Laikipia Safaris
Almost the size of Wales, Laikipia has transformed itself from rolling farmland to becoming one of Kenya’s best wildlife areas – well-known for rhino.
When to go to Laikipia
Best Time to Go
Over 8,600 sq. km
Birder’s paradise with 500+ species
2,000+ elephant & high leopard numbers
Lush riverine forests, rushing streams & rivers
Kenya’s Must-See Region
The Great Rift Valley is situated to the south-west of the region, while majestic Mount Kenya resides in the south-east. Laikipia has been gaining in popularity as a safari destination for many years. Within the county, there are several separate conservancies and ranches, each offering a habitat for a range of wildlife. Geographical features comprise high rippling plains, rushing streams and rivers, woodlands and scrublands, lush riverine forests, and rolling hills. And animal sightings are boosted by close tracking of species such as lion and rhino, enabling guests to the area to take part in conservation activities.
Laikipia Trips
Activities & Wildlife
The stunning landscapes of Laikipia are home to exceptional wildlife and conservation experiences, and this Big Five destination offers a wealth of activities.
Wildlife
Birdlife
Rhino conservation
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
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The region is home to 85 different mammal species. Laikipia has over two thousand elephant and plenty of leopard, including the rare ‘black leopard’. Other predators found here are cheetah, hyena, jackal, aardwolf, fox, and wild dog, while the herbivores include giraffe, gazelle, eland, impala, oryx, and waterbuck.
Laikipia is Kenya’s foremost destination for rare and endangered species. Alongside the Big Five, the reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra live here, as well as good numbers of wild dog. Over half of Kenya’s entire black rhino population lives in Laikipia! The region is made up of private conservancies, the most famous being Lewa-Borana, which is home to superb horse riding, and Loisaba. Safaris here are more diverse, as camps offer walking safaris, off-road driving, horse riding, and night drives. There are also far fewer vehicles, giving you a much more exclusive experience.
Laikipia is a premier birding region. Its diverse topography of riverine forests, acacia scrubland, and rocky outcrops makes it a perfect location for birds. There are prolific sightings of raptors and buzzards, as well as some species such as the Somali ostrich, secretary bird, and vulturine guinea fowl.
The Ewaso Narok River also draws in big-hitting waterbirds like the African fish-eagle and the pied kingfisher. In total, there are over 500 species, including pelicans, grebes, cormorants, darters, finfoots, bitterns, herons, egrets, storks, ibises, spoonbills, flamingos, and kites – if you are passionate about birding, you are certain to see plenty to impress in Laikipia! It’s well worth packing your binoculars.
Laikipia and its conservancies are a principal location for rhino conservation in Kenya, both past and ongoing. The results have been very successful, and there are good numbers of black rhino now in the wild. Worth a special mention is the Northern White Rhino Sanctuary in Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Here, two of the world’s remaining northern whites are kept under constant surveillance. Initially they live in specially-built bomas with access to a paddock, then, as they grow more confident, within a larger and semi-wild enclosure.
You can visit these two white rhinos, who are constantly monitored and protected. The rhino remains one of the most sought-after animals to see, and incredible to behold up close. They are one of the last of the remaining megafauna, a classification meaning they all weigh at least one tonne in adulthood.
The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, also in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, does sterling work too. It is a rescue centre for over forty chimps – some are confiscated pets, others are orphans who have lost their parents. Living in two troops either side of the Ewaso Nyiro River, these animals are well looked after and many travellers enjoy a visit.
This is the only place you can see chimpanzees in Kenya. Set up in 1993, this rescue sanctuary takes in chimps that have been through trauma, usually from the illegal pet trade or bushmeat trade in other parts of Africa. Chimpanzees are not native to Kenya. You can learn about the lives of these chimps and what it takes to care for them. Some guests like to coincide a visit with feeding time.
Laikipia is one of Kenya’s most exciting safari destinations. Once largely old ranch land, it has been transformed into a patchwork of private conservancies and stands today as a major conservation success story, with a strong focus on community-led initiatives. Alongside incredible game viewing, Laikipia offers plenty of activities beyond the classic game drive – from horse riding and camel trekking to river fishing, walking safaris, and sleep-outs under the stars, to name a few! Not only is this one of the best places to see the Big Five, but it’s also home to the Northern Five, wild dogs, and the elusive black leopard. With such variety, Laikipia genuinely has something to offer everyone.Talk to someone who’s been there
Real expertise doesn’t come from a few trips to Africa. All our specialists have either been guides, run the camps, or grown up and lived in Africa. That’s over 600 years of genuine safari experience.Speak to an Expert
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