →
Dramatic volcanic landscapes, the crystal-clear Mzima Springs, and rich wildlife diversity in a rugged, mountainous setting.
Explore →
The setting of Born Free and one of Kenya's most beautiful yet least-visited parks, with lush riverine forests and diverse wildlife.
Explore →
The world's only national park within a capital city — lion, rhino, buffalo and giraffe roam freely against Nairobi's skyline.
Explore →
