The keeper speaks quietly as you approach the boma. Inside, a huge grey shape lifts her head from the grass and blinks at you. She is one of only two northern white rhinos left on earth, and for a few minutes, with Mount Kenya floating above the plains, you simply stand and watch.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps are tented camps, cottages and private houses inside a 90,000-acre conservancy in Laikipia, home to the last two northern white rhinos. The best are Kicheche Laikipia, Porini Rhino Camp, Sanctuary Tambarare, Sweetwaters Serena Camp, Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages and Pelican House. Expect Big Five drives, night drives and lion tracking.
Sense of Adventure is a Nairobi-based safari company at Mountain Mall on Thika Road, licensed by Kenya’s Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA1/47/C01/77087). We plan tailor-made luxury Kenya safaris that often start in Laikipia. This guide compares the Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps, explains the fees and the rhino and chimpanzee visits, and shows how your stay supports conservation and the communities around the conservancy.
Table of Contents
✅ Ol Pejeta Conservancy Camps: The Quick Answer
- Top pick overall: Kicheche Laikipia Camp, six tents in the quiet wilderness zone with night drives, walks and K9 dog tracking included.
- Best for couples: Sanctuary Tambarare, ten tents and lion tracking with researchers.
- Best for families: Porini Rhino Camp, with two family units, a waterhole hide and an all-inclusive rate.
- Best value luxury: Sweetwaters Serena Camp, with a pool, spa and waterhole, or self-catering Pelican House for groups.
- Best time to go: late June to October and January to March, when it is dry.
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Why Choose Ol Pejeta Conservancy Camps?
Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps give you the Big Five, the last northern white rhinos and chimpanzees in one place, only a short flight or drive from Nairobi.
Ol Pejeta covers about 360 square kilometres of Laikipia County between Mount Kenya and the Aberdares. It is a not-for-profit conservancy with large numbers of black and white rhinos, lions, elephants and buffalo, plus Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a refuge for rescued chimps.
Because it is private land, camps can offer night drives, guided walks, lion tracking and horse riding, which you cannot do in most national parks. Nanyuki is next door, so it is easy to reach and pairs well with Samburu or the Mara.
The honest trade-off: Ol Pejeta is popular, and day visitors come in from Nanyuki, so the central areas can feel busier than Lewa or the northern conservancies. Staying in the quieter wilderness zones helps. For a quick taste, see our Ol Pejeta day trip from Nairobi.
The 6 Best Ol Pejeta Conservancy Camps
These are the Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps we recommend most often, with facts checked against each camp’s official website and Ol Pejeta’s own list of tourism partners in November 2026.
1. Kicheche Laikipia Camp: The Quietest of the Ol Pejeta Luxury Lodges
Why we love it: Kicheche Laikipia has just six canvas tents, five standard and one family suite overlooking a waterhole. Of all the Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps, it is the most intimate. Ol Pejeta lists it in the wilderness zone at the foot of an indigenous forest, with Mount Kenya in view. It sits on the Equator at about 6,000 feet, roughly 30 minutes from Nanyuki airstrip.
Best for: photographers, couples, active families and repeat safari-goers. The moment you’ll remember: following the conservancy’s K9 unit as its tracker dogs work a scent through the bush.
Practical facts: day or night drives, guided bush walks, wild camping, mountain biking, a back-of-house tour, dog tracking and running in the wild are included. The northern white rhino visit and trips to Mount Kenya and Ngare Ndare Forest cost extra. Published rates start from about USD 595 per person sharing per night (varies by season). Trade-off: six tents book out early.
2. Porini Rhino Camp: The Family-Friendly Choice With a Hide
Why we love it: Porini Rhino Camp sits in a secluded valley beside a seasonal river, with seven guest tents and two family units for up to 14 guests plus children. A wildlife hide by the waterhole in front of camp is one of the best photo spots among the Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps.
Best for: families, photographers and first-timers who want everything included. The moment you’ll remember: sitting in the hide at eye level as rhinos and elephants come in to drink.
