Best Time to Visit Laikipia Plateau

Although Laikipia is an excellent Kenyan safari destination throughout the year, the following information will help you decide what time of year may suit your personal desires for your wilderness travel with Realm Africa Safaris.

Laikipia just like other destinations in Kenya experiences two dry seasons and two rainy seasons that greatly affect the ease with which you may view wildlife. The long, cool-dry season occurs from July to October, and the short, hot-dry season occurs in January and February.

During these times, water sources are quite limited, so wildlife is easily found gathered near or around the last remaining water sources. The conservancies in Laikipia have many wetlands that attract yet disperse an abundance of animals during the short rains in November and December, as well as the long rains from April to June.

The individual conservancies within the Laikipia Plateau are exclusive, so you will most certainly interact with fewer guests than other destinations in Kenya, but there are times when guest levels are higher. The limited accommodations may also be fully booked as a result.

The long dry season is the best time to visit Laikipia and other game viewing destinations in Kenya. The reason for this is not only the ease and accessibility of wildlife viewing or due to wildebeest migration in Masai Mara from August to October, but this time of year also coincides with summer vacations to East Africa for European and American families.

Festive holidays, including Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter are also popular times when Laikipia has increased family visitors on a bonding retreat in Kenya.

The long rainy season not only has fewer guests but the landscape is transformed by the increased moisture. Lush grasslands and the arrival of newborn animals, especially antelopes, make this time of year perfect for an intimate and riveting bush holiday at Laikipia.

Because this is considered the low or green tourist season, room rates are lower, although other costs do not change throughout the year, such as guided activities, park fees, and logistics (Read More; Where to stay in Laikipia)

Bird lovers may prefer to plan their travel from October to April when migratory species arrive at Laikipia from as far as Europe and Russia. Weather patterns also affect the logistics of your wildlife viewing. When there is little rainfall, the moisture evaporates quickly because Laikipia is located near the equator where it is normally warmer.

More significant rainfall, though, makes the roads muddy and somewhat difficult to navigate. Additionally, the trails used for walking safaris may be slippery. Activities, such as helicopter safaris, camel rides, and horseback safaris, may only be offered when the weather cooperates with such outdoor excursions.

Temperatures vary during the year from the daytime highs of 71 F (22 C) in the cooler months to 90 (32 C) in the hotter humid months to nighttime lows of 50 F (10 C) to 57 (14 C) degrees with variability depending on the season of visit and where you are staying in Laikipia, but temperatures tend to be cooler in the highlands, especially in the evenings through early mornings.

Southern Laikipia is much cooler being closer to Nanyuki compared to Northern Laikipia where you are bordering the Northern Frontier District. Realm Africa Safaris™ recommends that you bring a warm fleece or sweater for your comfort as you will need it, especially during early morning and evening game drives.

Most lodges & camps in Laikipia range from deluxe to exclusive. For our premier clients, we like to recommend either Lewa Wilderness or Loisaba Wilderness as our best premier luxury options. For our midrange clientele, Lewa Safari Camp and Sosian will treat you perfectly well.

Adding a couple of days to visit at least one of the Laikipia conservancies during your Kenya Holiday allows for an opportunity to experience an abundance of African wildlife while partaking of uniquely personalized wildlife encounters that may have not Been possible In a National park.

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Luxury Accommodations in Laikipia Wildlife Conservation

Laikipia in Northern Kenya is so often overlooked in favor of the more famous Masai Mara – Laikipia has so much more to offer – here the safari experience is made up of vast open spaces with no people, a variety of activities from riding safaris to quad bike safaris, amazing game viewing and some of the most extraordinary luxury lodges in Africa.

Laikipia is off the radar and off the beaten track and is exceptionally safe, friendly, and wild. Here you will have a proper luxury safari with all the freedom one should experience when not being curtailed by authorities, which run busier areas such as the Mara. Laikipia has beautiful views of Mount Kenya and you really feel as if you’re in real Africa. In no particular order here are our top ten luxury Laikipia lodges:

1. Sirikoi

Sirikoi sits in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and is run by famous safari guides Willie and Sue Roberts, both born and bred Kenyans. They are the life and soul of this amazing camp, which has lovely views of a water hole which is popular with elephants and other species of wildlife.

