LAIKIPIA PLATEAU
Conservation in Action
In the central highlands of Kenya, where the rolling hills give way to vast savannahs and the shadows of Mount Kenya stretch across the landscape, lies a place that is redefining what a safari can be. Laikipia Plateau is not a national park. It is something better. It is a collection of private and community owned conservancies, where ranches have been transformed into wildlife havens, where local communities are the primary beneficiaries of tourism, and where conservation is not just a concept but a way of life. Here, the rules are different. You can walk. You can drive at night. You can leave the vehicle and sit beneath a tree as elephants pass by. Laikipia is a model of successful conservation. Local communities are the primary beneficiaries of tourism, giving them a direct financial incentive to protect wildlife rather than compete with it. Anti poaching patrols are community led. Schools and clinics are funded by tourism revenue. And the wildlife is thriving. Laikipia is home to the second largest population of endangered black rhinos in Kenya. Wild dogs, rare and endangered, hunt across the plains. Lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo are all present. But the real magic of Laikipia is the experience. You can walk with a guide, learning to read tracks and identify plants. You can sleep on a fly camp, a simple platform under the stars. You can visit a local village and learn how conservation is changing lives. Laikipia is for travelers who want more than a traditional game drive. It is for those who want to understand, to connect, and to contribute. At Africa Exotic Safaris, we believe that the most rewarding journeys are those that make a difference. We invite you to discover Laikipia Plateau, conservation in action.
Why Laikipia Is Special
You may be wondering what makes Laikipia Plateau stand out among Kenya’s many wildlife destinations. The answer lies in its conservation model, its community focus, and its unique experiences. Laikipia is a model of successful conservation. The conservancies are privately and community owned, and they are managed with a focus on sustainability. Tourism revenue goes directly to the communities, giving them a financial incentive to protect wildlife. Anti poaching patrols are community led, and the results are impressive. Wildlife populations are thriving. Black rhinos, wild dogs, and other endangered species are making a comeback.
Laikipia is also a place of community. The local people, including the Maasai, Samburu, and Laikipiak Maasai, are the stewards of the land. They are your hosts, your guides, your partners in conservation. Visiting a local village, learning about their traditions, and seeing how conservation is changing lives is a highlight of any visit to Laikipia.
But what truly sets Laikipia apart are the experiences. Here, you can leave the vehicle. You can walk with a guide, learning to read tracks and identify plants. You can sleep on a fly camp, a simple platform under the stars. You can drive at night, watching the nocturnal wildlife emerge. You can participate in conservation activities, from rhino tracking to wild dog monitoring. Laikipia offers a depth of experience that is hard to find anywhere else in Africa.
The Conservancies of Laikipia
A Patchwork of Protected Land
Laikipia is not a single protected area. It is a patchwork of private and community owned conservancies, each with its own character, its own wildlife, and its own story. The conservancies work together, sharing resources and expertise, to protect the wildlife and the landscape.
Lewa Conservancy: Lewa is one of the most successful conservancies in Africa. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to a large population of endangered black rhinos. Lewa is also home to lions, leopards, elephants, and wild dogs. The conservancy is a model of community based conservation, with programs in education, health, and enterprise development.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy: Ol Pejeta is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa. The conservancy is home to more than 160 black rhinos, as well as a large population of white rhinos. Ol Pejeta is also home to the last two northern white rhinos in the world. The conservancy offers a range of activities, including game drives, walking safaris, and visits to the rhino sanctuary.
Borana Conservancy: Borana is a beautiful conservancy on the slopes of Mount Kenya. The conservancy is home to a large population of black rhinos, as well as lions, leopards, and elephants. Borana offers a range of activities, including game drives, walking safaris, and horseback riding.
Segera Conservancy: Segera is a private conservancy that is a model of sustainable tourism. The conservancy is home to a variety of wildlife, including lions, leopards, and elephants. Segera offers a range of activities, including game drives, walking safaris, and visits to the Segera Art Gallery.
