Sweet waters conservancy, also officially known as Ol Pejeta conservancy is one of the remarkable Kenya’s iconic wildlife reserves. It is located in Laikipia County covering an area of about 365 square kilometers, at the foot hills of Mt Kenya and Abardare ranges. This therefore offers visitors a blend of magnificent wildlife encounters, serene landscape, and a unique conservation model.
A visit to sweet waters and offers much more than a traditional safari but it presents an opportunity to learn about innovative wildlife protection initiative, encounter cultural heritage and engage with conservation practices that will shape the future of endangered species.
The conservancy was established in 1988 into a wildlife sanctuary but before it was a cattle ranch. It began with a goal of creating a safe haven for endangered species and to support sustainable tourism. In the year of 2004, the conservancy expanded its mission hence called Ol Pejeta conservancy, to emphasize its dedication to wildlife preservation and protection of endangered species particularly critically endangered white rhinos.
The Ol Pejeta conservancy is now a home to diverse wildlife including the big five animals (rhino, elephants, lion, buffalo and leopard), giraffes, zebras, wild dogs, cheetahs, different antelopes and many more others. Apart from the wild animals, the conservancy is a home to over 300 bird species including martial eagle, superb starling, secretary bird and more. It is also a home to chimpanzees hence Sweetwater chimpanzee sanctuary.
While here on your visit, expect to participate in different activities such as;
Baraka Rhino tracking where visitors trek Barak rhino, this was the first rhino to be produced in this conservancy. Baraka lost the first eye due to an infections the second due to the fight he involved with other members of the conservancy. For safety and security purposes, Baraka was moved from the wild to a 100 acres enclosure and now he’s being looked at by providing him with food. He is now an ambassador of the Ol Pejeta conservancy for his species and mostly visited by different tourist each day.
Visit chimpanzees of Sweetwater conservancy which was started in 1993 as a joint alliance of Jane Goodall institute and Kenya Wildlife Safari. It was formed as a refuge for confiscated chimpanzees and orphaned chimpanzees. This is the only place in Kenya where non-indigenous chimpanzees can be seen. There are about 40 chimpanzee that are on the island, whereby on seeing them you need to use the boat.
Game drives which are day and night also offers a great chance to explore the beauty of this conservancy. The game drives introduces you to the African big five animals that is the Lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant, giraffes, baboons, varvet monkeys, bushbucks, cheetahs, water bucks and many more others.
Lion tracking which helps in protection of these wild animals and this experience helps researchers to locate and monitor lions using GPS. This experience provides a high knowledge on how technology helps in conservation of wildlife. Tracking takes you to the pride of lions as you get a closer encounter to learn about their behaviours.
Horse riding safari which allows you to explore the conservancy peacefully without the noise of the tourist vehicle. This offers a unique experience where you get to learn the wild on a horse with a guidance of the park ranger guide. Expect to meet zebras, rhinos, antelopes like bushbucks, water bucks, duikers and many more others.
Bird watching since the conservancy is a home to over 300 bird species including African crowned crane, African fish eagle, secretary bird, martial eagle, lilac-breasted roller and more. We advise our clients interested in bird watching to take part in birding during early morning and late evening when the birds are more active.
Other activities are cultural visits, camping, behind the scenes conservation tour, cycling safari, guided bush walks and more. All you need to do is to book with us a safari to Kenya and we add sweet waters conservancy or Ol Pejeta conservancy into your itinerary.