Ol Jogi Conservancy – A Private Sanctuary with Purpose

Ol Jogi Conservancy is a private, exclusive‑use wildlife conservancy located in Kenya's Laikipia County, 225 kilometres north of Nairobi. Spanning 58,000 acres (235 square kilometres) of pristine savannah, acacia woodlands, and rolling hills, Ol Jogi is one of Kenya's most significant private conservation landscapes. Established over sixty years ago and operating as both a private home and a working wildlife conservancy, Ol Jogi welcomes only one group at a time on an exclusive‑use basis. Every stay directly funds anti‑poaching operations, advanced veterinary care, ecological monitoring, habitat restoration, and community initiatives. It is a place where conservation and hospitality exist in true partnership. Situated in a malaria‑free zone at approximately 6,000 feet of altitude on the Laikipia plateau near Mount Kenya, the conservancy offers a rare combination of privacy, luxury, and purpose‑driven travel. The conservancy has recently received provisional registration from the Kenya Wildlife Service under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, formally recognising its status as a registered Wildlife Conservancy under Kenyan law.

Ol Jogi is not a commercial lodge – it is a home that took decades to craft. All profits are reinvested in conservation.

Features of Ol Jogi Conservancy

Ol Jogi Conservancy offers a unique combination of world‑class wildlife viewing, exclusive privacy, and groundbreaking conservation initiatives. The conservancy is a stronghold for endangered species, including over 140 rhinos, the world's largest population of Grevy's zebra, and significant populations of cheetahs, African wild dogs, and reticulated giraffes. The conservancy is home to the Big Five and is contiguous with other conservancies of the wider Laikipia landscape, allowing wildlife to move freely across the landscape. Ol Jogi's exclusive‑use model ensures that guests have the entire 58,000‑acre conservancy to themselves, with never‑ending possibilities for customised experiences. The conservancy also operates a world‑class veterinary clinic that services the entire Laikipia region and a Wildlife Rescue Centre that supports the rescue, recovery, and rehabilitation of injured wildlife. All profits from tourism are reinvested in conservation and community development.

Location and Geography

Ol Jogi Conservancy is situated in Laikipia County, approximately 225 kilometres north of Nairobi, at the foothills of Mount Kenya. The conservancy lies in a malaria‑free zone at about 6,000 feet of altitude on the Laikipia plateau. The landscape is diverse, ranging from open savannah plains and acacia woodlands to riverine forests and dramatic hills. The conservancy is contiguous with other conservancies of the wider Laikipia landscape, creating a continuous wildlife corridor that supports the free movement of wildlife. The views of Mount Kenya's snow‑capped peak are spectacular, offering a stunning backdrop to game drives and other activities. The climate is pleasant year‑round, with warm days and cool nights.

Wildlife of Ol Jogi Conservancy

Ol Jogi Conservancy is home to an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, including all members of the Big Five. The conservancy is a stronghold for the Eastern black rhino subspecies, with over 140 rhinos residing within its boundaries. It has proven itself as one of the most successful rhino breeding programmes in the country, with the rhino sanctuary expanded in 2005 to incorporate the entire conservancy. Ol Jogi also hosts the largest population of Grevy's zebra in Africa, alongside significant populations of cheetahs, African wild dogs, and reticulated giraffes. Elephants, lions, leopards, and diverse birdlife are part of a complex, carefully managed ecosystem. The conservancy is also home to plains zebra, impala, eland, Grant's gazelle, and other antelope species. Over 300 bird species have been recorded, making it a rewarding destination for birdwatchers.

Activities and Experiences

Ol Jogi offers a wide range of immersive safari activities, with the freedom to design your own schedule. Day and night game drives in open 4x4 vehicles with expert guides provide opportunities to spot the Big Five, rhinos, Grevy's zebras, and the diverse wildlife of Laikipia. Horseback safaris offer an intimate way to explore the bush, with experienced guides leading rides across the savannah. Guided walking safaris, accompanied by armed rangers, provide a ground‑level perspective on the ecosystem. Rhino tracking and conservation activities allow guests to participate in the conservancy's conservation work, learning from the experts on the ground. Helicopter excursions and scenic flights offer breathtaking views of Mount Kenya and the surrounding landscape.

Other activities include cycling and jogging in wildlife‑safe areas, stargazing from your own heated plunge pool, and visits to Ol Jogi's primary school to learn about the conservancy's community engagement. The conservancy's underground wildlife viewing tunnel offers a unique perspective on wildlife, while the billiards and games room, tennis court, pool and spa, and wine cellar provide relaxation between adventures. The flexibility of Ol Jogi means that with advance notice, any activity can be arranged, limited only by the imagination.

