6 Day’s Kenya’s Ultimate Rhino Safari

Solio Ranch is a private conservation area with the highest rhino density in the world – over 250 rhinos on just 19,000 hectares. That equates to around 13 rhinos per 1,000 hectares, the highest concentration globally.

The ranch is not open to the public and only issues a limited number of permits, which means that only a few vehicles are in the area at any one time. The open grasslands offer perfect visibility without dense bushes – rhinos are easy to find and photograph.

During the four game drives over two days, ten to fifteen rhinos per drive are common, including both black and white rhinos. Some rhinos are so accustomed to vehicles that they graze just a few meters away.

Both black rhinos and white rhinos are guaranteed to be seen on this safari. Solio Ranch is home to over 70 black rhinos and over 180 white rhinos. Ol Pejeta has the largest black rhino population in East Africa with over 100 animals, as well as the last two northern white rhinos in the world, Najin and Fatu.

Lake Nakuru is home to about 70 black rhinos and 30 white rhinos. The sighting guarantee across all three conservation areas is over 99 percent. In total, there are over 450 rhinos in the three conservation areas.

Yes, visiting Najin and Fatu, the last two northern white rhinos in the world, is an integral part of this safari on day 4 in Ol Pejeta. The two females live in a guarded enclosure under 24-hour protection by armed rangers.

Visitors are allowed to enter the enclosure and observe the rhinos from a distance of about ten meters. Rangers accompany the group and explain the ongoing efforts to save the subspecies through artificial insemination and embryo transfer with embryos created in South Africa. The visit lasts about 30 to 45 minutes and is emotionally moving.

Sweetwater’s Serena Camp is a luxury tented camp in the heart of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy with 39 spacious tented suites. Each suite is stylishly furnished with a private bathroom, hot shower, veranda, and view of an illuminated waterhole where elephants, buffalo, and rhinos drink at night. The camp combines a classic safari atmosphere with modern comforts: wooden floors, warm blankets, and kerosene lamps in the evening. The pool is centrally located with views of the plains and Mount Kenya. The restaurant serves fine dining, and in the evening, meals are served around the campfire under the stars.

The location in the middle of the conservancy means that wildlife sightings are possible around the clock.

With a little luck, all of the Big Five can be seen in Ol Pejeta Conservancy: lions (several prides, clearly visible), leopards (in acacia forests), elephants (large herds with young animals), buffalo (huge herds), and rhinos (over 100 black rhinos).

Solio Ranch has large numbers of rhinos and buffalo, but lions and leopards are rare.

Leopards are particularly common in Lake Nakuru – the park has one of the highest leopard densities in Kenya. Rhinos and buffalo are also numerous.

The combination of all three reserves guarantees sightings of at least four of the Big Five, often all five in Ol Pejeta.

Solio Ranch: over 300 species, including Jackson’s Widowbird (male birds with spectacular long tail feathers during the breeding season), Secretary Bird (often hunting on grasslands), Augur Buzzard, Martial Eagle.

Ol Pejeta: over 300 species, including Crowned Crane (Kenya’s national bird), Secretary Bird, African Fish Eagle, various Kingfisher species, various birds of prey.

Lake Nakuru: over 450 species, including flamingos (seasonal in large numbers, lesser and greater flamingos), pelicans (large colonies), African fish eagle, goliath heron, various kingfishers, marabou stork, various vultures.

The best times for bird watching are early in the morning between 06:30 and 09:00.

Two nights at Rhino Watch Safari Lodge allow for four intensive game drives at Solio Ranch: afternoon on the day of arrival, morning and afternoon on the second day, and morning on the day of departure.

Solio has the highest rhino density in the world, and two full days guarantee numerous sightings in different lighting conditions – ideal for photography. The lodge is located between Mount Kenya and Aberdares, just a few minutes from Solio, allowing for early morning drives without a long journey.

The quiet location also offers time for relaxation between drives.

Day 1 Nairobi to Rhino Watch Safari Lodge: 110 miles, about 3 to 4 hours with a breakfast break.

Day 2 Full day in the Solio region, no transfers.

Day 3 Rhino Watch Lodge to Sweetwater’s Serena Camp: 55 miles, about 2 hours with a stop at the equator.

Day 4 Full day in Ol Pejeta, no transfers.

Day 5 Sweetwater’s to Lake Nakuru: 170 km, approx. 4 hours with breaks.

Day 6 Lake Nakuru to Nairobi: 160 km, approx. 2.5 hours with breaks. Total distance 600 km over 6 days.

All driving times include breaks and are calculated realistically.

This safari is available year-round, as rhinos do not migrate seasonally and are permanently present in all three reserves. The best months are January to March and July to October – dry seasons with good road conditions, low vegetation, and high concentrations of animals at waterholes. July to November are ideal for flamingo watching in Lake Nakuru, when millions of birds turn the lake pink. April to June and November are rainy seasons – the landscapes are green, the birdlife is very active, but roads can be muddy. Prices are often cheaper in the off-season.

Yes, in Ol Pejeta you will visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary – the only chimpanzee sanctuary in Kenya with over 30 rescued chimpanzees from Central Africa. The visit lasts 45 minutes. You will enjoy a guided bush walk with rangers in Ol Pejeta.

Lion tracking experiences are also available on request. Guided hikes at Baboon Cliff can be arranged in Lake Nakuru. Visits to local villages in the Nyeri region can also be organised. All additional activities should be requested at the time of booking or at least one day in advance.