Ol Pejeta Conservancy – Kenya's Premier Conservation Safari

Ol Pejeta Conservancy is located approximately 217 kilometres north of Nairobi near Nanyuki town. By road, the journey typically takes between three-and-a-half and four-and-a-half hours via the Nairobi–Nanyuki highway. Visitors can also fly from Nairobi's Wilson Airport to nearby airstrips such as Nanyuki Airstrip, reducing travel time to approximately 45 minutes. Many luxury lodges and safari operators provide transfers from the airstrip directly to the conservancy.

Yes. Ol Pejeta Conservancy maintains very high safety standards and employs professional rangers, guides, and anti-poaching teams throughout the conservancy. Guided activities follow strict safety procedures and accommodations maintain excellent security measures. Visitors are advised to follow instructions provided by guides, especially during walking safaris and wildlife encounters.

Yes. The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is open to visitors and provides a safe home for rescued and orphaned chimpanzees from across Africa. Guided visits allow guests to observe chimpanzee behaviour, learn about rescue and rehabilitation efforts, and understand the challenges facing primate conservation. It remains Kenya's only chimpanzee sanctuary and is one of Ol Pejeta's signature attractions.

Yes. Ol Pejeta is one of Kenya's best family safari destinations. Children are often fascinated by the northern white rhinos, chimpanzee sanctuary, and close wildlife encounters. Many lodges offer family tents, interconnected rooms, child-friendly menus, and educational conservation activities. The conservancy's diverse activities help keep younger visitors engaged throughout their stay.

Yes. Ol Pejeta is one of the few safari destinations in Kenya that offers professionally guided night game drives. These excursions allow visitors to discover species that are rarely seen during the day, including aardvarks, porcupines, civets, genets, bush babies and nocturnal predators. Night drives provide a completely different perspective on African wildlife and are highly recommended for returning safari travellers.

Ol Pejeta offers excellent wildlife viewing throughout the year, but the dry seasons between June and October and December to February are generally considered the best times to visit. During these periods, shorter grass and reduced vegetation make wildlife easier to spot, while animals gather near rivers and waterholes. The rainy seasons offer greener scenery, fewer visitors, excellent birdwatching opportunities and attractive accommodation discounts.

Most visitors stay for two to three nights, which allows sufficient time to experience game drives, the northern white rhino visit, the chimpanzee sanctuary and conservation activities. Travellers interested in photography, birdwatching or a more relaxed safari experience often choose four nights or longer to fully appreciate the diversity of experiences available within the conservancy.

Ol Pejeta supports more than 130 mammal species and over 300 bird species. Visitors regularly encounter elephants, lions, black and white rhinos, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, warthogs, jackals, impalas, waterbucks and cheetahs. Leopard sightings occur occasionally, particularly during early morning and evening game drives. Bird enthusiasts can enjoy sightings of ostriches, secretary birds, eagles, vultures, hornbills and numerous migratory species.

Yes. One of the conservancy's most extraordinary experiences is visiting the world's last two northern white rhinos under the protection of armed rangers. Visitors can observe these remarkable animals at close range while learning about the global conservation efforts being undertaken to preserve their genetic lineage. For many travellers, this becomes the emotional highlight of their entire Kenyan safari.

Ol Pejeta offers experiences that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. It is home to the last two surviving northern white rhinos on Earth and operates East Africa's largest black rhino sanctuary. It is also the only place in Kenya where visitors can see rescued chimpanzees in a dedicated sanctuary. In addition, Ol Pejeta allows night game drives, guided bush walks and behind-the-scenes conservation activities that are not permitted in many national parks.

Yes. Ol Pejeta is one of the few destinations in Kenya where visitors have an excellent chance of seeing all members of the Big Five during a relatively short stay. Lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos and leopards all inhabit the conservancy, although leopards remain naturally elusive and sightings cannot be guaranteed. The conservancy's open grasslands and relatively compact size make wildlife easier to locate than in many larger national parks.

Absolutely. Ol Pejeta Conservancy is widely regarded as one of Kenya's finest safari destinations and one of Africa's leading conservation success stories. It offers exceptional wildlife viewing, uncrowded game drives, luxury accommodation and unique conservation experiences that cannot be found elsewhere. Visitors have the opportunity to see the Big Five, visit East Africa's largest black rhino sanctuary, meet the world's last remaining northern white rhinos and explore Kenya's only chimpanzee sanctuary. The conservancy combines wildlife, conservation, luxury and adventure into one unforgettable safari experience.