Laikipia Plateau Reserve is a leading game viewing safari destination in Kenya. Situated in the north-east of Laikipia District of northern Kenya, around 290 km from Nairobi, Laikipia boasts an incredible array of wildlife.

Some of the animals present in Laikipia include elephants (over 3,000), buffaloes, elands, grevy’s zebras (70% of the world’s population), bushbucks, cheetah, elusive leopard and lion.

Laikipia Game Reserve is one of the remaining refuges of the endangered Jackson’s Hartebeest and Kenyan Black Rhino (half of Kenya’s total population) and it hosts the largest population elephants outside the national parks of Kenya. Wildlife population densities in the Laikipia region now rank second to the internationally acclaimed Maasai Mara ecosystem, while the diversity of large mammals is higher than in any other part of Kenya.

Laikipia is indeed scenic with an escarpment giving way to dramatic wooded gorges and tangled riverine thickets. This breathtaking landscape indeed inspired Kuki Gallman to write the famous book entitled ‘I Dreamed of Africa’ that recounts her life in Laikipia.

Unfortunately, Laikipia has remained unknown to many Kenya luxury safari enthusists despite being a great wild safari destination in Kenya.  This is because all the accommodation is on private land where you are treated more like a house guest than a tourist.

Some of the safari lodges in Laikipia include Lewa Tented Camp, Mount Kenya Safari Club, Borana Lodge, Naro Moro River Lodge and Ol Pajeta Lodge among many others. Each of these lodges offer guests the feeling of being valued and cherished and this is made possible by the friendly residents who bewitch visitors with their thrilling stories.

A wide range of activities are on offer at the lodges throughout the region. These include: game drives, nature walks, camel and donkey safaris, fly-fishing, mountaineering and climbing, birdwatching, wildlife observation, cultural visits, horse riding, swimming and tennis.

Since its opening in October 1991, Laikipia Plateau Reserve has continued to be Kenya’s foremost exclusive destination due to its  important ecosystem with large wildlife populations, and the fact that the plateau is home to more endangered species than anywhere else in East Africa. The reserve neighbours Samburu and Shaba game reserves and it is home to ethnically diverse communities, including the Maasai, Kikuyu, Turkana, Samburu and Pokot.

With over two hundred bird species, Laikipia is a paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts. An incredible array of bird life is visible in and around the lodges at all times of the year. Habitual birders as well as those with only a passing interest will find the birds quite fascinating. Bird walks along the Ewaso Nyiro and Ewaso Narok rivers are highly recommended.
The warm dry season that begins in July to October is the best for game viewing and birdwatching. The long hot and humid rainy period starts around April and lasts until June, then the short rains come during the warm months of November and December. January through to March are generally hot and dry.

Laikipia is accessible by road from Nanyuki, Baringo, Eldoret or Isiolo. Since the area consists of ranches, most roads therein are private and it is important for visitors to make transport inquires in advance. Those wishing to fly to Laikipia can take advantage of daily scheduled flights with Air Kenya from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to Nanyuki, with connecting flights to Lewa, Mara and Samburu.

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