5-Night Safari Itinerary at Ol Pejeta: What We'd Recommend

Five nights at The Safari Cottages offers you an entirely different experience. You move from ticking animals off a sighting list to actually living in rhythm with the bush. If you’re considering settling in and staying a little longer than the standard three nights, this is how we'd suggest you structure it…

Your Itinerary: Day by Day

Day One: Arriving and Settling In

Arrival

You can drive up from Nairobi or fly into our local airstrip, Kamok. In both cases you’ll likely be in the bush by midday and then it’s around a one hour drive to Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages. You’ll settle in, enjoying lunch alfresco and watching the wildlife amble down the river and then have a bit of down time - catch up on sleep, read a book, take a walk around the property. Relax and let it soak in.

Late Afternoon Game Drive

After a cup of tea at four o’clock you’ll meet your guide and set out on your first drive on the conservancy. You'll see elephants, buffalo, zebra, impala, giraffe. Maybe leopard or lion. The guides are learning your preferences and figuring out what your priorities are, so they can structure the following days accordingly. You’ll return after sunset to a roaring fire and dinner under the stars.

Arriving at The Safari Cottages

An afternoon game drive with your guide

Day Two: A Full Day of Ol Pejeta’s Wildlife

MORNING

Dawn Game Drive: You’ll be woken at dawn with a cup of freshly brewed tea or coffee then you’ll embark on a morning game drive. You'll see predators returning from hunts, babies springing across the plains and birds in early morning feeding frenzies. Depending on what the guides find, you might sit long with one sighting or amble across the plains taking it all in.

Here’s what you can see on a safari to Ol Pejeta.

Mid-Morning Picnic Breakfast: As the sun rises a little higher over Mt Kenya your guide will find somewhere to pull over. You can jump out the vehicle and stretch your legs. He’ll set up a picnic table and a few picnic chairs for breakfast. This is usually a selection of fruits and fruit salad, Sonja’s famous granola, some baked goods goods and something “hot” that travels well.

A morning coffee at dawn before your game drive

Tucking into a picnic breakfast in the bush

AFTERNOON

Lunch and Downtime: It’s been a full morning out and you’ve been up since dawn, so a delicious lunch followed by a siesta will likely be just what the doctor ordered. If you’re still bouncing with energy though this afternoon is a great opportunity to wander down to the staff camp and ask Dominic or Vicky for a tour of our kitchen garden.

Late Afternoon: You’ll head out again this afternoon for a late afternoon game drive. When the sun starts to slink below the horizon your guide will pull over the vehicle and pour you your favourite drink whilst you watch the sky light up and the world grow slowly dark. On your drive home tonight be sure to keep your eyes peeled for leopards, zorillas or nightjars. Arrive home in time for dinner and probably an early bedtime.

Watching the sun set across the plains

Day Three: Conservation

MORNING

Visit the Northern White Rhinos: After breakfast at camp today you’ll have the incredible honour of meeting the last two northern white rhinos left on our planet, as well as their caretakers. You’ll learn all about rhino conservation from the people on the ground, doing the work every day. Explore the conservation centre too, and meet Baraka - a blind black rhino that was rescued and rehabilitated right here on Ol Pejeta.

Meeting Baraka - rescued black rhino

One of the last Northern White Rhinos left in the world

AFTERNOON

Visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary: After lunch and a siesta you’ll head to the nearby Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. The sanctuary rescues chimps from the illegal trade and gives them the best life possible in captivity. When you watch them — really watch them — you understand something about intelligence, trauma, resilience, and inner lives recognisably similar to ours.

Night Drive: Enjoy your sundowner around the fire this evening, and an early dinner before you jump back into the vehicle and explore the conservancy after dark on a night drive. Nocturnal species are completely different from day animals. A leopard hunting at night moves with focused intensity. A serval is delicate and quick. Porcupines waddle through the grass and hyena clans move with purpose and hierarchy you can watch unfold.

Day Four: Day Trip

Full Day: Our central location in the heart of Laikipia means we are ideally placed for you to explore a little further afield. After an early breakfast at your safari cottage you’ll head out for the day with your guide to explore Mt Kenya, or the Aberdares or perhaps the Ngare Ndare forest. These areas are less about wildlife and more about incredible scenery, birdlife and the chance to hike and witness exciting and dramatic landscapes. You’ll carry a picnic lunch with you and return late after dark, for dinner.

A day trip to Ngare Ndare

Hiking in Ngare Ngare

Day Five: Classic Safari Day

Early Morning Game Drive and Picnic Breakfast: It’s your final day on safari today and it’s your chance to see of experience anything you haven’t managed to just yet. Let your guide know what that is - they will always do their best to make sure you leave fully satisfied. Otherwise it’s a great opportunity to sit back and enjoy the magic of the bush unfolding without the pressure of an agenda. This is our favourite way to safari because you never know what will pop up!

Lunch, Tea and a Final Game Drive: After some downtime at your private safari cottage today (or maybe you challenged the staff to a volleyball game!) you will head out for a final afternoon game drive, stopping to enjoy a sundowner and a night drive on the way home. If your askari hasn’t yet embroiled you in his stories from home, he just might do so tonight - ask for some marshmallows to roast over the fire after dinner and enjoy one final heart-to-heart with the people who have poured their hearts into this place.

Roasting marshmallows around an evening fire

Day Six: Departure

After a leisurely breakfast at camp this morning your guide will assist you onto a flight or to meet your road transfer out of Ol Pejeta and on to your next destination. The longer you stay, the more the conservcany reveals itself and we hope that, by now, you’ve settled deeply into the rhythm of nature.

Customizing Your Stay

This is a template. Your actual itinerary shapes around what you're interested in (big cats, birds, conservation, your families specific needs), your comfort level with walking, and what the bush gives you on the day. Your guides know this conservancy intimately — they'll make the decisions that matter and do their very best to ensure you have a safari of a lifetime!

ESTIMATED COSTS FOR THIS 5-NIGHT OL PEJETA SAFARI COTTAGES SAFARI

High Season 2026 (15 June - 31 October & 16 - 31st Dec 2026): USD3,900 per person

High Season 2027: (1 Jan - 7 Jan & 15 June - 31 October 2027): USD4,070 per person

Low Season 2027: (01 May - 14 June 2027): USD3,060 per person (includes 1 night free!)

Notes on pricing:

• Prices include accommodation, all meals, drinks and a private vehicle and guide. Transport too and from Ol Pejeta is not included.

• The above prices are based on two people sharing

• Children under 12 are half price and under 3 are free

• Please contact us with the number of people in your party and the ages of any children + your preferred travel dates for a personal and accurate quote

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BOOK YOUR 5-NIGHT SAFARI AT OL PEJETA SAFARI COTTAGES

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Keep reading

National Park vs. Private Conservancy. Why it Matters for Your Safari.

When people start planning a Kenya safari, they quickly encounter a choice that isn't always well explained: national park or private conservancy? The distinction sounds administrative but, in practice, this choice shapes almost everything about your experience — what you can do, when you can do it, how many other people are around you, and what your visit contributes to the landscape you're travelling to see.

We live and work inside a private conservancy. Ol Pejeta is one of Kenya's most significant — 90,000 hectares of protected wilderness in the Laikipia region, managed as a not-for-profit conservation organisation. So it’s important to note that we're not neutral on this question, but we'll try to be honest about what each option offers, because the right choice genuinely depends on what kind of safari you're looking for.

What Is a National Park, and What Is a Private Conservancy?

Kenya's national parks — Amboseli, Tsavo, Lake Nakuru, Meru and others — are government-managed protected areas administered by the Kenya Wildlife Service. They are open to anyone who pays the entry fee, the roads are fixed and signposted, and the rules are standardised across the country.

Private conservancies are a different model entirely. They are protected areas managed by private landowners, community groups, or conservation trusts — often in partnership with safari operators. Ol Pejeta is a registered not-for-profit whose conservation work is funded directly by tourism revenue. The Masai Mara ecosystem's famous conservancies — Mara North, Naboisho, Olare Motorogi — operate on land leased from local Maasai communities, with lease fees going directly to those communities regardless of whether their land is being grazed.

The management model matters because it determines everything from visitor numbers, to what activities are permitted, to where the money goes.

Game driving on Ol Pejeta - Mt Kenya in the background

The Four Practical Differences That Affect Your Safari

1. Night drives — permitted in conservancies, prohibited in national parks

Game drives within national park and reserve boundaries are restricted to set hours (normally 06:30 until 18:30) meaning no night drives are allowed at all.

This is one of the most significant practical differences, and one that first-time visitors often don't know about until they've already booked. The bush after dark is a completely different world. Leopards become more active, spotted hyena clans move across the plains doing what hyenas do when they think nobody is watching. Civets, genets, aardvarks, porcupines and bush babies emerge from wherever they've spent the heat of the day. If a night drive is an important experience for you, this is worth bearing in mind.

At Ol Pejeta, night drives are included in every fully inclusive stay. We go out after dinner, usually with a spotlight and a guide who knows exactly where to look. No two are the same.

2. Bush walks — permitted in conservancies, prohibited in most parks

Most of Kenya's national parks do not allow bush walks, this is only possible in private conservancies.

There is a specific quality to being on foot in the African bush that no vehicle can replicate. The scale shifts. You become aware of things — the smell of the soil after rain, the sound of your own breathing, the sudden realisation that the distance between you and the wildlife is no longer measured in metres of steel. And you can see more of the little magics of the wild world, that are so often missed on a game drive. Bush walks at Ol Pejeta are led by our experienced guides, accompanied by an armed ranger. They are included in fully inclusive stays.

3. Off-road driving — permitted in most conservancies, prohibited in parks

Private conservancies offer off-road game drives, night safaris, and guided walks — these activities are usually not permitted in national parks.

In a national park, your vehicle stays on the road. When a leopard is resting in a gully 40 metres off the track, you view it from the track. In a conservancy, if the terrain allows and the guide judges it appropriate, you can often get a little closer. This matters more than it might sound. Some of the most extraordinary sightings happen in places no road reaches.

A guided bush walk on Ol Pejeta Conservancy

An elephant visits our guests during an evening sundowner

4. Vehicle numbers and crowds — controlled in conservancies, unrestricted in parks

This is perhaps the most visible difference for anyone who has experienced both. In Kenya's most popular national parks and reserves during peak season, a significant predator sighting can attract dozens of vehicles. The Masai Mara Reserve in July and August is one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth — and one of the most congested safari experiences available.

Conservancies limit visitor numbers, meaning fewer crowds at wildlife sightings and more intimate game drives.

At Ol Pejeta, vehicle numbers on the conservancy are strictly controlled and areas are tightly managed. There are mornings — even in peak season — when you will be the only vehicle at a sighting. Not because the wildlife is scarce, but because the system is designed to keep it that way.

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What National Parks Do Better

That said, national parks do offer things that conservancies cannot always match.

Famous views or experiences. The Masai Mara Reserve is the only place in Kenya where you can witness the Great Migration in its full, staggering scale — hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra crossing the Mara River between July and October. That spectacle happens inside the reserve boundaries, not the conservancies around it. If seeing the migration crossing is the primary goal of your trip, you need to be in or near the Mara Reserve.

Affordability. National parks charge park fees but these are still generally more affordable than most private conservancy fees. These conservancy fees, on top of accommodation rates, can add significantly to the overall cost of a stay. For first-time visitors on a tighter budget, a well-chosen national park camp might be a better option.

A uniqueness of their own. And some of Kenya's parks (for example, Amboseli with Kilimanjaro on the horizon, Nakuru with its lake views) have a unique quality that is simply their own, and not replicated elsewhere.

A river crossing during the great migration in Kenya’s Masai Mara reserve

What Makes Ol Pejeta Specifically Different

Ol Pejeta is not a typical conservancy in one important respect: its conservation mission goes significantly beyond wildlife tourism. It is home to the world's largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, 171 individuals — and to Najin and Fatu, the last two northern white rhinos on Earth. It runs the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which houses orphaned and rescued chimpanzees from across the continent. It manages 90,000 hectares as a not-for-profit, with every conservancy fee reinvested into ranger salaries, veterinary care, anti-poaching operations and community programmes.