Accommodation in Ol Jogi Conservancy

Ol Jogi's accommodation is a design masterpiece built and crafted over many decades. The home is a magnificent private ranch‑style lodge set against a boulder‑strewn hillside, with just seven cottages tucked away in lush gardens, all with astounding views over nearly 60,000 acres of pristine wilderness. A total of eleven bedrooms are located inside several cottages in proximity to each other. Around the home are many common spaces, including a billiards and games room, a swimming pool and spa, a tennis court, an underground wildlife viewing tunnel, and a wine cellar. The home is filled with fine artworks, antique china, and silverware, with attention to detail that sets it apart from regular offerings. Guests have exclusive use of the entire property and conservancy, ensuring complete privacy and freedom.

During your stay, a team of chefs is fully dedicated to you, with various settings for meals around the house and magical venues created in the middle of the wilderness. The philosophy is to source the most organic produce from local farmers and suppliers, as well as from the conservancy's own vegetable gardens.

Getting There

Scheduled and charter flights operate daily from Nairobi's Wilson Airport to Ol Jogi's private airstrip, approximately 45 minutes' flight. Most lodges and camps arrange airstrip transfers as part of their packages. By road, the conservancy is approximately 225 kilometres north of Nairobi. The drive takes approximately three to four hours along the A2 highway. A four‑wheel drive vehicle is recommended for the final approach to the conservancy.

Best Time to Visit

Ol Jogi Conservancy offers excellent wildlife viewing year‑round. The dry season from June to October is the peak period, with wildlife concentrated around water sources and excellent visibility. The weather is sunny and dry, with daytime temperatures averaging 24 degrees Celsius. The wet season from November to May offers lush green landscapes, lower rates, and fewer visitors. Birdwatching is particularly rewarding during this period. The short rains fall in November, while the long rains occur between March and early May. During the wet season, roads can become muddy, but the scenery is spectacular and the wildlife remains abundant.

Practical Information

Visitors are advised to carry neutral‑coloured clothing, a warm jacket for early morning game drives, a sun hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, a camera with a telephoto lens, a power bank, and comfortable walking shoes for walking safaris. Each guest staying in Ol Jogi Conservancy pays a daily conservation fee that directly supports wildlife protection, habitat restoration, and community development initiatives.

Conservation and Community Impact

Ol Jogi Conservancy is a global leader in private conservation, demonstrating that tourism can drive wildlife protection and community development. Established over sixty years ago, Ol Jogi became the second private rhino conservancy in Kenya in 1980, sparking significant efforts that have helped preserve the biodiversity of this unique landscape. The conservancy employs over 100 rangers, including an armed anti‑poaching unit, general security team, and rhino monitors. Ol Jogi's rhino population has grown significantly, with no rhinos lost to poachers since 2015. The conservancy has contributed many rhinos to the national population by helping to restock areas where rhino numbers have dwindled.

Community engagement is a cornerstone of Ol Jogi's mission. The conservancy is the only conservancy in Kenya which allows its staff and their immediate families to live on site, creating a population of one thousand people from various tribes and religions. In addition to providing housing – including water and power – Ol Jogi provides a primary school that covers two years of kindergarten and eight years of primary education. The conservancy also runs a state‑of‑the‑art veterinary clinic that services the whole of the Laikipia region, a Wildlife Rescue Centre, and various community support programmes. By choosing to stay at Ol Jogi, travellers directly contribute to the preservation of one of Africa's most important ecosystems and the wellbeing of the communities that surround it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ol Jogi Conservancy worth visiting? Absolutely. It offers a unique combination of world‑class wildlife viewing, exclusive privacy, and meaningful conservation impact. It is one of the few places where you can see the Big Five, over 140 rhinos, and the world's largest population of Grevy's zebra in a single destination.

Can I see the Big Five in Ol Jogi? Yes, the conservancy is home to all members of the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino.

What is the exclusive‑use model? Ol Jogi welcomes only one group at a time, meaning you have the entire 58,000‑acre conservancy and the home exclusively to yourselves. There are no other tourists, minivans, or crowds – complete privacy and freedom.

Do I need a four‑wheel drive vehicle? Most lodges and camps provide four‑wheel drive vehicles for game drives and transfers. If you are driving yourself, a four‑wheel drive vehicle is recommended due to the rough roads.

What is the best time to visit Ol Jogi? The dry season from June to October is the best time for wildlife viewing, while the wet season from November to May offers lush landscapes and excellent birdwatching.

How do I get to Ol Jogi Conservancy? By air: scheduled flights from Nairobi's Wilson Airport to Ol Jogi's private airstrip, approximately 45 minutes. By road: approximately three to four hours from Nairobi.

Plan Your Ol Jogi Safari Adventure

Ol Jogi Conservancy offers a safari experience that is exclusive, intimate, and deeply connected to the land, its wildlife, and its people. Whether you are a seasoned safari‑goer or a first‑time visitor, this private sanctuary promises unforgettable encounters with the Big Five, breathtaking views of Mount Kenya, and a genuine sense of purpose, knowing that your visit directly supports conservation and community development. From the thrill of a game drive to the magic of a horseback safari, every moment in Ol Jogi is crafted to leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.

Contact us for custom itineraries, group rates, and expert guidance for your Ol Jogi Conservancy safari.