The Laikipia Plateau, often celebrated as the last stronghold of romantic East Africa, boasts vast open ranches set against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-capped Mount Kenya. This unique destination is a melting pot of ethnically diverse communities, including the Mukogodo Masai and Samburu, who have partnered with settlers and ranchers to create a two-million-acre (800,000-hectare) haven for wildlife conservation and ecotourism.
Nurtured by the lifegiving Ewaso Nyiro and Ewaso Narok rivers, Laikipia’s abundant plains sustain an exceptional diversity of life. Traditional livelihoods, including wheat farming, livestock ranching, and wildlife conservation, form the backbone of the community. In recent years, tourism has emerged as a vital pillar of this thriving ecosystem. It offers a wide range of experiences to suit every traveler. From engaging in wildlife conservation activities to escaping the monotony of daily life, this region has something for everyone. For the adventurous, the annual Lewa Downs Cross-Country Marathon provides an exhilarating challenge. Held at an altitude of approximately 3,000 meters, this marathon is renowned as one of the world’s most grueling yet spectacular running events.
It is a prime location for encountering Africa’s iconic Big Five (rhino, elephant, lion, leopard, and buffalo) in their natural habitat. It also serves as a sanctuary for Kenya’s largest population of endangered mammals.
- Black Rhinos: The region protects half of Kenya’s black rhino population across sanctuaries such as Solio, Lewa, Ol Jogi, Ol Pejeta, and Ol Ari Nyiro.
- Elephants: Laikipia is home to Kenya’s second-largest elephant population, with over 3,200 individuals.
- Jackson’s Hartebeest: This endangered species finds refuge here alongside other wildlife.
- Predators like wild dogs, lions, cheetahs, and leopards thrive amidst abundant plains game, including impalas, gazelles, Grevy’s zebras, reticulated giraffes, Somali ostriches, Beisa oryx, and gerenuks.
Laikipia’s landscape is as varied as it is stunning. From the towering peaks of Mount Kenya to the sweeping boundaries of the Great Rift Valley, the region offers a captivating mix of dusty plains, verdant grasslands, rocky hills, meandering rivers, and tranquil waterholes. The ecosystem stands as a testament to the viability of ecotourism. Here, local residents and administrators collaborate to demonstrate the economic and environmental sustainability of wildlife tourism. The conservancy features world-class, community-owned tourism projects, including Il Ngwesi, Tassia, Koija, and Loisaba, which exemplify responsible travel and community empowerment.