Kenya - Wild Camping In Laikipia

Laikipia is a vast area which has abundance of wildlife and other beautiful attraction. There are many wildlife conservancy and other ranches that support wildlife and more so eco tourism activities. The best packages are offered by the community managed parks/reserves. They have developed the very best eco lodges and campsites that are to be found all over the world. They are first class facilities and though they have a premium charge, it a value for money products. Laikipia is a competitor of the "Seventh wonders of the world" - Masai Mara National reserve. Below, have a few select sanctuaries:

1. Sanctuary of Ol Lentille.

This sanctuary has a house Perched on the flanks of a wooded rock kopje, in the heart of our private conservancy, is The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille - a collection of four private, full-service, fully staffed houses for the discerning few. "Your Own Place in the African Wilderness". The activities are varied and diverse, Horse riding, camel trekking, mountain biking, rock climbing and scrambling, walking, game tracking, light aircraft and helicopter trips, 4x4 driving, quad biking, boules and croquet, a parcours jogging trail, and cultural lectures and demonstrations. Though the Sanctuary is all-inclusive except for rare wines, vintage champagne, aircraft and helicopter. Optionally, arrangements can be made for fly-in grouse shooting or trout fishing.

2. Kaptuya Conservancy

This little known community-based conservation project is located in western Laikipia. It is still in its pristine state and thus the natural environment. This area has varied topography and is a home to over 400 species of birds and 800 plant species. The campsite is located in rocky hill which is covered with small trees and green shrubbery, including African Olive and Combretum. 6,200 feet above sea level, surrounded by steep valleys and undulating hills, this is paradise for birds of prey. If you camp it this area you are likely to see elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, Greater Kudu and wild dog that roam through the region. The campsite has a Firewood is available though there are toilet facilities that have no washing facilities. Activities to involve your self include, walking, hiking & biking: Visitors must be accompanied by a local guide on all walks and hikes, Cultural Interaction are also an advantage of visiting this are.

3. Mukogodo Forest Reserve

This forest is located in north eastern Laikipia; it has natural indigenous forest with 170 identified vegetation species including podo, olive and cedar - clothed with lichen, ferns and orchids. The forest and its adjacent rangelands are a haven for birds, butterflies and wildlife including elephant, buffalo, leopard, wild dog, aardvark, tree hyrax, bush buck and dikdik. This forest has three campsites:

Campsite One: The first campsite is located only a few kilometers from the grassy plain which is inhabited by Mukogodo Maasai. The campsite is situated under a canopy of trees, near a grassy clearing with a small spring where a variety of small mammals, birds and butterflies gather.

Campsite Two: From a large rock kopje shaded with a fig tree is a spectacular 180 degree view over northern Kenya - best in the early morning or sundown time. Near by is a perfect camping area, with ample space to put-up tents under the shade of enormous cedar trees.

Campsite Three: At the grassy plain a rocky road off to east (signed for Tassia Lodge) leads to a beautiful campsite site, where mature fig trees and flowering shrubs provide a perfect habitat for birds, and in particular the Hartlaub's Turaco. During the rainy season a spring flows over a rocky outcrop and is used by the community to water their livestock.

While at this campsite you have an option of various activities that are on offer:
Walking, bird watching, Cultural Interaction, hiking & biking: The Forest has boundless potential for walking, hiking and mountain biking, with various nature trail options suitable for family groups and energetic hikers.

4. Ngare Ndare forest

Location: located on the northern foothills of Mount Kenya is the 5300 hectare indigenous Ngare Ndare forest, with red cedar, podo - measuring over 7 meters in circumference, greenheart, and mugumo (fig). Is a safe haven for large mammals including elephant, and a paradise for monkeys, birds and butterflies. There are also black rhino in the forest which are under constant surveillance. An impressive game viewing platform has been built 25 feet high amongst the fruiting mugumo trees, where groups of Hartlaub’s Turaco gather. The platform overlooks a natural swamp fed by an underground spring, where a variety of unique vegetation grows including phoenix palms, giant cycads and wild flowers. Here elephants and buffalo come to drink. The platform is an ideal picnic and sundowner spot, and on clear starry nights - a fantastic place to sleep. Below is plenty of space to set up a campsite.

5. Naibunga Conservancy

Naibunga Conservancy is an inspiring community initiative, where 9 group ranches with over 7000 community members in central Laikipia have set aside 43,000 acres for conservation. The typical semi-arid landscape with red-earthed rolling hills and rocky outcrops is covered with acacia trees. Wildlife is returning to the Naibunga area, and in particular for one special species - wild dog. Once completely depleted of wild dog, Laikipia and the Ewaso ecosystem now has over 250 individuals, making this the world's 4th largest population.

- Wuakumbe Hill Campsite is located within the Wuakumbe Hills on Morupusi Group Ranch has spectacular views north and west across the Laikipia plains and beyond, with Ololokwe Mountain in the distance. The communities have identified a perfect camping site where there is plenty of space to set up tents under the shade of scattered acacia trees. A stones throw away is a granite rock outcrop, hidden by flowering Euphorbia and tropical Dracaena plants, with uninterrupted views over the Kipsing lugga.

- Sinyai River Campsite also in Morupusi Group Ranch is based on the sandy banks of the seasonal Sinyai River which is shaded by enormous yellow-fever trees. The dry river basin attracts elephants that come to dig for water in the sand, and salt on the banks.