Laikipia Plateau
Second-largest elephant population in Kenya
Photo: Diagnosis:Wanderlust / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
- Region
- Safari
- Best months
- Jan to Feb, Jun to OctDry Seasons
- Where to stay
- 9 properties
What is Laikipia known for?
Private Conservancies · Fees vary by property · Kenya's conservation heartland
The Laikipia Plateau is a semi-arid plateau north of Mount Kenya where private ranches and community conservancies cover over 9,700 km². It supports Kenya's second-largest elephant population, black and white rhino, African wild dog and Grevy's zebra. Most properties charge a conservancy fee, usually included in full-board rates, and game viewing runs all year.
The Laikipia Plateau is Kenya's conservation success story, a vast, semi-arid plateau north of Mount Kenya where a patchwork of private ranches, community conservancies, and wildlife corridors has created one of Africa's most important wildlife sanctuaries outside of the formal national park system. Laikipia's conservancies cover over 9,700 km² and collectively support the second-largest population of elephant in Kenya.
The plateau is extraordinary for its diversity of rare species. Grevy's zebra, the world's most endangered zebra with fewer than 3,000 remaining, are seen in good numbers here. African wild dog packs roam the conservancies. Both black and white rhino are protected. Reticulated giraffe, roan antelope, and Jackson's hartebeest add to a wildlife list that consistently exceeds anything found in the formal parks.
The conservancies of Laikipia, including Lewa, Ol Pejeta, Borana, Loisaba, and Sosian, offer activities that are not permitted in national parks: night game drives, walking safaris with armed rangers, horse riding, camel trekking, and fly camping. The exclusive lodges here represent some of the finest wildlife experiences in Africa.
Laikipia is most frequently combined with Samburu to the north or the Maasai Mara to the south.
Laikipia Plateau in pictures
When is the best time to visit Laikipia?
- January: Dry Seasons
- February: Dry Seasons
- March: Green Season
- April: Green Season
- May: Green Season
- June: Dry Seasons
- July: Dry Seasons
- August: Dry Seasons
- September: Dry Seasons
- October: Dry Seasons
- November: Green Season (this month)
- December: no season named
- Dry Seasons
- Green Season
- This month
Year-Round
Laikipia's diverse conservancies and permanent water sources ensure wildlife accessibility year-round.
Dry Seasons
Jan to Feb, Jun to Oct
Excellent game viewing. Bush is open, wildlife concentrates around water. Best for rhino, wild dog, and elephant.
Green Season
Mar to May, Nov
Dramatic skies, lush landscapes, exceptional birding. Walking safaris particularly scenic. Some tracks may be affected by heavy rain.
Note
Most Laikipia properties charge a conservancy fee in addition to accommodation, usually included in full-board rates. Confirm at time of booking.
How much are Laikipia park fees?
- Included in the lodge rate
- Lewa / Borana / Loisaba / Sirikoi
- Charged at the gate
- Ol Pejeta, Mount Kenya NP
| Conservancy / Park | Non-resident | EA citizen | EA resident |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ol Pejeta, Adult | USD 105 / 24hrs | KES 1,050 | KES 1,750 |
| Ol Pejeta, Child | USD 55 / 24hrs | Not published | Not published |
| Lewa / Borana / Loisaba / Sirikoi | Included in lodge rate | Included | Included |
| Mount Kenya NP, Adult | USD 70 / 24hrs | KES 855 | Not published |
Laikipia conservancies are privately managed, no single KWS fee structure applies. Most lodge rates INCLUDE conservancy fees, confirm at booking. Ol Pejeta is the exception, fees charged separately at the gate. All fees subject to annual review.
Park fees are not included in accommodation rates and are added at quotation stage. Effective October 2025, reverified annually.
Where to stay in Laikipia
Luxury, 7 properties
LuxuryFull board
Borana Lodge
Luxury Lodge · 10 cottages
Borana Conservancy, hillside, Mount Kenya views
A striking, beautifully designed lodge on the Borana Conservancy in eastern Laikipia with views of Mount Kenya rising above the northern frontier landscape, 10 distinctive cottages around a dramatic thatched main house, each with private veranda and unique views. Known for a genuinely comprehensive activities programme: horseback safaris, night drives, walking with Samburu guides, camel trekking, and fly camping. The Borana Conservancy's wild dog population is one of Kenya's most reliable. An in-house masseuse and wellness programme available.