Staying here means your conservancy fees go directly to this work. That isn't something every conservancy can say with the same transparency, and it's something we're very proud of.

Najin - one of the last remaining Northern White Rhinos with head caretaker Zacharia Mutai

Curious hyena pups on a game drive on Ol Pejeta

Do You Have to Choose?

Not necessarily. Many Kenya itineraries combine time in a national park or reserve — typically the Masai Mara or Amboseli — with time in a conservancy like Ol Pejeta. Travellers often spend two or three days in a national park to see the wildlife spectacles or famous views, alongside a few days in a private conservancy for a quieter experience, night drives, and walking safaris.

If you're planning a longer Kenya trip, this combination gives you the best of both: the scale and spectacle of the parks, and the intimacy and flexibility of a conservancy stay. Ol Pejeta sits about four hours from Nairobi by road and 30 minutes by light aircraft — easy to include as part of a multi-destination itinerary (most of guests fly on to the Masai Mara from here) or equally satisfying as a standalone destination.

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The Honest Summary

A national park safari gives you access to Kenya's most famous landscapes, wildlife spectacles and, in some cases, its most extraordinary single experiences. It is more accessible, often more affordable, and doesn't require the same level of planning.

A private conservancy safari gives you something different: control over your schedule, activities that don't exist in the parks, fewer vehicles, and the genuine sense that your visit is contributing directly to the land you're travelling to see. For guests who have done a park safari and felt the friction of crowds and fixed schedules, the shift to a conservancy tends to feel irreversible.

We're biased, naturally. But we also know that the guests who come to Ol Pejeta and then head to a park afterwards tend to notice the difference immediately — and not always in the park's favour.

Curious about what a stay at The Safari Cottages actually includes? Here’s a standard 3-night itinerary with prices.

Or if you're still planning your Kenya itinerary, our guide to getting here and our month-by-month seasonal guides are a good place to start.

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Honeymoon Safari in Kenya: Planning Your Perfect Trip

There's a reason so many couples choose Kenya for their honeymoon. It isn't just the wildlife, extraordinary as it is, or the landscapes, which are unlike anywhere else on earth. It's the feeling of being somewhere that genuinely slows you down — a place with no agenda except your own, where the moments that matter most tend to happen when you're not looking for them. It's the romance of untamed wilderness and vast open skies that ignites the romantic in us all.

A Kenya honeymoon safari, done right, is two people and a world that demands nothing of you except your presence. Here's why you'll find just that at The Safari Cottages on Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Why Exclusive Use Makes All the Difference on a Kenya Honeymoon

Not all safari properties are created equal, and for a honeymoon in particular, the details matter enormously. At a shared camp, your day operates on someone else's schedule. Game drives depart when the camp decides, meals are at set times — you're a guest in someone else's itinerary.

At The Safari Cottages on Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the property is exclusively yours. Every morning, your private guide asks what you'd like to do. Your vehicle goes where you want to go. Your private chef cooks what you want, when you want it. If you want to stay at a cheetah sighting for two hours because neither of you can bring yourselves to leave, you stay. Nobody is waiting.

That's what exclusive use means in practice and, for a Kenya honeymoon, it makes all the difference.

We've hosted proposals, anniversaries, and more honeymoons than we can count. People come back for anniversaries after honeymooning here. We think that says something.

A private lunch on the deck at The Safari Cottages

When to Visit Kenya for Your Honeymoon Safari

Ol Pejeta Conservancy is rewarding year-round, but different seasons offer different experiences for honeymooners.

June to October — the dry season brings clear skies, thinning grass, exceptional wildlife viewing and golden afternoon light. This is Kenya's most celebrated safari window — classic safari conditions with the Big Five reliably visible on the open plains. July and August sit at peak season, when Ol Pejeta sees its highest visitor numbers, though your experience at The Safari Cottages remains entirely private regardless of the season.

November to March brings a greener, quieter conservancy at lower rates. Comfortable temperatures, more atmospheric skies, and a sense of having the wilderness to yourselves. The short rains in November are brief and refreshing; the long rains arrive in March and build through April.

April and May — the low season is Ol Pejeta's best-kept secret. Most Kenya safari camps close in these months, but we don't. Our all-weather roads run whatever the forecast, the lush green landscape is extraordinary, and April and May honeymooners have the conservancy almost entirely to themselves. For some couples, that sense of total privacy is exactly the point.

One of the last northern white rhinos left on the planet

Unlimited daily game drives at The Safari Cottages

The Kenya Bush and Beach Honeymoon

Kenya's coast is often overshadowed by it’s well photographed neighbour, Zanzibar. But if you’re seeking respite from the crowds to relax after your safari then a few nights at Ol Pejeta followed by four or five nights on the Kenyan coast — warm Indian Ocean, white sand, complete contrast — is close to the perfect honeymoon itinerary.

Watamu is our preference: quieter than Diani Beach to the south, with a beautiful marine park, excellent snorkelling and cosy, boutique properties. Lamu Island is more remote and culturally rich — a UNESCO World Heritage Site with narrow Swahili streets, dhow trips at sunset and one of the most atmospheric places in East Africa. Both are an easy connecting flight from Nairobi.

A safari and beach Kenya honeymoon combines two entirely different kinds of extraordinary in a single trip.

A romantic dinner for two at Manda Bay in Lamu

Planning Your Kenya Honeymoon Safari: The Practical Details

How long to stay: A minimum of three nights on the conservancy, four or five is better. By the third morning, you've properly settled into the rhythm of the bush. Most Kenya honeymoon itineraries combine three to five nights at Ol Pejeta with a few nights in the Masai Mara or other reserve and then finish up on the coast.

Getting here: Ol Pejeta Conservancy is 30 minutes by light aircraft from Nairobi Wilson Airport, or a scenic four to five hour drive through the Kenyan highlands. Air Kenya and Safarilink both fly into Nanyuki daily. Our driving guide covers the driving route in detail.

What's included: A fully inclusive stay with us includes private accommodation, conservancy fees, all meals cooked by a personal chef, your private guide, your dedicated vehicle, and all game drives. No hidden extras, no optional add-ons that inflate the final bill.

Tell us it's your honeymoon. We'll make sure dinner on the first night is set up the way it should be — fire lit, table on the verandah, stars overhead. These things don't need organising in advance so much as simply knowing. And we're good at knowing.

A Note on Proposals at Ol Pejeta

If you haven't proposed yet and you're wondering whether Ol Pejeta might be the place — it might. We've helped arrange proposals at sundowner spots, bush breakfasts, and dawn game drives when the light over the conservancy does something nobody can quite describe. We've never had one go wrong. Read about how Pete proposed to Rachel on their visit to us.

Pete proposing to Rachel at sunset on the plains of Ol Pejeta

Frequently asked questions

• Is Kenya a good honeymoon destination?

  Kenya is one of the world's great honeymoon destinations — combining extraordinary wildlife, dramatic landscapes, warm hospitality and an easy safari-to-beach combination that few other countries can match. Private conservancy properties like The Safari Cottages offer the exclusivity and intimacy that a honeymoon deserves.

• What is the best time of year for a honeymoon safari in Kenya?

  The dry season from June to October offers the most reliable wildlife viewing and classic safari conditions. However, the green season (November to March, and April to May) offers a more intimate, atmospheric experience at lower rates — and at Ol Pejeta, game drives run year-round on all-weather roads regardless of rainfall.

• How long should a Kenya honeymoon safari be?

  Most couples spend between seven and fourteen days in Kenya in total. We recommend a minimum of three nights on the conservancy (four or five is better) combined with four or five nights in another safari destination or on the Kenyan coast for the classic bush-and-beach honeymoon experience.

• What makes Ol Pejeta different for a honeymoon?

  Ol Pejeta offers exclusive-use private safari accommodation (like us!), which means the entire property is yours for your stay — no shared game drives, no other guests, no communal dining. Your own private guide, private vehicle and private chef are included at no extra cost. It's also home to the last two northern white rhinos on Earth, making it one of the most extraordinary and singular safari destinations in Africa.

• Can we combine a Kenya safari honeymoon with a beach holiday?

  Absolutely! And, if you’re traveling in the dry season, we'd actively recommend it. The Kenyan coast (Watamu, Lamu, Diani) is an easy connecting flight from Nairobi and pairs beautifully with a conservancy stay. Most Kenya honeymoon itineraries combine safari and beach for the complete experience.

Travelling to Kenya in June: What to Expect on Your Safari

In April and May is the conservancy holding its breath — green, moody and dramatic — then June is the exhale that follows. The long rains have retreated, the skies are clearing, the grass, still lush from the wet season, is beginning to thin just enough for wildlife to become easier to find. And the temperatures, cooled by altitude and the tail end of the rains, are about as perfect as East Africa gets.

Early June isn't peak season either. It’s classed by some as mid-season and others even as low-season. And for some lodges peak season only starts in July and August, when the Masai Mara fills up and prices follow — but it has almost all of the peak season's rewards without the crowds, the premium rates, or the queues of safari vehicles around a lion sighting. For guests who want the best of Kenya without the compromises that come with booking in the busiest months, June is the answer most people haven't thought to look for.

Here's why we love it.

Views over the safari cottages to Mt Kenya

The internet says peak season starts in July. Here's what it misses about June.

There's a tendency in safari planning to treat June as a waiting room — a month to get through on the way to the "proper" dry season. We understand where that comes from but, by June, conditions on Ol Pejeta are already excellent and they have been for a while. The roads are firm. The vegetation is thinning. The predators are active, the rhinos are out on the plains, and the skies produce the kind of enormous cloud formations that make every photograph look like it was taken by someone who knew exactly what they were doing. The conservancy is quieter than it will be in eight weeks' time, and that quiet is its own reward.

1) THE WILDLIFE IS AT ITS MOST ACTIVE

June marks the beginning of Kenya's “dry season,” though it’s worth noting that global weather patterns are shifting so it’s harder to say this with certainty. But, for the most part, it’s dry and it comes with a shift in the rhythms of the bush. As the grass begins to thin and the temporary water sources begin to dry up, wildlife begins to concentrate around permanent rivers and waterholes — which means sightings begin to become more reliable, more prolonged, and more rewarding.

On Ol Pejeta, this translates to some of the most consistent wildlife viewing of the year. Elephants gathering at the river with their families, lion prides are out on the open plains and cheetahs too are easier to spot in shorter grass. The conservancy's extraordinary rhino population — over 165 black rhinos, the largest in East Africa, as well as Najin and Fatu, the last two northern white rhinos on Earth — move freely across the landscape.

2) THE LIGHT IS EXTRAORDINARY

There is a quality to the light in June on the equator that is extra special. The air, still washed clean by the rains, has a clarity to it that the dust of high dry season takes away. The mornings are sharp and golden and the afternoons, when cloud still builds on the horizon, produce dramatic backdrops that frame wildlife in ways that simply don't happen in the heat-hazed months of August and September.

If you're travelling with a camera — or simply want your photographs to look the way safari photographs are supposed to look — June is quietly one of the best months to do it.

Is June a Good Time to See Wildlife in Kenya?

It's one of the best. The transition from green to dry season concentrates wildlife and creates ideal viewing conditions without the competitive pressure of peak July and August. On Ol Pejeta specifically, the resident nature of the wildlife — nothing migrates away — means the full cast is present year-round. What June adds is easier visibility, more predictable movement patterns, and the particular energy of predators moving into their most active season.

The honest answer to the question "is there a better month than June?" is: July and August are excellent, but they're also busy. June gives you the wildlife, the light, and the space to enjoy it. Here’s an overview of wildlife you can expect to see on Ol Pejeta.

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3) YOU'LL HAVE THE CONSERVANCY TO YOURSELVES

July - October are, rightly, celebrated as Kenya's finest safari months. But they're also when everyone else is here. But June sits just ahead of that wave. Visitor numbers on Ol Pejeta are meaningfully lower than they'll be in six weeks so, if you value the feeling of having the bush to yourself — of watching a cheetah hunt without five vehicles jostling for position, of sitting with a rhino sighting in complete quiet — June offers that in a way that peak season safaris simply can't.

