Laikipia

Laikipia best place to stay

If you are looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience, Laikipia is worth adding to your travel plan. It is included in our North-Central Circuit. Dominated by livestock ranches in the colonial era, the vast Laikipia Plateau has since been transformed into one of East Africa’s finest wildlife destinations, where cattle farming, wildlife conservation and hospitality go hand in hand. The wide open spaces in Laikipia boast the highest diversity of large mammals in Kenya

Okke and Laura, the owners of Roadtrip Africa, discovered a lovely cattle ranch where visitors can camp right in the bush. You’ll sleep in a comfortable canvas tent with bed and linen, and there is a mesh tent to enjoy your dinner, hot water bucket shower and fire pit. All the wildlife is present, yet no other tourist vehicles!

A stay at the ranch is inclusive of activities. You can go for a morning run with some crew from the farm, walk to their dam for a swim ( there are no crocs…) and enjoy an excellent guided walking safari. And yes, buffaloes, elephants, giraffes and lions are all present here. It’s fascinating to be among workers from the ranch and get to see how at ease they are in the wilderness. 

The ranch holds camels for meat, and some of these camels are trained so you can go on camel safari. Getting so close to other animals was an extraordinary and peaceful experience. In the afternoon, we joined training with their tracking dogs, which they use to combat wildlife poaching.

Mid-range

• Ol Maisor Camp