Loisaba Conservancy

Loisaba Conservancy – Laikipia, Kenya | Wilderness of star-beds, elephant corridors and returning black rhino

Loisaba Conservancy is one of Kenya’s enduring and thriving wilderness expanses. Best known for its dramatic landscapes and unique wildlife, the sanctuary offers exclusive off-the-beaten-path wilderness experiences in a remote setting. Visitors can enjoy intimate wildlife encounters and unforgettable community interactions without the crowds, making it one of the country’s unique and unrivalled wilderness destinations.

Loisaba Conservancy, at a Glance

Loisaba Conservancy is situated in the vast Laikipia Plateau flanked by ridges and mountain peaks in northern Kenya. The 58,000-acre wildlife sanctuary was set up to protect the critical movement corridors for migrating wildlife (especially elephants) between Mount Kenya and the northern rangelands (Laikipia plateau), proving invaluable to the sustainability of the surrounding ecosystem. This innovative move has helped to keep natural landscapes intact and healthy, providing hope for communities and wildlife in the rugged lands of northern Kenya.

The conservancy lies in one of the country’s most significant expanses of wilderness. Watered by the Ewaso Ng’iro and Ngare Narok rivers, this vast area consists of a number of private farms, many of which have recently been converted to conservancies where cattle and wildlife can roam freely rather than being walled off from one another.

Founded in the 1970s, the conservancy is still well populated with wildlife, and the large cattle ranch has made a huge difference to local communities, ensuring both nature and sustainable practices coexist. Over the years, it has created over 200 jobs, built schools and healthcare clinics, and provided managed grazing access to support local livelihoods. These efforts have made a lasting, positive impact in the community.

Wildlife

Set on one of the largest migratory routes for wildlife in Kenya, Loisaba Conservancy remains a vibrant sanctuary for over 60 mammal species, including the iconic Big Five and 350 bird species. Over 800 elephants and countless buffaloes traverse this incredible landscape, while an impressive population of leopards, lions, cheetahs, and endangered species, including reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, and African painted dog (long considered extinct in most parts of Kenya) find a home where they are able to thrive.

With its rich biodiversity, Loisaba Conservancy offers a unique glimpse into Kenya’s extraordinary natural heritage, making it a haven for both wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists.

Loisaba Rhino Sanctuary

Loisaba Conservancy is home to one of Kenya’s newest rhino sanctuaries—a secure 45,000-acre area created to give rhinos space and protection to thrive. The sanctuary shelters both critically endangered eastern black rhinos and southern white rhinos.

In early 2024, 21 eastern black rhinos were carefully translocated from Nairobi National Park, Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to Loisaba in a symbolic homecoming after over 50 years of absence. In a similar move, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) translocated 10 southern white rhinos from Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Meru National Park to Loisaba Conservancy in August 2025. Today, Loisaba is home to 11 southern white rhinos, making it one of the few places in Kenya protecting both black and white rhinos within the same secure landscape.

Scenery

Loisaba’s scenery is diverse, generally consisting of vast grassy plains of the plateau that break into hills, valleys, escarpments and cliffs. Lush greenery stretches for miles during the wet season (October to May), transforming into a more barren golden landscape during the drier months (June to September). The valleys and lowlands feature lush groves of acacia, fig and palms. There are plenty of lovely elevated viewpoints from which you can see the faint blue outline of Mount Kenya.

Activities

Loisaba Conservancy offers unforgettable wildlife viewing, allowing visitors to observe a vast array of species including leopards, lions, Grevy’s zebras, elephants, and reticulated giraffes in a remote setting without the crowds. Popular top activities and attractions include;

1. Night drives & sundowners: After dark, spotlight drives allow you to spot nocturnal animals not seen by day, while at dusk, enjoy sundowner drinks on the escarpment looking out towards Mount Kenya.
2. Guided game drives (including off-road drives): Morning game drives offer the best chances of sighting the big cats.
3. Walking safaris allow you to track wildlife on foot with an armed local guide to read the smaller details of the bush that you could otherwise miss out on from a vehicle.
4. Horseback safari allows you to quietly ride out across the plains bringing you intimately close to herds of zebra, elephant, giraffe and antelope.
5. Community visits: Loisaba Conservancy features some of the communities whose land underpins the corridor. Meet and learn from the residents.
6. Star-bed nights: Sleep under the stars on a rolled-out (wheeled) four-poster star-bed—a private deck, a wash of stars, and the sounds of the African bush at night.

Note: Self-drive or self-guided game drives are not allowed

Best Time to Visit

Loisaba Conservancy can be visited year-round, but the dry months of June to October and January to February offer the best game viewing with wildlife concentrating around the remaining water sources, and good road conditions also allow easy access. Avid birders can travel between December and March.

The short rains in November, and the long rains from March to April or May are undesirable to some travelers due to mud, and some camps often get closed during these months.

Getting there

The quickest and easiest way to get to the conservancy is by light-aircraft flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Loisaba Airstrip. It takes about an hour, and you will be collected from the airstrip and transferred to your accommodation. Travelers from Lewa Downs, Nanyuki, Meru, Samburu and the Masai Mara can also seamlessly connect to the conservancy. Flying allows you to easily combine Loisaba with the reserves and conservancies along the same northern Kenya circuit.

You can also get to Loisaba from Nairobi by road on a 290km/180mi scenic drive of about 6 to 8 hours, depending on road conditions. You will need a 4×4 vehicle in shades of green or brown to enter the conservancy.

If you book your adventure with us, we will help make all arrangements for you.

Where to stay

Loisaba Conservancy features a range of accommodation options operated by entities such as the Elewana Collection. Below are some of those we’ve handpicked for your stay.

1. Loisaba Starbeds: The Elewana Loisaba Star Beds’ unique sleeping experience is the defining feature of this rather rustic yet elegant property. Set on raised wooden platforms, these handcrafted four-poster wooden beds jut out from a thatched-roof structure and are rolled out each night for guests.
2. Loisaba Tented Camp, another Elewana Collection property, offers a 5-star luxury safari experience in the heart of Loisaba Conservancy. It is perched on an escarpment and features a dozen spacious, airy canvas tents and suites designed with high-ceiling doors and windows, polished wood floors, and modern African décor.

Sample Trips

These sample itineraries give you an idea of just some of what is possible. Use them as starting points, or to draw inspiration. Then get in touch with our expert team to help craft the perfect itinerary for you.

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