At The Safari Cottages, this is somewhat academic though; your stay is exclusively yours regardless of the month, and your private guide and vehicle mean you'll never share a game drive with strangers. But even beyond the property boundaries, on the conservancy roads themselves, June feels like a privilege.

Our guests enjoy one on one time with a white rhino on a game drive on Ol Pejeta

4) JUNE IS BRILLIANT FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG KIDS

Families with young children who want to travel outside of the school holiday rush love June; it offers nearly peak dry season conditions at rates that haven't yet reached their July and August heights. Children who come in June get the wildlife, the weather and the experience without the premium that follows when the rest of the world catches up.

A note on children and Ol Pejeta: the private, exclusive-use nature of The Safari Cottages makes it incredibly family friendly. Schedules are set by you, not by the camp. If a seven-year-old needs an afternoon nap rather than a game drive, the day is reorganised. If a teenager wants to spend two hours watching a pride of lions, the vehicle stays.

A herd of giraffe visiting our guests at lunchtime at The Safari Cottages

5) THE VALUE

Early June rates at The Safari Cottages are not yet at their peak season level. For guests who want the best Kenya has to offer — the wildlife, the light, the dry season conditions, the privately guided experience — June represents the best value in the calendar.

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Planning a Kenya Safari in June? Quick Tips

Pack for cool mornings. A fleece or light down layer is genuinely useful on early game drives. By 9am you won't need it, but you'll be glad of it at 7AM.

Book ahead of July. Because June sits just before peak season, availability at quality properties fills from the July side first — guests who book July and extend backwards into June. Don't assume June availability is open. It often isn't by March or even February.

Consider a beach extension. June is the beginning of the dry season on the Kenyan coast too — Watamu, Lamu and the Diani coast are warm, clear and relatively quiet. A safari-to-coast combination in June works beautifully.

The Safari Cottages are open all year and ready to welcome you in June. Send us an enquiry to start planning your dry season safari.

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Safari Photography Tips for your visit to Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages - from a professional photographer

We wanted to share some helpful photography tips for your next visit to Ol Pejeta but, whilst our team certainly can take a decent picture or two, we thought it would be best to get the low-down from a much-loved regular guest to The Safari Cottages and, ideally, an international, award-winning wildlife photographer to boot. Enter, Margot.

Margot Raggett MBE is a wildlife photographer and the founder of the wildly successful Remembering Wildlife conservation book project, which has raised over £1.26 million for endangered species protection worldwide. Through her photography, books and public talks, she hopes to inspire people to connect with wildlife and support conservation. We’re so thrilled she’s taken some time out of her busy schedule to share her best wildlife photography tips for your Ol Pejeta safari.

Conservationist and professional wildlife photographer Margot Raggett pays homage to Sudan, the last male Northern White Rhino who passed away from old age on Ol Pejeta in 2018

Best camera and equipment for a safari

Phones vs DSLRs? What lenses should you bring?

The most important piece of advice I can give anyone going on safari is actually not about cameras at all — it’s to remember to look up. Some of the most magical moments you will ever experience happen very quickly and if you spend the entire time buried in menus and settings, you can miss them. Your memories matter more than your photographs.

• DSLRs: I would never recommend someone buying complicated camera equipment just before their first safari if they don’t really understand how to use it. Safari is not the place to be learning a new camera system from scratch — it can quickly become stressful rather than enjoyable.

• Phones: Phones can take surprisingly good images these days, but they have one big limitation: reach. If you rely only on a phone, you often feel tempted to get too close to wildlife, which is neither safe nor respectful. Animals should never have to adjust their behaviour because of us.

As a professional photographer I use a long zoom lens (around 400mm), a 70–200mm lens and a shorter lens for wider scenes. However, for a typical safari guest I’d suggest something much simpler: A camera with a zoom lens in the region of 100–400mm (or 100–500mm) is ideal. It allows you to photograph animals from a safe and comfortable distance and gives you huge flexibility — elephants nearby and a leopard in a tree can both be captured with the same lens.

In short: you don’t need the most expensive camera — you need a camera you’re comfortable using.

Rhino at Sunset on Ol Pejeta x Margot Raggett

Best times of day for photographs

Golden hour, midday light, cloudy and rainy days: photographers chase light more than animals.

The classic safari photography times are just after sunrise and just before sunset — the “golden hours.” The low sun creates warm tones, long shadows and beautiful atmosphere, and it’s also when animals tend to be most active. If you can face the early alarm clock on safari, it is absolutely worth it.

However, I always tell people not to ignore the middle of the day. While the light is harsher, some of my favourite images have been taken then because behaviour matters more than lighting. A dramatic interaction, a hunt, or playful cubs will always beat perfect light. Modern cameras and editing also allow us to work with much brighter conditions than in the past.

Playful jackal pups in the midday sun x Margot Raggett

No sunshine? No problem.

• Cloudy days can actually be wonderful — the clouds act like a giant softbox, giving even light and lovely detail in fur and skin.

• Rain is even better; I personally love photographing animals in rain or storms. The atmosphere, droplets, dark skies and mood can produce very powerful images — just make sure your camera is protected. A simple rain sleeve or even a plastic cover in your bag can save your equipment.

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Composition, framing and patience

Photography is really about seeing, not equipment.

One simple starting point is the “rule of thirds.” Imagine your frame divided into a grid of three horizontal and three vertical lines. Placing the animal slightly off-centre — particularly allowing space in front of where it is looking or moving — usually creates a more pleasing image than putting it dead centre.

But rules are only guides. If you think the image works, it works.

A leopard photographed on Ol Pejeta by Margot Raggett using the rule of thirds

Patience Pays.

More important than composition is patience. Many people arrive at an animal sighting, take a few pictures, and leave. The best photographs often happen over time. Animals relax, behaviour unfolds, interactions develop and the story appears.

Spend time with your subject. Watch before you shoot.

And of course, the Remembering Wildlife books are a wonderful source of inspiration — they show just how many different creative approaches to wildlife photography there can be.

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Ethical wildlife photography

This is the most important subject of all - a good wildlife photograph should never come at the expense of the animal. If your presence changes the animal’s behaviour, you are too close.

• Never try to attract an animal’s attention by making noises, clapping, whistling or throwing objects.

• Never ask a guide to reposition a vehicle in a way that blocks an animal’s path or stresses it.

The welfare of the animal must always override the photograph. This is another reason long lenses are so useful — they allow you to observe and photograph from a respectful distance. Your guide is your partner in this. Communicate with them. Good guides understand positioning, light and animal comfort zones, and they want you to get great photographs without disturbing wildlife.

A truly successful safari photograph is one taken responsibly.

Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages guides observing wildlife from a respectful distance on a game drive

Tips for non-photographers (phone users & simple cameras)

If you’re not a photographer, my advice is very simple: don’t feel pressure to be one.

Sometimes people become so focused on getting the “perfect” image that they forget to experience what is in front of them. Seeing wild animals in their natural environment is rare and extraordinary — allow yourself to just watch.

That said, phones are wonderful for memories. I actually use my iPhone a lot on safari for short video clips and personal moments — the sounds of birds at dawn, elephants walking past camp, or the atmosphere around a sighting. These often become my most treasured memories.

A few simple tips:

• Keep your phone steady (rest it on the vehicle if possible)

• Tap to focus on the animal

• Slightly reduce exposure if the sky is bright

• Take short videos as well as photos

And most importantly: enjoy it.
You don’t need a portfolio — you need memories.

Making memories; Margot visits Baraka during her visit to Ol Pejeta Conservancy

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Family Safari in Kenya: Visiting Ol Pejeta with Kids

The idea of a family safari often comes with a quiet hesitation. Will the children cope with early mornings? Is it safe? Will teenagers be bored, or toddlers overwhelmed? These are the kinds of questions and concerns we hear all the time — and they're completely understandable.

The truth is that a well-planned family safari isn't just possible. It's one of the most remarkable things you can do together. Watching your child see an elephant for the first time, or hearing them whisper as a lion walks past the vehicle, creates the kind of shared memory that stays with a family for a lifetime.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy, in the heart of Kenya's Laikipia region, is one of the most family-friendly safari destinations in East Africa. Here's everything you need to know before you book.

A guest at The Safari Cottages watches an elephant with her daughter over lunchtime

Is Ol Pejeta Suitable for Families?

The short answer is yes — we welcome families of all ages to The Safari Cottages year-round and, in many ways, Ol Pejeta is better suited to families than Kenya's busier national parks.

Safety comes first. Ol Pejeta is a fenced conservancy with strict wildlife protocols and highly experienced guides driving within strict speed limits on open terrain. Game drives take place in enclosed vehicles, and your guide will always brief you and your family before heading out. Children are safe, well-supervised, and — in our experience — far braver than their parents expect.

Shorter game drives are entirely possible. Unlike fixed itinerary tours, a private safari at The Safari Cottages means your schedule is yours. If younger children need to return home after two hours, that's exactly what happens. There's no pressure to stay out until everyone is exhausted. You go when you're ready, and you come back when you've had enough.

Private guiding makes all the difference. Shared game drives can be frustrating with children — especially if little ones need a snack, a wriggle, or a bathroom stop. With a private guide and vehicle dedicated entirely to your family, the pace, the route, and the conversation are all shaped around you. Your guide can adapt their storytelling to suit a six-year-old just as easily as a sixteen-year-old.

Runo (20months) on a game drive

Spotting rhinos!

Best Safari Activities for Kids

Children experience a safari differently to adults — and often more vividly. The key is giving them ways to engage actively with what they're seeing.

Wildlife spotting games are a simple and surprisingly effective way to keep younger children focused and excited on game drives. Ask your guide to help set up a spotter's checklist before you head out — how many of the Big Five can the family find today? Who spots the first giraffe? Games like these give children a sense of agency and adventure, and they tend to produce a surprising level of concentration.

Nature walks offer a completely different pace from a game drive, and one that children often respond to with great curiosity. Walking focuses attention on the smaller details — tracks in the dust, insects, plants, bird calls — and opens up conversations about the ecosystem and gives them the chance to learn, touch and play. This is a great activity to do in camp with an askari or guide; we have several lovely walking trails around the property.

Learning about conservation is one of the most powerful things a child can take away from a safari at Ol Pejeta. The conservancy is home to Najin and Fatu, the world's last two northern white rhinos, and a visit to meet them — with an expert guide who can explain their story — tends to leave a deep impression on children and adults alike. Questions follow for days afterwards. That's exactly the point.

Campfire S’mores - chocolate biscuits and marsh mellows, what more can we say? The askaris love roasting marsh mellows with kids around the evening fire and showing them the stars.

Roasting marshmallows around the fire at The Safari Cottages

Ideal Ages for a Family Safari

There is no single right age for a first safari, but there are some honest differences worth knowing about...

Toddlers and very young children can absolutely enjoy a safari experience — the sights, sounds, and general wonder of the bush are engaging at almost any age. The considerations are more practical though: nap schedules, short attention spans, and the need for flexibility. Private accommodation and a private guide make this far more manageable than it would be on a shared tour. If your family includes very young children, we'd simply suggest building extra downtime into each day and keeping drives relaxed in length.

Children aged six to twelve tend to thrive on safari. They're old enough to understand what they're seeing, young enough to be completely and unselfconsciously amazed by it, and at an age where the conservation story — the rhinos, the wildlife recovery projects, the ecosystem — genuinely captures their imagination. This is arguably the sweet spot for a first family safari.

Teenagers often arrive on safari with measured expectations and leave as genuine converts. Giving older children a camera, encouraging them to keep a wildlife journal, or asking the guide to talk them through tracking and navigation tends to unlock a level of engagement that surprises everyone. A safari that feels curated for adults can easily be shaped into something that feels genuinely exciting for a fifteen or sixteen-year-old — especially one who's accustomed to being the least interested person in the room.

A family with young teenagers on a game drive

Accommodation & Meal Considerations

One of the things that makes a family stay at The Safari Cottages particularly well-suited to parents is the degree of flexibility built into everyday life here.

Meals are prepared by your private chef, which means the menu adapts to your family rather than the other way around. Fussy eaters, dietary requirements, children who want plain pasta at 5pm — none of this is a problem. Your chef will talk through preferences on arrival and make sure every meal works for every member of the family. Breakfast can be a picnic in the bush or on the verandah. Lunch can be earlier, or later. Dinner can happen whenever the children are fed and the adults are ready, even if that means eating at different times and different meals entirely.

