Full List of Must-Visit Destinations in Laikipia County

Updated 18 October 2026

Laikipia County sits on a high plateau between Mount Kenya and the Great Rift Valley, and it packs a lot into one county: Kenya’s best-known private conservancy, the country’s only chimpanzee sanctuary, the last two northern white rhinos on earth, one of its most visited waterfalls and the main starting town for climbing Mount Kenya. This list covers the destinations worth your time, what each one is known for, current entry fees where they are published, and how to plan a trip from Nairobi.

In this guide

1. Laikipia destinations at a glance
2. 1. Ol Pejeta Conservancy
3. 2. Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary
4. 3. Thomson's Falls, Nyahururu
5. 4. Manguo Hippo Point
6. 5. The Equator in Nanyuki
7. 6. Mount Kenya from Nanyuki
8. 7. Northern Laikipia conservancies and community lodges
9. Planning your trip to Laikipia
10. Frequently asked questions

Laikipia destinations at a glance

Destination	Near	Best for
Ol Pejeta Conservancy	Nanyuki	Big Five, rhinos, chimpanzees
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary	Inside Ol Pejeta	Kenya’s only chimpanzees
Thomson’s Falls	Nyahururu	Waterfall views and a short hike
Manguo Hippo Point	Nyahururu	Hippos and birdlife
The Equator crossing	Nanyuki	A quick photo stop
Mount Kenya climbs	Nanyuki	Trekking and mountain views
Northern Laikipia conservancies	Laikipia North and the plateau	Quiet safaris, community lodges

1. Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ol Pejeta, a short drive from Nanyuki, is the headline destination in Laikipia. It holds the Big Five and is home to the world’s last two northern white rhinos, both female, which you can visit on a paid guided experience. It also runs one of East Africa’s largest black rhino sanctuaries. Day visitors can drive themselves on the conservancy’s roads, and the conservancy’s gates are cashless, so book and pay online before you go.

Ol Pejeta’s 2026 tariff guide lists these daily entry fees:

Visitor	Adult	Child (3 to 11)	Student
East African citizen	KSh 2,000	KSh 1,000	KSh 500
East African resident	KSh 3,500	KSh 1,750	KSh 500
Non-resident	USD 110	USD 55	USD 32

A car with up to six seats pays KSh 1,000 to enter. Entry and exit are through the Rongai and Serat gates between 7am and 7pm. The student rate applies to pre-booked school groups of at least 10, and citizens must show a national ID or passport. Extra experiences such as lion tracking, night game drives and meeting the northern white rhinos cost USD 70 per adult in the 2026 tariff, and the conservancy recommends booking them at least a day ahead. Camping is KSh 3,500 per adult per night for citizens and residents.

2. Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Inside Ol Pejeta, the Sweetwaters sanctuary is the only place in Kenya where you can see chimpanzees. It cares for chimps rescued from the illegal wildlife trade in other parts of Africa, since chimpanzees are not native to Kenya. Entry is included in the Ol Pejeta fee, and the sanctuary opens from 8:30am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 4:30pm. Plan your game drive around those hours so you do not arrive during the midday break.

3. Thomson’s Falls, Nyahururu

Thomson’s Falls drops about 74 metres just outside Nyahururu, one of the highest towns in Kenya at roughly 2,360 metres above sea level. The falls are named after the Scottish explorer Joseph Thomson, who reached them in 1883. You can see them from the viewing area at the top, or take the steep path down to the base for the best view. The trail can be slippery, so wear shoes with grip and bring a warm layer, because Nyahururu is cold for much of the year.

The falls are managed by the Laikipia County Government, which charges a small gate fee with separate rates for citizens, East African residents, non-residents, children and school groups, plus parking. You can pay at the gate or through the county’s online payment portal. Curio stalls and cultural dancers near the entrance charge separately if you want photos.

4. Manguo Hippo Point

Also near Nyahururu, Manguo Hippo Point is a county-run site on a seasonal swamp where hippos and water birds gather. It is a quiet stop to combine with Thomson’s Falls on the same day. Like the falls, its entry and parking fees are collected by Laikipia County.

5. The Equator in Nanyuki

The Equator runs through Nanyuki, and the sign on the main road into town is a popular stop for photos. Local guides often demonstrate the Coriolis effect with a basin of water on either side of the line for a tip. It only takes a few minutes, but it is an easy way to break the drive.

6. Mount Kenya from Nanyuki

Nanyuki is the main base for climbing Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest mountain, through the Sirimon and Naro Moru routes. The highest peaks, Batian (5,199 m) and Nelion (5,188 m), are technical climbs, while trekkers usually aim for Point Lenana (4,984 m). According to the Kenya Wildlife Service, Mount Kenya National Park charges East African citizens KSh 800 per adult and KSh 400 per child, residents KSh 1,100 and KSh 550, and non-residents USD 70 and USD 35, paid through eCitizen. KWS requires every visitor on the mountain to go with a qualified, certified guide.

7. Northern Laikipia conservancies and community lodges

Beyond Ol Pejeta, much of Laikipia’s wildlife lives on private ranches and community conservancies rather than in national parks. These areas protect black rhinos, Grevy’s zebras, reticulated giraffes and African wild dogs, and they are much quieter than Kenya’s busy parks. Community-owned lodges in Laikipia North, such as Il Ngwesi, are run by local Maasai communities, so your stay supports conservation and local income. Most of these places work on full-board packages and must be booked in advance, and access is easier with a four-wheel drive.

Planning your trip to Laikipia

• Getting there: Nanyuki is about 200 km north of Nairobi by road through Nyeri, and it has an airstrip with scheduled flights. Nyahururu is easiest from Nakuru or Nyeri, and matatus run to both towns.
• When to go: The dry months are best for game viewing and for climbing Mount Kenya. Expect cold mornings all year on the plateau.
• Budget: A self-drive day at Ol Pejeta for two Kenyan adults in a small car costs KSh 5,000 in entry fees before fuel, food and extra activities.
• Payments: Ol Pejeta is cashless, and KWS fees go through eCitizen, so make sure your M-Pesa or card works before you set off.

If you are relocating to the area rather than visiting, our guide to the best schools in Laikipia County is a useful starting point. Planning a longer circuit through the Rift Valley? Our list of Nakuru postal codes and the latest figures on Kenya’s tourist arrivals give useful context.

Frequently asked questions

What is Laikipia County famous for?

Laikipia is best known for wildlife conservancies such as Ol Pejeta, the last two northern white rhinos, the Sweetwaters chimpanzee sanctuary, Thomson’s Falls in Nyahururu and views of Mount Kenya.

How much is the entry fee to Ol Pejeta for Kenyans?

KSh 2,000 per adult, KSh 1,000 per child aged 3 to 11 and KSh 500 per student in pre-booked groups, according to the 2026 tariff.

Can I see chimpanzees in Kenya?

Yes, only at the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary inside Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Entry is included in the conservancy fee.

Which town is Thomson’s Falls in?

Nyahururu, in Laikipia County. The falls are a short drive from the town centre.

Is Laikipia good for a weekend trip from Nairobi?

Yes. Nanyuki is about 200 km from Nairobi, so a weekend is enough for a game drive at Ol Pejeta and a stop at the Equator, or for Thomson’s Falls if you base yourself in Nyahururu.