Laikipia Plateau

Laikipia is a mid-altitude plateau, which formerly consisted of community and ranch land. It has been turned into a patchwork of private game reserves, with vast ranches where cattle and wildlife live alongside each other. This is prime Big Five territory at the base of snow-capped Mount Kenya. It is also home to many indigenous communities including the Laikipia Maasai and Samburu.

Pros & Cons

Excellent wildlife viewing with all of the Big Five easy to spot
Wildlife densities are similar to the Masai Mara
Many different experiences and accommodation styles available
Night drives, horse riding and walking safaris available
Stunning views of Mount Kenya
Active ranches, with cattle and fences, reduce the wilderness appeal
Most wildlife has been re-introduced which can lack authenticity

Laikipia Plateau is home to all of the Big Five. The different ranches offer very different wildlife experiences, and some have better animal densities than others. However, in general, the wildlife viewing is excellent. The plateau supports thousands of elephants and plenty of predators. Most of the reserves have a good population of both black and white rhino.

Wildlife Highlights

Laikipia is home to more than 70% of the world’s remaining Grevy's zebra population. It also has healthy numbers of wild dogs. The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary at Ol Pejeta supports the country’s only chimpanzee population. The chimpanzees live on an island and can be viewed from an observation tower.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Many lodges are closed in April, May and November due to rain. The soil in the region is mostly black cotton soil, which becomes very difficult to navigate after heavy rain. The best time for wildlife viewing is from July to September and January to March.

More than 350 recorded species makes Laikipia Plateau a great birding destination – this includes many north Kenya specials. The variety in habitats reflects in the variety in birdlife ranging from arid ground

dwelling birds like sandgrouse to colorful forest species such as turacos and grassland species such as bustards. Raptors are well represented as well

Birding Specials–Treats for Avid Birders

Best Time for Bird Watching

The Laikipia Plateau offers good bird watching throughout the year, but the best time is from November to April when the migrants from Europe and north Africa are present. This partly coincides with the Wet season, when many species can be seen in breeding plumage as they are nesting. Some lodges are closed in April, May and November due to heavy rain. The best time for general wildlife viewing is from July to September and January to March.

Best Time to Visit – Laikipia

There is good wildlife watching year-round at Laikipia Plateau, although heavy downpours can impede your safari. The condition of the roads can become a problem in the Wet season, and some lodges will close in April, May and November. The best wildlife viewing overall is in the Dry season from June to September.

Best Time June to September (Dry season)

High Season June to October and December to March (Some lodges get busy)

Low Season April, May and November (Roads might be in bad condition and some lodges are closed)

Best Weather June to September and December to February (Less rain)

Worst Weather March, April, May and October, November (Short and long rains)

June to September –Dry Season

It is mostly sunny with little rain
Animals congregate around water sources and are easier to spot
Vegetation is thinner which aids in spotting animals
The roads are in good condition, and off-road driving is permitted in some reserves
Some lodges and reserves get very busy
There is a lot of dust in the sky and the scenery is less spectacular

Wildlife Photos

October to May –Wet Season

The reserves are less busy and low season rates might apply
Bird watching is excellent and migratory birds are present
There are many newborn animals
The scenery is lush and the air is clear and crisp which means stunning views of Mount Kenya when the clouds lift
There are many overcast days
The grass is long which makes smaller animals harder to spot
Road conditions can be bad
Off-road driving won’t be possible
Rain can interfere with game drives

The climate is cool and temperate. Temperatures are uniform throughout the year as a result of being so close to the equator. Daytime temperatures are in the mid to high twenties, while it cools off considerably at night. Warm clothing for early morning game drives is strongly recommended.

Dry season–June to September

The Dry season has mostly sunny days, but it can rain at any time. Temperatures don’t vary too much and are around 26°C/78°F. It is cold at nighttime and in the early mornings as the temperature is around 10°C/50°F.

June & July – Although it can rain at any time, days are mostly sunny. The average afternoon temperature is 26°C/78°F. Don’t forget warm clothing for early morning game drives.
August & September – During the month of August, rain increases a little, but temperatures pick up slightly as well. Afternoon temperatures reach up to 28°C/82°F.

Wet season–October to May

A drier period, from December to February, interrupts the Wet season and separates the ‘short rains’ and the ‘long rains’. Days are often overcast, but it seldom rains all day. It is cold in the morning and warm clothing is necessary.

October & November – ‘Short rains’: The rains normally begin sometime in October. Afternoon temperatures are around 27°C/73°F.
December, January & February – There is not as much rainfall in this period, which separates the short and long rains. It will still rain some days, however.
March, April & May – ‘Long rains’: The wettest month is April. There is a lot of rain but it doesn’t always shower the whole day. Driving is more problematic as tracks can get slippery. Early mornings are warmer with average temperatures around 11°C/52°F.