Schedules are entirely flexible. There are no set departure times, no shared dining rooms, and no need to coordinate with other guests. This matters more than it sounds when you're travelling with children. The freedom to adapt the day in real time — to extend a morning game drive, to cut a picnic short, to let a tired child sleep in — changes the entire experience of travelling as a family.

Addie (2yrs) enjoying brunch in the bush with The Safari Cottages team

Tips for a Stress-Free Family Safari

A few practical notes from years of welcoming families to Ol Pejeta:

Pack for the temperature range, not just the heat. Early morning game drives can be genuinely cold, even in the warmer months. Children feel the chill more quickly than adults, so pack a fleece or light jacket for every member of the family regardless of the time of year. Layers are your friend.

Bring binoculars for the children. This sounds small, but it transforms a game drive. Giving a child their own pair of binoculars — even an inexpensive set — makes them feel like an active participant rather than a passenger. Wildlife becomes something they're finding and focusing on themselves.

Let the days breathe. The temptation on a family holiday is to fill every hour. On safari, the opposite approach tends to produce the best results. A slow morning, a long lunch, an afternoon rest, then an evening drive — this rhythm suits children well, and it suits the wildlife too. The bush rewards patience, and children learn this faster than most adults expect.

Talk to your guide. Before each drive, spend five minutes with your guide letting them know the mood of the group, what the children are most interested in, and what the family's energy levels are like that day. A great guide will shape the entire experience around this — and your guide at The Safari Cottages will have the experience and the instinct to make it work beautifully.

A family safari on Ol Pejeta isn't a compromise on the adult experience. It's a different kind of experience entirely — one where wonder is shared, where questions multiply, and where the bush reveals itself through the eyes of people seeing it for the very first time.

Sundowners with warm milk and a cookie

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Driving to Ol Pejeta: A Scenic Safari Road Trip Guide

For many travelers, the journey to a safari destination is just as memorable as the safari itself. Flying into conservancies is common in Kenya and both Air Kenya and Safarilink offer a number of flights a day into Nanyuki and Kamok Airstrip from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport and other popular locations like Samburu and the Masai Mara. Flying is a fantastic way to see the country from the air, not to mention quick and convenient; the flight from Nairobi Wilson Airport to Nanyuki is just 50 minutes! It’s important to bear in mind though that local flights in Kenya come with strict weight restrictions and allow passengers a maximum of 15kgs in soft bags only. If you’re traveling lightly and staying just a week or so this might be the perfect option for you. If you have suitcases or are staying longer you might opt to drive instead. If you’re planning on driving to Ol Pejeta, this blog is for you!

Why Some Travellers Prefer Driving Over Flying

Driving to Ol Pejeta Conservancy offers scenic landscapes, cultural encounters, and a gradual transition from city life into the calm rhythm of the bush. A road trip safari allows you to experience Kenya at ground level; you travel through changing landscapes, pass local towns and farmland, and watch the scenery slowly transform into open savannah, turning the journey itself into part of the adventure. This is a great way to see the country really authentically; watching farmers in their fields, shop keepers rolling out their goods for the day and passing waving children on their way to school.

It’s a beautiful way to ease into the rhythm of your safari; to take things a little slower and enjoy the countryside from ground-level, rather than arriving all at once.

Route Options from Nairobi

Most travellers begin their journey from Nairobi where inter-city highways and main roads are busy but work very well and, following the right route, you will be traveling up the Thika highway toward Nyeri pretty quickly.

The highway through Nairobi city centre

Travel Time

The drive typically takes approximately 4 to 5 hours, depending on traffic, road conditions, and stops along the way. We recommend guests staying at The Safari Cottages on Ol Pejeta leave Nairobi no later than 8AM to allow enough time for an unhurried drive up North, arriving in time for lunch and an afternoon activity. It’s important to note that the conservancy gates will shut at 7PM so arrivals later than this will not be permitted entry.

Road Conditions

The road from Nairobi to Nyeri is now a major highway and it’s pretty well maintained all the way up until Karatina where it narrows from multiple lanes to two lanes (in February 2026 - this road will be expanded into a dual carriage-way all the way until the Nanyuki turn turn-off before Nyeri), but it is still tarmaced and of good quality. Infact you’ll only say goodbye to the tarmac a few hundred metres from the Ol Pejeta Rongai entry gate, where the final section of the route transitions to smaller roads as you approach the conservancy. While most of the journey is on tarmac, some access roads may be gravel where road works are in effect and especially closer to the Ol Pejeta entry gate.

A standard vehicle can manage the drive in dry conditions, though a higher-clearance vehicle offers added comfort and if you plan to self-drive in Ol Pejeta you will need a 4WD vehicle with high clearance.

Thika highway

The road from Nanyuki to Ol Pejeta

Scenic Stops Along the Way

One of the joys of driving is the ability to pause and explore. As you travel North, landscapes shift from urban Nairobi to rolling farmland, forested hills, and open plains. Certain viewpoints along the route offer beautiful photo opportunities and panoramic views of central Kenya. The journey takes you through several charming places to stop for refreshments — from roadside cafés, curio shops bursting with hand crafted goodies to small towns where you can enjoy local food and coffee. These breaks provide you with a chance to stretch your legs they also aadd some colour to the journey, making the drive feel like part of the experience rather than just transport.

If you’d like to stop for lunch there are a number of excellent restaurant in and near Nanyuki town but our favourite is by far is The Trout Tree Restaurant; a unique eatery suspended in a giant fig tree along a riverline. Colobus monkeys are famous for visiting diners here and, as the name suggests, this is a trout farm so you can enjoy fresh trout from your perch in the trees.

The Trout Tree Restaurant Dining Area

Entrance to The Trout Tree Restaurant

What to Expect at the Conservancy Gate

Arriving at Ol Pejeta’s entrance marks the beginning of your safari and the entry process is seamless and simple.

Entry Process

At the gate, you’ll complete a simple online registration form and pay the conservancy entry fees depending on your residency status (if this is not already included as part of your stay). If you are self-driving in the conservancy you will also be required to register your vehicle and pay a daily vehicle entry fee. Staff are helpful and efficient, and the process is generally quick. The entry gate also has clean toilets.

Navigation Inside the Conservancy

Once inside, roads in the Eastern sector of the conservancy are gravelled, clearly marked, and signage helps guide visitors to their respective lodges and accommodation areas. If you are staying in a camp in the wilderness area and are self-driving in Ol Pejeta you’ll need clear driving instructions to get to your accommodation from the camp manager, as these roads are not well signposted and can get tricky to navigate in wet weather. Wildlife sightings often begin almost immediately after entry, making the arrival itself feel like the start of your safari experience.

Gracvel roads in the Eastern sector of the conservancy (suitable for self driving)

Self-Drive vs Guided Safari

Both self-drive and guided safaris can offer wonderful experiences, depending on your travel style and how comfortable you are driving in safari areas and around wild animals.

Self-drive: travellers exploring Ol Pejeta in their own vehicles are required to stick to the Eastern Sector of the conservancy where roads are well-maintained and clearly indicated on maps, and we only recommend you drive yourself if you know the conservancy well and know how to conduct yourself safely and respectfully around wildlife.

Guided Safari: for the most part though visitors driving up to Ol Pejeta and staying at The Safari Cottages will wave their driver off at the gate and stay with us on a guided, fully inclusive package where your guide will have access to the wilderness area. They know the road networks like the back of their hand, have insight on where wildlife was last seen or might be heading next and know how to show you the animals in a professional manner so you can really get the very best out of your experience.

Guests on a guided safari with The Safari Cottages; an unmarked track in the wilderness area

Tips for a Comfortable Road Trip

Here are a few tips and ideas for simple preparations that can make your journey smoother:

What to Pack

• Water and snacks; of course! You’ll find hawkers selling fruit and nuts and other goodies on the way too though we recommend only buying peeling fruit like bananas and mangoes.

• Sunglasses and sun protection, especially if you’re traveling in the heat of the day - if your vehicle has air-conditioning but your exposed to the sunshine on your journey you might not realise how hot the sun is.

• Offline maps or GPS - depending on where you’re traveling to or from Google Maps can sometimes lead you astray so a back up, good-old-fashioned paper map is always a good idea to keep on hand

• Camera and binoculars - you never know what you’re going to see along the way!

Fuel and Timing

• Fill up in Nairobi before you depart or in major towns along the way

• Avoid night driving when possible and be sure to arrive at Ol Pejeta Rongai Gate well before the 7PM cut off time

• Allow extra time for stops and photo breaks on your journey

• Get off nice and early to enjoy cooler temperatures and quieter roads

Drive safely and slowly, keep an open mind and stay flexible so that the journey is part of the adventure rather than a rush to your destination.

Arrive by Road and Settle into Your Safari Home

Driving to Ol Pejeta offers more than just transport — it’s an introduction to Kenya’s landscapes, cultures, and rhythms. By the time you arrive, you’re already immersed in the safari experience and eager for more. It’s a wonderful way to experience Kenya! Whether you’re traveling independently or with a guide, a road journey allows you to arrive gently, ready to relax and enjoy the wildlife, the scenery, and the stillness of the conservancy.

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Birdwatching at Ol Pejeta Conservancy: A Seasonal Guide

While Ol Pejeta Conservancy is best known for its rhinos, elephants, lions and big game, a lesser known boast is that it’s also one of central Kenya’s most rewarding destinations for birdwatching. With diverse habitats ranging from open savannah to riverine woodland and acacia groves, the conservancy supports an extraordinary variety of birdlife throughout the year including endemic and migratory species.

Whether you’re a dedicated birder with an extensive birding list, the birder who loves to obsess over the LBJs (little brown jobs) or simply someone who enjoys spotting wildlife in all its forms, birdwatching at Ol Pejeta offers all safari-goers a peaceful, immersive bird watching experience.

Why Ol Pejeta Is Special for Birdwatching

Ol Pejeta’s varied ecosystems create ideal conditions for both resident and migratory bird species. The vast open grasslands attract raptors and ground birds, while rivers and acacia woodland areas support a multitude of songbirds, waterbirds and forest species including rarer species like the Abyssinian scimitarbill and Blue-naped mousebird.

 Our guides are all keen birders and having a private vehicle use for your safari at The Safari Cottages means there’s time to stop, observe, and listen. This sort of flexibility breaths glorious life into “a slow safari” and allows guests to enjoy our colourful birdlife as part of the living landscape and not just as another mark on a tick list.

Resident Birds You Can See Year-Round

One of our favourite things about our days at The Safari Cottages is the cacophony of birdlife that pulls you from the depths of your slumber at dawn each day; a riot of babblers, starlings and bulbuls to name a few. You don’t need to wander too far from your safari cottage find come of the more commonly spotted bird species on Ol Pejeta. These include…

• Glossy and superb starlings eyeing up any crumbs left on the lunch table

• Secretary birds striding across open plains, they are incredible but it’s the Kori bustards who truly rule the open grassland areas

• Hornbills, kingfishers and weavers chattering in woodlands and river systems

• Eagles and vultures soaring above the savannah in search of their next meal

Seasonal Migratory Birds at Ol Pejeta

If the plethora of birdlife already on offer isn’t enough to satisfy your very fascination in  Kenya’s birdlife then you’ll be thrilled to hear that there are also certain times of year that migratory birds appear in the skies and trees of the conservancy, adding even greater diversity to Ol Pejeta’s bird population.

November to April is the main migratory season in Laikipia, when birds from Europe and northern Africa arrive in Kenya. During these months, birdwatchers can enjoy increased species diversity and vibrant breeding plumage. Keep your eyes peeled for European bee-eaters, Montagus and Marsh Harriers, Abdims storks and Steppe eagles.

Best Habitats for Birdwatching at Ol Pejeta

Different habitats attract different species, making exploration part of the experience and Ol Pejeta makes such a wonderful birding location with thanks to the diversity in its landscapes.