Community Conservancies: There are also a number of community owned conservancies in Laikipia, including the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy and the Il Ngwesi Conservancy. These conservancies are owned and managed by the local communities, and tourism revenue supports schools, clinics, and other community projects.
Walking Safaris
Feel the Earth Beneath Your Feet
Most safaris keep you inside a vehicle. A walking safari invites you to step out. There is a profound difference between watching wildlife from the safety of a vehicle and walking among them on their own terms. Your senses sharpen. The sounds of the bush become clearer. The tracks in the dust tell a story that you can now read for yourself.
Walking safaris in Laikipia are led by armed guides and expert naturalists who have spent their lives in the bush. They will teach you to identify animal tracks, to recognize the calls of different birds, and to understand the subtle signs that reveal the presence of wildlife. You will learn which plants are used for medicine, which trees indicate water nearby, and how the ecosystem functions as a whole.
The feeling of walking through the wilderness, with elephants and buffalo in the distance, is exhilarating. Walking safaris are typically offered in private conservancies where walking is permitted. They are suitable for most fitness levels, with routes tailored to your abilities. Whether you walk for an hour or a full morning, you will return to camp with a deeper understanding of the bush.
Fly Camping
Sleeping Under the Stars
For the ultimate wilderness experience, try fly camping. A fly camp is a simple camp, often just a tent or a platform under the stars, set up in a remote location. You will be accompanied by a guide and a team of camp staff, who will ensure your safety and comfort.
The night is the highlight. You fall asleep to the sounds of the bush, the distant roar of a lion, the whooping call of a hyena. You wake to the first light, the birds singing, the sun rising over the savannah. It is a simple experience, but it is one that stays with you forever.
Fly camping is offered in several conservancies in Laikipia. It is suitable for adventurous travelers who are comfortable with basic facilities and who want to connect with the wilderness in a deep and meaningful way.
Night Game Drives
The Bush After Dark
When the sun sets over the savannah, a new world awakens. The animals that hide during the heat of the day emerge under the cover of darkness. Leopards begin their hunt. Hyenas call to each other across the plains. Genets, civets, and bush babies move through the trees.
A night game drive offers the chance to witness this hidden world. Using spotlights, your guide will sweep the darkness, looking for the reflections of eyes. A pair of glowing orbs might belong to a leopard. A cluster of eyes might be a pride of lions. The night is alive with sounds and movements that most visitors never see.
Night game drives are offered in several conservancies in Laikipia. They are a thrilling addition to any safari, offering a glimpse of the bush that few travelers experience.
Rhino Tracking and Conservation Activities
Making a Difference
Laikipia is a place where conservation is happening, and you can be a part of it. Many conservancies offer conservation activities that allow you to contribute to the protection of wildlife. Rhino tracking is one of the most popular activities. You will join a team of researchers and rangers as they track and monitor the rhinos. You will learn about the challenges of rhino conservation, the techniques used to protect them, and the progress that has been made.
Other conservation activities include wild dog monitoring, lion tracking, and bird banding. These activities are led by experts, and they offer a unique opportunity to contribute to conservation while learning about the wildlife of Laikipia.
Where to Stay
Accommodations in Laikipia
Laikipia offers a range of accommodations, from simple tented camps to ultra luxurious lodges. Choosing the right accommodation can enhance your experience of the plateau.
