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.

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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