Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ol Pejeta is a non-profit wildlife conservation organization located in Laikipia County in central Kenya. The conservancy is famous for the northern white rhinos, a subspecies of white rhinos that used to inhabit Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Uganda. Unfortunately, these rhinos became extinct over the years due to continued poaching, leaving only two northern white rhinos in the world, both of which can be found at Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Ol Pejeta was originally a cattle ranch until 2004 when a UK-based conservation organization called Flora and Fauna International purchased the ranch with a $15 million donation from the Arcus Foundation, in collaboration with the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and FFI. They transformed 90,000 acres of Savannah grasslands into a national land trust.

Despite its history as a cattle ranch during colonial times, Ol Pejeta is now the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa. It’s also the only place in Kenya where you can see chimpanzees. These chimpanzees were rescued from the black market trade and now number around 300. Although livestock programs still exist, the local community has embraced conservation, resulting in one of the highest predator wildlife densities in Kenya. Ol Pejeta was one of the first conservancies in Africa to receive IUCN Green List status. Other wildlife at Ol Pejeta includes elephants, zebras, cape buffalos, lions, leopards, impalas, elands, Grant’s gazelles, silver-backed jackals, dik-dik, Jackson’s hartebeest, bat-eared foxes, oryx, and African wild dogs, among others.

The northern white rhinos found at Ol Pejeta were transferred from Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic in 2009. Four rhinos were relocated, including Sudan, Suni, Fatu, and Najin. Despite attempts at breeding, even with the introduction of a southern white rhino, mating was unsuccessful. In 2014, one male rhino died of natural causes, leaving only one male and two females. In 2015, veterinary doctors from the Czech Republic confirmed that the remaining females were no longer capable of natural reproduction. The other rhinos that remained in San Diego Zoo and Dvur Kralove Zoo also died in 2015, leaving only three northern white rhinos living at Ol Pejeta Conservancy. In March 2018, one of the rhinos died, leaving just two northern white rhinos in the world.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy charges different rates for various activities, as listed below:

• Lion tracking costs Kshs 2,500 for Kenyan citizens, Kshs 3,500 for foreign residents, and $60 for foreign non-residents.
• Guided nature walks cost Kshs 2,500 for Kenyan citizens, Kshs 3,500 for foreign residents, and $60 for foreign non-residents.
• Tracking northern white rhinos costs Kshs 2,500 for Kenyan citizens, Kshs 3,500 for foreign residents, and $60 for foreign non-residents.
• Night game drives cost $45 for Kenyan citizens and foreign residents, while foreign non-residents pay $60.
• Livestock integration rides with rhinos and dog tracking cost Kshs 2,500 for Kenyan citizens, Kshs 3,500 for foreign residents, and $60 for foreign non-residents.
• “Run the Wild” costs Kshs 2,500 for Kenyan citizens, $40 for foreign residents, and $60 for foreign non-residents.
• An armed guide fee costs Kshs 5,000 per guide, while an unarmed guide costs Kshs 2,500 per guide.
• If you’re hiring a car, the cost on the western side is 15,000 Kshs, while the cost on the eastern side is 10,000 Kshs.

Entry fees to the conservancy are as follows:

• Kenyan adult citizens and East African residents will pay Kshs 1,400, while foreign resident adults pay Kshs 2,600, and foreign non-resident adults pay $90 per person per day.
• Kenyan citizen children will pay Kshs 700, foreign resident children pay Kshs 1,300, and foreign non-resident children pay $45, respectively.
• Kenyan citizen students will pay Kshs 350, East African resident students pay Kshs 660, while foreign resident students will pay $22. Student groups must book in advance and should consist of at least 10 students, with 2 teachers receiving free entry.

During your visit to Ol Pejeta, you’ll find various accommodation options suitable for all kinds of travelers, whether you’re on a budget or seeking luxury in the wilderness.