Ol Pejeta Conservancy stands as one of Kenya’s most significant private wildlife reserves, spanning approximately 360 square kilometers of the Laikipia Plateau in central Kenya. This conservancy represents a remarkable conservation success story, combining wildlife protection with sustainable tourism and community engagement. What distinguishes Ol Pejeta from other Kenyan reserves is its exceptional role as a sanctuary for some of the world’s most endangered species, particularly rhinos and chimpanzees.
The conservancy occupies a strategic position on the equator, straddling both hemispheres, and lies on the slopes of Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest mountain. This geographical location creates a unique ecological zone where the mountain’s influence moderates the climate while the surrounding plains support diverse habitats. The landscape encompasses savanna grasslands, acacia woodlands, riverine forests along the Ewaso Nyiro River, and open plains that provide ideal conditions for both resident and migratory wildlife.
Ol Pejeta’s conservation significance extends far beyond its size. The conservancy maintains the largest population of black rhinos in Kenya, with approximately 100 individuals representing one of the last viable populations of this critically endangered species anywhere in the world. Additionally, Ol Pejeta gained international attention as the final home of the northern white rhinos, with the last two surviving individuals, Sudan and his daughter Najin, residing here until their deaths in 2018 and 2019 respectively. While the northern white rhino subspecies is now functionally extinct, Ol Pejeta continues to be at the forefront of rhino conservation research and anti-poaching initiatives.
The conservancy also hosts the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, established in 1993 in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Jane Goodall Institute. This sanctuary provides a permanent home to chimpanzees rescued from various situations, including the illegal wildlife trade and sanctuaries that could no longer care for them. The 760-acre facility accommodates approximately 40 chimpanzees and serves as an important education and research center.
Beyond its flagship species, Ol Pejeta offers remarkable opportunities to view all members of the Big Five; lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino, a distinction shared by few other private conservancies in Kenya. The conservancy operates under a unique model where tourism revenue directly funds conservation activities and supports the local community, creating a sustainable framework for wildlife protection in an area where human-wildlife conflict has historically posed significant challenges.