Practical facts: the rate includes meals, drinks, day and night drives in open 4x4s, bush walks with certified Maasai guides and sundowners. Horse riding and cycling are optional extras, and visits to the chimpanzee sanctuary and the northern white rhinos can be arranged. Message us for current rates. Trade-off: the style is simple eco-camp rather than glossy.
3. Sanctuary Tambarare: Ol Pejeta Conservancy Camps for Lion Lovers
Why we love it: Sanctuary Tambarare opened in June 2022 in the shadow of Mount Kenya. It has ten tents and a two-bedroom private villa added in July 2023. Its signature is lion tracking, shadowing a tracker as they follow radio-collared prides.
Best for: couples, honeymooners and small private groups in the villa. The moment you’ll remember: following a tracker at dawn as the signal from a collared pride grows stronger.
Practical facts: like the best Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps, it offers game drives, night drives, guided walks, lion tracking and horse riding. Sanctuary Retreats is part of the Abercrombie & Kent group, and the camp is now also marketed as Tambarare Camp. Message us for current rates. Trade-off: as a newer camp, it has less of the patina of older Laikipia homes.
4. Sweetwaters Serena Camp: The Best-Value Ol Pejeta Accommodation
Why we love it: Sweetwaters Serena Camp is the largest and most hotel-like of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps, with 56 en-suite tents in the Main and Morani wings. Many face an active waterhole, and there is a heated pool, the Maisha Spa and a family jacuzzi.
Best for: families, seniors, groups and travellers on a tighter luxury budget. The moment you’ll remember: dinner on the Rhino Dining Veranda as rhinos wander down to the waterhole.
Practical facts: activities include day and night drives, chimpanzee sanctuary visits, guided walks, morning lion tracking, archery and cycling, many at extra cost. Cots, babysitting and children’s meals are available with notice. Message us for current rates. Trade-off: with 56 tents, it feels like a lodge rather than an intimate camp.
5. Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages: Privacy on a River
Why we love it: Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages were built in 2017 along an acacia-lined river in Ol Pejeta’s exclusive wilderness area. It is the most private of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps. The conservancy lists it as founded by safari veterans Andy and Sonja Webb, and its cottages give couples and families their own space.
Best for: families, friends travelling together and couples who like privacy. The moment you’ll remember: a spotlight night drive back to your cottage, with eyes shining in the riverine bush.
Practical facts: it is listed among the Ol Pejeta tourism partners. Message us for current rates. Trade-off: we could not find an official website, so we confirm details through the conservancy’s reservations office.
6. Pelican House: Self-Catering Exclusive Use
Why we love it: Pelican House is the only one of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps run by the conservancy itself, and it overlooks Pelican Dam in the east, with Mount Kenya behind. It sleeps eight, or ten with extra beds, in three doubles in the main house plus a garden suite.
Best for: families, friends and multigenerational groups who want a house to themselves. The moment you’ll remember: watching game gather at the dam from your own veranda in the dry season.
Practical facts: published exclusive-use rates start from about USD 100 per person per night self-catered or USD 150 catered for non-residents in a group of two to four (2026, varies by group size). A chef costs extra. Drinks are not included. Trade-off: you need a vehicle and guide for game drives, which we can arrange.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy Camps Compared
This table compares the Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps at a glance, so you can see which one fits your trip.
| Camp | Setting | Style and size | Best for | Signature experience | Price band |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kicheche Laikipia | Wilderness zone, forest edge | 6 tents incl. family suite | Photographers, couples | K9 dog tracking, night drives | $$$$ (from about USD 595) |
| Porini Rhino Camp | Secluded valley | 7 tents + 2 family units | Families, photographers | Waterhole hide | $$$$ |
| Sanctuary Tambarare | Below Mount Kenya | 10 tents + private villa | Couples, groups | Lion tracking | $$$$$ |
| Sweetwaters Serena | Overlooking a waterhole | 56 tents, pool, spa | Families, seniors | Waterhole dining | $$$ |
| Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages | Wilderness area, river | Private cottages | Families, friends | Privacy on the river | $$$$ |
| Pelican House | East, Pelican Dam | Exclusive house, sleeps 8–10 | Groups, self-caterers | Your own house in the bush | $$ (from about USD 100) |
📅 Check Availability at These Lodges
The small Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps have only six to ten tents each, so school holidays and July to October fill early. ✉ Send Us Your Dates on WhatsApp
The People Behind the Stay
Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps help fund one of Kenya’s most important rhino programmes, run by Kenyan keepers, rangers and researchers.