• Riverine areas: park up with a cup of coffee and look out for kingfishers, herons and waders

• Open plains: you’ll find secretary birds, crowned cranes, bustards, larks, pipits and raptors in abundance

• Woodland: sunbirds, hornbills, weavers and hoopoes flitter in the foliage

• Wetlands and water points: ideal spaces to spot storks, ibis and ducks

**Moving between different habitats on game drives allows for varied and rewarding bird sightings throughout the day, but remember to take your time and linger at each location; when you slow down you see so much more.

Tips for Beginner Birdwatchers on Safari

You don’t need to be an expert birder to enjoy birdwatching at Ol Pejeta, but a few simple tips can really help enhance the experience:

• Bring binoculars for better viewing; your guide will carry a pair which they are happy to share but it’s always helpful to have your own on hand for quick and easy access

• Use a basic bird guide like a book or an identification app. The ‘Birds of East Africa’ book by Terry Stevenson and John Fanshawe is Andy’s pick, or The African Bird Club; Birds of Africa app is a good start for beginners/one-time safari visitors

• Take time to listen — many birds are heard before they’re seen and your guide can help you identify bird calls

• Ask your guide questions — local knowledge adds depth and perspective to every sighting; a great chance to understand the circle of life and just how intricately involved it in birds are (click here to meet our guides)

Plan a Birdwatching Safari at Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages

Whether you’re a passionate birder or simply someone who appreciates nature’s quieter moments, The Safari Cottages offer a birdwatching experience on Ol Pejeta that feels immersive, peaceful, and deeply rewarding. Plus private vehicle use means you can take your time at special sightings, or get stuck in and search for that one species that continues to evade you!

Wildlife You Can See at Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Beyond the Big Five)

When most people think of a Kenyan safari, they think of the famous Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. While our wonderful home on Ol Pejeta Conservancy is easily one of the best places in Africa to see these iconic animals (if we do say so ourselves), what truly sets it apart is the extraordinary diversity of wildlife you’ll encounter beyond these more famous species.

Located in the Laikipia region of central Kenya, just a four-hour drive or a 50-minute flight from Nairobi, Ol Pejeta often offers its visitors a quiet, intimate safari experience where wildlife sightings feel personal and unhurried. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning for another safari, there’s always something new to discover.

A birds-eye view of The Safari Cottages on Ol Pejeta

Exploring The Ol Pejeta Conservancy Wilderness Area

Ol Pejeta is one of Kenya’s most important and famous wildlife conservancies; combining conservation with community engagement, ranching and tourism. Its varied landscapes — open savannah, acacia woodland and riverine habitat — create ideal conditions for a wide range of animal and bird species. Perhaps most famously, Ol Pejeta is home to the largest population of black rhinos in East Africa and plays a critical and inspiring role in global rhino conservation through it’s world-renowned Northern White Rhino IVF program. But if you’re looking for a private, authentic safari experience then you’ve opened the right blog post today; the secret to experiencing that best that Ol Pejeta has to offer is by booking a fully inclusive safari, so you can have access to The Wilderness Area.

What is The Ol Pejeta Conservancy Wilderness Area? So glad you asked! This vast tract of land is off limits to self drives and visitors not staying overnight. Only a handful of high quality camps and lodges, like The Safari Cottages, with professional guides and well maintained vehicles have game viewing rights in the Ol Pejeta Wilderness Area where, with fewer vehicles at sightings, you have the space and time to observe animal behaviour naturally.

Iconic Wildlife You’re Likely to See at Ol Pejeta

Rhinos (Black and White): Ol Pejeta is one of the most reliable places in Kenya to see both black and white rhinos. Sightings are a daily occurrence and it’s not unusual to see multiple individuals in a single game drive. During your stay you can also visit the last Northern White Rhinos in existence to learn more about how Ol Pejeta is bringing this species back from the brink of extinction and making waves in the conservation world. When you visit the Northern White Rhino don’t forget to pop in and see Baraka; a rescued black rhino that is cared for by Ol Pejeta and has grown very fond of his human caretakers.

Hyenas: you’ll likely encounter many spotted hyena’s on your game drives as they are doing so well on the conservancy and frequently den close to the road, making spending time with them easy and rewarding. Stripped hyenas are around too though harder to spot.

Elephants: Large elephant herds roam freely across the conservancy. Watching them interact — from playful calves to protective matriarchs — is a highlight for many guests. At The Safari Cottages a wildlife trail meanders along the riverline in front of our property so we’re often visited by these wonderful creatures as they come down to the river to drink and play each day.

Plains wildlife: We refer to all herding animals who prefer the vast open plains over thick bush as “plains wildlife” and Ol Pejeta is abundant with them. Plains wildlife, in prolific numbers, include zebra, buffalo, gazelles, impala and eland as well as the endangered Jacksons hartebeest and reticulated giraffe.

Big Cats:

• Lions of all size and ages can be found resting in the shade in the heat of the day or on early morning / evening hunts. The conservancy is home to around 80 lions spread out between 8-10 prides and they are spotted regularly.

• Leopards are still rather elusive in our wild little corner of the world, but a few individuals are becoming more comfortable with vehicles and they are being seen every week or so. We hear them calling most nights and see their footprints all around the camp in the mornings.

• Cheetahs thrive in the open plains, where their speed is best observed. Cheetah populations have previously struggled on Ol Pejeta, like much of Africa, but they are making a slow comeback and, at the time of writing (2026), the conservancy is now home to 10-15 individuals.

Birdlife at Ol Pejeta Conservancy

With over 300 recorded bird species, Ol Pejeta is a rewarding destination for birdwatchers, and even non-bird watchers have found themselves entranced watching a spoonbill wading through the shallows or a superb starling glittering in the light of the day.

On Ol Pejeta you can expect to see…

• Raptors such as eagles and vultures: marshy eagles, tawny eagles and fisheagles are regularly spotted here. Vulture species are more secretive but do come out for meals!

• Colourful bee-eaters, kingfishers, starlings and weavers

• Large ground birds like secretary birds, bustards (including the impressive kori bustard) and storks

Best Time of Day for Wildlife Sightings

Wildlife at Ol Pejeta can be seen throughout the day, but some times are especially rewarding:

• Early morning: we encourage our guests to head out as early as possible because this is when predators are the most active, and the soft light is ideal for photography. We’ll send you off with a thermos of hot tea of coffee and a blanket for the car to keep you toasty warm on chilly mountainous mornings.

• Late afternoon / evening: you’ll rest in the heat of the day, just as all animals do. Then you’ll head out again when temperatures cool again in the late afternoon/evening.

• Midday: you don’t always have to be out and about though. In the heat of the day elephants, giraffe, buffalo and gazelles will wander infront of The Safari Cottages so you can enjoy game viewing from the comfort of your verandah.

With your own private vehicle and a dedicated guide, game drives at Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages are flexible; you can adjust your schedule to match wildlife movement rather than racing against the clock.

Experience Ol Pejeta’s Wildlife Firsthand

Staying within the conservancy, and especially within the wilderness area, allows you to experience wildlife at your own pace — from early morning game drives to peaceful evenings listening to nature from your safari cottage. If you’re dreaming of a safari where wildlife encounters feel natural, uncrowded and deeply memorable, The Safari Cottages on Ol Pejeta Conservancy is an exceptional place to begin.

View our rates and start planning your wildlife-rich safari experience.

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5 reasons to travel to Kenya in February

February feels much like “a settling” here at The Safari Cottages. As the buzz of the festive season draws to a close we can get our teeth into doing what it is we love most; enjoying the magic of the African bush and sharing that with our guests. February is a wonderful time of year to visit Kenya and very popular with our friends in the Northern hemisphere as it offers sunseekers the chance to escape the winter chill and spend their days dosed in sunshine instead. So, if you’re seeking some respite from the darkness traveling to Kenya in February is a wonderful way to up your Vitamin D intake in the best way!

An elephant drinking x Britt Von Steinen

Curious young hyenas x Britt Von Steinen

Here are five things we love about living in and traveling around Kenya in February…

1) Hot and dry weather

You may well associate hot dry weather with dusty feet, crunchy contact lenses and crispy hair but in Ol Pejeta the ground is still fairly settled after the November rains and grasslands are still being grazed down, keeping the dust largely at bay. But if you travel North to Samburu and beyond, or down to the drier reserves and parks like Tsavo and Amboseli, you’ll find dramatic dusty landscapes. As global weather patterns shift you’ll find that some parts of Kenya do experience sporadic rain showers around this time of year but, for the most part, you’re likely to enjoy clear, hot days all around the country so don’t forget to pack your sunhat and a big ol’ tub of sunscreen!

2) Big cats and big action

With limited rainfall and smaller, scattered water sources drying up plains game like zebra, buffalo and gazelles tend to gather at a more limited selection of water sources this time of year. The lions, leopards and cheetah know what’s up because they’ll often be spotted here too, waiting for herds to gather for the evening drink and finding dinner for themselves. If you’re looking for predator action on your Kenya holiday then February is the month for you!

Male lions fighting over a female in Ol Pejeta x Kat Macleod

3) Lazy days at the beach

Temperatures on Kenya’s coast tend to soar at this time of year, often times reaching up to the late thirties (celcius) in the middle of the day. The brilliant sunshine and the spicy climate brings out the lizard in us all; whether you are someone who likes to rest or not, spending a day sipping a cocktail and reading a good book on the beach is a lovely finale to your safari. And who knows, maybe a little bit of forced rest is exactly what you need? Head to the North coast to escape the crowds or Diani if you’re seeking out the Zanzibar-like white sand beaches.

Top tip: If you’re nervous about the heat opt for an air-conditioned hotel room or accommodation right on the beach where you can enjoy the fresh sea breeze.

4) Mountain views

Did you know that, although Mt Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania, the the best views of this iconic mountain are actually from Amboseli National Park in Kenya. And as far as photographic backdrops go, the impressive peaks of Mt Kenya and Mt Kilimanjaro make for a pretty jaw dropping image! With the lack of rainfall around you’re likely to enjoy fantastic views of both of these iconic mountains during your February Kenya safari.

A giraffe on Ol Pejeta, infront of Mt Kenya at dusk

5) Couples and solo travellers get some quiet time

With most kids back at school, February is a popular time of year for couples and solo travellers who are looking for an adults-only safari experience to head out and enjoy a bit of R&R on their Kenya Safari Holiday. Our one-bedroom safari cottages make for a ideal escape if you’re searching for privacy and exclusivity and, as all our safari cottage are exclusive use, even families with very young children have their own dedicated space. So you’ll have a lovely bit of peace and quiet no matter what!

One bedroom safari cottage verandah

One bedroom safari cottage bedroom

BOOK YOUR FEBRUARY SAFARI TO KENYA

Bring your binos, your camera and book your February stay with us to experience one of Kenya’s most abundant wildlife conservancies; the award-winning Ol Pejeta Conservancy, at The Safari Cottages.

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Meet our Guides: Mike, Hezzie, James & Sam

We’re so proud to support an excellent team of guides who are passionate about the conservancy, the wildlife and preserving the ecosystem. They are a wealth of knowledge and love to share all they know with our guests so, today, we’re sitting down with them to hear more about their journey to becoming safari guides and what it is they love about working on Ol Pejeta.

MY JOURNEY TO BECOMING A SAFARI GUIDE: MICHAEL NDIRANGU (MIKE)

Laikipia native and Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages head guide, Mike, discovered his interest in guiding during his time working on Lewa Conservancy in 2002. His interactions with guests, full of questions about the natural world, inspired him to seek these answers for himself and he immersed himself in piles upon piles of books about Kenya’s flora and fauna, took part in studies whenever he could and enrolled in guide training and seminars with visiting local and international field experts.

Armed with years worth of knowledge and experience Mike decided to take control of his own destiny.

“In 2015, I decided to leave Lewa Conservancy and head out on my own as a free-lance guide. This was a difficult time for me as I had only ever worked at Lewa Conservancy and in 2017 I had to undergo a hip replacement due to arthritis.  After the surgery and recuperation, I slowly made my way back into guiding, when I was offered a bit of work at the Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages, guiding guests.

I have since then never looked back and I have become not only a member of the team, but a member of the Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages family.”

