Ol Pejeta animals: the Big Five and more
Ol Pejeta is a private conservancy on the Laikipia plateau, and it is home to all of the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. That does not mean you will see all five on one visit. Wild animals move, and sightings are never promised. A full day of Ol Pejeta game drives gives you good chances.
Beyond the Big Five, the conservancy is known for rare and regional species, such as Grevy's zebra and Jackson's hartebeest, and for its rhinos.
Which animals live at Ol Pejeta
What lives there and what to know before you go.
| Animal | What to know |
|---|---|
| Lion | Lion Tracking uses collared animals and a tracker, at $70 per adult in 2026. A sighting is still not guaranteed. |
| Leopard | One of the Big Five. No sighting guarantee. |
| Elephant | Numbers change over the year, because elephants move between conservancies. |
| Buffalo | One of the Big Five. |
| Rhinos | Southern white and eastern black rhinos, plus the last two northern white rhinos. |
| Grevy's zebra | Present, but not guaranteed on any one day. |
| Jackson's hartebeest | Present. |
| Reticulated giraffe | Present. |
| Cheetah | Present. |
| Hippo | Present. |
For most visitors, a good plan is one early game drive and one in the late afternoon, with a stop for the rhinos or the chimpanzees at midday.
Our pick: two days of game drives
This safari spends two days on game drives and visits the Endangered Species Enclosure, with the entries in the price.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Ol Pejeta game drives and wildlife tours
Safaris and day trips to Ol Pejeta with good chances of the Big Five, with live prices and availability.
Wildlife corridors and moving animals
Why the numbers of some animals change.
Elephants come and go
Special gaps in the boundary let elephants move into neighbouring conservancies. The same gaps are built to hold rhinos back. For that reason, you cannot count on a resident herd on any given day.
Wild dogs are not resident
Wild dog packs have dispersed from the area over time, so do not plan around them.
Part of a larger landscape
Ol Pejeta is linked by corridors to nearby ranches and conservancies, and the animals do not stop at one boundary. For the wider region, read our Laikipia plateau guide.
How to see the animals: times and rules
Daily visitor hours are 07:00–19:00 at the Rongai and Serat gates. Driving yourself is allowed. A vehicle with driver-guide can also be rented: KES 28,000 for a half day and KES 35,000 for a full day, per vehicle and not per person.
After 19:00 you may not drive on your own. The organised Night Game Drive has slots from 19:00 to 21:00 and from 21:00 to 23:00, at $70 per adult in 2026, with a minimum of 4 people.
Keep to 40 km/h, stay on the tracks, give the animals priority and do not follow or feed them. At a sighting, at most 6 vehicles stay for no more than 10 minutes each.
Activities for watching animals
Paid extras on top of entry, 2026 prices per adult.
| Activity | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Lion Tracking | $70 | $35 |
| Dog Tracking (K9) | $70 | $35 |
| Night Game Drive | $70 | $35 |
| Guided Bushwalk or Birdwalk | $70 | $35 |
| Meet the Neighbours | $70 | $35 |
| Conservation Talk | $20 | – |
Lion Tracking and the Night Game Drive need at least 4 people. A shared vehicle is included for these two, while transport for other activities may cost extra. Book at least a day ahead, and three days ahead for the Conservation Talk. For most visitors, one tracking or night activity on top of a normal game drive is plenty. The full list is on the activities page.
Keep planning
More about the animals and the region.
White and black rhinos
Which rhinos live here and how to see them.
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Rescued chimps, visiting hours and entry.
Laikipia plateau
Conservancies and wildlife around Nanyuki.
If you want to compare reserves, have a look at the wildlife of Samburu National Reserve and of the Masai Mara.
Ol Pejeta wildlife: frequently asked questions
Are the Big Five at Ol Pejeta?
Yes, all five live there: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Seeing all five in one visit is possible but never guaranteed.
Can I see Grevy's zebras?
They live in the conservancy, so you have a chance. No single day can promise them.
Are there wild dogs?
Do not plan around them. Wild dog packs have dispersed from the area.
Can I do a night drive?
Only as an organised Night Game Drive, in the slots from 19:00 to 21:00 or 21:00 to 23:00. Private driving after 19:00 is not allowed.
How much is entry for non-residents?
$110 per adult and $55 per child in 2026. Children under 3 are free.
Is this the official Ol Pejeta website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. Check current rules and bookings with the conservancy before you go.