Laikipia Plateau
Nestled above the Equator, at an elevation of 1981 meters above sea level, is the Laikipia Plateau, incredibly marked by far-flung views of Mount Kenya. This dense, lush green northern Plateau is marked by jaw-dropping landscapes in the traditional African style, while being filled with lots of wildlife species. Set on the border of the Northern Kenya frontier, the Laikipia Plateau extends over a huge area, from the foothills of Mount Kenya to the Lake Baringo shores (at the rim of the Great Rift Valley), hence making it one of Kenya’s most diverse yet lesser-known and untouched wildlife areas.
This natural gem of vast open spaces, as well as unspoiled wilderness, is comprised of several conservancies and ranches, hence a true testament of the country’s thriving conservation success stories that keep unfolding. The area appears as endless plains, engulfed in the shadow of the Mount Kenya peaks, thus creating a serene and private setting where unforgettable game drives are provided.
Interesting things to see in Laikipia Plateau
Wildlife
It might interest you to know that the Laikipia Plateau boasts the country’s most thriving wildlife population than any other Protected or unprotected Area outside the Masai Mara National Reserve, including those that are endangered and not found elsewhere in the region. Here, you will find desert warthogs, Grevy’s zebras, Jackson’s hartebeests, elephants, lions, Beisa Oryx, African wild dogs, gerenuk, reticulated giraffes, Cheetahs, gazelles, leopards, Somali Ostriches, impalas, Black Rhinos, and many others.
Masai communities
The majority of the Ranches and Conservancies (including Lekurruki and II Ngwesi) are sun by Masai communities. For this reason, you not only have an opportunity to learn about the diversity of the area but also to be immersed in the rich cultures and traditions of these pastoralist communities.
Ranches and conservancies
Laikipia Plateau is steeped in history and boasts an unrivalled area of community-run wildlife conservancies, cattle ranches, and tribal land. These include Lewa Wilderness Conservancy, Borana Ranch, Sabuk Wilderness, II Ngwesi Group Ranch, Loisaba Wilderness Ranch, Lekurruki Group Ranch, and Sosian Ranch, among others.
- II Ngwesi Group Ranch
Hidden in the extreme north of Mount Kenya and extending for 165 square kilometers is II Ngwesi Group Ranch, an area where land stretches endlessly to the horizon. Being far from any Towns and on the edge of the Laikipia Plateau, sometimes visitors don’t see a single light at night, in addition to listening to the calls of the wilderness surrounding you.
Some of the wildlife species you will see in II Ngwesi Group Ranch include African bush elephants (over 400 herds), lions, black Rhinos, leopards, Giant elands, leopards, impalas, gerenuk, impalas, Burchell’s and Grevy’s zebras, Grant’s gazelles, and many others.
Would you like to learn about Masai culture? Then visit the II Ngwesi Group Ranch, which is set in the traditional sense of the word. Owned by Masai villages, the ranch still maintains its traditional ways with livestock, and all profits are shared among the local community.
- Loisaba Wilderness Conservancy
Extending approximately 15000 hectares on the edge of the Laikipia Plateau, and approximately 100 kilometers North of Mount Kenya, is the spectacular Loisaba Wilderness Conservancy. This area is characterized by different terrains that include the sweeping grassy plains in the northern part of the Conservancy, Escarpment, Valleys, and Cliffs in the south. Additionally, there is a different ecosystem in the Valleys and lowland area marked by palms, Acacia, and Fig watered by Rivers N’gare Narok, and Ewaso Ng’iro.
There are over 50 mammal species and about 250 bird species in the Loisaba Wilderness Conservancy. Expect to see Grevy’s zebras, elephants, Greater Kudu, leopards, Buffaloes, lions, leopards, and many others.
- Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Wild animals used to roam freely on the farm until the 1970s, when their population became threatened due to increased poaching in the area. The turning point was in 1983, when a Rhino that wandered off the farm was killed, hence leading to the creation of a 50-square-kilometer Rhino Sanctuary. The area expanded until 100 square kilometers, and in 1995, the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy was created by incorporating surrounding land such as the Ngara Ndara forest.
Currently extending 182 square kilometers in the North of Mount Kenya, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy has grown with a wildlife population that has increased over the years, hence providing unforgettable experiences. Some of the species you can expect here include Sitatunga, Elands, Grevy’s and Common zebras, herds of elephants, reticulated giraffes, leopards, Beisa Oryx, cheetahs, impalas, Grant’s gazelles, lions, hyenas, Black and White Rhinos, to mention but a few.
- Borana Ranch
Adjacent to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and at the foot of Mount Kenya is the Borana Ranch. This 141-square-kilometer area is only about 26 kilometers from the Equator and 1981 meters above sea level.
With over 50 indigenous tree species, 300 bird species, and several wildlife species, Borana Ranch is unmissable during Laikipia Plateau tours. You will find Burchell’s zebras, Grant’s gazelles, Jackson’s hartebeests, impalas, reticulated giraffes, elands, buffaloes, and many others.
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Sprawling 364 square kilometers between the foothills of the Aberdare Mountain range and Mount Kenya, Ol Pejeta Conservancy includes a stunning chimpanzee Sanctuary and an area with lots of Big Five Game. The area was initially used as a cattle ranch during the Colonial era, but increasingly, the elephants that used the ranch as a migratory corridor sought permanent refuge in the area, hence breaking the fences and making cattle ranching difficult.
The area was eventually sold off to “Fauna and Flora International”, a UK-based Conservation organization, in 2004, hence converting it into a Wildlife Conservancy. The 36400 hectares of this Conservancy include Sweetwaters Game Reserve, where the chimpanzee sanctuary is.
Wildlife species in Ol Pejeta Conservancy include Thomson’s gazelles, Black Rhinos, Grant’s gazelles, Defassa waterbuck, buffaloes, Elands, Elephants, baboons, Black-backed jackals, Cheetahs, giraffes, Ostriches, cheetahs, and many others occupying open savannah plains, Hilly slopes, Acacia forests, and swamps.
Thrilling safari experiences provided at Ol Pejeta Conservancy include walking safaris, game drives, and horseback rides, among others.
Sosian Lodge
This 97-square-kilometer working Ranch is in the heart of the sweeping Laikipia Plateau with stunning scenery and views of the beautiful Mount Kenya, the Karisia Hills to the North, and the Aberdare mountain range to the south. Also, the southern end of this secluded Ranch has breathtaking waterfalls and is drained by the Ewaso Narok River.
This Ranch also has varying vegetation, marked by a riverine vegetation along the Ewaso Narok, as well as a wetland on the southern end of the ranch.
Some of the wildlife species you will find in this Ranch include Jackson’s hartebeests, gazelles, the African wild dogs, common elands, Grevy’s zebras, Oryx, and many others.