LuxuryFull board
Lewa Safari Camp
Luxury Tented Camp · 10 tents
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
An Elewana Collection property inside the Lewa Conservancy, 10 tents in a classic bush-camp style with excellent service and a comprehensive programme of activities including camel trekking, horse riding, and walking safaris alongside conventional game drives. The Lewa Conservancy's dense rhino population and excellent Grevy's zebra sightings set it apart from most Kenyan safari destinations. The annual Lewa Safari Marathon in June draws runners from around the world and must be booked years in advance.
LuxuryFull board
Loisaba Tented Camp
Luxury Tented Camp · 8 tents
Loisaba Conservancy, ridge, Mount Kenya facing
A completely rebuilt (2016) luxury camp perched on a ridge in the vast 57,000-acre Loisaba Conservancy, 8 tents with three open sides dissolving the boundary between inside and outside, all facing Mount Kenya across a landscape that stretches without interruption to the horizon. Known for exceptional guiding by some of Kenya's most experienced naturalists and the unique Loisaba Star Beds, hand-carved wooden beds on wheels that guests roll onto open-air platforms for sleeping directly under the stars.
LuxuryFull board
Ol Pejeta Bush Camp
Luxury Tented Camp · 6 tents
Ol Pejeta Conservancy, acacia river line
An intimate tented camp by Safari Collection tucked along a beautiful acacia-studded river line in the heart of Ol Pejeta, 6 tents with en-suite bathrooms and a genuine back-to-nature atmosphere alongside high food and service quality. The small scale means extraordinarily personalised game drives with exclusive use of the conservancy's wildlife circuits. Particularly good for guests who want serious rhino and wild dog encounters alongside the broader Ol Pejeta wildlife experience.
LuxuryFull board
Ol Pejeta House
Exclusive Private House · 5 rooms
Ol Pejeta Conservancy, exclusive-use riverside house
An extraordinary exclusive-use property inside Ol Pejeta, a beautifully furnished private house on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro River sleeping up to 10 guests with dedicated guides, chef, and staff. One of the most intimate luxury experiences in Kenya, combining the thrill of the conservancy's remarkable wildlife, home to the last two northern white rhinos on earth, with the privacy of a fully staffed private house. The house and its vehicle are yours alone for the duration. Ideal for families, groups, or celebrations.
LuxuryFull board
Sirikoi Lodge
Luxury Lodge · 5 cottages + house
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, stream-side, intimate
A small, family-owned lodge of exceptional quality, 4 luxury tents, a private cottage, and the exclusive Sirikoi House, all positioned along the spring-fed Sirikoi stream with wildlife on all sides. One of Kenya's most award-laden small properties, known for unrivalled personal service from a long-serving team and a wide range of activities from horse riding to tracking rhino on foot. The stream setting is particularly lovely, the sound of water and birdsong accompanies every meal. Children of all ages welcomed and genuinely catered for.
Show all 7 luxury staysShow fewer
LuxuryFull board
Loisaba Tented Camp
Luxury Tented Camp · 8 tents
Loisaba Conservancy, ridge, Mount Kenya facing
A completely rebuilt (2016) luxury camp perched on a ridge in the vast 57,000-acre Loisaba Conservancy, 8 tents with three open sides dissolving the boundary between inside and outside, all facing Mount Kenya across a landscape that stretches without interruption to the horizon. Known for exceptional guiding by some of Kenya's most experienced naturalists and the unique Loisaba Star Beds, hand-carved wooden beds on wheels that guests roll onto open-air platforms for sleeping directly under the stars.
LuxuryFull board
Ol Pejeta Bush Camp
Luxury Tented Camp · 6 tents
Ol Pejeta Conservancy, acacia river line
An intimate tented camp by Safari Collection tucked along a beautiful acacia-studded river line in the heart of Ol Pejeta, 6 tents with en-suite bathrooms and a genuine back-to-nature atmosphere alongside high food and service quality. The small scale means extraordinarily personalised game drives with exclusive use of the conservancy's wildlife circuits. Particularly good for guests who want serious rhino and wild dog encounters alongside the broader Ol Pejeta wildlife experience.
