Ol Pejeta Bush Camp

About Ol Pejeta Bush Camp

As with all Asilia camps, staying at Ol Pejeta Bush Camp allows guests to contribute to conservation. You can also get involved by helping with canine training or recording lion sightings for the research team. Seven spacious, eco-friendly tents are positioned along the Ewaso Ngiro River. The peaceful camp is staffed by our warm and hospitable team and is a great place for families, with activities like the Junior Ranger Programme to keep kids entertained and engaged. 

accommodation

Rooms

There are seven tents (including one family tent) at Ol Pejeta. Each has an en suite with flushing toilets and hot water bucket showers. Beds are snug with extra blankets and a hot-water bottle slipped in during turndown. The tents have spacious decks where guests can while away a few hours in the afternoon, just listening the sounds of the bush. 

Experiences

Blending into its environment

On the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River in central Kenya’s Laikipia region lies the atmospheric Ol Pejeta Bush Camp. Ol Pejeta offers an exceptional base from which to explore the secrets of this renowned conservancy – from the pioneering conservation projects that have made it famous to spectacular sightings of black and white rhino, the Big 5 and the world’s last two remaining northern white rhino.

Experiences

A typical day on safari at Ol Pejeta Bush Camp

A stay at Ol Pejeta differs from traditional safaris due to the vast array of activities on offer, but the general rhythm is the same. We head out safari in the early morning and late afternoon when animals are at their most active. If you have hired a private vehicle, itineraries can be discussed with your guide. 

Start the day bright and early with a wake-up call and tea or coffee. Enjoy breakfast before departing for your morning game drive (or set out a little earlier and take a picnic breakfast). Arrive back in camp mid-morning, with a chance to freshen up before lunch. 

After a leisurely lunch, enjoy siesta time. Read a book or just relax and enjoy the views from your tent’s deck. Refuel with afternoon tea and then depart for an afternoon/evening game drive with sundowners. Arrive back at camp in time for drinks and dinner — the perfect chance to unwind after a long day in the bush. 

Experiences

Game drives

Learn about the varied animal species and birdlife of the conservancy on a game drive from Ol Pejeta Bush Camp. Let our expert guides inspire you with their knowledge and explore this diverse conservancy. Vehicles are open sided and seat up to six people. We offer all guests an opportunity to try our electric vehicle which is powered by the sun and offers guests not only a carbon neutral drive but also a silent one.

Experiences

Night drives

Experiences

Endangered species enclosure

Today, only two northern white rhino remain in the world and both are found at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in a 2,8 km2 enclosure protected by 24-hour armed security. Take the opportunity to visit the enclosure, learn from the keepers about the efforts being taken to preserve the last of this highly endangered species, as well as view Grévy’s zebra and Jackson’s hartebeest in a private and intimate setting.

Morning visit: 8.30 am or 11 am Afternoon visit: 3 pm or 3.30 pm — duration 45 minutes. Maximum six people per visit and physical interaction with the rhinos is relatively restricted.

High season: US$75 per adult/US$38 per child

Low season: US$60 per adult/US$30 per child

Experiences

Horse riding with rhinos (Endangered Species Enclosure)

The chance to ride amongst the endangered species including the northern white rhinos is a once in a lifetime experience. This predator-free area is wonderful to explore on horseback, with the chance to also encounter other of the endangered species such as southern white rhinos, Grévy’s zebra or Jackson’s hartebeest.

Morning ride: 10 am or Afternoon ride: 3 pm — duration approximately one hour. Riding hats and tack are provided. Riders must wear suitable footwear, long trousers and sleeves. Maximum of nine riders in a group. The rides will only be open to experienced riders and some proof of riding ability will be required at point of booking; clients judged to be of insufficient riding ability will not be permitted to undertake this activity.

High season: US$60 per person

Low season: US$60 per person

Experiences

Horse riding in the Conservancy

Carry more memories home by riding on horseback across the Ol Pejeta plains. You will ride through the endangered species enclosure, then out the gate onto the Ol Pejeta plains and to the rhino memorial, Sudan’s resting place. Horse riding gives you a unique perspective of the landscape and allows you to get closer to wildlife than in a safari vehicle. You will feel a sense of quiet isolation amidst the vast scenery of Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Depending on weather conditions and rider experience there may be a swim in Pelican dam.

Morning ride: 8 am to 10 am or Afternoon ride: 2 pm to 4 pm — duration approximately two hours. Riding hats and tack are provided. Riders must wear suitable footwear, long trousers and sleeves. Maximum of nine riders in a group. The rides will only be open to experienced riders and some proof of riding ability will be required at point of booking; clients judged to be of insufficient riding ability will not be permitted to undertake this activity.

High season: US$70 per person

Low season: US$70 per person

Experiences

Canine Anti-Poaching Unit visit

Visit the conservancy’s bloodhound dog kennels and learn about the training that transforms these canines into anti-poaching patrollers. After your tour, you can play a game of human-canine hide and seek, trying to evade the dogs and finding a spot to hide within the Morani Information Centre. A great way to interact, get a bit of exercise for you and the hounds as well as assist in their training.

Experiences

Lion tracking

Several lions on the conservancy have been fitted with radio collars and you can learn how to track them with the researchers with a special tracking device. When you locate a pride, you will learn how to identify the individuals by notches on their ears, whisker patterns and other distinguishing marks, and all data is passed to the Ol Pejeta Ecological Monitoring team in order to further understand these magnificent predators. Guests remain in the vehicle at all times.

Morning activity: 6.30 am
Afternoon visit: 3.30 pm — duration approx. two hours, maximum six people.

Experiences

Wildlife – livestock integration

Ol Pejeta operates a unique wildlife-livestock integration model; balancing over 6,000 cattle with conservation. During the activity guests will learn about the creation of biodiversity hotspots and either help move one of the conservancy’s predator proof cattle bomas or assist in a cattle spray race.

Experiences

Gym in the wild

Experiences

Cycling safaris

Are you a cycling enthusiast looking for a unique ride? Then look no further we offer a weekly 84 kilometres ride from Nanyuki to Mpala Research Centre and back including a stop for lunch at the Big Rock and some non-technical rock climbing.

Departs every Sunday from Ol Pejeta to Nanyuki by car at 9 am and returns at 5 pm. Bikes and helmets are provided.

Experiences

Cultural and community visits

Experiences

Family safaris

Ol Pejeta is an excellent choice for families with children. Many of the camp staff are parents themselves and are great with young kids. There are loads of activities for children, such as playing hide-and-seek with the Ol Pejeta anti-poaching dogs. Many activities also have a conservation element, teaching children about the threats facing wildlife and ecosystems across Kenya and beyond, and what they can do to help. 

There is no minimum child age at Ol Pejeta Bush Camp.

Experiences

Meals and refreshments

Homemade meals are served communally in our mess tent. We source our produce from a local women’s co-op or other regional farmers. Breakfast is a spread of fresh fruit, yoghurt, cereals and muffins or hot options including omelettes or bacon and eggs. If you’re on a longer game drive, have breakfast in the bush, set up under a shady tree. Lunch is a buffet of pasta or pizza with salad, and dinner is a three-course affair — curry night is always popular!