The Laikipia Plateau

Inspiring Travel Destinations on the Laikipia Plateau

The Laikipia Plateau is a high plateau that covers an extensive area of central Kenya, stretching from Mount Kenya in the south through to the shores of lake Baringo in the North.

This is an extensive and vast conservation area, second in size in Kenya to the Tsavo conservation areas in southern Kenya. It consists of vast private conservancies, which were private cattle ranches in years gone by but that have flourished as wildlife conservation areas today.

Due to its large size, it is home to many endangered species - including the Black Rhino - and wildlife numbers are generally quite good. Vegetation is varied and diverse with twelve different categories of vegetation, and rainfall is seasonal - April and May can be especially wet, with up to 80% of the annual rainfall falling during these months.

Laikipia is somewhat off the beaten track compared to other more popular destinations in Kenya such as the Ma'asai Mara. Go there if you are a seasoned traveler to Africa looking for something new or more remote and you'll be very impressed with what you will find, but skip it if you’re looking for a bucket list destinations in East Africa. It can, however, be a great add-on to longer itineraries for first-time visitors.

There are quite a few good accommodation options in the area, which aid in making it an attractive destination.