Safari region · Kenya
Laikipia
The Laikipia Plateau and the northern slopes of Mount Kenya, a safari region of private and community conservancies.
The destination
Conservancies, not parks.
Several of the destinations we suggest here describe themselves as on the Laikipia Plateau, near or on the northern slopes of Mount Kenya. All of them are conservancies, on former ranches, private land or community land, each with its own camps and rules.
We use the name loosely, as a safari region. Some destinations we group here, such as Lewa, lie beyond Laikipia County itself, and Loisaba describes a landscape that links Laikipia with Samburu and Isiolo counties.
At a glance
- Type
- Safari region
- Landscape
- Laikipia Plateau, north of Mount Kenya
- Counties
- Mainly Laikipia; Lewa is listed in Meru
- Conservancies
- Nine
- Getting there
- Scheduled flights from Nairobi Wilson to Lewa Downs and Loisaba
Within the safari region
Destinations in Laikipia.
Each conservancy has its own camps, guides and rules, so where you stay shapes what you can do.
Photo: Ol Pejeta ConservancyOl Pejeta Conservancy
A not-for-profit wildlife conservancy in Laikipia County that grew out of a working cattle ranch.
Photo: Lewa Wildlife ConservancyLewa Wildlife Conservancy
A wildlife conservancy north of Mount Kenya, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and of one open landscape with Borana.
Photo: Borana ConservancyBorana Conservancy
A conservancy on the northern slopes of Mount Kenya, open to neighbouring Lewa since the fence between them came down.
Photo: Loisaba ConservancyLoisaba Conservancy
A wildlife conservancy and working ranch in northern Laikipia, owned by the Loisaba Community Trust.
Photo: Ol LentilleOl Lentille Conservation Area
A 40,000-acre conservation area on community land on the far northern escarpment of the Laikipia Plateau.
Photo: Arturo Polo-EnaOl Jogi Wildlife Conservancy
A 58,000-acre private wildlife conservancy on the Laikipia Plateau, with one private home for guests.
Photo: Segera (Crookes and Jackson)Segera
A family-owned former ranch of 50,000 acres in Laikipia, now run for wildlife, with a single retreat.
Photo: Nadine Villabruna / Solio Game ReserveSolio
A private rhino conservancy between Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Ranges, also known as Solio Game Reserve or Solio Ranch.
Photo: Mugie Conservancy (file credits Tarryn Liddell)Mugie Conservancy
A conservancy in Laikipia with a lodge, a private villa and a tented camp.
In the safari region
Ways to explore.
Photo: Lewa Wildlife ConservancyWhat you can do depends on the conservancy you stay on. These are examples from the conservancies' own pages.
Game drives, day and night
Ol Pejeta lists night game drives alongside all-day drives, and Lewa mentions the night drive home after sundowners.
On foot, on horseback, by camel
Loisaba lists guided bush walks, horse riding and camel riding. Borana keeps a stable of more than thirty horses.
Behind the scenes
Several conservancies open their work to guests, from tracker dogs at Lewa to rhino monitoring at Ol Pejeta.
When to go
The safari region through the year.
The high season in KWS guidance for Kenya's parks, when shorter grass can make wildlife easier to see. Sightings are never guaranteed.
The long rains. KWS says most park roads may need four-wheel drive at this time.
KWS describes Kenya's central highlands as cool and the north as hot and dry, so pack for warm days and cool evenings.
Source: Kenya Wildlife Service.
Where to stay in Laikipia
Our selection of camps and lodges.
Photo: Expert AfricaOl Pejeta Bush Camp
View the propertySeven tents on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
Photo: Elewana CollectionLewa Safari Camp
View the propertyA tented camp owned by the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy itself, run by Elewana.
Photo: Elewana CollectionElewana Kifaru House
View the propertyFive thatched cottages on the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, looking over a waterhole.
Photo: SirikoiSirikoi
View the propertyA small, family-owned lodge on a spring-fed waterhole in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
Photo: Sirai HouseSirai House
View the propertySix private cottages on a ridge at the foot of Mount Kenya, in the Borana Conservancy.
Photo: Elewana CollectionElewana Loisaba Tented Camp
View the propertyTwelve tents on an escarpment in the Loisaba Conservancy, looking towards Mount Kenya.
Photo: Elewana CollectionLoisaba Star Beds
View the propertyFour-poster beds rolled out under the stars on a rocky outcrop in the Loisaba Conservancy.
Photo: Go2AfricaOl Jogi
View the propertyA private home for up to 14 guests in the middle of the 58,000-acre Ol Jogi Conservancy.
Photo: Ol LentilleOl Lentille
View the propertyFour private villas on one of the highest points in Laikipia, in a 40,000-acre community conservation area.
Photo: SegeraSegera Retreat
View the propertyTen villas in a tropical garden on about 50,000 acres of Laikipia wilderness.
Photo: JW Marriott Mount Kenya Safari CampJW Marriott Mount Kenya Safari Camp
View the propertyNineteen tented suites with plunge pools in Solio Game Reserve, between Mount Kenya and the Aberdares.
Photo: Lewa WildernessLewa Wilderness
View the propertyA family-owned lodge of thatched cottages on the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, still run by the Craig family.
Africa, Private & Personal
Thinking of Laikipia?
Tell us how you like to travel, and we will suggest the conservancies and camps that suit you, as part of an individually crafted journey.
- Phone & WhatsApp
- +254 795 887765
- Office
- The Piano Building, Brookside Drive, Nairobi