Tracking Black Rhinos at Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Rhino tracking in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy Area in Kenya is an excellent chance for nature lovers to learn more about the black rhinos. The black rhinos are among the Big Five game available in Ol Pejeta and are East Africa’s biggest black rhino sanctuary. The sanctuary offers a perfect opportunity for visitors to track the black rhinos and observe their unique behaviors. The black rhinos are among the endangered species in Africa. Embarking on tracking black rhinos at Ol Pejeta Conservancy allows you to explore how these mammals behave, their feeding habits, and their challenges in the wild. Ol Pejeta is a remarkable spot for visitors to discover these giant mammals at close range.
Ol Pejeta rhinos comprise two species: the northern white rhinos and over 110 endangered black rhinos. Highly trained and skilled teams protect these rhinos, and on an actual rhino trek, you can be led by an experienced guide.
Tracking black rhinos at Ol Pejeta Conservancy presents an excellent opportunity for visitors to film or take pictures of them, including the first rhinos to be born in the conservancy area.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta is a 360 sq. km wildlife sanctuary home to diverse animals, including an endangered species: black rhinos. During a rhino-tracking adventure, visitors follow the signs and tracks with an experienced guide who always shares deep insights into the conservation efforts made to prevent these mammals from declining.
Ol Pejeta Conservation initiatives
At Ol Pejeta Conservancy, visitors can learn more about the different conservation projects that have been implemented. These include anti-poaching initiatives, community engagement initiatives, and measures to curb wildlife crime and ensure biodiversity protection and preservation. The conservancy area also shelters the northern white rhinos, a subspecies at risk of extinction.
Other experiences to enjoy at Ol Pejeta
Lion tracking
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is one of the best destinations in East Africa and is worth visiting to enjoy the lion-tracking experiences. The lion tracking expeditions take you searching for the pride of lions; guides use gadgets to track lions. The lions have tracking collars around their necks, making it easier for rangers to locate them. These mammals often wander around the 360 Ol Pejeta Conservancy, but luckily, with the collars around their necks, it becomes easier to find them. As you search for lions, you may encounter other wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, and bird species.
The tracking collars around lion necks are designed to ensure their safety from poachers. The tracking sessions are available at different times, including 6:30 to 8:30 and 15:30 to 17:30.
Game drives
Ol Pejeta is an excellent destination that guarantees wildlife enthusiasts great game encounters. In Kenya, safaris to Ol Pejeta allow you to explore different wildlife on a morning game drive, a full day, or an evening game drive session. A guided game drive session will enable visitors to encounter wildlife. These include: leopards, African wild dogs, Beisa Oryx, Cheetahs, lions, rhinos, and giraffes. Other wildlife to experience during the guided game drive in Ol Pejeta includes Jackson hartebeests, Grevy’s zebras, bat-eared foxes, dik-diks, silver-backed jackals, vervet monkeys, elands, impalas, elephants, and baboons.
Bird watching
Over 300 bird species survive in Ol Pejeta, making it an ideal birding spot. The diverse bird species to explore on a birding excursion here include the scaly francolins, guinea fowls, and African black ducks. Crested francolin, helmeted guineafowl, ostriches, black storks. African open-billed storks, yellow-billed storks, common quail, vulturine guinea fowl, and Egyptian geese. Additional birds to expect to find in Ol Pejeta include Abdim’s storks, Maccoa duck oxyura, red-billed teals, spur-winged geese, little grebes, northern shovelers, crested francolins, and many others.
Hippo hides
This takes you on a guided walk along the scenic banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River. At this point, expect to observe hippos. The best time to experience the hippo hides is early morning. Visitors can easily come across hippos during the early morning hours as they surface for sunshine. The hippo hides experience involves exploring the scenic nature route via the Indigenous plants that are important to local communities. The hippo hide activity is best done around 7:00 a.m. and late 6:30 p.m.
Guided walks
Guided walking safaris in Ol Pejeta Conservancy are an excellent way for nature lovers to experience something unusual on Kenya safaris. The guided walking safaris come with uninterrupted conservancy views and diverse wildlife. There are routes to be followed that run through Ol Pejeta. With an experienced guide, expect to search for your favorite wildlife, including elephants, leopards, and wildebeest. Walking excursions in Ol Pejeta are best enjoyed between 6:30 am and 9:30 am, and the other phase begins from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
Explore the chimp sanctuary.
Visit the Sweet Waters’ chimpanzee sanctuary and explore more about the orphaned chimpanzees. The Sweet Waters Chimp Sanctuary was officially established in 1993. The primary goal was offering a natural habitat to the non-indigenous species in the area. It is only in Ol Pejeta where you can find chimpanzees in Kenya.
The best time to explore the Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta is a wildlife conservancy area all year round. But enthusiastic wildlife travelers can get there to experience the best of its game viewing around the peak dry season: June, July, August, September, and October. The conservancy area receives varying climatic conditions in November and December, which mark the short wet or rainy season.
During the rainy months, most plants bloom, and a diversity of migratory birds can be observed. January, February, and March are the best months for photography in Ol Pejeta. The long rainy season occurs in April and May.
Accommodation at Ol Pejeta
There are different accommodation options for an overnight stay at Ol Pejeta Conservancy. They include budget, midrange, and luxury, guaranteeing visitors the ultimate comfort on the Rhino Trek. They include;
Ol Pejeta Bush Camp is a comfortable overnight accommodation option at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The bush camp is set on the scenic banks of the Ewaso Ng’iro River. The tented camp features fully furnished tents with en suite bathrooms.
Sweetwater’s Serena Camp –A perfect luxury accommodation option for visitors to consider for an overnight stay. This luxury accommodation choice comprises 50 tents, each offering great views of the watering holes, mountains, and wildlife.
Porini Rhino Camp—This eco-friendly camp is set in a scenic valley, where a peaceful treat is guaranteed for all nature lovers.
Kicheche Laikipia Camp—This is a small luxury camp in the shadows of Mt. Kenya. It overlooks a waterhole and is surrounded by the wilderness zone of Ol Pejeta.
Ol Pejata House is an intimate accommodation option located in a private and peaceful location. This comfortable accommodation features two private swimming pools and many other amenities and facilities to give visitors an unforgettable experience as they explore Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
