Laikipia County Tourism

Laikipia is a vast expanse of wild county in the central highlands of Kenya - it covers almost 2 million acres and runs from Mt Kenya in the East to the Rift Valley in the west. Laikipia lies outside the jurisdiction of National Parks, and is somewhere to get out of a vehicle and embrace the numerous safari activities that Kenya has to offer.

Laikipia is today an interesting amalgam of land that's almost all either privately or communally owned, whether by large-scale ranchers, small subsistence farmers, Maasai or Samburu communities. From the perspective of the visitor, Laikipia is about freedom and a chance to experience the lifestyle of those who live here.

Ranging from the foothills of Mt Kenya towards the north and west, the vegetation varies from indigenous forest to rock, arid scrub and steep river valleys. This area sees relatively little rainfall but can be deceptively cold at night during certain times of the year. The Laikipia Wildlife Forum has been very active in promoting collaboration amongst it's members and so this area has become an important conservation body, with ranches involving themselves in eco-tourism and conservation projects both within their own land and alongside the local communities.

Laikipia Wilderness Camp

Laikipia Wilderness Camp is a private camp on the Ol Doinyo Lemboro Ranch made up of 5 tents, one of which is perfectly equipped for families with young children. The main thatched mess building is composed of a dining room, bar and a library overlooking the river. The Camp has beautiful views of Mt Kenya and the wilderness and blends sympathetically into this stunning area of true wilderness. The wildlife in the surrounding area is supreme, being one of the best Wild Dog spotting sites Kenya has to offer, with the fastest growing population in Africa.The area is also fantastic for spotting elephants, Giraffes, Hippo, Grevy Zebra, Leopard, Lion, Stripped and spotted Hyena, aardwolf, aardvark and over 250 bird species

Laikipia is like nowhere else in Africa. Miles and miles of unfenced wilderness, beautiful scenery, wildlife that is on the increase. A perfect climate, wonderful people still very close to their traditions and proud, and the freedom to explore this haven any way you can imagine. An unendless open plain in Laikipia boasts a wonderfully variable landscape; rocky outcrops, little rivers, riverine forest, acacia woodland, open plains and escarpments.

Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

Taita Hills Sanctuary is a private wildlife conservancy of 28,000 acres at the foot of the Taita Hills bordering Tsavo West National Park, one of the world's largest game reserves.The Sanctuary is a success story in sustainable conservation where wildlife - including elephant, lion, buffalo and giraffe - thrive. Game drives are tightly controlled to ensure that animals are not harassed and some areas are completely closed to vehicles. This commitment to responsible ecotourism, which has been so well supported by visitors, ensures that the Sanctuary and all its wildlife will continue to prosper. the landscape is dramatic and all the plains wildlife is here in abundance. The landscape provides a dramatic beautiful scenery with abundance of plain wildlife in the sanctuary as the wildlife roams freely even from the neighbouring Tsavo park.

The sanctuary has two main Lodges, Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge and Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge.

Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge offers unparalleled safari experience. The entire lodge is raised on high stilts above the watering holes therefore its offers a spectacular view of the wildlife from above and with close proximity in their natural habitat. The magnificent Sarova Salt Lick Game lodge is located in the midst of Taita Hills Sanctuary. It is a perfect place in the midst of the wildlife where you explore natural wild environment even at the comfort of your balcony.

Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge.

This game lodge offers a truly exclusive bush experience. It is situated within the wildlife sanctuary at the foot Taita Hills and adjacent to Tsavo West National Park. The lodge similary provides a rare experience of close proximity to the wildlife and a viewing gallery from comfort of your room balcony.

Soysambu Conservancy

Soysambu conservancy is substantial part of Lake Elementaita which is a UNSECO World Heritage site and a Ramsar site. The conservancy nestle between Lake Elementaita and Lake Nakuru, the ancestral home of thousands of flamingos both the Greater and Lesser which feed on the lake’s crustacean and insect larvae and on its suspended blue-green algae and their attendant cast of pelicans who nest here, cormorants, waders and storks. Within the shelter of the crater, wander large herds of buffalo, within the acacia thickets graze the rare Rothschild’s giraffe, and across the plains bound an ever-shifting kaleidoscope of plain’s game. This conservancy promotes sustainable coexistence of wildlife with livestock.

The Conservancy also protects over 450 bird species and 15,000 wild animals.  The endangered Rothschild giraffes have found a safe haven for breeding here, while a diverse variety of terrain shelters many species - from herds of giant elands to tiny dik-diks and cliff-dwelling klipspringers. Night game-drives offer a unique opportunity to spot nocturnal creatures including the curious-looking aardvark and elusive leopard.  Walking is also allowed, with chances to experience the miracles of the bush close-up.

