Top 5 reasons to visit Ol pejeta conservancy
Top 5 reasons to visit Ol pejeta conservancy : Ol Pejeta Conservancy is one of the great wildlife destinations in Kenya located in Nanyuki between the foothills of the Aberdares and Mount Kenya, the conservancy lies in the Laikipia plateau and sits now on what was used as an extensive cattle ranching area during the colonial era due to the lack of rainfall that was required to cultivate crops. Also the conservancy lies on the Equator 30 minutes’ drive from Nanyuki Airstrip and boasts wonderful views of Mount Kenya and its snowcapped summit.
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy works as a conservation area for wildlife providing sanctuary for great apes and as a generation for income through wildlife tourism, complementary enterprises for re-investment in conservation and community development.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy houses the two remaining northern white rhinos in the world which makes it a more famous destination, the conservancy also boasts the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa and in 2013 it reached a population milestone of 100 black rhinos.
History of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy
The area presently known as the Ol Pejeta Conservancy was used as an extensive cattle ranching area during the colonial era due to the lack of rainfall that was required to cultivate crops. During that time, the land owners looked at wildlife to be of no much value, John and Jane Kenyon started managing the land in 1949 under the ownership of Lord Delamere and they spent the next 15 years developing it. These were later joined by their Delemere’s school friend and business partner Marcus Wickham Boynton. The Kenyons left Ol Pejeta for a year in 1958 then returned for a further 10 years before finally retiring to run their own cattle ranch to the north.
In 2004, the ranch and the surrounding land were purchased by the UK-based conservation Organisation Fauna and Flora International with the financial backing of the Arcus Foundation to secure the 360 square kilometers of open Savannah grassland and convert it to a national land trust which allowed Ol Pejeta Conservancy to fulfill its business model as a Kenyan-owned operation benefiting local community development and economic growth in addition to its impact on conservation.
In March 2022, Sad Rhinos, a Cardano NFT project, launched a partnership and began fundraising in aid of Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
As a traveler/tourist planning to visit Ol Pejeta Conservancy for a safari, here are the top reasons to why you should include the conservancy on the destinations to visit in Kenya.
Presence of rhinos
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy hosts the only two remaining northern white rhinos in the world which were imported from Dvur Kralove Zoo found in Czech Republic, these rhinos include the males (named Sudan and Suni) and the females (Fatu and Najin) among which are dead and the two are those that are remaining.
In addition to white rhinos, also black rhinos exits in Ol Pejeta Conservancy and this is the highest number of black rhinos in East Africa, the conservancy is also a home to the eastern rhino subspecies with a population of over 165 individuals.
Presence of the Big Five
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a great Big Five destination to visit on a Kenya safari, the conservancy is a home to rhinos, lions, elephants, leopards and buffaloes. These animals can be found grazing freely in the savannah grasslands of the conservancy, you will also spot many bird species and other wildlife during your safari.
Chimpanzees
The Ol Pejeta Conservacy is the only location in Kenya where you shall find the chimpanzees which is one of the Top 5 reasons to visit, the Ol Pejeta’s sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctury is a rehabilitation center of chimpanzees brought after rescuing them from abuse and losing their parents which makes them orphans and vulnerable as well, Top 5 reasons to visit Ol pejeta conservancy
The establishment of the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary was brought by an agreement made by the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) and The Jane Goodall Institute which ensures that they thrive while in the conservancy.
Riding with Rhinos
Riding with the rhinos is such a great experience to have while on a Kenya safari visit to Ol Pejeta Conservancy is one of the top reason to why you should visit. Rhinos are wild and are known for being aggressive towards anyone invading their territories. In Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a tourist can have a horse ride guided by the guides and ride in the rhinos area which is a fun experience to have.
Accommodation
When visit the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the first thing to come in your mind will be where to stay. There are a variety of accommodation ranging from the budget – the cheapest, Midrange and Luxury. Some of the best accommodations in Ol Pejeta Conservancy include
- Ol Pejeta House and Sweetwaters Serena – Luxury
- Naro Moru River Lodge and The Landing Nanyuki – Midrange
- Mianzi Camp and Mtoni Resort – Budget among others.