Mike hosting a picnic breakfast for Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages guests

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MY JOURNEY TO BECOMING A SAFARI GUIDE: Hesbon Odhiambo Omomdi (HEZZIE)

After completing High School our beloved Hezzie had an opportunity to join Abercrombie & Kent, assisting with their mobile camps in Kenya. This experience gave him his first glimpse into Kenya’s safari industry, the chance to explore the countries’ stunning wilderness areas, to encounter wildlife and begin to learn more about their their habitats. Hezzie knew he had found his place in the world. The seed was sown!

“In 2009 I left Abercrombie and Kent to join Porini Rhino Camp, set in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, I was employed as a waiter in the camp, but my interest was in learning more about wildlife and the ecosystems in the conservancy. I spent my free time reading as many books as I could to learn and it was this that drove me to want to become a guide. I sat for KPSGA in 2026 and obtained my Silver Level Guides Certificate.

I had by then worked my way up from being a waiter to a driver guide for the company. I continued to guide and worked my way to becoming the Head Guide for Porini Rhino Camp in Ol Pejeta.

I decided to move in 2023 to join the Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages, to gain more skills and experience. I love what I do, but it is being able to share my knowledge and experiences with guests, that is the driving force behind me being a guide.”

Hezzie enjoying an Ol Pejeta sundowner

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MY JOURNEY TO BECOMING A SAFARI GUIDE: JAMES WAMBUGU NGATIA

James’s knows Ol Pejeta better than any of us! His journey here started back in 2002, before it became a conservancy and was being operated as a cattle ranch. James was employed as a ranger and in 2004 the ranch fell under the management of Flora & Fauna International and was turned into a Rhino Conservancy. James retained his position as a ranger and had a pleasure of watching the incredible rise of the Ol Pejeta we know today.

“Being a ranger, I was fortunate to interact and work with many of the researchers and to provide them with protection, while at the same time gaining vast amounts of knowledge when out in the field. It was through this work with the researchers that I not only gained a respect for wildlife and their habitat, but it sparked a passion in me that I wanted to work at protecting wildlife but foremost of all to protect the most vulnerable and endangered species – the rhino!!!

In 2012 I became a guide as well as being an armed ranger with Ol Pejeta and loved my work in promoting tourism and the plight of the rhino. I enjoyed sharing all my knowledge with guests who visited the conservancy and speaking to school children about the issues of poaching and the effects it has on our national heritage. I worked with the Ol Pejeta Conservancy until 2022, when I left to join The Safari Cottages to share not only my knowledge but also the experiences of my life in the conservancy.”

James guiding our guests out on a day trip to Ngare Ndare Forest

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MY JOURNEY TO BECOMING A SAFARI GUIDE: SAMUEL KARIUKI

Sam joined our guiding team in the Summer of 2025 and has really come to life here, quickly showing himself to be a professional, highly knowledgable and much loved safari guide. From his home in Kenya’s lake district, Sam’s love of the natural world began at a young age and gave a him a clear vision of the future he would strive for. He graduated from college with a diploma in tour guiding and administration and went straight to work, guiding safaris in Northern Kenya.

“During high school my passion for nature and wildlife had greatly developed, and I joined the wildlife and environmental club. On completion of my secondary school, I joined college and attained a diploma in tour guiding and administration. I have been a proud driver guide, passionate about birds and animals, for over five years now.”

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Travelling to Kenya in April: What to Expect (And Why It Might Be Your Best Safari Yet)

Traveling out of season is easily our favourite time to travel! April is, and always has been, low season in Kenya. Most camps and lodges in remote areas in Kenya shut down over April and much of May due to issues with access; heavy rainfall can make roads in the Masai Mara incredibly sticky and difficult to navigate or, in places like Samburu, rising river levels can flood them altogether. For this reason, tourism comes to a fairy dramatic stop on the first of April.

But on Ol Pejeta Conservancy the April showers usher in lush green landscapes, and the kind of atmospheric, cloud-layered light that photographers dream about. Temperatures remain comfortable, and the overall effect of the green season is one of transformation — the plains turn a deep, vivid green, the rivers run full, and the conservancy takes on a lushness that the dry months simply can't offer.

A crisp April morning on Ol Pejeta

Cosying up by the fire listening to the rain

Google may say that Kenya is a no-go in April but here are five great reasons to ignore Google and do it anyway…

1) THE LOWEST PRICES OF THE YEAR

Green season rates at many safari properties are lower than peak season, and flights into Nairobi — the gateway to Kenya and to Ol Pejeta — tend to be more available and more competitively priced. For families or guests working with a budget, April can represent exceptional value without any real compromise on the experience. This includes the Easter school holidays; camps and lodges won’t hike up their prices for an otherwise expensive time to take the family on holiday elsewhere in the world.

2) GET THE PLACE ALL TO YOURSELF

Traveling out of season means space! It means you’re not fighting through mountains of safari vehicles to enjoy your sightings or needing to make a dinner reservation months in advance in one of Nairobi’s top restaurants. April is one of the quieter months on Ol Pejeta Conservancy. For guests who value the feeling of having the bush to themselves — of sitting with a sighting without another vehicle appearing — this is a significant advantage. The intimacy of the experience increases noticeably.

A rainstorm building on Ol Pejeta in early April © Kathrine Macleod

Is April a Good Time to See Wildlife in Kenya?

This is the question most travellers ask first, and the answer is more positive than many expect.

Wildlife at Ol Pejeta is resident year-round. The elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards, cheetahs and the extraordinary diversity of plains game that call this conservancy home don't migrate away in April — they stay, and they're often easier to find than the headline numbers suggest.

During the green season, predator activity remains strong. Lions and cheetahs are well-fed and relatively visible on the open plains. Elephants move through the conservancy in relaxed family groups, drawn to the abundance of fresh vegetation and water. Rhino sightings — one of Ol Pejeta's greatest strengths at any time of year — are consistent and rewarding.

The one honest caveat is visibility. When vegetation is at its most lush, spotting game in wooded areas can require a little more patience than in the stripped-back dry season. But with a skilled, experienced guide and the intimate knowledge of the conservancy that comes with living here, those sightings come — and when they do, the setting makes them feel genuinely cinematic.

Afternoon cloud cover cools temperatures, and a pride of lions prepares to hunt in the mid-afternoon

3) BEAT THE HEAT

There is something wonderful about the rain in Africa; it’s refreshing and full of life and, after a long, hot, dry season, we welcome the cooler temperatures that the April rains offer with open arms. If you are sensitive to heat, then you too may well enjoy this month of reprieve from the otherwise harsh African sun.

4) WILD RAINSTORMS AND WILD ADVENTURES

The April rains are wild and powerful showers that mostly hit us in the afternoons. We’ll so often hear the distant rumble of thunder whilst we have lunch, the wind picks up a little and the birds are suddenly excitable. We can’t help ourselves; the thrill of an impending African rainstorm never really goes away. We get swept up in it, pour a cup of tea and enjoy the meditative sound of heavy raindrops against the steel rooftops. And if you’re out on the plains when the rains hit then hold on tight; you’ll be slipping and sliding all the way home and you may even have to pop out to help your guide push the vehicle out a muddy patch, turning a pretty standard safari into an African adventure!

*Top top: traveling to Kenya in April? Pack some light waterproof/wellington boots that will keep your toes warm and ward off the mud and pack clothing that you don’t mind getting a little dirty. Most camps will supply you with an umbrella in your room but it’s always helpful to pack a light waterproof jacket too.

5) UNIQUE WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

We’ve all seen a photograph of a lion but wildlife photography in the rainy season is really something else! Overcast skies diffuse the harsh African sun into something photographers call "natural softbox" light. Dramatic cloud formations build over the plains in the afternoons. The green backdrop makes wildlife portraits vivid and striking. And let’s talk about the effects of the rain itself; a herd of giraffe ambling across a stormy landscape, cheetahs jumping over puddles and navigating high rivers, rhinos rolling about in decedent mud baths and a slow shutter capturing the rainfall or a bird shaking off its wet feathers. Kenya in April offers you the chance to get the shot that no one else gets!

Cheetahs in the Masai Mara © Shivang Mehta

6) HELP CONSERVATION

Okay okay we said five, but we’re sneaking in another reason to book your April safari because it’s a really important one. A lot of conservancies, like Ol Pejeta, rely heavily on tourism to keep them going and they often struggle to push through quieter months like April and May. Choosing to travel in April means you’re giving these organisations vital aid in tough times; your conservancy fee is more valuable than ever, literally paying ranger salaries and keeping electric fences that protect endangered and critically endangered wildlife operational.

Click here to learn more about how your visit to Ol Pejeta is supporting wildlife conservation.

The Safari Cottages: Open All Year Round

The Safari Cottages are open twelve months of the year, and April is no exception. We've welcomed guests through every season the Laikipia region offers — the heat of January, the long rains of April, the drama of the peak dry months — and each has its own distinct character and rewards.

What stays constant is the experience we offer: a private guide, a dedicated vehicle, a personal chef, and a completely flexible schedule built around you. If an April morning produces spectacular light and your guide spots lion cubs near the northern sector, you stay as long as you like. If an afternoon shower rolls in earlier than expected, you're back at the cottage with a fire lit and tea ready before the heaviest rain arrives.

April at Ol Pejeta is not a compromise. It's a different kind of safari — greener, quieter, more atmospheric, and for guests who know to look for it, every bit as rewarding as the months that fill up first.

BOOK YOUR APRIL SAFARI TO KENYA

Take advantage of our absolute lowest rates, get the place to yourself and come visit us this April.

Planning a Kenya Safari in April: Quick Tips

Before you go, a few practical notes worth keeping in mind:

Pack layers. April mornings can be cool at altitude, and the rain brings a freshness to the evenings that makes a light fleece genuinely useful. Waterproof layers are worth bringing, though you're unlikely to need them for full days at a time.

Embrace the afternoons. If showers do arrive, they typically do so in the mid to late afternoon — which, as it happens, is the perfect time for a long lunch, a rest, or a quiet hour reading on the verandah. The bush has its own rhythm in April, and it suits a slower pace beautifully.

Don't be put off by online forums. Travel forums are full of well-meaning advice steering visitors away from Kenya in April. Much of it is based on outdated information, experience of different parts of the country, or a genuine lack of familiarity with what the long rains actually look and feel like on the ground. Talk to people who live here.

Book with confidence. April availability at quality properties is generally better than peak season, but it does fill — particularly around Easter, which falls in April most years and brings a noticeable uptick in family bookings. If April is your window, book sooner rather than later.

Kenya in April is one of East Africa's best-kept secrets. The guests who discover it tend to come back for it.

The Safari Cottages are open all year round and ready to welcome you in April — start planning your green season safari.

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Introduction to Spinners & Weavers

The first time we visited Spinners & Weavers, we weren't there as safari operators or tourists. We were there as neighbours. And that's the only way to understand what this place really is.

Nanyuki sits about 90 minutes from Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages — close enough that our team makes the drive almost every week. We pick up supplies, take staff to doctors and dentists, handle vehicle maintenance. Over two decades, we've watched Nanyuki transform from a single dirt road with a handful of shops into a thriving settlement full of local businesses and real community. It's home to us now.

We’ve come to love the people of Nanyuki and we’ve especially come to love a special place called The Spinners and Weavers.

What Spinners & Weavers Actually Does

Spinners & Weavers was founded by the Nanyuki Presbyterian Church in the 1970s. It exists for one fundamental reason: to give widowed and disadvantaged women a path out of hardship.

The numbers speak quietly but clearly. Over 280 women have moved through this program. They've learned skills. They've earned income. They've supported their families. And then — this is the part that matters — many of them have left to start their own businesses or support groups across the country. What started as a refuge became a launchpad.

Today, the women of Spinners & Weavers spend their days doing what the name suggests: spinning and weaving. Using traditional methods, they create beautiful, hand-made wool rugs and textiles. The work is meditative and skilled. The products are distinctive. And every purchase directly supports the women making them.

Why We Bring Guests There

When people come to Ol Pejeta, they come for the wildlife. The leopards and lions, the black rhinos, the chimpanzees. And rightfully so — that's the magic of the conservancy. But if you stay longer than three nights, there's room for more. There's room to understand the human side of this landscape. To meet the women of Nanyuki, to see the community we're part of.

