Ol Pejeta Conservancy Safari: Rhinos, Costs & 3-Day Plan

Written by the Nature Nest Safaris team · licensed tour operator based in Kampala, Uganda · members of AUTO and the Uganda Tourism Board · About us · Ask us on WhatsApp

Published 26 October 2026

If you want to see rhinos up close, meet rescued chimpanzees and still be back in Nairobi for your flight home, Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya’s Laikipia region is one of the most rewarding stops you can add. This guide is written for British travellers flying from London Heathrow or Gatwick, and covers what Ol Pejeta is, what it costs, when to go and how to fit it into a week in Kenya.

What is Ol Pejeta Conservancy?

Ol Pejeta is a not-for-profit wildlife conservancy of roughly 90,000 acres on the equator, in the shadow of Mount Kenya, about 25 minutes from the town of Nanyuki. It is best known for three things: the largest population of black rhino in East Africa, the last two northern white rhinos left on Earth (Najin and Fatu, both females, protected by armed rangers around the clock), and the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which looks after chimps rescued from the bushmeat and pet trades.

Because it is a conservancy rather than a government park, numbers of vehicles are managed, night drives and walking safaris are allowed, and the money you spend goes straight into anti-poaching, community projects and rhino protection. For many guests the conservation story is as memorable as the wildlife.

What you can see and do

• Rhinos. Black rhino and southern white rhino are both seen regularly on game drives, and Ol Pejeta is one of the few places in Kenya where a close, respectful sighting is realistic. A visit to the northern white rhinos is arranged with a ranger and is a quiet, sobering experience rather than a typical safari sighting.
• Big Five. Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino all live here, which makes Ol Pejeta one of the few Big Five destinations within a few hours of Nairobi. Lions are common; leopards are possible but never guaranteed.
• Reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra and Jackson’s hartebeest. These northern species are not found in the Masai Mara, so they are a good reason to combine both regions.
• Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. A guided visit explains each chimp’s rescue story and is easy to add to a morning drive.
• Night drives and walking safaris. Both are offered with licensed guides; ask when you book, because availability depends on the season and the lodge.
• Mount Kenya views. On a clear morning the peaks rise above the plains and make dramatic photographs behind grazing buffalo and zebra.

How to get there from London

British Airways and Kenya Airways fly direct from London Heathrow to Nairobi in around 8.5 hours overnight, so you land in the morning with the whole day ahead. From Nairobi you have two choices:

By road: roughly four hours north to the conservancy via Thika and Nanyuki, on a good tarmac road for most of the way. This is cheaper and lets you see the Kenyan highlands, but it is a long day after an overnight flight.

By air: a short scheduled or charter flight from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to Nanyuki or the conservancy airstrip takes under an hour. It costs more but gives you an extra half-day on safari.

What does an Ol Pejeta safari cost?

Prices vary with season and lodge, so treat these as planning ranges and ask us for a firm quote for your dates:

• Conservancy fees: paid per person per day and charged in US dollars to non-residents; children pay less. Expect them to be a significant part of your daily cost, and check the current figure when you book.
• Accommodation: tented camps and mid-range lodges start at around £120–£250 per person per night on a full-board basis; luxury camps and private houses run well above that.
• Transfers and activities: a private vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide is the best way to see the conservancy. Chimp sanctuary visits and rhino encounters are often paid extras.

As a rough guide, a three-night Ol Pejeta stay with a private vehicle and guide, added to a longer Kenya trip, adds several hundred pounds per person at the budget end and well over £1,000 per person at the luxury end, before flights. International flights from London to Nairobi typically cost from around £500–£800 return depending on the season.

Best time to visit

Ol Pejeta can be visited all year. The driest, easiest months for game viewing are June to October and January to February, when the grass is short and animals gather near water. The long rains (roughly April to May) bring lush scenery and lower rates but muddy tracks, and the short rains in November can bring afternoon showers. Nights are cool at this altitude of about 1,800 metres, so bring a fleece even though you are on the equator. For UK travellers escaping a grey November, the shoulder months can be good value if you accept a little rain.

Sample 3-day Ol Pejeta itinerary

Day 1 – Nairobi to Ol Pejeta. After your overnight flight from London, drive north through Thika and Nanyuki (or take a morning flight from Wilson). Check in, have lunch and head out on an afternoon game drive for white rhino, zebra and giraffe, finishing with sundowners.

Day 2 – Rhinos and chimpanzees. A dawn game drive looks for lions and black rhino. After breakfast visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. In the afternoon arrange a visit with the northern white rhino rangers, then a short evening drive or an optional night drive.

Day 3 – Walk and return. Take an early walking safari if offered, or one last game drive, then return to Nairobi for an evening flight home or continue to the Masai Mara or Samburu.

Honest pros and cons

Pros: excellent rhino viewing, a genuine conservation story, walking and night drives allowed, close to Nairobi and easy to combine with Mount Kenya or the Mara, and fewer vehicles than the busiest parks.

Cons: there is no wildebeest migration here, the landscape is more open bush than dramatic plain, conservancy fees are high, and big-cat sightings are good but not as dependable as in the Masai Mara in peak season.

How to fit it into a Kenya trip

Ol Pejeta works well as the first or last stop on a longer route. Many British guests combine it with the Masai Mara for the classic big herds, or with Samburu for the northern specials – see our Samburu National Reserve guide. If you want help building a route, look at our 4 Days Kenya Big 5 Safari, the 7 Day Kenya Safari or the 5 Days Mt Kenya Safari, which can all be adjusted to include a stay at Ol Pejeta. You can browse every itinerary on our Kenya safaris page.

Practical tips for UK travellers

Most British passport holders need an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) for Kenya, applied for online before you travel; check the official government site for the current rules and fee. Ask your GP or travel clinic about yellow fever requirements and malaria prevention well before you go. Pack neutral colours, a warm layer for early mornings, sun protection and binoculars. Charging points are normally available at lodges.

Ol Pejeta FAQs

Can you see the northern white rhinos? Yes, with a ranger-led visit arranged at the conservancy, though sessions are managed to protect the animals.

Is Ol Pejeta a good alternative to the Masai Mara? It is a different experience: fewer crowds, rhinos and chimps, but no migration. Many guests do both.

How many days do I need? Two nights is the minimum; three nights gives time for the chimps, a rhino visit and a night drive.

Is it suitable for families? Yes, most lodges welcome children, and the rhino and chimp visits are popular with older children. Ask about minimum ages for walks and night drives.

Ready to plan your safari? Contact Nature Nest Safaris at book@naturenestsafaris.com or call/WhatsApp +256 777 131 912.