5 Unique Activities to Enjoy in Laikipia …

As a safari destination, Kenya's Laikipia County stands out. The area’s striking landscapes teem with wildlife in private ranches and conservancies.

Touring Laikipia is unlike visiting other wildlife sanctuaries where foot safaris, camel treks, horse riding, and night game drives are not allowed. In Laikipia, these activities are the norm.

Laikipia is one of Africa's most thrilling wilderness safari destinations. It's a land of undulating hills and plains framed against the backdrop of Mt Kenya and the Aberdare Range of mountains.

Laikipia County is in the Laikipia Plateau, the eastern escarpment of the Great Rift Valley. The area is home to half of the endangered black and white rhino population and the second-largest elephant population in Kenya.

It also boasts over 80 animal species including lion, buffalo, leopard, African wild dog, reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, and Laikipia hartebeest.

The area is dotted with rocky outcrops that house the klipspringer antelope, the rock hyrax, olive baboons, and Sykes monkeys.

Unlike other wildlife safari destinations, Laikipia is not a national park or a game reserve. The bulk of the wildlife is found in large-scale conservancies, which cover over 50 percent of the county.

The rest of the wildlife is scattered over gazetted forests, private smallholding ranches, bush homes, camps, and group ranches. For this reason, in Laikipia you may go on bike tours, nature walks, horse riding, and camel treks, activities prohibited in most game parks.

Below is a sample of the activities you can enjoy in Laikipia, some unique to the area.

1. Go for a night game drive

Nightfall in the wild brings with it truly out-of-this-world experiences. You can catch nocturnal creatures as they come out to do their thing.

You may spot zorilla (striped polecat), aardvark, striped hyena, aardwolf, porcupine, mongoose, genet, and other small animals.

You could even witness a lion hunt.

2. Brave out fly-camping

Still on the night theme, how would you like to get as close to the bush as possible? If the idea appeals to you, try fly-camping – sleeping in a tent that's off the ground. Yes, a tent held by ropes tied to trees.

It's simply magical. You will most likely see lions, hyenas, and other animals as they go about their nocturnal activities.

Rest assured; fly-camping is safe. It's only allowed in private conservancies where they know the best locations for this most exhilarating of experiences.

3. Ride a horse or a camel in the wild

The view of the Laikipia bush from atop a camel or a horse is certainly different from that of a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Take a leisurely ride on the back of a camel or gallop across the Laikipia Plateau on horseback.

It matters not whether you are an experienced rider or a beginner, you will find a riding safari that suits you.

4. Trek and climb rocks

Rock outcrops dot the Laikipia bushland inviting the hiker for a climb. If that's your fancy, you've come to the right place.

Your guide will help you to combine camping, hiking, and rock climbing for a memorable safari.

5. Take stunning photographs

In Laikipia, your guide will take you to places where you can get out of the vehicle and take photographs from the ground level.

It's an opportunity to take outstanding photographs and have a different wild experience.

The last word

Laikipia stands out as a destination. It was featured in the New York Times top "52 places to go" list in 2017.

Compared to the more popular tourist destinations in Kenya, Laikipia has low visitor densities. Moreover, although the area is best known for luxury safaris, with the help of your travel agent, you can unearth some hidden budget gems.

The best time to visit Laikipia is during the June to October dry season. For a feel of the country, take the four to five-hour drive from Nairobi.

However, if you are on a tight schedule or are not up to a road trip, you may fly by light aircraft from Nairobi.

So, pack your bags and head to Laikipia, the safari country.