Alexis LossThis was by far one of my favorite parts of our trip. Not only was the region beautiful but we also had several amazing tours and experiences while here that we will never forget. I highly recommend visiting Ol Pejeta Conservancy if you are able.
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Table of contents
Day 1: Driving to Ol Pejeta and experiencing central Kenya.
We drove to Ol Pejeta Conservancy by crossing the equator and arrived at camp just after lunch. Thankfully, the resort was still able to accommodate us for lunch. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy comprises 100,000 acres directly on the equator next to Mount Kenya. It is located in central Kenya and it has the highest resident game to area ratio of any park or reserve in Kenya. It is known for protecting the last two remaining Northern White Rhinos in existence.
Stop 1: Sweetwaters Tented Camp
We arrived after lunch but were able to settle in, explore the camp and eat lunch. Our tent overlooked a beautiful watering hole.
Stop 2: Game Drive
Ol Pejeta literally translates to “Place of burning” in Swahili. This name came from the history of people of burning this area to get rid of ticks. Today, it is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East and Central Africa. It is also home to the last two remaining northern white rhinos on the planet.
After settling at the camp, we went on a game drive, during which we saw black rhinos, Thompson gazelle, zebra, cape buffalo, an elephant herd, and warthogs. We actually were able to catch some waterbucks in the act of mating and saw the heaviest bird that can fly – the Corey Bastard bird.
After our game drive, we headed back to the camp for dinner and relaxing after a long day. After dinner, we sat on our porch to enjoy the view of the animals at and around the watering hole. We had a lovely dinner as well. We were ready for an early night after a long day in the van.
Day 2: Lion Tracking, Meeting the Northern White Rhinos and experiencing a night game drive
Stop 1: Lion Tracking
This was one of the top 5 activities we did while in Kenya. This had to reserved in advance and I recommend trying to reserve this as soon as possible as spots fill up quickly. Very early morning you meet two park rangers that specifically work with the lion prides by tracking them and keeping tabs on their health and any other needs they may have. While one ranger drives the jeep, the other ranger holds out a large antennae outside the jeep to determine where the lions are located. Each of the prides has at least one lioness that is loyal to the pride and this is the lion that will have a radio collar. We were very lucky to find a lion and lioness together while driving around. Our son learned how to track them, how to determine different characteristics to tell them apart and even logged the information into their log book. After this, we came back and had breakfast before heading out for a game drive.
Stop 2: Game Drive
During our game drive, which lasted several hours, we were lucky enough to see a variety of wildlife – Jackson antelope, helmeted crested guinea fowl, giraffe, zebra, jackal, waterbucks and many starlings.
Stop 3: Chimp Sanctuary
We headed over to the chimp sanctuary where we were surrounded by monkeys in the trees as we headed toward where the baboons hung out. The sanctuary was started in 1993 by Jane Goodall. At that time, the chimps were originally from Burundi, a country in West Africa. In a separate area, are a family of baboons.
Stop 4: Northern White Rhinos
There are two types of white rhinos – the northern subspecies which is almost extinct and the southern subspecies that is threatened. There are two Northern White Rhinos in existence and they live at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Their protection is heavily gaurded. We were lucky to be able not only see them but feed them. My son declared that this was his favorite activity of the entire two week vacation. I have to admit, it was really quite amazing. The names of last two Northern White rhinos (both female AND mother and daughter) are Najin and Fatu. We were able to pet them and feed them. It was a once in a lifetime experience.
Stop 4: Night Game Drive
This was really hit or miss depending on chance- some other groups were able to spot leopards while we were not. However, we saw hyena (uglier than I expected) and a lioness stalking prey. While, it was fun overall, it was sometimes a challenge to see due to the need for a spotlight and it was quite a late night. Our son ended up falling asleep mid-way through after spotting our 15th bunny (seriously, not exaggerating.) Most of the children were asleep by the time we arrived back. That being said, if you don’t have kids and are willing to take a chance on seeing some amazing nocturnal animals then I say go for it.
Final Thoughts
Two days in Ol Pejeta Conservancy may seem short, but the experiences you gain will last a lifetime. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a conservation advocate, or simply in search of a breathtaking escape, Ol Pejeta offers an unparalleled safari adventure. More than just a destination, this conservancy should be celebrated for its passion for endangered species and sustainable tourism.
Have you visited Ol Pejeta? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
Next stop? Maji Moto Cultural Camp – check out that blog post here.
