Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy
In an ironic twist of fate, Ol Pejeta, at one time a cattle ranch, is now a private reserve devoted to saving and protecting animals. Those animals include the largest population of black rhinos (111) in East Africa. And, the only two surviving northern white rhinos… the last on the planet, live here.
Here too, is the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary – the only place in Kenya where you can enjoy the antics of these lively and intelligent creatures. Just a 3-hour drive from Nairobi, Ol Pejeta is home to all of the “Big Five” wildlife and has one of the highest predator densities of big cats in Kenya. There’s a good chance you’ll see lions on your game drives as the six prides here offer a population of 72 of the great felines.
The conservancy also is home to cheetahs and leopards. This is also one of the few parks where you may spot packs of African wild dogs. There was even a litter here a few years back, so the population continues to grow. Being a conservancy, Ol Pejeta shelters other endangered species such as oryx, hartebeest, Grevy’s zebra and the bat-eared fox. Like most Kenya parks you’re likely to come across various displays of giraffe, monkey, baboon, hippo, impala, gazelle, zebra, jackal and hyena. And the birdlife here is robust as well.