Luxury Lodges and Camps: For those seeking the ultimate in comfort, Laikipia offers several world class properties. Lewa Safari Camp is a beautiful camp in the Lewa Conservancy, offering elegant tents, a swimming pool, and exceptional service. The camp is known for its excellent wildlife viewing and its commitment to conservation. Segera Retreat is a stunning property in the Segera Conservancy, offering stylish villas, a swimming pool, and a spa. The property is known for its design, its art collection, and its focus on sustainability. Ol Pejeta Bush Camp is a comfortable camp in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, offering tented accommodations and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Mid Range Lodges and Camps: There are many excellent mid range options in Laikipia. Borana Lodge is a comfortable lodge on the slopes of Mount Kenya, offering stone cottages with stunning views. Il Ngwesi Lodge is a community owned lodge in the Il Ngwesi Conservancy, offering comfortable bandas with stunning views. The lodge is run by the local community, and the proceeds support community projects. Tassia Lodge is a comfortable lodge in the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, offering bandas with stunning views.
Budget Accommodations: For travelers on a tighter budget, Laikipia offers basic campsites. There are public campsites in some of the conservancies, as well as budget lodges and guesthouses in the nearby towns.
Our travel designers will help you choose the accommodation that best matches your preferences and budget.
When to Visit Laikipia
Laikipia can be visited year round, but the experience varies by season. The dry seasons from June to October and January to February offer the best wildlife viewing. The vegetation is less dense, and the animals gather around the water sources. This is the best time for walking safaris and fly camping, as the trails are dry and the weather is comfortable.
The wet seasons from March to May and November to December bring heavier rains. The vegetation becomes lush and green, and the bird life is at its peak. The roads can be challenging, and some areas may be inaccessible. However, the wet seasons also bring lower prices and fewer crowds. The landscape is particularly beautiful in the green season, with the hills green and the skies dramatic.
No matter when you visit, Laikipia is a place of beauty and conservation.
Combining Laikipia With Other Destinations
Laikipia is ideally located for combining with other destinations in Kenya. It is close to the Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli, making it a great addition to a classic safari circuit. Laikipia is also close to Mount Kenya, offering opportunities for climbing and hiking.
For those with more time, Laikipia can be combined with the beaches of the Kenyan coast, the primate experiences of Uganda or Rwanda, or a beach extension on Zanzibar. Our travel designers specialize in creating seamless multi destination itineraries that allow you to experience the full diversity of East Africa’s wildlife and landscapes.
Why Laikipia Is Conservation in Action
There is a reason why Laikipia is called conservation in action. It is a place where the principles of conservation are put into practice every day. It is a place where communities are partners in protection. It is a place where wildlife is thriving. It is a place where you can see the results of decades of dedicated effort. And it is a place where you can be a part of it.
Laikipia is not just a safari destination. It is a model for conservation in Africa. It is a place of hope, of innovation, of success. It is a place that will leave you inspired.
Why Book Your Laikipia Safari With Africa Exotic Safaris
We are a locally owned company with deep roots in East Africa, including Kenya. We have been guiding travelers to Laikipia for more than a decade. We know the plateau, the conservancies, and the communities. We have personal relationships with the best lodges, the most experienced guides, and the most knowledgeable conservationists. We design itineraries that balance adventure with relaxation, exploration with contribution. And we are available 24/7 while you travel, because we know that peace of mind is the foundation of a great safari.
When you book with us, you are not just a customer. You are a guest. You are a partner in conservation. And you are family.
Ready to Discover Conservation in Action?
Your Laikipia Adventure Awaits
You have read about the conservancies and the communities. You have imagined yourself walking through the bush, tracking rhinos, sleeping under the stars. You have dreamed of a place where conservation is working, where the wild is thriving, where you can make a difference. Now it is time to turn those dreams into reality. Laikipia is waiting for you. The wildlife is calling. The adventure awaits.
Let us take you to conservation in action.
BOOK YOUR LAIKIPIA SAFARI TODAY
Email: info@africaexoticsafaris.com
Phone: +256 701 486 626
WhatsApp: +256 701 486 626
Tell us how many days you have, what experiences you dream of, and your preferred travel dates. One of our Kenya safari specialists will respond within 24 hours with a personalized itinerary and a no pressure quote.
Africa Exotic Safaris – Unforgettable journeys through Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and beyond. Luxury, adventure, and conservation.