Why Laikipia Is Kenya’s Best-Kept Safari Secret: A Personal Journey Through Solio Lodge

You know, everyone thinks of the Masai Mara when they picture a Kenyan safari, right? And it's incredible, no doubt. But its popularity? Well, let's just say sometimes you feel like you're sharing the wildlife sightings with a whole convoy of vehicles. It's gotten a bit of a reputation for that, hasn't it? And that's where we come in. We're all about showing our guests the real Africa, the kind that maybe isn't on everyone's Instagram feed. This often leads us away from the well-trodden paths of national parks and towards the unique charm of private conservancies, and Laikipia is a shining example of why.

Have you been? It's up north, a bit off the beaten track. Think of it as a collection of these amazing, privately run conservancies. What sets these apart from national parks is often their focus on community involvement and a more intimate, exclusive experience. Actually, I had the most incredible time at Solio Lodge there. It wasn't just a lodge; it was an experience. We literally felt like we had the whole conservancy to ourselves! We did these amazing game drives with John, our guide – a seasoned local with this incredible knowledge of the area, pointing out all sorts of things we would have missed. And then there was Blakie, our lookout guide, perched in his chair, sharp eyes constantly scanning the horizon. They made such a great team. We also had fascinating conversations with the rangers who live in tents within the conservancy, dedicated to protecting the rhinos, giraffes, and other wildlife from poaching. Their commitment was truly inspiring.

One of the most special treats at Solio Lodge was the daily wildlife greeting. Every morning, as I sipped my coffee, I was treated to the breathtaking sight of beautiful giraffes and even some rhinos grazing peacefully just beyond the huge glass walls of my lodge overlooking the vast landscape – a mere 30 to 50 feet away, completely safe, yet incredibly close. It was an absolutely wonderful way to start each day, feeling so immersed in nature.

One evening, we had this unforgettable sundowner. Picture this: the African sun setting in a blaze of color, and we're sipping our drinks, not too far from a small herd of buffalo grazing peacefully, with a couple of rhinos in the distance. It was just magical. The guides even made us these incredible drinks called Dawa." Apparently, Dawa means "medicine" in Swahili, and honestly, after a day of incredible sightings, it felt like the perfect remedy!

And the lodge itself? Breathtaking! Huge rooms with fireplaces – even one in the bathroom, which was so welcome because it does get a bit chilly up there. And the wildlife? It's a whole different ball game compared to the Mara. Seriously, if you want to see both black and white rhino – and you know how endangered they are across Africa – Laikipia is the spot. We saw them quite a bit around Solio. Plus, you get these gorgeous reticulated giraffes, the ones with the really intricate patterns. Just incredible.

But it's not just about the rhinos and giraffes, though they are a major draw. This whole area is just teeming with life. And the way you experience it? Totally different. Forget just sitting in a vehicle all day. In Laikipia, especially around places like Solio, you can actually walk alongside the wildlife (with an expert guide, of course!), hop on a mountain bike, or even go on a horse riding safari. We even had this amazing experience on our last day. Blakie, always on the lookout, spotted a lioness with her cubs as we were leaving. John, with his expert driving, took us completely off-road, and we just spent time with them. It had rained so much that we actually got stuck and had to stay another night at the lodge! Eventually, they drove us to a nearby airstrip, and our plane whisked us away to Wilson Airport for a few days at the Kempinski in Nairobi, where we even visited Karen Blixen's old home.

Blakie was just amazing. On our last day in the conservancy, he even took us out on safari in his traditional clothing. It was such a genuine experience. And it didn't end there! A couple of years later, I actually visited him at his Samburu village and learned so much about his tribe. It really gives you a sense of the incredible conservation work happening in these conservancies – it's all interconnected with the local communities. This, in essence, is a key difference you often find when comparing the experience in a privately run conservancy to that of a larger, more public national park.