The northern white rhinos, Najin and her daughter Fatu, are guarded day and night by dedicated keepers, and part of every visit booking supports the effort to save the species. Rangers on foot, with tracker dogs, protect the black and white rhinos across the conservancy.
Some camps arrange visits to local schools such as Nyakiyo Primary, and experiences such as Run with Rangers, Rhino Monitoring and Livestock-Wildlife Integration let you see how people, cattle and wildlife share this land.
For more on how conservancies pay their way, read our guide to conservancy fees in Kenya and our eco lodges and sustainable safari camps guide.
Expert tip from our Nairobi team: book your time with the northern white rhinos as soon as your dates are fixed. Slots are limited, and it is the one experience you can only have here.
The Northern White Rhino Visit and Other Experiences
A visit to the northern white rhinos takes you to the Endangered Species Enclosure with a keeper, to meet the last two of their kind and hear their story.
Meeting Najin and Fatu
The visit is booked through the conservancy and costs extra on top of your camp rate. Kicheche, Porini and other Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps can arrange it. Check details on the official Ol Pejeta experiences page.
Chimpanzees, Lion Tracking and Dog Tracking
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary cares for rescued chimpanzees, and a behind-the-scenes visit explains their daily care. Lion tracking follows radio-collared prides with a tracker, and dog tracking shows how the K9 unit protects rhinos. Night drives reveal hyenas, aardvarks and servals.
Choosing Ol Pejeta Conservancy Camps by Traveller Type
The right choice among the Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps depends on who is travelling and how much privacy you want.
- Honeymooners: Sanctuary Tambarare or Kicheche Laikipia. See our best honeymoon lodges in Kenya.
- Families: Porini Rhino Camp, Sweetwaters Serena or Pelican House. Check our safari minimum age guide.
- Photographers: Porini’s hide and Kicheche’s small vehicles.
- First-timers: Sweetwaters Serena or Porini, where rhino and chimp visits are easy to arrange.
- Celebration groups: Tambarare’s private villa or Pelican House.
- Seniors: Sweetwaters Serena, with a pool, a spa and hotel-style comfort.
Weighing canvas against bricks? Our guide to tented camp vs lodge explains the difference, and our Lewa Wildlife Conservancy lodges guide covers the neighbouring rhino sanctuary.
How We’d Plan It: 4 Nights in Ol Pejeta and the Mara
Four nights works well: two at Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps for rhinos and chimps, then two in the Masai Mara for big cats.
- Day 1: fly from Wilson Airport to Nanyuki, or drive about three to four hours, and settle in for an afternoon drive.
- Day 2: meet the northern white rhinos, visit the chimpanzees, then a night drive.
- Day 3: lion tracking at dawn, then fly to the Masai Mara.
- Day 4: a full day in the Mara before flying back to Nairobi.
For ready-made ideas, see our Ol Pejeta and Masai Mara Luxury Conservancy Safari (6 days), the Gentle Fly-in Safari for Seniors – Ol Pejeta and Masai Mara (6 days) and the Ol Pejeta Day Safari from Nairobi. Ask us for current prices.
We can build any of these Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps into a tailor-made private Kenya safari, subject to availability.
Best Time to Visit Ol Pejeta Conservancy Camps
The best time to visit Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps is late June to October and January to March, when it is dry and animals gather at water.
- January–March: warm and dry, with clear Mount Kenya views.
- April–May: the long rains; green, quiet and often cheaper.
- June–October: cool, dry and the best months for game.
- November–December: short rains, fresh grass and newborn animals.
Ol Pejeta sits on the Equator at about 6,000 feet, so mornings and nights are cool all year. See our Kenya weather by month guide for more detail.
