Laikipia Odyssey-Olpajeta Conservancy

Shall we start with a prayer because a sister forgot to charge her laptop and now Kenya power is doing what they do best? I hope this can go up on Thursday 20th August but if Ms laptop decides otherwise I promise to see you the next day. Last year as you all queued for the Huduma Namba I was busy exploring Nanyuki and part of Laikipia  County for three months. Technically I was there for official duties but you know me so well. (Sorry guys I need tissues) Typing this just reminded me of how amazingly I outdid myself during the three months and all the amazing people who made my stay worthwhile. I missed family and on days I did not want to wake up beautiful Mt. Kenya sunrise made me do it. I promised to cover Nanyuki but never did. Today I deliver on the same.

I am the queen of offers, budget, and every amazing experience worth my cents. I promised to take someone to Olpajeta Conservancy and when Instagram heard our conversation thanks to AI every post popping was on Olpajeta conservancy’s 50% off on park fee offer running till December or offers on Olpajeta stables with a 20% off accommodation running till the end of August. I grabbed it and started looking for an outside accommodation facility. Anka resort gave me an amazing offer being a return client and hey Anka I am coming back. Your facility is goals! The trampoline and the night bonfire not to mention meals and the spacious rooms are all a traveler deserves. And someone was happy with the private parking spaces outside each room. Phenny came with us and the girl is fun and fun is Phenny. Have you read her post and interview? Please do.

Drive down from Nairobi was about 3 hours with one stopover at the trout tree restaurant for lunch. ( Anyone has been to Nanyuki give us tips on where to eat on a budget. I feel like most eateries are on the high compared to other places I have been to). Check-in time at Anka resort was around 2 pm, afternoon swimming, trampoline session, and off to Nanyuki town for a train tour bearing in mind Nanyuki hosts the main train ‘termination point’ which had a museum the last time I visited. Unfortunately due to the construction and revival of the old train, we could not access the train endpoint nor the train museum. Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day2…..

This being the last day, we had to maximize on it which meant waking up early and watching Mt.Kenya unfold its ‘horns’ as we enjoyed our breakfast. The team at Anka was kind enough to serve our breakfast early as requested on the previous night. It was a bit cloudy which meant catching Mt Kenya later on during the day. We checked out of the hotel around 9 am and off to Olpajeta conservancy for the game drive. The drive from Nanyuki town to the Olpajeta’s main gate is 13km with half of it tarmacked and the other half rough road easy to use if there are no rains. The park has done its fair share on the COVID requirements to ensure their safety as well as your safety. As if that is not enough they provide you with a detailed map which was so helpful since you will not require a guide. Who wants an extra person in their car during COVID? We are all out to maintain social distancing hence get a map and if you get lost call the numbers on the map for assistance. The park is well marked with directions as well as training centers where you can always plug in for learning as well as inquiries in case you get lost.

Things to do inside Olpajeta Conservancy. 

 Game Drive. This is the most obvious activity to do in a park or a conservancy. Olpajeta is home to several predators including lions, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs as well as some of the big five animals e.g. the elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos. It hosts other wild animals e.g. the giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and a few birds. If you wish to travel via public means be sure to hire tour cars in Nanyuki town for the game drives or stay at hotels offering the game drives as a package.

Visit the chimpanzees’ sanctuary

 On this particular trip, we could not access the sanctuary as a result of COVID 19. This said though I visited the sanctuary in 2012 during our final high school year and all I can remember is us waving at Vivian (one of the chimpanzees back then). We also learned about their behavior and donated the little we had for the chimps. The sanctuary hosts a training center for those interested in chimps’ research.

Visit the Morani information center

The center opens daily from 7:00 am to 6:30 pm and the entrance to this center is free. While at the center get to learn how the Olpajeta conservancy works, the difference between a conservancy, park, and a national park as well as learn about wildlife species found within the conservancy. This is a guided tour, with very well-spoken and versed guides. Ask as many questions as you need to and be open to learn and unlearn. While at it take a picture with the junior ranger photo frame. Note children aged 4 to 12 can become junior rangers at the Olpajeta conservancy.

Visit Baraka the blind rhino & the rhino cemetery 

While at it visit Baraka who is a blind black rhino fully dependent on the rangers for survival. Baraka’s story inspires you as well as makes you appreciate your eyesight. You can feed Baraka under the ranger’s instructions. Heard of Sudan who was the only northern white rhino remaining? Make sure to visit his grave as well as that of other rhinos mainly killed by poachers. At this point, the ranger explains to us that Sudan’s sperms that were harvested before his death are yet to be inseminated in one of the rhinos in the conservancy but with less travel abroad the plans have been derailed. This tells you there is still hope.

Visit the hippo hide

Here if you have a guide with you get to watch the hippos as well as enjoy a peaceful walk along the famous Ewaso Nyiro River. The guide will also explain the indigenous plants and vegetation along the area and their use.

Lastly, enjoy a meal at Morani restaurant after a session on wildlife in the conservancy.

Discounted Park Fees

                     citizens Residents Non-residents

Adults :      KSH700 KSH 1300 USD 45

Children:    KSH 350 KSH 650 USD 22.5

We exited the park at 1 pm lunch at Barney’s restaurant next to Nanyuki airstrip. And back to Nairobi by 5:00 pm. 

Till next time go out and learn the difference between the white and the black rhinos as well as the difference between a national park and a conservancy. Remember the 50% off the entry fee runs till December.

Special thanks to Anka resort, James and Phenny for exploring this gem with me. Olpajeta conservancy good job! To our amazing readers thank you for keeping it here. Go out and make memories