With the wide varieties of birds, this has turned to be a birding site as well.

Privacy for Honeymooners is guaranteed as there are no people close to the conservancy.

Mumbo Island Malawi

Mumbo Island is a pristine and deserted tropical floating on the expansive waters of the Lake Malawi National Park. With a maze of massive underwater boulders, innumerable species of colourful cichlid fish and calm, clear waters. The National Park offers what many consider the best freshwater snorkeling and scuba diving in the world.

 The Island is only 1 Km in diameter and has never been populated thus it remains natural, unspoilt and perfect for a holiday vacation.

Mumbo camp has 14 furnished tents thatched and canvas, perched on high rocks overlooking the water, blending with the lush foliage to create a rustic charm.

The Island camp is set within an exclusive area guaranteeing privacy in the tropical Island paradise

Lake Turkana Hidden Gem

The lunar landscape around Lake Turkana, a northern Rift Valley lake in Kenya, is a true spectacle. Lake Turkana is the largest permanent desert lake in the world and it is jam packed with large Nile crocodiles. The desert landscape is a paleontologists dream come true, as early hominid remains continue to be unearthed by the Leakey family around Koobi Fora. The Lake itself is a shimmering entity that changes color with the wind. The area is home to various unique tribes and one of the main attractions for visitors. Turkana is off the beaten track.

Sibiloi National Park

The track passes Loiyangalani and leads to the headquarters of Kenya's most remote national park, Sibiloi, at Alia Bay. Though extremely windblown and arid, the Park has a surprising variety of wildlife including Grevy's zebra, ostrich, gerenuk, oryx and a unique sub-race of topi called the Tiang.

The park boundaries extend a kilometer into the lake so encompassing many of Turkana's huge population of Nile crocodile. Turkana's crocodile population, which numbers around 12,000 is the largest single surviving community. Within the park is a petrified forest, surviving to tell the tale that 7 million years ago this area was lush and densely forested. A little further north is Koobi Fora, a sand spit and the headquarters, since 1969, of a small fossil hunting group started by Dr. Richard Leakey. There is a small museum here dedicated to the finds of this team and especially to Bernard Ngeneo whose discovery of a fragment of a fossilised skull led to '1470' (its laboratory catalogue number) being labeled as belonging to the genus Homo a member of our direct ancestors who lived and died close to the lake shore about two million years ago. Koobi Fora is, of course, more easily reached by light aircraft, which can land at a nearby strip.

The Lake has three Island, the central being the breeding zone for the Nile Crocodile. Big game fishing is a spectacular sport on the lake and nile perch have been landed exceeding 100 kilos. Sport fishing for the ferocious tiger fish is also available and a quieter time can be had fishing for tilapia, the best fish for eating in Kenya. Turkana is renowned for its impressive variety of birdlife. Ferguson's Gulf is a wonderful place, in March and April, to view the northward flight of European passage migrants. Resident water birds are plentiful and many nest on Central Island. Flamingo can be seen in many parts of the lake.

AZURA BENGUERRA A PERFECT ISLAND ESCAPE...

Imagine an unspoiled island within a pristine Marine National Park. Miles of deserted beaches with soft white sand. Sparkling turquoise seas, crisscrossed by local dhow boats plying their trade. Swaying palms, gentle breezes, sunny days and star studded nights. Azura Benguerra's villas blend modern chic with all that is traditional in Mozambique. The creature comforts you would expect from a luxury boutique retreat are there, set off by beautifully carved furnishings and traditional artwork beneath a local thatched jekka roof. All the villas at Azura are just footsteps away from the beach, yet designed with seclusion in mind. 

Azura is the area’s first luxury eco-boutique retreat. Built entirely by hand in partnership with the local community, it has just 18 villas, each with their own private pool stretching out to the Indian Ocean beyond, and designed for the ultimate undiscovered getaway. 

With wonderful cuisine, friendly Mozambican service and a vast range of activities and experiences, including a unique African spa, it’s the perfect island escape. 

The Presidential Villa is perfect for a family holiday with the villa sleeping 4 adults and 2 children, or for the couple who is looking for the ultimate spoil by staying in the most luxurious villa in the Bazaruto Archipelago. 

Villa Amizade has a wonderful location on the western end of the property with magnificent sea and sunset views. This 2 bedroom en-suite villa is perfect for families, friends or those requiring a little more relaxation space.

A kaleidoscope of colour greets you above and below the ocean. Magnificent reefs for diving and snorkelling, home to the turtles that nest on the island’s outer shores. Migrating whales, dolphins, and the elusive and protected dugong ply these waters, along with marlin, sailfish and tuna to tempt the sportsfishermen.