Sirikoi itself has luxury tents with roll-top baths, huge showers, private verandahs, or a cottage and an extremely luxurious house if you fancy being a little more secluded. The best thing about this heavenly Laikipia safari option is the private guides for everyone and the Gold Eco Rating.

When staying at Sirikoi one of the best things one can do is head off with Willie in a helicopter or plane to some of Kenya’s most remote and beautiful areas. What a place!

2. Tassia Safari Lodge

Tassia is also like something out of a dream and is certainly one of Kenya’s most unique safari lodges, and certainly one of the most extraordinary Laikipia has to offer. The lodge sits at the same height as birds soar and has vast open views of the bushveld below, which often has elephants and other game species within it.

Here every room maximizes the views and the emphasis is on getting out into the bush on your feet, not just sitting in a vehicle. The freedom one experiences at this Laikipia lodge is second to none.

3. Sosian Ranch

Sosian has horses, day and night drives, fishing, tennis, wild dog tracking – this ranch is made for those that want to get active, alternatively the pool area is exceptionally relaxing for those who want to remain chilled.

Sosian is very comfortable but not over the top, this luxury lodge has a homely feeling and you could easily stay here for a week or longer, just soaking in the old colonial style and the vast array of activities.

4. Enasoit

East is taken on exclusive use and has some of the most dramatic and exquisite scenery in Laikipia. This luxury Laikipia offering is a half luxury tented camp half luxury lodge and is done with such style and taste that you’ll find yourself wanting to move out to Kenya and literally live there. The reserve has plentiful game, much of which comes to drink at the water hole in front of camp.

5. Loisaba

Loisaba was one of the most popular luxury Laikipia lodges until it very badly burnt down in a fire, leaving only their private cottage and famous star beds. The lodge is being rebuilt and promises to be better than before – it is the Loisaba conservancy which is really special, and again this luxury Laikipia lodge has much on offer including quad bikes, the aforementioned star beds, and riding safaris, as well as an excellent authentic cultural experience.

6. Ol Malo

Ol Malo Lodge is the owner run and you really feel the warmth of this as soon as you arrive, this is your home from home in Laikipia – it just happens to have some of the most breathtaking views in the world. Here the emphasis is on culture, riding, walking, and having fun with the Ol Malo helicopter, which is now on-site at all times.

A wonderful way to spend a night whilst on safari at this luxury lodge is to be dropped in the bush by the helicopter, with your own guide either for a walking safari, riding safari, or camel safari – you then end up at a romantic and comfortable fly camp for one or two nights before walking home to the comfort of this luxury lodge.

7. Solio

Solio is an extremely luxurious lodge that offers amazing rhino viewing. Here one can expect to see them practically on the lawn and enjoy enormous suite-like rooms which will leave you feeling very spoilt indeed. The food at Solio is out of this world and this will be a relaxing safari, as well as one with some very rewarding game viewing.

8. Sabuk Lodge

This quirky and unique lodge offers the most heavenly walking safaris and a stay in somewhere which feels truly African. Here you will be regaled with tall tales about the family who own it over dinner and will spend heavenly days feeling like you truly are at the ends of the earth.

9. Lewa Wilderness

Lewa Wilderness is located on Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and offers another home from home with 40 horses at your disposal, and brand new rooms with views of the gorge you will never want to leave.

Game viewing from here is also exceptional and the comfy and inviting sitting room is the ideal place to relax before dinner or read a book. The family dogs roam and lawn, and the pool has wonderful views.

10. Segera Retreat

Segera was opened up to the public quite recently and is one of the most luxurious properties in Kenya, this luxury lodge is located in an area without much game, but as a result, the walking and freedom to explore here are better. Segera also has numerous community and conservation projects that will certainly leave you with a warm glow as you head off to the Mara or back home.