Olpejeta National Conservancy: An Overview
Location
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is located in Kenya’s central region in Laikipia county. Situated on the equator, the conservancy lies between Mount Kenya and Aberdares.
Size
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is approximately 224 square miles in size.
History
Ol Pejeta Conservancy was originally a cattle farm in the 1940s, owned by Lord Delamare, an influential British settler. Once elephant hunting was declared illegal in 1973 and the Sweetwaters Game Reserve was established in 1988, a sanctuary was created for the protection of many animals, including the black rhino. Ol Pejeta was established 2003 as the community and wildlife non-profit conservancy destination.
Entrance Fees & Permits
Entrance fee pricing fluctuates depending on when guests are visiting. From January to July, entrance fees are USD90 per adult, per day and USD55 per child under 12 years old, per day. During the peak season of July and August, entrance fees are USD110 per person.
Hours of Operation
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is open daily between 7am and 7pm.
By Road
Traveling by road from Nairobi, the journey to Ol Pejeta Conservancy is via the A2 and takes approximately four hours. The distance covered is 138 miles, of which the last 8 miles are on a dirt road. During the rainy season between October and May access will only be possible by 4×4 vehicles.
By Air
There are daily scheduled flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to the Nanyuki Airstrip, the flight time is one hour. From the airstrip, the drive to Ol Pejeta takes 45 minutes. Charter flights are available if clients prefer.
Weather & Climate
The climate in Ol Pejeta is fairly consistent throughout the year, with moderate temperatures around the mid-seventies during the day. The dry season runs from June to September, with a slight chance of rain falling in August. The heavy or long rains fall from March to May, temperatures known to fall to around 50F later in the season.
Avoiding Crowds
Guests looking for a quieter experience in Ol Pejeta Conservancy should consider traveling in the off-peak months falling between November and the end of May. Heavy rains, however, fall from March through mid-May, creating muddy conditions which may not be ideal for game drives and other safari activities.
Value for Money
Accommodation options in Ol Pejeta vary from basic camping options to luxury and intimate lodges and camps. Offering fluctuation in pricing and something to suit every budget. With pricing ranging from USD 200 per person sharing per night to high-end options with a price tag of approximately USD 950 per person sharing, per night, spending time in or just outside this small conservancy definitely offers a value for money safari experience.
Popular Wildlife Sightings in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta is home to the “Big Five”: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, as well as grazing favorites such as giraffe, zebra and the Jackson’s hartebeest. Guests can visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary and learn about these fascinating animals as well as the efforts being taken to protect them. On a night drive, keep a look out for the “zorilla”, also known as the “African Polecat”, and if fortunate, the chance to see a leopard on the prowl.
The Terrain
The terrain of Ol Pejeta Conservancy ranges from pockets of open savannah to marshlands and to thick bush made up of acacias with yellowy-green fever trees.
Game Drives
Early morning and late afternoon game drives are the best times to experience a safari in Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The crisp mornings bring the animals out to explore while sunset sets the scene for what could be a dramatic predator vs prey showdown. Night drives are offered in Ol Pejeta Conservancy which is an exciting opportunity for guests to see nocturnal favorites such as aardvark, white-tailed mongoose and bat eared fox..