November 2, 2026
Key takeaways
- Ol Pejeta describes itself as the largest black rhino sanctuary in East and Central Africa, with more than 165 eastern black rhinos and 44 southern white rhinos.
- The only two northern white rhinos left in the world, Najin and Fatu, live here under 24-hour protection.
- At the time of writing (November 2026), the conservancy entry fee for a non-resident adult is US$110, and most special activities cost US$70 per adult.
- The drive from Nairobi is about 220 km. Gates open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm and are cashless.
- Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, inside the conservancy, cares for 35 chimpanzees rescued from the pet and bushmeat trades.
What is an Ol Pejeta Conservancy safari and why is it different?
An Ol Pejeta Conservancy safari is a visit to a not-for-profit wildlife conservancy on the Laikipia plateau, between the Aberdare range and Mount Kenya, near the town of Nanyuki. Unlike a national park, the 90,000 acres are held in trust for conservation, and visitors can book activities that ordinary parks do not offer, such as night game drives, lion tracking and guided bush walks.
Wildlife you can expect
- Rhinos: black and southern white rhinos are seen on most game drives.
- The rest of the Big Five: elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard all live here. Leopards are present but shy, so no sighting can be promised.
- Northern species: reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra and Jackson’s hartebeest, which you will not find in the Masai Mara.
How many rhinos live in Ol Pejeta, and can you see the northern white rhino?
Ol Pejeta holds more than 165 eastern black rhinos and 44 southern white rhinos, according to the conservancy’s own figures, plus the last two northern white rhinos in existence. Yes, you can visit the northern whites, but only on a booked, paid experience.
The northern white rhinos: Najin and Fatu
Najin and her daughter Fatu are both female. They arrived from a zoo in the Czech Republic in 2009 along with two males, Sudan and Suni. Suni died in 2014 and Sudan, the last male, died in 2018, which left the subspecies functionally extinct.
An international consortium called BioRescue is trying to save the northern white rhino through assisted reproduction. Eggs collected from Fatu are fertilised with stored sperm, and the embryos are frozen for transfer into southern white rhino surrogate mothers. In April 2026 the conservancy reported that 39 pure northern white rhino embryos had been produced and six embryo transfers attempted, with no lasting pregnancy so far.
The “Meet the Northern White Rhinos” visit is listed at US$70 per adult in the 2026 tariff guide. Ask for it when you book your safari.
Ol Pejeta rhinos on a normal game drive
You do not need a special activity to see rhinos. Southern whites graze in the open and are easy to find. Black rhinos browse in thicker bush and are more often seen early or late in the day.
What is the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary?
Sweetwaters is a refuge inside Ol Pejeta for chimpanzees rescued from the illegal pet trade and bushmeat trade in West and Central Africa. It opened in 1993, when a rescue centre in Burundi had to close because of civil war, and it now cares for 35 chimpanzees.
Chimpanzees are not native to Kenya. Their natural range runs from Senegal through Central Africa to Uganda, so this is a sanctuary, not a wild population. The animals live in large natural enclosures and sleep indoors at night.
Visiting arrangements have changed in recent years. The 2026 tariff guide lists a behind-the-scenes chimpanzee experience at US$70 per adult, so check what is open on your dates when you book.
How much does it cost to visit Ol Pejeta in 2026?
At the time of writing (November 2026), the conservancy’s published tariff guide for January to December 2026 sets the entry fee for a non-resident adult at US$110. Day visitors pay a single entrance fee, and overnight guests get 24 hours per fee.
Entry fees
- Non-residents: US$110 per adult, US$55 per child aged 3 to 11, US$32 per student.
- East African residents: KSh 3,500 per adult.
- East African citizens: KSh 2,000 per adult.
Proof of citizenship or residency is required for the lower rates. Gates are cashless, and tickets are booked online in advance.
Activity fees
Most optional activities are priced at US$70 per adult: the northern white rhino visit, lion tracking, night game drive, guided bush walk or bird walk, rhino monitoring and wild dog tracking. Some have age limits. Night game drives run in two slots, 7:00 to 9:00 pm and 9:00 to 11:00 pm, and must be booked at least a day ahead.
