Laikipia Wilderness Camp

OVERVIEW:

A departure from the elaborate ranches and private estates for which Laikipia is known, Laikipia Wilderness Camp offers a great product for those seeking something authentic and unpretentious. Run by excellent veteran safari guide Steve Carey, this is the real deal in terms of expertly led game viewing, fantastic walks, and a genuine no-frills bushcamp sensibility. An informal setting with friendly staff who will enhance your visit with warm hospitality, Laikipia Wilderness Camp is an option we thoroughly recommend for the adventurous at heart. Rates are full board and include accommodation, meals, local drinks, activities within the conservancy on a shared basis, and laundry.

ACCESS & LOCATION: 

Laikipia Wilderness Camp is located on the Ol Doinyo Lemboro Ranch in Kenya’s Laikipia region, overlooking the Ewaso Narok river. Access to the camp is by light aircraft, either to Nanyuki (45-minute flight) or to Loisaba airstrip (approximately 1 hour), followed by a 2-hour game drive. 

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT LAIKIPIA WILDERNESS CAMP:

Accommodation at Laikipia Wilderness Camp consists of six no-frills canvas guest tents, furnished simply but comfortably. Each comes with a double or twin bed/s, bedside tables with reading lamps, storage shelves, and a veranda with cushioned wicker chairs ideal for gazing out at the stunning Laikipia wilderness. All semi-open-air en-suite washrooms are separated from the bedrooms by zip-up canvas partitions, and each has a single washbasin, a flush toilet, sustainable toiletries, and plenty of hot water powered by wood-fire boilers behind each tent. Four units are family tents, comprising a double room interconnecting to a twin. One of these is considered extra large as it connects to a quadruple room accommodating families with up to four children, with an en-suite washroom at the rear.

The camp’s uncomplicated feel extends to its natural environment, which is deliberately untamed to ensure minimal interference with the setting. Discreet, bushy pathways link the guest tents to the communal area, which features a comfortable and rustic lounge/dining space with a selection of books and board games, as well as a viewing deck with gorgeous views of the Laikipia landscape where guests can sit around the campfire at night. There’s also plenty of space for communal outside dining, with hearty breakfasts enjoyed in the sunshine and atmospheric candlelit dinners. Indeed, this experience is all about good quality, home-cooked food, getting to know your hosts, and soaking up the rugged Laikipia terrain. Above the camp, there’s a swinging bench with sensational 360-degree views, and you can even see Mount Kenya from here on a clear day. Laikipia is well known for its private ranches and super-high-end luxury, but here the emphasis is on the great outdoors and simple pleasures such as storytelling around the campfire or a hot shower in the semi-open air.

ACTIVITIES AT LAIKIPIA WILDERNESS CAMP:

Now, we know that if you’re looking at a Kenyan camp, you will want to get a real feel and understanding of the natural habitat and wildlife. You are in the right place at Laikipia!

• Game drives

  – Laikipia is renowned for its healthy populations of elephant, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, warthog, buffalo, hippo, and many antelope species. Lions, leopards, and wild dogs are often seen too. Morning and afternoon game drives are offered in open-top Toyota Landcruisers, led by expert wildlife guides. You might also like to enjoy brunch under the shade of an acacia tree or in a waterfront location where elephants come to drink.

• Night drives

  – Part of Laikipia’s appeal is the freedom and flexibility of night drives, and the fact that they are not confined to the opening hours of a national park. Lucky visitors might see striped hyena, spotted hyena, aardwolf, aardvark, porcupine, genet, and white-tailed mongoose. The camp also has some camera traps, which are set up to capture images of wildlife roaming at night.

• Walking safaris

  – Laikipia Wilderness Camp’s owners have tremendous experience providing walking safaris tailored to all levels. They offer morning and afternoon walks, and you can even walk to a fly camp set up just for you and sleep under the stars before returning to camp the next morning.

• Tracking

  – This experience involves tracking wild dog via collars used to locate them as they traverse the conservancy. Black leopards are also seen frequently in this area, and the guides use traditional tracking methods to seek them out.

• River activities

  – Take to the river for tilapia or catfish fishing, or perhaps enjoy wild swimming and jumping off the rocks into the refreshing water. When the water levels are high enough, you can also go rafting down the mini rapids on an inflatable.

• Fly camping

  – Fly camping is an incredible back-to-nature adventure, spent under the stars on a bedroll. There’s an inviting campfire to sit around with an ice-cold beer and storytelling, followed by a delicious bush dinner cooked on open coals. Special dome tents offer privacy, protection from mozzies, and the perfect stargazing through a mosquito net roof. Please note that during long grass/rain periods, camp-outs take place on platforms without the mozzie dome tents rather than on the ground.

• Mountain biking

  – This is another great way to get up close to nature, and a vehicle is always present at a safe distance. The camp has seven bikes of various sizes to choose from.

• Wilderness expeditions

  – Those wishing to explore farther afield can visit Lake Turkana, Shaba National Park, the Aberdares, Mount Elgon National Park, Buffalo Springs, and Mount Kenya. Walking, horse-riding, fly-fishing, fishing on Turkana for Nile perch, and walking are some of the key highlights, so let us know your interests and we’ll tailor our suggestions.

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.