LuxuryFull board
Ol Pejeta House
Exclusive Private House · 5 rooms
Ol Pejeta Conservancy, exclusive-use riverside house
An extraordinary exclusive-use property inside Ol Pejeta, a beautifully furnished private house on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro River sleeping up to 10 guests with dedicated guides, chef, and staff. One of the most intimate luxury experiences in Kenya, combining the thrill of the conservancy's remarkable wildlife, home to the last two northern white rhinos on earth, with the privacy of a fully staffed private house. The house and its vehicle are yours alone for the duration. Ideal for families, groups, or celebrations.
LuxuryFull board
Sirikoi Lodge
Luxury Lodge · 5 cottages + house
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, stream-side, intimate
A small, family-owned lodge of exceptional quality, 4 luxury tents, a private cottage, and the exclusive Sirikoi House, all positioned along the spring-fed Sirikoi stream with wildlife on all sides. One of Kenya's most award-laden small properties, known for unrivalled personal service from a long-serving team and a wide range of activities from horse riding to tracking rhino on foot. The stream setting is particularly lovely, the sound of water and birdsong accompanies every meal. Children of all ages welcomed and genuinely catered for.
LuxuryFull board
Sosian Lodge
Luxury Lodge · 10 rooms
Sosian Ranch, private conservancy
A beautifully restored colonial farmhouse on the private Sosian Ranch, 10 distinctive rooms in a property that feels genuinely lived-in and loved, with horses in the paddock, dogs by the fire, and guides who know every corner of the 48,000-acre ranch. Known for exceptional horseback safaris across the Laikipia landscape, walking safaris, and a food quality that consistently astonishes guests. The ranch atmosphere, less camp, more private estate, makes Sosian unique in the Laikipia accommodation landscape.
Mid-range, 2 properties
Mid-rangeFull board
Sangare Tented Camp
Tented Camp · 12 tents
Sangare Conservancy, private conservancy
A well-run midrange tented camp in the Sangare Conservancy, 12 tents with good wildlife access and the activities typical of a Laikipia conservancy: game drives, walks, and cultural visits. A solid, honest choice for travellers who want a Laikipia conservancy experience at a midrange price point. The conservancy's resident wildlife includes elephant, Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, and good birdlife. Known for attentive service and a quiet, peaceful atmosphere.
Mid-rangeFull board
Sweetwaters Serena Tented Camp
Tented Camp · 40 tents
Ol Pejeta Conservancy, eastern sector
The largest and most accessible camp inside Ol Pejeta, 40 tents in the Serena Hotels group format offering reliable quality, good food, and consistent service. Known as a particularly good value entry point into the Ol Pejeta conservancy experience with access to all the conservancy's activities including the northern white rhino enclosure and chimpanzee sanctuary visit. The scale makes it well-suited to groups and organised tours. Mount Kenya views from the camp grounds are impressive on clear mornings.
What to pair with Laikipia
Places to pair with Laikipia on the same trip.
Frequently asked questions
Anything not answered here, a consultant answers directly. More planning questions are on the FAQ page, and before you fly, read Kenya eTA and entry requirements.
Excellent game viewing. Bush is open, wildlife concentrates around water. Best for rhino, wild dog, and elephant.
It depends on the property. Laikipia conservancies are privately managed, no single KWS fee structure applies. Most lodge rates INCLUDE conservancy fees, confirm at booking. Ol Pejeta is the exception, fees charged separately at the gate. All fees subject to annual review.
The Laikipia Plateau is Kenya's conservation success story, a vast, semi-arid plateau north of Mount Kenya where a patchwork of private ranches, community conservancies, and wildlife corridors has created one of Africa's most important wildlife sanctuaries outside of the formal national park system. Laikipia's conservancies cover over 9,700 km² and collectively support the second-largest population of elephant in Kenya.
Plan your Laikipia safari
Start here and add the regions around it, or let us suggest a route. A consultant takes it from there.