Sweetwaters & Ol Pejeta: Rhinos, Chimpanzees and Mount Kenya Views

Most Kenya safaris head south-west to the Masai Mara. Fewer travellers go north into the highlands of Laikipia — and they miss one of the most varied wildlife experiences in the country. At Sweetwaters, on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, you can see rhinos up close, meet rescued chimpanzees and watch the sun rise over the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya, all in the same day.

Where Are Sweetwaters and Ol Pejeta?

Ol Pejeta Conservancy lies on the Laikipia plateau, between the Aberdare range and Mount Kenya, and straddles the equator. Sweetwaters is a tented camp and private reserve within this landscape. It is a few hours’ drive north of Nairobi through farmland and tea and coffee country — far enough to feel remote, close enough to reach comfortably in a morning.

The area is home to all of the Big Five — lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo — set against wide views of Mount Kenya.

Rhinos: A Conservation Success Story

Ol Pejeta is one of the most important rhino conservation areas in Africa. It protects a large population of black rhino, as well as southern white rhino, and it is internationally known as the home of the last two northern white rhinos on Earth — both females, cared for around the clock by a dedicated team as scientists work to save the subspecies.

Visiting supports this work directly. Ask your guide about the conservation programmes; the stories behind the animals make the sightings even more meaningful.

The Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Chimpanzees are not native to Kenya, which is what makes the Sweet Waters Chimpanzee Sanctuary so special. It was established to give a permanent home to orphaned and rescued chimpanzees from elsewhere in Africa, many of them saved from the illegal pet and bushmeat trades. Here they live in large natural enclosures by the river, and you can watch them from viewing platforms while keepers explain their stories.

It is one of the very few places in Kenya where you can see chimpanzees, and a visit is included on our itinerary.

Mount Kenya Views and the Equator

On a clear morning, the jagged peaks of Mount Kenya — Africa’s second-highest mountain — rise above the plains. Early mornings and late afternoons usually give the clearest views, so keep your camera ready on game drives. The equator runs through this part of Kenya too, and crossing it is a popular photo stop.

How It Fits into Our 9-Day Safari

Our 9 Days Sweet Waters / Mara / Nakuru / Naivasha / Amboseli Private Safari builds the highlands into a complete Kenyan circuit:

• Day 1: Lake Elementaita. Via the Great Rift Valley viewpoint, with a game drive in Soysambu Conservancy, home to Rothschild’s giraffe.
• Day 2: Sweetwaters and Ol Pejeta. Through tea and coffee country to Sweetwaters Tented Camp, with a visit to the chimpanzee sanctuary.
• Day 3: Lake Nakuru via Thomson’s Falls. A stop at the waterfall, then game drives for leopard and the park’s two rhino species.
• Days 4–5: Masai Mara. Including a full day with a packed lunch by the Mara River.
• Day 6: Lake Naivasha. A bush breakfast beside a hippo pool on the Mara River before you leave.
• Days 7–9: Amboseli. Elephants beneath Kilimanjaro, then the drive back to Nairobi.

Tips for Visiting the Highlands

• Bring warm layers. The Laikipia plateau is high, and mornings and evenings can be cold.
• Keep your camera ready for Mount Kenya. The clouds often clear early in the day.
• Listen to the keepers at the sanctuary. Each chimpanzee has its own story and personality.

Plan Your Highlands Safari

See the full plan in our 9-day itinerary. Every safari is tailor-made — tell us your dates and group size and we will prepare a free quote. Prices are on request.