Fees can change from January, so confirm the current figures on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy website or ask us for an up-to-date quote. On a guided safari, entry fees are normally built into the package price.
How do you get to Ol Pejeta from Nairobi?
Most visitors reach Ol Pejeta from Nairobi by road. The conservancy puts the distance at about 220 km and the drive at four to four and a half hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.
The route runs north on the main highway towards Nanyuki. Entry and exit are through the Rongai and Serat gates only, open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm daily.
Road or air?
- By road: the usual choice, and the tarmac is good most of the way. Tracks inside the conservancy are dirt, so vehicle choice matters. Our guide to the safari Land Cruiser vs minivan explains the difference.
- By air: scheduled light aircraft fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Nanyuki, followed by a road transfer. Schedules vary by season, so we check them at the time of booking.
When is the best time to visit, and how long should you stay?
Ol Pejeta is a year-round destination, but the drier months, roughly June to October and mid-December to March, give the easiest game viewing and the firmest tracks. Plan at least one night, and two if you want to add a night drive or the northern white rhino visit.
- Dry months: shorter grass, and animals gather near water.
- Rainy months (typically April, May and November): green scenery, fewer vehicles and good birdlife, but some tracks turn muddy.
- Temperature: the plateau sits at high altitude, so early mornings and nights are cold all year. Pack a warm layer for game drives.
A day trip from Nairobi is possible but leaves eight to nine hours on the road for only a few hours of wildlife. One night gives you an afternoon and a morning game drive.
Ol Pejeta at a glance
| Question | Answer (November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Location | Laikipia plateau, near Nanyuki |
| Size | 90,000 acres |
| Distance from Nairobi | About 220 km, 4 to 4.5 hours by road |
| Gates and hours | Rongai and Serat, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, cashless |
| Non-resident entry fee | US$110 adult, US$55 child (3 to 11) |
| Rhinos | 165+ black, 44 southern white, 2 northern white |
| Chimpanzees | 35 rescued chimpanzees at Sweetwaters |
| Typical paid activity | US$70 per adult (night drive, lion tracking, northern white rhino visit) |
| Suggested stay | 1 to 2 nights |
How does Ol Pejeta fit into a longer Kenya safari?
Ol Pejeta works best as the first stop on a circuit that continues to the Rift Valley lakes and the Masai Mara.
A common pattern is Ol Pejeta, then Lake Nakuru National Park, then the Masai Mara National Reserve. Our 5-day Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara safari follows that order.
How Ramja Safaris can help
We plan guided trips to Ol Pejeta from Nairobi, on its own or combined with Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara, and we pre-book activities such as the northern white rhino visit and night game drives. Browse our Ol Pejeta Conservancy tours, or request a quote with your dates and group size and we will send a tailored itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ol Pejeta worth visiting if I am already going to the Masai Mara?
Yes, if rhinos matter to you. Rhino sightings in the Masai Mara are uncommon, while Ol Pejeta has more than 200 rhinos of three kinds on 90,000 acres. It also has northern species such as Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe that do not live in the Mara.
Can you see the Big Five in Ol Pejeta?
All of the Big Five live in Ol Pejeta: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Leopards are present but elusive, so nobody can promise a sighting.
How much is the Ol Pejeta entry fee for international visitors?
At the time of writing (November 2026), the published 2026 tariff is US$110 per non-resident adult, US$55 per child aged 3 to 11 and US$32 per student. Optional activities are extra, mostly US$70 per adult. Confirm current rates before you travel, because fees are reviewed each year.
How many northern white rhinos are left?
Two, both female: Najin and her daughter Fatu. They live at Ol Pejeta under round-the-clock protection. Scientists have created embryos from Fatu’s eggs and stored sperm, and hope a southern white rhino surrogate will carry a calf.
Can I do Ol Pejeta as a day trip from Nairobi?
It is possible, but the drive is four to four and a half hours each way, which leaves only a few hours inside the conservancy. An overnight stay gives you an afternoon and an early morning game drive, when animals are most active.
