What is the Laikipia plateau?

What is the Laikipia plateau? The Laikipia is majestically and exquisitely elevated above the equator to an average altitude of 6,500 feet .which makes it pleasantly cool. Laikipia Plateau often known as the gateway to Northern Kenya, reaches from Mount Kenya’s slopes to the Great Rift Valley’s rim. The enormous Laikipia Plateau is a beautiful, less-traveled region that is home to conservancies and established ranches. It is a significant wildlife area that borders with agricultural land and cattle ranches and supports numerous game species.

The Laikipia Plateau has a unique landscape with wide, parched plains, far-off snow-capped mountains, and lovely hills. Additionally, the crowding tourist industry has transformed common old cattle ranches into lavish safari lodges, providing the ultimate level of the safari experience. The Laikipia Plateau is a valuable natural area from a conservation and safari standpoint because of its notable colonial history.

The Laikipia Plateau is an unexplored habitat that encompasses almost two million acres of uninhabited land. The native Borana, Samburu, and Kikuyu tribes reside there. The community, privately owned sanctuaries, and conservationists who have worked hard to preserve and safeguard this area’s wildlife and biodiversity are represented by the Laikipia plateau today.

Wildlife found in Laikipia Plateau Numerous northern game species can be found in great quantity on the Laikipia plateau, which stretches from the Aberdare foothills across the vast open plains to the Northern Frontier District. In fact, more endangered species are found in the Laikipia Plateau than any other location in Africa. Jackson’s hartebeest, the reticulated giraffe, and Grevy’s zebra are all free to explore the area. In addition, it is the only place where rare wild dogs, in addition to leopards, lions, cheetahs, elephants, and many other big game species, are rising in number. One of the most endangered species of all, the white and black rhinoceros, are well-known for living on the Laikipia Plateau among the thick acacia forest. More than half of Kenya’s black rhino population lives on the Laikipia Plateau, which is home to some of the most significant rhino reserves in all of East Africa.

While passing through Laikipia on their journey from Mount Kenya to Samburu, more than 2000 elephants can be seen travelling.  The greater kudu, cape buffalo, impala, gazelle, eland, dik dik, klipspringer, zebra, waterbuck, and many other creatures can also be seen. More than 500 different bird species, including the ostrich, red-footed falcon, African Finfoot, and Abyssinian nightjar, may be seen in the vicinity, making it a thrilling place to go birdwatching. Visitors can enjoy seeing different animals during game drives, walking safaris, and other safari activities in the Laikipia Plateau, which offers an exclusive Kenyan safari experience.

The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is regarded as the best conservation area among the numerous conservancies in Laikipia. In the foothills of Mount Kenya, which has snow on its summit, is the 90,000-acre wildlife preserve known as the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy region was used as a livestock ranch during the colonial era. But when the elephant population grew, it was impossible to raise cattle. The reserve was bought by UK-based conservation group Flora and Fauna International in 2004 and turned into a conservancy.

The main attraction are the two of the last northern white rhinos in the world, Fatu and Najin, which are found in Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The conservancy is also home to more than 100 critically endangered black rhinoceros.

Ol Pejeta is the location of the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary in addition to rhino conservation efforts. For rescued, orphaned, and abandoned chimpanzees, this offers a safe haven. In Kenya, the Ol Pejeta is the only location where chimpanzees can be seen and studied. The sanctuary provides chimpanzees with medical care and housing in a sizable natural habitat. The Ewaso Nyiro River divides the chimpanzees’ habitat into two sizable groups.

What is the Laikipia plateau?
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary

The big five game animals and other wildlife species are in good numbers in the Conservancy. At the reserve, visitors can see lions, giraffes, leopards, elephants, cheetahs, and even the elusive wild dogs. Oryx, serval, bat-eared fox, and other uncommon creatures are among those that call the conservancy home. A 283-hectare Endangered Species Enclosure is home to the threatened Grevy’s Zebra, Jackson’s hartebeest, and northern white rhinoceros. Vervet monkeys, baboons, impalas, hippos, elands, silver-backed jackals, and hyenas are just a few of the common African animals seen at the conservancy.

Game drives, horseback rides, and walking safaris are just a few of the thrilling activities that visitors to Ol Pejeta Conservancy can expect to experience. Because there are only three sites in the conservancy, visitors to Laikipia can enjoy a private, uninterrupted safari.

On the plateau are a number of conservancies, including Ol Pejeta, the Lewa Conservancy, the Borana Wildfire Conservancy, and the Ol Lentille Conservancy.

Rhino conservation

The White Rhino species is listed as “nearly threatened” on the IUCN list, whereas the Black Rhino is considered to be “critically endangered.” The rhino population is declining throughout Africa as a result of habitat degradation and hunting. Rhino horn trade seriously endangers these creatures since it is falsely thought to have medical virtues in Asia and is utilised in Yemen for traditional daggers.

Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary

The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which is a part of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, is the only place in Kenya where chimpanzees can be observed. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the Jane Goodall Institute, and the Ol Pejeta Conservancy came to an agreement in 1993 that allowed for the opening of the Sanctuary. The facility was designed to accept and provide a permanent home for mistreated and orphaned chimpanzees from west and central Africa. The first group brought to the shelter from a facility in Bujumbura, Burundi, that had to be evacuated because of civil unrest included three orphaned chimpanzees. A new group of nine adult chimpanzees appeared in 1995, and ten more appeared in 1996.Over the past ten years, the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary has taken in chimpanzees rescued from stressful circumstances, bringing the total number of chimpanzees there to 43.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy anti poaching

Numerous security and anti-poaching measures have been put in place by the Ol Pejeta and Lewa Conservancies to safeguard the rhino population. These include:

An aircraft operation used for game counts, rhino monitoring, and security surveillance throughout the conservancy, drones that provide thermal imaging feeds and real-time video, trained armed teams and rangers, rhino patrols, general security, the assistance of nearby communities, and a fully electrified perimeter fence to prevent human-wildlife contact.

The Laikipia Plateau, with its variety of wildlife and individualised services, is highly recommended for anyone seeking a sumptuous, exceptional, and uninterrupted safari experience in Kenya.

The upper end of the luxury Kenya safari market is mostly served by the private lodges in Laikipia. Their standard offering is an all-inclusive package that includes lodging, meals, entertainment, and, in some situations, alcoholic beverages. The typical process would be to take a scheduled flight from Wilson Airport to Nanyuki Airport, which is relatively close to Ol Pejeta and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy if you are travelling from Nairobi or anywhere else for that matter. Light aircraft charter is typically used to reach lodges that are farther away.

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