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Laikipia and Lewa Downs


The Laikipia Plateau stretches from the foothills of the Aberdares, across vast open plains to the Northern Frontier District and the Mathews Range.

The region much of which lies in the shadow of Mount Kenya nurtures exceptional wildlife and cultural diversity, home to many communities including the Laikipiak Maasai and the Samburu tribes.

Laikipia was originally settled by European cattle ranchers but the fences have now been removed and wildlife conservancies established in partnership with local communities. Whilst ranching is still the mainstay of the area wildlife now roams freely throughout the region and this is perhaps the best place in Africa to see sustainable wildlife tourism in action.

The Lakipia Plateau has the second highest wildlife density in Kenya after the Maasai Mara including the "big five", some rare Northern Species such as Beisa Oryx and Gevy's Zebra and it is also the best place in Kenya to see African Wild Dog. The Laikipia Plateau and the Conservancies within it play an important role in wildlife conservation in Kenya and are instrumental in the preservation of Kenya's remaining Black Rhino. 

One of the main things of interest to visitors is the imaginative range of adventure and safari activities available in Laikipia. These include tracking Rhinos. elephants and predators on foot with resident researchers at Ol Pejeta, camel trekking and horse riding at Lewa and sleep outs on Star Beds at Loisaba or Ol Pejeta.

Most Lodges offer cultural visits  with the chance to visit genuine Maasai and Samburu Villages or go trekking with warriors.

Climbing Mount Kenya is also a popular activity in the region.

The Laikipia combines perfectly with a few days in the Maasai Mara or one of Kenya's more remote wilderness destinations such as Shaba or Meru and a few days on the coast in Lamu or Mombasa.

In our opinion the Laikipia Plateau should be included on any safari cicuit in Kenya and provides a contrast which complements other famous wildlife reserves in Kenya such as Amboseli National Park or the Maasai Mara Reserve.