OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY

by Karanjit Singh

hello

November 16, 2023

Kenya has always been on my wish list, but getting there was always linked to an occasion. Fortunately, in May 2023, that occasion came and the entire family decided to travel to Kenya to celebrate dad’s 80^th birthday.

Our first stop after landing at Nairobi was Ol Pejeta Conservancy, where we stayed at the Sweetwaters Serena Camp. The drive from Nairobi to Ol Pajeta took much longer than anticipated and eventually, after a five and a half hour drive (which included driving few hours in the darkness) we arrived at our camp.

Our experience from the moment we checked into Sweetwaters Serena Camp was exactly as we imagined. Our rooms were luxurious and on stilts, so that the wild animals did not enter. Just a short distance from our rooms, not more than fifty feet away, was a flood light water body teeming with wildlife, including elephants, zebras, water bucks, and wild boars. The sight of a magnificent African Elephant standing so close to us was absolutely breathtaking.

The next day we drove around the Conservancy which also is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa. It is also home to some of the last remaining northern white rhino in the world.

The Conservancy is a popular safari destination and is home to the renowned ‘Big Five’ as well as a wide selection of other African animals including zebra, giraffe, cheetah, jackal, serval, hyena, vervet monkey, and many more. Unfortunately we spotted none of the big cats, but saw a large number of grazers and an even larger number of birds.

Interestingly, during our entire Kenya visit, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy was the only place we spotted rhinos.

Unseasonal rains did not slow down our excitement and after a few hours drive in and around the conservancy, we visited the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which I must say was nothing to write home about. The Sanctuary had very limited things to offer and after spending barely 30 minutes at the Chimpanzee Sanctuary we left.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Sweetwaters Serena Camp is a must for all first time travellers to Kenya and due to the distances, it is highly recommended that you fly from Nairobi to Ol Pejeta.

I loved Ol Pajeta and would happily give it a 10/10.