Ol Pejeta Conservancy

An amazing safari, a great conservancy programme, a kind staff.

I was in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, in Kenya. They have a programme to provide a refuge for chimpanzees rescued from the black market. You will find there a kind staff who will share with you their expert knowledge about the different species. On the other hand, visiting this animal sanctuary you will help them to protect two endangered species: white and black rhino. There are a lot of activities to do and our guided tour was absolutely amazing. I highly recommend it to everybody concerned about the future of the wildlife.

A Must On Any Kenya Safari Itinerary

We stayed at Serena Sweetwaters Tented Camp in Ol Pejeta for two nights during an eight night safari to Kenya. We travelled from The Ark Lodge, Aberdare National Park, to Ol Pejeta and, as with every transfer, had a rough ride on the very poor access roads and tracks close to the conservancies. The camp itself was idyllic, standing by its own watering hole. It offered outstanding service, accommodation and access to wildlife.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is vast with open plains and many access tracks, and areas of bush offering perfect cover for the bigger predators and the more timid animals. Except for birds, wildlife was plentiful. We saw numerous Black rhino, White rhino, lion, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, ostrich, warthog, zebra and baboons. Surprisingly, although in peak season, we rarely encountered other vehicles on our game drives which added to the magic when encountering the various species.
We had seen TV programmes and researched Ol Pejeta beforehand, so were very keen to include it on our itinerary. It certainly did not disappoint, and was arguably the highlight of our safari, largely due to the excellent accommodation and lack of crowds when on game drives. Highly recommended.

Exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. Birding opportunities were limited. The vastness of the area meant that we rarely saw other safari vehicles. Fantastic safari destination for first-timers.

wonderful experience of the night drive and seeing some different wildlife

wildlife was different...have not seen wild dogs before: saw them close-range both day and night; scenery rather varied and provided many photo opportunities; weather was fine and clear...not too hot for us nor the game; accommodation clean and well-kept...excellent spot opposite waterhole on other side of stream so excellent viewing and photo opportunities; transportation was our own, except for night drive; guides were experienced and friendly; seeing Baraka was a bonus....meals were well-presented and tasty....all in all, a very enjoyable experience...we would go there again

Amazing

I have stayed at Sweetwaters many times, usually finishing a safari here so to relax and still have plenty of game to see. After many years of travelling through out Kenya I find all the travelling somewhat tiresome, so I now come to Ol Pejeta/Sweetwaters for 10/12 nts. That may seem strange to many people but, you can see everything here plus Wild dogs. You do not even need to go on a game drive, nearly all the game comes to the waterhole at some time or the other, except the cats of course, though I did see a female Lion stop by, briefly, last year. The other big plus is the game viewing at night can be great, and viewing game at night is very special. Make sure you ask for a tent on the front facing the water hole.. My recent visit in March, we had Rhino almost every night, and not just one but on average 4 per night. Elephant were less regular, but one night we had Giraffe, plus the usual game. I would say though, Game viewing at the water hole is probably best in Feb/Mar. The only game I did not see this time at the water hole were Beisa Oryx, & Thompsons Gazelles. Many Elephant came most days, on one occassion 36+, Eland on four occassions & White Rhino, the black came at night or at dusk, Zebra were constant and Giraffe about every 2/3 days. If you like birds, there are ample grounds to walk around with some 200+ species recorded. If you want a game drive just to have a change, this can be arranged by the camp.
So if you want a relaxing holiday with a difference, and I mean a big difference, choose sweetwaters where you can see all the game without all the hard work.

Perfect place for a family safari

We spent 3 days in this fantastic reserve where you can "touch" the real hard work of KWS related to protection of african wildlife. Rhinos, chimpanze, african wild dogs are only 3 reasons for visit this fantastic place. We stay in Sweetwaters tented camp that is full of birds, rhinos and different type of antelope all around it, with Mount Kenya in background. For a family with children is a perfect place.

Reticulated giraffes were beautiful!

Great place to visit on a Safari tour!

Ol Pejeta Conservancy was our first stop on our Safari in 2011. It was a great way to start out and we were able to see several animals right off the bat. We stayed at the Sweetwaters Tented Camp, where the tents and restaurants have spectacular views of wildlife and are literally out in the bush. They are safe, and you can see it on YouTube at http://youtu.be/-Tapks-e7Ys?t=4m49s
The conservancy itself gave us many opportunities to view Cheetah, Giraffe, Zebra, Gazelle, Waterbuck, Elephants, Chimpanzees, and many other animals up close. In addition, we were able to get up close to a rhino and even touch it! Watch the videos at http://youtu.be/DZESAy7YCro?t=1m16s
Ol Pejeta is definitely worth spending a day or two in as part of a safari. At around 90,000 acres, it has tons to offer and opportunities to see the Big 5.

An amazing insight into the life, threats, plight, beauty and power of the Black and White Rhino

Great variety of wildlife, impressive scenery (Mount Kenya a stunning backdrop), fantastic wardens and staff.
The Conservancy is managed impeccably, good infrastructure, roads in good condition, safe and secure.

One of the few parks with a realistic chance to see the big five in a single gamedrive, plus the only place to watch chimpanzees in Kenya!