On land, towering sand dunes give way to indigenous bush abundant with local flora and fauna, an interesting variety of birdlife, as well as the odd crocodile or two at the lakes. The island’s local people make for fascinating cultural encounters, and the starry night sky is quite magnificent to behold.

Honeymoon Heaven

Imagine yourself in a beautiful beachfront villa, with sunset cocktail of the day in hand, before enjoying a candle-lit dinner with your feet in the sand. Hold hands, watch for shooting stars, and make a wish.

Morocco Holiday

Morocco is among the most diverse countries in Africa, with high mountains, sweeping desert, rugged coastline, and the winding alleyways of ancient medina cities and souqs. From Saharan dunes to the peaks of the High Atlas. Lyrical landscapes carpet this sublime slice of North Africa like the richly coloured and patterned rugs you’ll lust after in local cooperatives.

The varied terrain may inform your dreams, but it shapes the very lives of Morocco’s Berbers, Arabs and Saharawi’s. Despite encroaching modernity, with motorways joining mosques and kasbahs as man-made features of the landscape.

Often exotic, sometimes overwhelming and always unexpected, these ancient centres are bursting with Maghrebi mystique and madness: the perfect complement to the serene countryside

Borana Conservancy Laikipia

 Borana provides an idyllic setting for any African experience with the snow-tipped peaks and glaciers of Mount Kenya to the south and a panorama of mountains and desert to the north. Borana Conservancy is a private ranch dedicated in protecting the endangered species, like the Rhinos, elephant and Grevy Zebra just to mention but a few. 
Borana offers some of the most thrilling, authentic and unique ways to encounter Kenya’s wildlife and wilderness .  The conservancy has retained this land as pristine wilderness that guests are able to enjoy first hand, be it walking through the bush, riding on ranch horses or mountain bikes, driving in the open-top safari vehicles, or lounging at the infinity pool and enjoying the view. Borana guarantees exclusivity, making every aspect of the safari experience personal, peaceful and uninterrupted - giving guests the rare opportunity to be totally immersed in nature.

The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille Conservancy

The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille in the hills of the Laikipia Plateau in Kenya is a breathtaking place and a great base from which to explore this fascinating area. It is also vital keystone in the protection of the Laikipia and greater Ewaso Nyiro ecosystems. Covering an area of 30,000 square kilometres, Laikipia is the second largest wildlife ecosystem in Kenya after Tsavo. Laikipia is the richest ecosystem in Kenya in terms of endangered species, and is the richest ecosystem in Kenya in terms of wildlife diversity. Laikipia is second only to the Maasai Mara in terms of wildlife density, and is the only district in Kenya where overall wildlife numbers are increases. The variable sceneries of open plains, rocky outcrop, acacia woodlands and riverine forests offers an amazing scenery for visitors.

This is a perfect place for couples, honeymooners and Families with activities to engage in like:

• Game drives – day and night
• Walking – day and night
• Horse riding (at extra charge)
• Camel riding
• Mountain biking

Enjoy massage, therapies and beauty treatments, in the tranquillity of the African landscape of Ol Lentille Conservancy. Treatments include Swedish massage, hot stone massage, aromatherapy, Indian head massage, facials, manicures and pedicures. 

Amazing Kenya Retreat

Amazing Kenya retreat is 45 Minutes away from Nairobi city on a free flow traffic.  Its a wonderful real African bush experience boosted by the wildlife. There is a wide variety of activities to engage in like:

Game Walks

Game walks and Nature walks can be enjoyed throughout the 6000 acres of Savannah grassland. Come close to the plain game as giraffes, wildebeests, zebras, Elands, Grant’s gazelles, Thompson’s gazelles, monkey's and Kirks dikdik. It will give you the real bush experience and offer opportunity's to take beautiful pictures of animals and indigenous plants.

Horse Riding

The horses are fully trained in all disciplines mostly thoroughbreds of varying ages and temperaments. Riders that are not up to the horses’ standard will be led.

Birding

Take time to enjoy the birdlife of the Savannah around the dams. There are a wide varieties of birds in Maanzoni Plains.

Bush Breakfast

After a early morning walk around the Plains a breakfast will be set at an open ground where you will be spotting the game as you enjoy your breakfast. Later you'll be dropped at Amazing Kenya Retreat.

Lake Bogoria Getaway

Lake Bogoria is one of many saline, alkaline lakes in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, just north of the equator. It’s 34km² in size.

Famous for its geysers and hot springs, the lake is home to one of the world’s largest populations of lesser flamingos. Lake Bogoria has been a National Reserve since 1973 and was designated a Ramsar site in 2001.

