Exploring the Beauty of Laikipia Plateau: Laikipia Plateau is the one place in Kenya that’s just right for those who want to touch the earth with their feet, wander in nature, and feel part of it. Running from the lower slopes of Mt Kenya to the Great Rift Valley’s edge. The region covers an area of about 9,723 square kilometers of Laikipia Plateau is filled with pure and unmatched beauty all around.
The fascinating region encompasses savannah grasslands, striking valleys sculpted by the course of time, and untamed escarpments towering tall and proud. But there’s more to Laikipia than just its beauty. It’s a tranquil region that hosts some very inspiring success tales in conservation efforts within Kenya.
Laikipia Plateau is composed mainly of ranches and conservancies that have been intentionally built up over the years for human societies and animal life forms to live together harmoniously. There are 7 major conservancies: Lewa Wilderness Conservancy, Borana Ranch, Sosian Ranch, Il Ngwesi Group Ranch, Loisaba Wilderness, the Lekurruki Group Ranch, and Sabuk Wilderness. They hold numerous endangered and uncommon types of wildlife.
Laikipia Plateau is a wildlife paradise, the region is comprised of the black rhino, African wild dog, Grevy’s zebra, and reticulated giraffe along with gerenuk and desert warthog. You’ll also most likely encounter elephants, lions as well as rhinos exhibiting their elegance in the glorious African sun. Bird lovers are also in for a treat. The conservancy holds about 400 kinds of birds- from the mighty raptors, songbirds, Somali ostrich, black-winged lapwing, and buff-crested bustard among others.
ATTRACTIONS FOUND IN THE LAIKIPIA PLATEAU
Wildlife
Laikipia Plateau is a wildlife paradise. The different ranches and conservancies here offer unique experiences. Also, some ranches have better animal densities than others. If you take a guided tour, you’ll see large groups of elephants wandering elegantly across the extensive plains. Also, you can encounter big cats like lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Other animals here include the African wild dogs, Grevy’s Zebra, Attractions buffalo, African caracal, baboon, black mamba, bat-eared fox, bush baby, eland, giraffe, hartebeest, hyena, honey badger, impala, jackal, kudu, mongoose, serval, black and white rhino, terrapin, vervet monkeys and warthogs among others. Interestingly, Laikipia offers habitat for an impressive number of remaining Grevy Zebra in the world’s
Birdlife
The conservancy is home to over 400 different species of birds. These incredible bird species range from the mighty raptors. Some of the bird species found here includes, songbirds, Somali ostrich, black-winged lapwing, Common Ostrich, buff-crested bustard, White-faced Whistling-Duck, African Pygmy-Goose, Knob-billed Duck, Helmeted Guineafowl, Vulturine Guineafowl, Crested Francolin, Yellow-necked Spurfowl, Great Crested Grebe, Greater Flamingo, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Four-banded Sandgrouse, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, White-bellied Bustard, White-bellied Go-away-bird, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Standard-winged Nightjar, African Palm Swift, African Finfoot, Gray Crowned-Crane, Greater Painted-Snipe, Gray-hooded Gull, African Skimmer, African Openbill among others.
Ol Pejeta: A Home for Rhinos
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is home to the largest black rhino sanctuary and is the only area in Kenya where you can see chimpanzees. It also boasts some of the highest predator densities in the country, covering an impressive 365 square kilometers, where nature and wildlife thrive in harmony. This place is especially famous for its rhino sanctuary, where you can spot these magnificent creatures along with elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, and the striking reticulated giraffe. You can join in on exciting activities like tracking lions and visiting local villages, which offers a wonderful way to connect with both the wildlife and the rich culture of the area.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy: A Sanctuary for Endangered Species
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a wildlife sanctuary incorporating the Ngare Ndare Forest. Once a cattle ranch, the area then became a guarded black rhino sanctuary, and it is now the headquarters for the non-profit Wildlife Conservancy, which has gained a worldwide reputation for extending the benefits of conservation beyond its borders. Since its establishment in 1983, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy has played a crucial role in protecting endangered species within its 263 square kilometers of breathtaking landscapes. Here, you can learn about and help in the conservation of the endangered Grevy’s zebra and both black and white rhinos. There are hands-on opportunities to track lions and observe packs of African wild dogs that roam the area. Additionally, the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary located within Lewa invites you to witness the charm of these playful chimps up close.
Northern Laikipia: A Hidden Gem
For those seeking tranquillity away from the crowds, Northern Laikipia offers a peaceful retreat among its dense bushes and quieter wildlife populations. The lodges in this region emphasize walking safaris, allowing for a more intimate experience with nature. Nearby, Maralal, the heart of the Samburu community, hosts an annual Camel Derby, drawing visitors eager to immerse themselves in local traditions and cultural festivities.
Trees
The landscape in the Laikipia Plateau is primarily an Acacia woodland. Rather than the open, grassy expanses found in some African savannahs, there are many shrubs and Acacia trees that create a good deal of prickly cover. The landscape can appear relatively dormant and brown in the dry season but flourishes into a verdant green almost immediately after seasonal rains move in.
Best Time to Visit
The perfect times for a trip to the Laikipia Plateau are the dry months from June to October and December through March. These periods are good for seeing wildlife because animals come together near water spots. Also, the weather is just right for all your outdoor adventures. Most tourists get deterred by the rainy season which falls around April, May, and November. But this period could be super fun as well. The short rains create a beautiful, lush, and green scenery. So, it’s ideal for budget travelers or anyone looking to enjoy nature more intimately.
SAFARIS EXPERIENCES
Laikipia Plateau as a tourist destination has abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery. Visitors experience classic safari free of constraints that apply in national parks and reserves. Night game drives, guided nature walks, riding and cycling are just a few of the exhilarating activities on offer. High levels of community involvement allow visitors privileged access to the cultures and customs of the Mukogodo Masai, Samburu, Pokot, and other peoples.
BEST ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES
Laikipia Plateau renowned for its stunning landscape and diverse wildlife, offers an array of exceptional accommodation facilities that cater to the varied preferences of visitors. The accommodation here ranges from Budget, and mid-range to luxury options such as Lewa Safari Camp, Sanctuary at Ol Lentille, Loisaba Tented Camp, Ol Pejeta Bush Camp, Porini Rhino Camp, Sabuk Lodge, Segera Retreat Lodge and Kicheche Laikipia Camp among others.
HOW TO ACCESS THE LAIKIPIA PLATEAU
Laikipia Plateau can be reached in many ways, including by road and by flight.
By road
The drive to the plateau takes about 4 to eight hours from Nairobi and 3 to 7 hours from Lake Nakuru, depending on which place you are visiting.
By Flight
For visitors opting a luxury travel to Laikipia, there are private charters from Nairobi or other parks. It is also possible to charter a flight from Nanyuki, the nearest town. All the reserves within Laikipia have airstrips. Nairobi is one of Africa’s largest transport hubs. International flights arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), southeast of Nairobi.
