Laikipia Conservancy
Located to the North of Nairobi and Mount Kenya, the Laikipia Plateau is regarded as the gateway to Kenya’s remote and wild northern frontier country.
The area is thinly populated with huge vistas and stretches of complete wilderness; some of Kenya’s finest views are found here.
Huge cattle ranches and private estates cover the region, many of which are now private wildlife sanctuaries that contain the Big Five. Laikipia is well respected today as the country’s most successful tourism initiative.
Access
The Laikipia Plateau extends west from the foothills of Mount Kenya to the wall of the Rift Valley at Lake Baringo, and north from Nanyuki and Nyahururu to the lands of Samburu and Isiolo.
It merges with the Lerochi Plateau south of Maralal. In the north the edge of the plateau drops abruptly to the northern frontier district. The land is generally flat (1800 m and 2100 m).
Community Tourism
These days, cattle-ranching has largely been replaced by ‘community tourism’, an entirely new concept in Kenyan tourism, which represents a unique cooperation between the local people (Rendille, Samburu and more) and the old ranchers – who represent the new face of Kenyan ‘eco tourism’.
As a result, visitors can enjoy not only an exclusive and private wilderness, but also pursuits such as walking, biking, camel-riding and horse-riding, none of which are permitted in the national parks).
Dining
The emphasis in the private sanctuaries and ranches in this area is on individualized, personal service, and this certainly extends to the kitchen.
As many of these properties are also working farms, there is an abundance of excellent local produce. Even in the most remote private camps, gifted camp chefs produce fantastic menus to impress even the most discerning diner.
Endangered Species
As a result of its long exclusion from the normal tourist circuits, and its isolation in the arid north of the country, the region offers a real and pristine wilderness experience.
More endangered species can be seen here than anywhere else in East Africa. Here too, the wildlife densities rank second only to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve.
Jackson’s hartebeest
Half of Kenya’s black rhino are protected in the Solio, Lewa, Ol Jogi, Ol Pejeta and Ol Ari Ng’iro sanctuaries. The area also has largest elephant herds (over 3,200) outside the national parks, and is one of the few places in Kenya to see Jackson’s hartebeest.
Laikipia is also home to about 25% of the world’s population of rare Grevy’s zebra alongside such other rare species as; wild dog and the semi-aquatic sitatunga antelope.
This is also the best place to view such northern species as; reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx and gerenuk, while the numerous impala and Grant’s gazelle ensure healthy numbers of lion, leopard and cheetah.
Major Attractions
:: Game Drives
:: Helicopter Safaris
:: Rhino Sanctuary
:: Spectacular Landscapes
:: Big Five
:: Chimpanzee Sanctuary
:: Views of Mount Kenya
:: Wildlife Research Stations
:: Walking Safaris
:: Camel Safaris
:: Wild Dogs
:: Game Bird Shooting
:: Horse Back Safaris
