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The vast plateau of Laikipia Conservancy rolls from the foothills of Mount Kenya to the arid deserts of what used to be known as the NFD, the Northern Frontier District. Wild and very beautiful it is not part of a national park or reserve, but is mostly occupied by large cattle ranches dating from the colonial period, when vast areas were sold at low cost as part of the ‘soldier-settlement scheme' to soldiers British soldiers returning from the first world war. Home of community tourism These days, cattle-ranching has largely been replaced by ‘community tourism', an entirely new concept in Kenyan tourism, which represents a unique cooperation between the local people (Rendille, Samburu and more) and the old ranchers - who represent the new face of Kenyan ‘eco tourism'. As a result, visitors can enjoy not only an exclusive and private wilderness, but also pursuits such as walking, biking, camel-riding and horse-riding, none of which are permitted in the national parks). More endangered species than anywhere in East Africa As a result of its long exclusion from the normal tourist circuits, and its isolation in the arid north of the country, the region offers a real and pristine wilderness experience. More endangered species can be seen here than anywhere else in East Africa. Here too, the wildlife densities rank second only to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve.
Elephants, Grevy's zebra, rhino and oryx Half of Kenya's black rhino are protected in the Solio, Lewa, Ol Jogi, Ol Pejeta and Ol Ari Ng'iro sanctuaries. The area also has largest elephant herds (over 3,200) outside the national parks, and is one of the few places in Kenya to see Jackson's hartebeest. Laikipia is also home to about 25% of the world's population of rare Grevy's zebra alongside such other rare species as; wild dog and the semi-aquatic sitatunga antelope. This is also the best place to view such northern species as; reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx and gerenuk, while the numerous impala and Grant's gazelle ensure healthy numbers of lion, leopard and cheetah.
Eco conservancy, the new frontier of Kenyan Prime areas to visit include the Lewa Conservancy, the Ol Pejeta Game Conservancy (which contains one of Laikipia's biggest concentrations of wildlife, especially black rhinos and also offers a chimpanzee sanctuary), and the Sweetwaters Game Reserve (Sweetwaters Tented Camp - Serena).
An umbrella body, the Laikipia Wildlife Forum was formed in 1992 to conserve the integrity of the Ewaso ecosystem and to monitor a number of research programmes, such as the Mpala Research Centre, the African Humanities and Biodiversity Centre and the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Location The Laikipia Plateau extends west from the foothills of Mount Kenya to the wall of the Rift Valley at Lake Baringo, and north from Nanyuki and Nyahururu to the lands of Samburu and Isiolo. It merges with the Lerochi Plateau south of Maralal. In the north the edge of the plateau drops abruptly to the northern frontier district. The land is generally flat (1800 m and 2100 m).
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Intimate and exclusive, Borana Lodge is perched on the slope of a hidden valley overlooking a waterhole, where many animals come to drink. It was here that the Disney animators came to draw their inspiration for the Lion King. Built mainly from fallen cedar, and almost wholly constructed from natural materials, the lodge blends with the craggy stone outcrops of the escarpment and appears to grow organically from the hillside. |
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A much lauded eco-lodge, Il Ngwesi is utterly unique. Constructed by the local Maasai community using age-old skills and locally sustainable wildwood, it offers stunning views, impeccable service and innovative cuisine. The area itself is wild and beautiful and provides a much-needed haven for 250 species of birds and 50 species of mammal, amongst which, elephant, buffalo, Grevy's zebra and greater kudu abound. It also promises sightings of those species that are only found in the north of Kenya, such as gerenuk. |
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Situated on the northern foothills of Mt Kenya (276 km north of Nairobi), Lewa Safari Camp is set on the 45,000 acre privately owned Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Lewa can be reached via daily scheduled flights (via Nanyuki) to Lewa Downs or by private air charter directly to Lewa Downs airstrip. Or by road, four hour drive from Nairobi. |
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Loisaba Wilderness, consisting of the Loisaba Lodge, Loisaba House and Loisaba Cottage, stands at the centre of a 61,000 acre wilderness, which was originally owned by the late Count Carletto Ancilotto, who fell in love with it after visiting Kenya on safari in the early 1960s. The Wilderness accommodation, which was the Count's home, was built in the 1970s and, while considerably renovated, it remains very much as he planned it. |
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Deep in the heart of Laikipia, Kenya's most pristine and privileged tourism arena, stands historic Mukima House, its twin gables and cedar-framed windows gazing across rolling lawns towards the glittering spires of Mount Kenya. Set on velvet lawns dotted with pepper trees, skirted by broad stone terraces, fringed with lavender beds and embellished with a shaded tennis court and an oval swimming pool, this half-timbered mansion in the old English style could just as easily stand outside London as at the heart of Laikipia. |
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Mutamaiyu House is on Mugie Ranch situated at the northern end of the Laikipia plateau in northern Kenya. Described by a recent visitor as "Heaven on a Hill", it is a magnificent family owned house built in a grove of ancient, twisting olive trees. Named, by one visitor, "Heaven on a Hill" Mutamaiyu is a magnificent family- owned house that is named after the Swahili name for the ancient twisted olive trees that grow around it. |
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Situated on the northern edge of the Laikipia plateau, Ol Malo Lodge is nestled into a rugged escarpment looking out across the time-honoured lands of Kenya's Northern Frontier District. An ancient land inhabited by wildlife and peoples of a time long ago, undisturbed and living by the rhythm of nature, there, as part of this untamed and beautiful landscape is Ol Malo - Place of the Greater Kudu. |
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Sabuk Lodge is a stunning wilderness destination, perched on the high banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River in the Northern Frontier District, overlooking the Laikipia Plateau and Samburu land. The lodge has 5 beautifully furnished open sided en-suite cottages with verandas, each with its own fabulous view. Sabuk was fashioned out of the local landscape, built with local materials, twisted wood and stone boulders incorporated into the architecture. |
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Tassia Lodge is the ideal escape from the world. It captures all elements of the African bush, tranquil beauty combined with excitement and adventure. The dramatic setting of the lodge, perched on the edge of the Mokogodo escarpment, gives a mesmerizing view of the Northern Frontier District and the sacred Lolokwe Mountain. The lodge's distinctive architecture is of Maasai origin and is inspired by the surrounding area. |
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