The drive to Laikipia Plateau takes about four to eight hours from Nairobi and three to seven hours from Lake Nakuru, depending on which reserve you are visiting. Most people visit Laikipia by private charter from Nairobi or other parks. It is also possible to charter a flight from Nanyuki, the nearest town. All the reserves within Laikipia have airstrips. Nairobi is one of Africa’s largest transport hubs. International flights arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), 15km/9mi southeast of Nairobi.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner, or for multiple-destination flights check Expedia, to see which airlines can take you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), and what tickets would cost.

www.skyscanner.com
www.expedia.com

Domestic Flights

Charter flights between parks are usually booked by tour operators as part of their tour package. There are scheduled flights from Nairobi to some of the reserves in Laikipia Plateau. Flights leave from Wilson Airport (WIL), 6km/4mi south of Nairobi. Scheduled flights to Nanyuki can be booked via the following domestic carriers:

Airkenya
Safarilink

Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements

Please check our Getting There – Kenya page to learn more about passport, visa and other entry requirements.

Want to Visit Laikipia?

Laikipia safaris and tours
Tour operators for Laikipia

Safety

In our opinion, it is generally safe to visit Laikipia Plateau, especially when on an organized tour. Independent travelers should always seek local advice before heading out. For more general advice about traveling around Laikipia and Kenya we recommend checking the government travel advisories listed on the ‘Safety & Security – Kenya’ page (see link below).

Malaria & Vaccinations

There are several vaccinations needed before traveling to Kenya. Malaria is present in Laikipia and antimalarials are recommended. The use of mosquito repellent (those containing DEET are most effective) and covering up in the evening help greatly to minimize the risk of getting bitten.

Malaria & Vaccinations – Kenya

Wildlife Viewing

As long as you pay attention to the instructions given by your guide, you should be safe while viewing wildlife in Laikipia. For more information, please read the ‘Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions’ below.

Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions

Wildlife viewing is generally very safe in our opinion. A professional guide will ensure your safety on a guided safari. Self-drive safaris are safe as well, as long as you treat animals with respect and follow all park rules. It is extremely rare for incidents to occur. Below are some general safety guidelines and tips.

Always follow your guide’s instructions and guidelines
Always keep your voice down when close to animals
Stay in the car during game drives except at designated areas where you are allowed to get out
Don't stand up in the car, hang out of the window or sit on the roof
Don’t drive too close to animals if you are on a self-drive safari and back off if the animals seem disturbed
Don’t drive between elephants in a herd, especially females and their young
Stay together as a group close to your guide on a walking safari and always walk in single file
Never run or jog in a wildlife area as it entices predators to attack
Never walk between a hippo and water; it may panic and charge because its safety route to the water is blocked
Never leave food in your tent; it will attract wildlife
Cover your arms and legs in the evening and use insect repellent to protect against mosquitoes
Wear a hat, use sunscreen and drink plenty of water
Don't wear bright and colorful clothes or too much perfume – especially on walking safaris
In tsetse-fly areas it is recommended not to wear dark-colored clothing – such as black or dark blue – since it attracts these stinging flies
Bring warm clothes for morning game drives in open vehicles

African safaris are generally safe in our opinion. Especially if your visit is primarily an organized tour. Your tour operator and guide will ensure your safety at all times. Self-drive safaris are generally safe as well, but it is recommended to seek advice about the safety of the areas you intend to visit. Below are some general safety tips:

Buy good travel and health insurance
Check the passport and visa requirements for your destination
Get all the required vaccinations, antimalarial medication and insect repellent (those containing DEET are most effective)
Lock all your travel bags and keep all valuables in your hand luggage
Make duplicates of important travel documents or keep copies online
Bring appropriate clothing to protect against the sun, mosquitoes and to stay warm on open vehicle game drives
Check luggage restrictions on all your flights (including domestic flights)
Don't drive at night
Put your valuables in the safety deposit box of the hotel
Always be polite and respectful to police officers and military personnel. In the rare instance that you might get asked for a bribe (on a self-drive safari only), a light attitude and a joke might well get you off the hook.

Travel in Africa is generally safe in our opinion. Especially if on an organized tour or safari. However, as is the case all over the world, there is an increased risk of crime in large cities and urban areas. Visitors on guided activities are mostly shielded from these risks and their guide will ensure their safety. When unguided, normal safety precautions and common sense should keep you safe. Below are some general tips:

Ask at your hotel if it is safe to walk around the local area; when new in a place it’s always good to seek local advice on safety issues
Don’t wear jewelry when walking in cities and leave all valuables in a safety deposit box at your hotel
Avoid walking alone in a large, unfamiliar city
Don’t walk around at night; take a taxi
Avoid getting engaged with people approaching you in the street
Be careful when drawing money from an ATM; go elsewhere if you suspect people hanging around
Always lock your car doors and close windows when driving in busy towns
Never leave a car unattended with valuables or luggage visible