Northern Parks

The Laikipia Eco-System is a 9,500km² plateau made up of large private conservancies and Samburu tribal lands. Laikipia, being private land, has always conserved its wildlife, and is the only area in East Africa where wildlife numbers are increasing. It is also one of the best places to see wild dog. Laikipia enjoys inter-dependent relationships with the Ewaso Nyiro River, the Aberdare Mountains and Mt Kenya.

There are three private conservancies in this area;

Loisaba, Lewa and Ol Pejeta, Samburu & Shaba and Matthew’s Range

Loisaba, Lewa and Ol Pejeta

Loisaba is a 60,000 acre private game conservancy in the heart of Laikipia with the Ewaso Nyiro river on its southern boundary, dramatic escarpments and wildlife plains in the north. Loisaba lies on the edge of the escarpment with the most breathtaking views out over the Laikipia Plateau towards Mt Kenya. Elephant, Lion, Leopard and the rare Wild Dog come to the rivers often crossing through their bit of conservancy.

There are plenty of activities avaialble here to keep everyone occupied for at least a week, though the average length of stay should be 4 nights in order to give yourselves the time to experience all of the activities on offer. The range of activities available to you are day and night game drives in 4×4 vehicles, guided bush walks, bird walks, mountain biking and quad biking, river rafting and fishing, horse riding, camel riding, visit to Mugie’s Rhino sanctuary. Lewa conservancy is home to about 10 percent of Kenya’s black rhino population, and the single largest population of Grevy’s zebra in the world. Lewa re-invests all the profits generated from tourism ( including profits from Lewa Safari Camp ) into its core programmes. When you visit Lewa, you will help thousands of people from different backgrounds and cultures to improve their lives, and give their children a future, at the same time as ensuring Africa’s wildlife has a stable home

Ol Pejeta on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro river, within a 100,000 acre wildlife sanctuary right on the equator – Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Ol Pejeta Conservancy will offer guests the opportunity for a unique kind of safari experience in Kenya. The aim of Ol Pejeta Bush Camp is to take game-viewing and environmental knowledge to a whole new level, and is ideal for those wishing to get a bit more out of their safari. Offering a variety of ‘interactive conservation’ activities, guests are given the opportunity to experience modern wildlife conservation first-hand. Likewise, for those seeking a nature retreat and wishing to distance themselves from a busy schedule, rest, relaxation and independence are all equally encouraged.

Activities available are : Day and night game drives Guided bush walks, you can visit the Chimpanzee sanctuary and go behind-the-scenes (with special permission) , meet Ol Pejeta Researchers and learn about wildlife data and monitoring and participate in some big game tracking e.g. for elephant, rhino and lion, learn about the special techniques of wheat farming with ‘conservation agriculture’ practiced on the ranch. You can also learn about Boran and Ankole cattle pastoral care, and pioneering integration techniques combining cattle and wildlife, watch wildlife from a hide overlooking a waterhole, or even spend an exciting night there (with dinner, drinks, bedding, and night-vision monoculars) and visit a local primary school or medical clinic supported by Ol Pejeta Conservancy

An interesting known fact, is that Ol Pejeta Conservancy has the highest density of wildlife, out of all parks and reserves in Kenya.

Ol Malo is a privately-owned game sanctuary on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River in Kenya’s wild and beautiful North Eastern Province – 5,000 acres of spectacular bush country overlooked by Mount Kenya and teeming with the elusive antelope from which the land takes its name. In this majestic setting – on a rock escarpment on the edge of the Laikipia Plateau, bordering the tribal heartlands of the nomadic Samburu people – the Francombe family and their Samburu neighbours have created a home for themselves and a dream destination for the privileged few who seek a glimpse into the true heart of Africa

SAMBURU & SHABA

The Samburu Reserve consists of Buffalo Springs, Samburu and Shaba. Most of the lodge development in this area is in Buffalo Springs and Samburu.

Shaba, is one of Kenya’s most exclusive game reserves, and Joy’s Camp has the whole reserve to itself. The eastern corner of the Samburu eco-system, Shaba is a secluded idyll; an arid landscape dotted with lush springs and rocky river gorges. This reserve will appearl to those looking for an authentic wildlife experience combined with the memory of Joy Adamson. The area features beautiful landscapes: the rocky gorge of Ewaso Nyiro River, a number of dotted springs, chilly crystal clear waterfall at Sharinki Falls and volcanic peaks.

The game-driving follows the different eco-systems of acacia forest and swamplands. Shaba is still very much an untouched wilderness. There are many species of wildlife unique to Shaba and the drier north of Kenya: Grevy’s zebra, beisa oryx, gerenuk, striped hyena, Somali ostrich, reticulated giraffe. Shaba also has a healthy population of lion, leopard, and cheetah. Elephant and buffalo are plentiful in season. At the natural spring you may witness elephant and lion jostle for watering rights with the herds of buffalo – just another day in Shaba.

Samburu National Reserve, in Kenya’s wild north, is 95,000 hectares of private wildlife conservancy, stretching towards the Chalbi desert. The stark landscape is interdispersed with the lush vegetation surrounding the Ng’iro river and waterholes where the famous Samburu elephant, leopard, reticulated giraffe, Oryx and Grevy’s zebra gather to drink. The vastness and purity of this African landscape, combined with the untouched local culture, make your safari a unique experience.

MATHEW’S RANGE

The Mathew’s mountain peaks rise up out of the desert, a mountain range covering approximately 1,000km² and rising to an altitude of 7500 ft. This area is managed by the Kenya Forestry Dept., as the mountains are clad in lush equatorial mountain forest. The local community with the facilitation of Northern Rangeland Trust has created a truely massive conservancy, The Namunyak Wildlife Trust. Kitich Camp lies in the heart of Namunyak and works with the community on wildlife and forest conservation and community projects

The forest is home to elephant, leopard, bushbuck, rhino, buffalo, as well as ancient cycads, spectacular butterflies, Turacos and wild orchids.Walk along forest paths guided by the Samburu and Ndorobo people, or swim in natural rock pools of the crystal mountain streams. Mathews forest is one of the very few areas where you can see the rare Brazza Monkey outside the Ruwenzori Mountains. They are large monkeys, similar to a Sykes in size and build, but more striking with a red forehead, they are shy and hard to find.