Getting There and Ol Pejeta Entry Fees
Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps are among the easiest in Laikipia to reach: a short flight from Wilson Airport to Nanyuki, or about three to four hours by road from Nairobi.
Light aircraft usually allow 15 kg in a soft bag, so read our safari luggage weight limits guide. For road safaris, see our Kenya safari from Nairobi guide.
Ol Pejeta’s official daily entry fee for non-residents is USD 110 per adult and USD 55 per child aged 3 to 11, and under-3s enter free. Each ticket covers one entry, so leaving and returning means paying again. Ask whether your camp rate includes it. Our 2026 park fees guide covers national parks.
What Is Included and What to Pack
Most Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps quote full board or all-inclusive rates, while conservancy fees, the northern white rhino visit and some activities cost extra.
Porini includes drinks and night drives, Kicheche includes many activities, and Sweetwaters Serena charges for most extras. Always check what your quote covers, and read our guide to full board vs all-inclusive safari.
What to Pack for Ol Pejeta
- A warm fleece and jacket for cool mornings and night drives.
- Neutral clothes, long trousers and closed shoes for walks.
- A hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen; the Equator sun is strong.
- Binoculars and a zoom lens for rhinos and lions.
- A soft duffel bag within the light-aircraft limit for flights to Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps.
Expert tip from our Nairobi team: wherever you stay among the Ol Pejeta Conservancy camps, add emergency evacuation cover to your insurance. Before you travel, check the latest UK Foreign Office advice for Kenya and browse Magical Kenya, the official tourism site.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy Camps FAQs
What is the best camp in Ol Pejeta?
Kicheche Laikipia is our top pick, with six tents in the quiet wilderness zone and night drives, walks and dog tracking included. Porini Rhino Camp suits families, Sanctuary Tambarare is best for lion tracking, and Sweetwaters Serena Camp offers the most facilities at a lower price.
How much is the Ol Pejeta entry fee in 2026?
Ol Pejeta’s official daily entry fee for non-residents is USD 110 per adult and USD 55 per child aged 3 to 11, and children under three enter free. Each ticket covers one entry, so leaving and returning means paying again. Ask whether your camp rate includes it.
Can you see the northern white rhinos at Ol Pejeta?
Yes. Najin and Fatu, the last two northern white rhinos on earth, live in a guarded enclosure at Ol Pejeta. Visits with their keepers are booked through the conservancy at extra cost, and part of each booking supports efforts to save the species.
How do you get to Ol Pejeta from Nairobi?
Most guests fly from Wilson Airport to Nanyuki in under an hour, or drive about three to four hours from Nairobi. Kicheche Laikipia is about 30 minutes from Nanyuki airstrip. Light aircraft usually allow 15 kg of luggage in a soft bag.
Are Ol Pejeta camps good for families?
Yes. Porini Rhino Camp has two family units, Kicheche has a family suite, Sweetwaters Serena offers cots, babysitting and children’s meals, and Pelican House sleeps up to ten. The chimpanzee sanctuary and rhino visits are a big hit with children.
How many days do you need at Ol Pejeta?
Two nights is the minimum to see the northern white rhinos, the chimpanzees and the Big Five, with a night drive. Three nights lets you add lion tracking, walks or a visit to Ngare Ndare Forest. Many travellers then fly on to Samburu or the Masai Mara.
Can you do night drives at Ol Pejeta?
Yes. As a private conservancy, Ol Pejeta allows night drives, and Kicheche, Porini, Sanctuary Tambarare and Sweetwaters Serena all offer them. You may see hyenas, servals, aardvarks and lions on the hunt, which you rarely see in national parks after dark.
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Related Safari Guides
- › Ol Pejeta Day Trip From Nairobi
- › Lewa Wildlife Conservancy Lodges
- › Borana Conservancy Guide
- › Night Drives on Safari
- › Northern Kenya Conservancy Lodges
Official travel & park resource: Kenya Wildlife Service ↗ · Ol Pejeta Conservancy ↗