A morning visit to Spinners & Weavers does something you can't replicate on a game drive. You sit with the women. You watch them work. You learn their stories. You understand that conservation and community aren't separate things — they're woven together (pun intended).

You can buy a rug or make a donation. You can wander the local shops in Nanyuki town. You can explore the Mitumba market, where vendors sell second-hand clothing and goods in a bustling outdoor bazaar that's chaotic and alive and absolutely worth your time. But mostly, you realize that the best safaris aren't just about seeing wildlife. They're about seeing — and supporting — the people who live alongside it.

Visiting the Nanyuki Spinners & Weavers

You can learn about this wonderful group of women here - Nanyuki Spinners and Weavers.

If you’d like to support the Spinners and Weavers woman’s group on your next visit to Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages then let us know and we can arrange a morning out in Nanyuki town for you.

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5 reasons to travel to Kenya in January

The magic of a fresh, new year is as palpable in Kenya’s town, villages, open plains and beaches as it is anywhere else in the world. There are few things we love more than waking up to watch the sun rise over Ol Pejeta Conservancy’s expansive wilderness as it lights up Mt Kenya on the first day of the year. The magic doesn’t end on day one though; nothing here pauses, life simply goes on, but something about us has changed; we’re seeing it all unfold through fresh new eyes.

Watching a rhino out on the plains x Britt Von Steinen

An evening campfire x Britt Von Steinen

The November rains usually settle by the middle of December and in January, on Ol Pejeta, we see large herds of plains game enjoying the bounty of the rainy season, covering the plains in large herds with lots of excited little ones.

As well as jubilant baby zebras, here are five more things we love about Kenya in January…

1) Excellent game viewing

By January we are well and truly into the dry season where, aside from the occasional afternoon shower, the weather is often sunny and wonderfully warm. A stark contrast to the lush green landscapes of the November rains. With grasslands largely munched down game viewing is a little easier as the cats can’t hide in the long grass; this makes stalking their prey a little more challenging but spotting them a little easier.

2) Walking weather

If you love walking and hiking, then January is the time for you. With more predictably drier weather you can enjoy some of the country’s most beautiful hikes like Mt Kenya and Mt Longonot. And on the country’s wide open plains this is a great time for bush walks because visibility in the bush is excellent and you’ll not likely get your boots muddied. Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages is a great place to acclimate before your Mt Kenya hike and to unwind afterward and we are often a resting place for hikers at this time of year.

3) Hit the beach!

January is easily one of the best times of the year to be on the Kenyan coast. After your safari head to Diani, Watamu, Malindi or Lamu to unwind and enjoy tropical, warm weather whilst you sip a margarita by the pool and clear waters with excellent visibility for diving and snorkeling.

Lions on a buffalo kill x Britt Von Steinen

4) Warm, starry nights.

The warmer daytime weather that is so often associated with a January Kenya safari often extends into the evenings too. Whilst we’re at 1,800m (6,000ft) above sea level and you’ll still need your fleece and socks, the real chill of the rainy months has well and truly settled down. And with clear skies we’re enjoying excellent star gazing in the evenings too.

5) Mid/late January: the sweet spot

The start of January is considered high season around most of the country and, as such, prices are elevated and you’re encouraged to book your January Kenya holiday far in advance to ensure you can get the space that you want. But, around the middle of the month, things quieten down a little bit and the 6 weeks that follow herald in a bit of a sweet spot where the wildlife is truly excellent, weather is reasonably reliable and prices are lower.

BOOK YOUR JANUARY SAFARI TO KENYA

Welcome the New Year on a Kenya Safari in January to get your year off to an unforgettable start filled with incredible wildlife, sweeping wild spaces and moments that will stick with you forever from your home-away-from-home at The Safari Cottages.

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The History of Ol Pejeta

The history buffs among us might be curious to know a little more about how Ol Pejeta Conservancy came to be. To understand how far we’ve come we sat down with owner/manager Sonja Webb to unravel a little of the conservancy’s history.

RANCHING

During the colonial era, the Laikipia region was an extensive ranching area where wildlife had little to no value to land owners. Low rainfall meant crops couldn’t thrive here but cattle could, and so the landscape was speckled with ranches packed with cows.

In 1949 Ol Pejeta, then owned by the colourful Lord Delemere, was under the management of John and Jane Kenyon who spent the best part of fifteen years pouring their life and soul into it’s development and expansion. The most noteable growth was is the early years when John was joined by a school friend and business partner of Lord Delamere named Marcus Wickham Boynton. Over the course of a few years Marcus and John took the bull by the horns (pun intended) and successfully upscaled the farm from a “humble” 57,000 acre ranch into a sprawling 90,000 acre estate and widely successful beef production company.

Twenty years later and with a, now sizeable, feather in their cap John and Jane retired from their roles on Ol Pejeta in 1969 to run their own cattle ranch in the north.

Ol Pejeta’s Boran cows ander the plains alongside the wildlife (May 2025)

Following John and Jane’s departure the ranch changed hands a few times, falling under the ownership of a slew of colourful characters including Marcus Wickham Boynton, who was notorious for occasionally shooting cattle “he didn’t like the look of,” as well as the infamous international arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi. Over time cattle ranching became less and less profitable though. To make matters worse for the ranchers, increasingly, elephant populations that previously used the ranch as a transit area from the Northern expanses of the country to Mount Kenya and the Aberdares were forced to take up permanent residence on the property as fences started to go up all around country blocking off wildlife migratory routes. As a result, the ranch’s cattle fences were often destroyed and maintaining the fences became unsustainably expensive and time consuming.

Consequently, they gave in to the elephants; in the face of declining wildlife populations elsewhere and the increasing popularity of tourism in Kenya, talk of repurposing the ranch for wildlife conservation and tourism purposes began.

John and Jane Kenyon’s farmhouse on Ol Pejeta

Ol Pejeta House now stands in it’s place

STEPPING INTO WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

In 1988, a portion of the ranch; the Sweetwaters game reserve (24,000 acres) was opened by another of Ol Pejeta’s previous owners, Lonrho Africa. Primarily, Sweetwaters started as a sanctuary for the endangered black rhino, but animals of all shapes and sizes benefited from the new focus and wildlife populations (including the “Big Five”) have been steadily increasing since that time.

Image x Alison Dewar

In 2004 the ranch was purchased by Flora and Fauna International, a UK based conservation organization and the conservation area extended to encompass the entire ranch. “The Ol Pejeta Conservancy,” approximately 90,000 acres in extent was born. It is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, with the aim of generating profit from wildlife tourism and complementary activities (including cattle ranching which still happens on the conservancy) for reinvestment into community development in the local area.

And that’s that. Andy and Sonja made their home on Ol Pejeta in 2009, and you can read more about their journey to calling Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages their forever home via the link below.

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5 reasons to travel to Kenya in December

The first couple of weeks of December in Kenya are considered “shoulder season, then “peak season” returns over the Christmas and New Year period as the majority of Kenyans celebrate this time of year and schools are closed so families are out and about enjoying all our beautiful country has to offer. You can expect sporadic showers if you travel to Kenya in December; a bit of a hangover from the November “short rains” but generally clear skies, lovely green landscapes and, for the most part, sunshine-filled days at the beach. December is a wonderful month to travel to Kenya! Here are five reasons why we love it…

Lions hunting on Ol Pejeta

1) Escape the chaos of the festive season.

If you’re someone who gets swept up and overwhelmed by Christmas shopping, office parties and family flying in from all over the world and sleeping on your sofa then you’re going to love the quiet solitude and stillness of the Kenyan bush instead! No crowds, no rushing; this is the ideal escape from the Western world and it’s festive season chaos.

2) Shoulder season pricing and crowds.

For the most part, you can expect low or mid-season pricing throughout November and into the first couple of weeks of December. Not only are you able to enjoy reasonable prices and fewer crowds but the weather is also slowly clearing, making way for expansive skies and rolling grassland where plains game thrive and, as a result, predators do too. Sneak your visit in before the 20th December to take advantage of this lovely little pre-Christmas pause.

3) Spend Christmas on safari!

Imagine a Christmas where you don’t have to do a lick of cooking or cleaning! Even better, you get to wake up in the bush, listening to lions whilst you sip eggnog under the African stars and your boxing day walk is one surrounded by elephants, giraffes and zebras. Choosing to go on safari to Kenya in December means you’re signing up for a unique Christmas experience you’ll never forget.

4) Party time.

If you’re up for a good time, you’ve come to the right place. There’s nothing Kenyans love more than a celebration. Festivities take over in the cities and major resorts, and beach parties that will keep you on the dance floor until sunrise are famous in the coastal regions of Mombasa, Diania and Malindi. At The Safari Cottages we’re very respectful of our neighbours (the wildlife) so you won’t find any raving midnight parties here but our staff share a song and dance around the fire and the chefs whip up an incredible Christmas spread that you’ll need to be wearing your comfiest, stretchiest pants to enjoy.

5) Birders paradise.

If you’re a birder then you’ll definitely want to be planning your Kenya safari in December as this is well known to be the best time of year for birds. Although bird numbers on the conservancy are impressive year round, thousands of migratory species from Eurasia and North Africa start to arrive in November and December, including the European bee-eater, Abdims stork and Steppe eagle.

BOOK YOUR DECEMBER SAFARI TO KENYA

There’s something truly magical about Ol Pejeta in December; the rush of the festive season feels a million miles away and we revel in the peace and quiet of bush. If you’re looking for an escape from the Christmas chaos, you’ve found it!

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Sonja's Kitchen: Traditional Kenyan Beef and Bean Stew

There’s beef stew and then there’s Kenyan beef stew which sits entirely in a league of it’s own, and we’re confident we’ve absolutely mastered it! This is a fan favourite dish for us all at The Safari Cottages; guests and staff alike, and served up with warm rice or ugali, Sonja’s Flakey Chapatis and some local vegetables dishes you’ve got yourself a simple, hearty, homey dish that’ll have you licking your chops and going back for seconds and thirds.

Sourcing your beef

Wherever possible aim for grass-fed organic beef. We source our beef directly from Ol Pejeta where the cattle roam freely on the conservancy and the meat is noticeably excellent; the higher quality the source, the better the result. This recipe also suggest using diced beef because this is the most common presentation but any cut will do; we particularly love using osso bocco (beef shin) or oxtail; the meat really falls off the bone beautifully.

MAKE IT SAUCY

Despite the focus on meat, Kenyan beef stew is actually all about the sauce so measure your beef with your heart in this recipe! This is because, traditionally, beef was very valuable and hard to come by and, for a lot of communities it still is, so if we’re really going to be true to the roots of this stew the use of beef should be really minimal and used mainly to provide flavour to the sauce which is soaked up with ugali to fill bellies. In fact the original version of this recipes calls for just 50g of beef! But these days, reasonably priced, good quality beef is more accessible for a lot of us so you can make your stew as meaty as you’d like.

Here’s our much-loved Kenyan beef and bean stew recipe, right from Sonja’s cookbook, Footprints in The Butter.

KENYAN BEEF & BEAN STEW

Serves 4

• 4 cups of red kidney beans or other beans (tinned or dried beans that have been soaked overnight)

• 50g-1kg diced beef (depending on how meaty you want your stew)

• 2 onions

• 3 carrots

• 4 tablespoons of your preferred cooking oil

• 2 tablespoons of flour

• 6 cups of water or beef stock

• salt and pepper to taste

1. Slice the onions, heat the oil and fry, adding the diced beef until it’s all brown.

2. Chop the carrots.

3. Remove the onion and the meat from the frying pan. Keep the oil on a low heat and add the flour, stirring continuously until brown.

4. Pour in the water, stirring continuously as you bring to the boil. Add salt, pepper, onions, beef, carrots and beans.

5. Reduce heat, cover tightly and simmer for about an hour until beef is tender.

Browning the beef shin

Combining beef with veg and beans

Adding the liquid

Let us know how your Kenyan beef and bean stew turned out! You can purchase Sonja’s recipe book Footprints in The Butter here for more of our favourite camp recipes.

