With Celebrity Tours, the journey into Laikipia reveals a Kenya that feels wonderfully wild, raw, and infinitely diverse.
While the Masai Mara in the south borders Tanzania with sweeping golden savannahs, Laikipia sits at the heart of the country — an untamed highland realm shaped by rocky plateaus, acacia scrub, rolling hills, and far-reaching horizons.
Many of Laikipia’s most exclusive lodges are perched dramatically along the edge of the Laikipia Plateau, offering uninterrupted views that stretch across rugged plains dotted with wildlife. These elevated decks become your front-row seat to sunrises washed in gold, steaming cups of Kenyan coffee in hand, as elephants, antelope, and predators begin their day at the nearby waterholes.
This region is also exceptional wild dog territory — one of Africa’s greatest conservation success stories. Sightings here are frequent, intimate, and unforgettable. But wild dogs are only part of the spectacle. Laikipia’s volcanic outcrops shelter shy klipspringers, feisty rock hyrax, playful Sykes’ monkeys, and ever-watchful olive baboons.
Because water is scarce in this arid ecosystem, wildlife rarely strays far from natural springs and waterholes. In contrast, nearby Lewa Wildlife Conservancy hosts more rolling hills, seasonal wetlands, open grasslands, and a thriving rhino population — all framed by the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya.
Lewa is also known for its pioneering conservation model and high-profile supporters. Royal visitors — including Prince William — frequently join rangers in the field, lending global attention to its vital wildlife protection efforts.
Traveling with Celebrity Tours, don’t be surprised if your first wildlife sighting is… a caravan of camels.
These drought-tolerant animals, now widely domesticated in northern Kenya, roam freely along the roadside. Many lodges even offer camelback safaris, allowing guests to approach wildlife silently and more closely than a traditional 4×4 ever could.
Laikipia and Lewa are also home to rare and remarkable species such as:
Grevy’s zebra — thinner stripes, white bellies, and beautiful dark muzzles; one of Africa’s most endangered mammals
Reticulated giraffe—with mosaic-like patterns found only in northern Kenya
Vulturine guinea fowl—dazzling cobalt feathers and helmeted heads
Verreaux’s eagle-owl—known for their unmistakable pink eyelids
Jackson’s hartebeest, jackals, vultures, dik-diks, and soaring eagles
And of course, Laikipia is one of the finest places in Kenya to see rhinos, both black and white, often in large numbers.
From hilltop plains to acacia groves, every game drive delivers new surprises—sometimes even an entire pack of wild dogs inspecting a lone bull with comical curiosity.
Laikipia is ideal for:
Experienced safari travelers eager to explore beyond the classic circuits
Photographers seeking dramatic landscapes and rare species
Birders who want exceptional sightings in a quieter environment
Families and couples who enjoy activities like camel trekking, horse riding, walking safaris, or starbed sleepouts
It’s also a spectacular choice for first-time safari-goers who want something a little wilder, a little more remote, and deeply authentic.
Celebrity Tours arranges seamless flights aboard light aircraft departing from Wilson Airport, Nairobi.
Laikipia pairs beautifully with the Masai Mara, though flights must route through Nairobi. Should your itinerary require an overnight stay, Nairobi now boasts world-class hotels, fine dining, and modern shopping experiences.