The soda waters of the lake attract massive flocks of Flamingo, and the lake is often carpeted with pink. The lake is still volcanically active, and the Western shore is lined with spouting geysers, spurting steam and bubbling geothermal pools. Fresh water springs at the lake edge attract an abundance of birds and wildlife.

Lake Bogoria is possibly the most interesting of the Kenyan Rift Valley lakes.

There are many Fish Eagles, which often prey on the local flamingos. The shores are always lined with Gazelle, Zebra, Baboons and this is one of the best places to see Greater Kudu.

Olkaria Natural Spa Naivasha

Naivasha has an ending activities that keeps travelers alive and to full blast. Olkaria spa, a natural recreational facility powered directly by energy that emanates from the underground. The spa, approximated to be about 3,600 square metres and 5 feet deep and is set to have a children’s pool on the side . The natural spa has four interconnected hot water lagoons. The pool is constructed with terraces all around it that minimize the chances of drowning. The terraces also act as staircases defining levels one can go into the water. At some levels, water reaches as far as your knee but as you go deeper to the lower inner terraces, the mineral-rich water can go as far as your neck. The spa has therapeutic characteristics on the central nervous system and muscle relaxation especially for those suffering from arthritis. It’s a fun family spot for a weekend getaway.

 The spa is within Hell’s gate National Park where you can also engage in biking, rocking, walking, game drives and also visit the devils bedroom at Hells gate gorge.  Lake Naivasha is within a close proximity therefore you can enjoy boat ride and a visit to Crescent Island too. Mountain climbing can be done as well at Mount Longonot if organized.

Endless fun in Naivasha throughout the year.

Lake Baringo Getaway

The Lake Baringo is at the threshold of Northern Kenya and is an oasis in the arid plains. This is an amazing getaway with friends especially at the Island Camp .It is located at the narrowest part of the Great Rift Valley and is surrounded by the Tugen Hills volcanic range (El Gaylo) on the west and the Laikipia Escarpment. The lake was around 50 square miles in area until the early 2000’s until the dramatic increase in water since 2011; so much so, it is now estimated to be over 100 sq. miles. The lake is now well stocked with fish (with restocking by Omega Farms Ltd.), and attracts many Cormorants and Fish Eagles as well as other water birds. The Lake is also well populated with Crocodiles and Hippos.

There are more activities to engage like:

BIRD WATCHING NATURE WALKS
Enjoy an easy walk around the resort grounds with an experienced bird watcher. About one and a half hours.

BOAT EXCURSIONS.
Take a morning boat ride around Ol Kokwe and Rock of Gibraltar with an experienced bird and animal guide who can call and feed the fish eagles.  Morning light is best for bird photography.

Longer boat excursions around the lake including “Giraffe Island” can also be arranged.  The Island is on the Ruko Conservancy.  Several years ago 8 giraffe were brought by ferry to the island which was then a peninsula with the plan that when the lake dried up more they would locate to the mainland.  With the unexpected rise in water levels they are now isolated on the island with other wildlife including ostriches, impala, rock hyraxes and large monitor lizards.

We can arrange a morning nature walk around Giraffe Island with a conservancy ranger followed by a Champagne Breakfast.

EXCURSION TO LAKE BOGORIA TO WATCH FLAMINGOS
 we can organize this with a picnic breakfast or lunch for your own excursion (usually around 4 hours).

WATER SPORTS
We can provide a boat and water skis for your water sport fun or, for the more conservative, we have a “donut” for you to ride behind the boat.

SUNDOWNERS
We can arrange sundowners on the lake by boat, on Rock of Gibraltar, or at the Look Out Point down from the swimming pool.  Or sit and watch the sunset at the pool or either bar areas while conversing with your friends and family and your favourite cocktail.

Zanzibar June special offer

Zanzibar is the ultimate Indian Ocean experience with its brilliant white beaches lapped by the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean provide the perfect place to relax, soak up the sun and take a break. There are more than 25 fantastic beaches in Zanzibar, and some are so peaceful and remote that the only noise breaking the silence is likely to be the ocean. 

At the northern tip of the island is Nungwi, approached by a road lined by banana palms, mangroves and coconut trees. This is the dhow building capital of Zanzibar island, so it is a good place to see traditional craftsmen at work. 

On the west coast of Zanzibar, Mangapwani beach is worth a visit, and to the east are the beaches of Matemwe, Pwani Mchangani, Kiwengwa, Uroa, Bwejuu and Jambiani, all with stretches of beautiful white sands. 

Zanzibar also boasts several small offshore islands which are ideal for a day-trip. Prison (or Changu) island is the most popular with tourists because it is only a short trip from Stone Town. Originally, it was used by Arabs to detain recalcitrant slaves, and then a jail was built by the British, but it was never actually used.