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The Last Two Northern White Rhinos: Najin, Fatu and Ol Pejeta's Mission to Save a Species

There are two northern white rhinos left on Earth. Their names are Najin and Fatu — a mother and daughter — and they live here, on Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, a short drive from the door of The Safari Cottages.

That first sentence is worth sitting with for a moment. The entire remaining population of a subspecies, in one place, on one conservancy in central Kenya and visiting them is so often a profoundly moving experience for our guests. If you're curious about how Najin and Fatu came to be at Ol Pejeta, what's being done to bring the northern white rhino back from the brink of extinction, and how you can visit them — this is everything you need to know.

How Did the Northern White Rhinos Come to Ol Pejeta?

On 20th December 2009, four of the world's remaining seven northern white rhinos were translocated to Ol Pejeta Conservancy from Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic. Their names were Najin, Fatu, Suni and Sudan. After years of failed breeding attempts in captivity, conservationists hoped that returning the rhinos to a natural African environment might give them a better chance at reproduction.

It was a hopeful beginning. What followed was heartbreaking.

Natural reproduction failed repeatedly. Veterinary assessments revealed that both Najin and Fatu were unable to carry a pregnancy naturally. Sudan — the last remaining male northern white rhino on Earth — had a disappointingly low sperm count. In 2014, Suni died. In July 2015, the two remaining northern white rhinos in captivity passed away. And then, in March 2018, Sudan died of natural causes, leaving Najin and Fatu as the only two northern white rhinos anywhere in the world.

To many, it seemed like the end.

Najin & Fatu with their keepers. Image x Ami Vitale

Can the Northern White Rhino Be Saved? The BioRescue Project

Ol Pejeta chose not to accept extinction as the answer. In the years following Sudan's death, Ol Pejeta partnered with a consortium of international scientists on the BioRescue project — one of the most ambitious conservation science initiatives ever undertaken. The approach: use cryogenically preserved sperm from northern white rhino males who had already died, combine it with eggs collected from Fatu, and create viable embryos which could then be implanted into southern white rhino surrogates.

It had never been done before. IVF had never been successfully performed on any rhino species. The scientists began by testing the embryo transfer process using southern white rhinos — animals closely enough related to serve as surrogates, and numerous enough to allow for careful experimentation.

In 2023, the project made history. A southern white rhino surrogate successfully carried a rhino embryo — the first time an embryo transfer of this kind had ever worked in rhinos. The news made headlines around the world. It was, in every sense, a breakthrough. Tragically, the surrogate rhino died during her pregnancy from a bacterial infection — a cruel stroke of bad luck that had nothing to do with the procedure itself. But the scientific community took a breath and recognised what had actually happened: proof of concept. The method works.

The next step is to implant a northern white rhino embryo into a southern white surrogate, with the goal of welcoming the first northern white rhino calf born since Fatu herself in 2000. Najin and Fatu are not the end of their species. They may yet be the beginning of its return.

Fatu is preparing for the procedure to retrieve her eggs. Image x Ali Vitale

Where Are Najin and Fatu Now?

Najin and Fatu live within a 700-acre predator-free enclosure inside Ol Pejeta Conservancy, under 24-hour monitoring and care from a dedicated team of rangers and veterinary staff who have been with them for years. A selection of southern white rhinos — candidates being assessed for surrogacy — share their protected area.

Their daily lives are, by all accounts, peaceful. They graze. They sleep. They move at their own pace across their protected territory, watched over constantly by people who know them individually — their habits, their moods, their preferences. It is one of the most intensive and tender conservation programmes in the world, and it is happening quietly, every day, on this conservancy.

Najin & Fatu on Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Image x Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Can You Visit the Northern White Rhinos at Ol Pejeta?

Yes! And we think it's one of the most important things you can do on a visit to Kenya.

Visits to Najin and Fatu are available to all guests at Ol Pejeta Conservancy on pre-arranged tours. Visitors enter the northern white rhino enclosure accompanied by their keepers, who share the story of the BioRescue project, introduce you to the rhinos individually, and answer questions with the patience and knowledge of people who have dedicated their working lives to this cause.

Standing beside an animal that represents the entire remaining population of its subspecies is not something that leaves you quickly. Our guests who visit them almost always say the same thing: that they didn't expect to feel so much.

Guests staying at The Safari Cottages can arrange a northern white rhino visit as part of their stay. We're a short drive from the enclosure and we'll help coordinate everything — just let us know when you book.

Want to learn more before you visit? National Geographic's documentary The Last Rhinos: A New Hope covers the BioRescue project in extraordinary detail. We recommend it.

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Frequently Asked Questions About the Northern White Rhinos

• How many northern white rhinos are left in the world?

  Two. Najin and Fatu, both female, both living at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. There are no northern white rhinos in any other location on Earth.

• What is the difference between a northern and southern white rhino?

  Northern and southern white rhinos are two subspecies of white rhino. Southern white rhinos — of which there are around 20,000 — were brought back from the brink of extinction in the twentieth century and are now considered near-threatened. Northern white rhinos are functionally extinct in the wild, with only Najin and Fatu surviving. Though closely related, the two subspecies are genetically distinct.

• Can the northern white rhino be brought back from extinction?

  Scientists working on the BioRescue project believe so. Using preserved genetic material from deceased northern white rhino males and eggs from Fatu, viable embryos have already been created. The next step is a successful embryo transfer into a southern white rhino surrogate. The 2023 proof-of-concept transfer — though ultimately unsuccessful due to a bacterial infection in the surrogate — demonstrated that the method itself is scientifically viable.

• Where can you see northern white rhinos?

  Only at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. There is no other place on Earth where northern white rhinos can be seen. Visits are available to conservancy guests on pre-arranged tours.

• Is Najin or Fatu older?

  Najin is the mother and the older of the two. Fatu, her daughter, was born in 2000 and is the younger rhino. It is Fatu's eggs that are being used in the BioRescue embryo programme, as Najin's hind legs make the egg collection procedure inadvisable for her.

Visit Najin and Fatu at Ol Pejeta

A stay at The Safari Cottages puts you minutes from the most important conservation story in the world. We would love to take you to meet them.

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Photographs from PAST GUESTS visits to The Northern White Rhinos

Image x Kayla Neilson

Image x Yoga For The Wild

Image x Yoga For The Wild

Image x Yoga For The Wild

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What to expect on a day trip to Mt Kenya

Our central location means we’re able to offer our guests the opportunity to stay a little longer and spend some time exploring Laikipia beyond the conservancy. A day trip to Mt Kenya offers you the chance to see the mountain’s alpine wilderness without committing to a gruelling 5-day hike to the summit. Here’s what your day trip to Mt Kenya can look like…

Good morning!

You’ll wake up with the sunrise this morning, enjoying a cup of freshly brewed Kenyan tea or coffee on your verandah along with a light breakfast to get you going. After breakfast you’ll head off for your day of adventure. You’ll drive through the conservancy, keeping an eye out for any exciting wildlife activity, then pass through local villages and towns before turning right and entering into Mt Kenya Forest reserve.

Open plains give way to montane forest as you pass through the Sirimon entry gate and proceed to Old Moses base camp; the first overnight stop for those hiking to the summit. The drive takes you through farmland into rain forests, bamboo forests, cedar and yellow wood forest and across the moorland to Old Moses. Enroute you have the opportunity to see monkeys, baboons, buffaloes and bushbuck as well as a colourful array of birdlife.

Arriving at Old Moses image x Marcelo Ramella

Old Moses hike & picnic lunch

You’ll park up at Old Moses and explore the mountain’s unique, equatorial afromontaine moorland vegetation and incredible views across the surrounding Laikipia county and mountain foothills. You choose your distance; most enjoy an easy amble to the met station (around an hour’s hike) at around 3300m above sea level, and back again in time for lunch but you can follow the trail as far as you’d like. Weather depending you can wrap up and enjoy the views with a picnic at Old Moses or descend into the cedar forest and relax beneath the canopy of trees here for a leisurely picnic lunch.

Featured images below kindly shared by Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages guest Marcelo Ramella on their recent family safari.

Nanyuki & return home

You’ll pass through Nanyuki town on the drive back so, if you still have some energy after your morning out, you’re welcome to stop by and wander through the shops or local markets. We also recommend visiting the Spinners & Weavers; a local woman’s group that hand crafts beautiful woven rugs.

Nanyuki Spinners & Weavers Womens Group

If you prefer to head back to the bush you’ll have a game drive back to camp, arriving late in the afternoon to put your feet up and have a sundowner around the fire whilst the stars unravel overhead. What a day!

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Your Kenya Safari Packing List

Jetting off on your safari soon and wondering what to pack? We’ve got you. An African safari is unlike any experience you’ve ever had, and the continent is so vast that your packing list for, say, Rwanda will look very different to your packing list for Kenya. So, let’s get into it.

Here’s your Kenya safari packing list… 

CLOTHING

Colours: if you’re wondering if you need to go full khaki cowboy on safari the answer is yes, sort of. Of course, you can still pack your fancy frocks and florals, but bright colours can be distracting for wildlife especially on bush walks and the aim is to blend in as much as you can. If you’re hitting the beach after your safari then don’t forget to take multiple swimwear pieces, light, airy clothes that wick well and lots of reef friendly suncream.

Layers: temperatures can vary greatly from the Kenyan coast and desert areas to the highlands so layers will be your best friend. Light shirts, a fleece and maybe one warmer, slightly thicker coat will be all you need. Pack leggings and shorts too, because it can be chilly in the morning but by mid-morning it’s roasting.

Footwear: people often think hiking boots will be the best solution but, unless you’re traveling in the rainy season, or you’re hiking, these just take up unnecessary space and weight. Comfortable trainers will be fine and high, thick socks do help ward off mosquitoes nipping at your ankles in the evening. Aswell as closed shoes. be sure to pack sandals or similar relaxing footwear for just plodding around the camp in. If you are traveling in the rainy season, waterproof boots or shoes are helpful but you’ll also get by just fine with an old pair of trainers that you don’t mind getting muddy.

Top tip: As well as your suitcase or duffel it’s a great idea to travel with a smaller backpack or tote that you can pop spare clothes, some sunscreen, your phone or camera and a bottle of water in for your game drives.

CAMERAS

Clients so often ask us what kind of camera they need and the answer is, I’m afraid, not as simple as you might hope. Because it depends entirely on what you want from your safari. If you want to return home with a selection of beautiful wildlife photographs that you can blow up and mount on your bedroom wall then your iPhone probably isn’t going to cut it and you’ll need to invest in a good zoom lens. But if you’re more interested in just enjoying the experience and maybe snapping one or two pics of the sunset or the elephants to share on the family group chat then there’s no need to break the bank on a fancy new camera.

One thing to remember is that, if you’re heading off on your Kenya safari holiday with a new camera, make sure you test it and get really comfortable with it before your holiday. Otherwise, you’ll likely spend most of your time fiddling with the settings and you’ll miss all the magic.

OTHER BITS AND BOBS

• Memory cards: if you’re into photography, then you’re going to need multiple memory cards for your camera. It’s not uncommon to get home after a week in Kenya with around 3000 pictures to sort through! You will see a lot!

• Charging cables/adaptors: don’t forget all your charging cables and adaptors if you need them. Most camps and lodges will have power sockets (3-pin British style sockets) in the rooms or the main area but it’s always useful to have a mobile charging unit handy just in case.

• Toiletries/first aid: leaving bulky toiletries at home can help you save space, so check in with your accommodation to see what toiletries they provide. But, as well as your basic toiletries, it’s helpful to carry some essential first aid bits like antihistamine, paracetamol, rehydration salts and after sun lotion. Most camps can facilitate a visit to a nearby doctor but they may not be able to supply you with medications due to liability concerns.

• Binoculars: bring them! They may well add weight to your precious baggage limit but no one has ever regretted bringing a pair of binoculars on safari, but so many have regretted leaving them at home.

*A note on luggage. If you are flying locally be sure to check baggage restrictions as most bush flights will be operated by small aircrafts that have strict baggage limits.

Finally, as always, before you lock the door behind you and jump into your taxi to the airport don’t forget to double check you’ve got the essentials handy: passport, flight tickets, visas, emergency cash and cards.

Safari njema!

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