The Laikipia Plateau

 

 

The Laikipia Plateau is a captivating hidden gem in Kenya. It stretches from the foothills of Mt Kenya to the edge of the Great Rift Valley. It is home to good populations of rhino, elephant, and a wide variety of safari activities ranging from serene nature walks, thrilling safari walks, and intimate cultural encounters.

Why the Laikipia Plateau is a Top Destination in Kenya

There are various parameters that make the Laikipia Plateau a fan-favorite. In case you’re want to lose yourself in the beautifully vast landscapes combined with a multitude of experiences, the region is a good place to start. Here are some reasons that make it a stand out location for adventurers looking for an unforgettable African experience.

• Wildlife Wonderland

 

 

Laikipia is arguably Kenya’s best-kept secret. It constitutes private wildlife concessions and family-owned ranches each with one primary objective: to use tourism as a mechanism to pioneer wildlife conservation.

This is a land where large herds of elephants and buffalos roam far and wild, while lions laze in the sun and shy leopards sit high in the trees, waiting patiently for their soon-to-be breakfast plans to wander past.

What’s more? It is one of the few places where the population of wild dogs have increased exponentially, and black rhinos are a huge success story.

• Stunning Landscapes

Laikipia’s diverse terrain includes rolling savannahs, dense forests, rugged escarpments, and lush river valleys. The breathtaking views of Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest peak, serve as a stunning backdrop to the plateau. This varied landscape offers numerous opportunities for exploration and photography, making it a paradise for nature lovers.

• Cultural Richness

The cultural richness of Laikipia is as captivating as its natural beauty. The region is home to various communities which are as much a part of the fabric of this magnificent destination.

Visitors have the opportunity to engage with local communities, learning about their customs, participating in traditional dances, and visiting homesteads.

• Luxurious Lodging

The region offers a range of accommodations, from luxury lodges and tented camps to rustic campsites. Many lodges are situated in prime locations, offering terrific views immersive wildlife experiences.

Accommodations like Loisaba Tented Camp, Ol Pejeta Bush Camp, Lewa Wilderness, Ngiri House, and Segera Retreat provide unparalleled comfort and style, often with a focus on sustainability and community involvement.

• Accessibility

Another reason that makes the Laikipia plateau take a spot as a favorite for travelers is its accessibility. It is easily accessible from Nairobi, with both road and air options available. The journey by road takes around 4-5 hours, while several domestic airlines operate flights to various airstrips in Laikipia, providing a convenient and scenic start to the adventure.

• Exclusive and Private Experiences

The private conservancies in Laikipia offer exclusive and personalized safari experiences, ensuring that visitors have a unique and intimate encounter with the natural world. These conservancies limit the number of visitors, providing a more private and less crowded experience compared to some of Kenya’s more popular parks and reserves.

Attractions of Laikipia Plateau

The Laikipia Plateau provides a number of attractions including:

Wildlife Conservation

The region is famous for its efforts towards wildlife conservation. Visitors can witness a plethora of wildlife, such as lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, antelopes, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, and dozens of bird species.

The primary goal of wildlife conservation is to prevent the extinction of threatened and endangered species. Monitoring population trends, putting habitat protection measures into place, reducing threats like poaching and the illegal wildlife trade, and setting up breeding and reintroduction programs are all part of conservation efforts.

Private Conservancies

Laikipia sports a variety of conservancies thar provide exclusive and personal safari experiences. Sustainability, conservation, and community engagement are a priority for these conservancies. Some notable conservancies include:

• Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
• Ol Pejeta Conservancy
• Ol Jogi Conservancy
• Borana Conservancy
• Loisaba Conservancy
• Segera Conservancy

Cultural Experiences

Various indigenous communities inhabit the Laikipia Plateau. These include the Samburu, Maasai, and Mukogodo. Visitors can indulge in cultural interactions, learn about their traditional lifestyles, take part in traditional ceremonies, and stay in community-owned lodges.

Outdoor Activities

There are various outdoor activities like guided nature trails, mountain biking, camel treks, horseback safaris, and bird watching. Through these excursions, travelers can discover the area’s wildlife and plant life while taking in the stunning surroundings.

Picturesque Landscapes

This destination has a sundry of landscapes such as acacia woodlands, open grasslands, river valleys, and rolling hills. These make the plateau a beauty. As if that’s not enough, the scenic view is complemented by the stunning Mount Kenya and Aberdare ranges.

Night Game Drives

Some conservancies provide night game drives. This gives you the rare opportunity of spotting game animals such as leopards, lions, and aardvarks.

What To Do on A Laikipia Safari

Laikipia deserves to be on your hot list without a doubt. There are numerous activities to immerse into in a Laikipia safari. These include:

• A night under the stars

Fly camping is the ideal adventure without sacrificing your home comforts. Explore the bush when darkness begins to creep in, have dinner around a campfire, before settling down to star-gaze at the sky for captivating beauty that will leave you in awe.

As you drift off to sleep, listen to a variety of nocturnal sounds. An exhilarating experience in the heart of nature, this experience will leave your heart filled with so much joy and peace.

• Head Out on a Bush Safari

Exploring the bush is an exciting adventure that will allow you to really connect with nature. If you’re ready to venture deeper, you might get up close and personal with various animals like giraffes and rhinos.

• Camel Trekking

Camel trekking is a unique way to experience the drylands of Laikipia and is a traditional means of transportation in Kenya. Walks vary in length from short walks to multi-day excursions that go from camp to camp

Various places to indulge in this delightful activity are in Lewa Conservancy and Borana Conservancy.

• Go Horse Riding

Horse riding is hard to match if you want to get closer encounters with nature. Horses are not a threat to wildlife, allowing you to enjoy unparalleled intimate encounters. Nothing compares to mingling with a herd of zebras or galloping across the wilderness alongside a lolloping large African hoofed mammal.

Places like Ol Malo, Borana Lodge, Lewa Wilderness, and Laragai House offer luxury, authentic, and customized horse-riding experiences.

• Run the Lewa Marathon

If you want an epic and energetic adventure with remarkable views, taking part in the Lewa Marathon which takes place annually in June is second to none. Enjoy encounters with some of the four-legged creatures of Laikipia as you run along the riverbanks, through acacia trees, and over the savannah on the conservancy’s uneven tracks. And the best part? Giraffes often accompany runners for half a mile or so as they are particularly sociable.

• Spot Black Rhinos

The Olpejeta Conservancy is home to various species including the critically endangered rhino species. There are over 100 black rhinos here, along with 20 southern white rhinos. On top of that, the conservancy is a sanctuary for the remaining northern white rhinos in the world. There is also a chimpanzee sanctuary to visit.

• Explore on Two Wheels

Another thing to do on a Laikipia safari is sightsee some of the biking trails around Loisaba and Borana conservancy a mountain bike.

• Bait the Hook

Spend a lazy afternoon by the river fishing for tilapia and catfish using a spinning rod. If you want to cool off, you don’t have to fret as you can take a dip in the river jumping off the rocks and paddling around the pools.

Wilderness Camp is a magical destination for many folks who love fishing.

Conclusion

The Laikipia Plateau offers a fabulous range of exciting activities for everyone from outdoor activities, scenic landscapes, to cultural experiences. You can relax a backdrop of nature as you enjoy all that nature has to offer.