OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY
The size of Ol Pejeta Conservancy is about 224 square miles.
History
In the 1940s, Lord Delamare, a powerful British settler, owned a cattle farm that is now Ol Pejeta Conservancy. When elephant hunting was made illegal in 1973 and the Sweetwaters Game Reserve was formed in 1988, many animals, including the black rhino, were given a safe place to live. Ol Pejeta was created in 2003 as a place for wildlife and people to come together without making a profit.
Fees and permits to get in
The price of the entrance fee changes based on when people come. The price to enter is USD90 per adult per day and USD55 per child under 12 years old per day, from January to July. During the busiest months, July and August, each person must pay USD110 to enter.
When they are open
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is open every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
How to Get There
By Road
If you’re coming from Nairobi, the A2 highway leads to Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The trip takes about four hours. The trip was 138 miles long, and the last 8 miles were on a country road. From October to May, when it rains a lot, only 4×4 cars will be able to get in.
By Air
Every day, flights leave from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport for the Nanyuki Airstrip. The ride takes an hour. There is a 45-minute drive from the airport to Ol Pejeta. Customers can book charter trips if they’d like.
Best Time to Visit
Climate and weather
Temperatures in Ol Pejeta stay in the mid-seventies during the day, and the weather is pretty stable throughout the year. Between June and September, it doesn’t rain much. In August, there is a small chance of rain. Heavy or long rains happen from March to May, and by the end of the season, temperatures drop to about 50F.
Staying away from crowds
If you want to have a more relaxing time at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, you might want to go between November and the end of May, when it’s not as busy. There are, however, heavy rains from March to mid-May, which can make the ground too wet for game drives and other outdoor activities.
Good Value for Money
There are a lot of different places to stay in Ol Pejeta, from simple camping to luxurious and cozy hotels and camps. With prices that range, they have something for every income. Spending time in or near this small conservancy is a great way to go on safari for a reasonable price. Prices range from USD 200 per person sharing per night to about USD 950 per person sharing per night for more luxurious choices.
Wildlife & Landscape
Wildlife that people like to see in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy
The “Big Five” live in Ol Pejeta: the lion, the leopard, the elephant, the rhino, and the buffalo. Giraffes, zebras, and the Jackson’s hartebeest also like to graze. People can learn about these interesting animals and the work being done to protect them at the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Keep an eye out for the “zorilla,” which is also called the “African Polecat,” and if you’re lucky, you might see a leopard on the hunt.
The Ground
Some parts of Ol Pejeta Conservancy are open grassland, some are marshlands, and some are thick bush with acacias and yellow-green fever trees.
Safari Experiences
Game Drives
Ol Pejeta Conservancy’s best times for game drives are early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Animals go out to explore in the early morning, and at sunset, the scene is set for what could be a dramatic fight between a hunter and a prey. This is a great chance to see animals that are active at night, like the aardvark, the white-tailed mongoose, and the bat-eared fox. Ol Pejeta Conservancy offers night drives.
Safaris with a guide
Visitors can go on safari walks through Ol Pejeta Conservancy with qualified guides. The walks will be on nature paths that wind through the savannah and next to rivers and gorges. Keep an eye out for predators and prey that might be close while you enjoy the views.
Lodges & Camps
There are many places to stay, from simple tents to traditional, high-class hotels and camps. There are a number of places to stay inside the Ol Pejeta Conservancy and many more close by. All of them are conveniently close to the park’s natural attractions.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy Lodging – Distance from park entrance
| Lodge or Hotel | Distance to park entrance (in miles) |
| Sweetwaters Serena Tented Camp | 1.8 miles from the Rongai Gate, driving in a westerly direction from gate to lodge |
| Ol Pejeta Bushcamp | The Camp lies on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River and is a 45-minute drive from the Kamok Airstrip |
| Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages | |
| Porini Rhino Camp | 22 miles from the Rongai Gate, driving in a westerly direction from gate to lodge |
