The Black Leopards of Laikipia
A journey into the rugged landscapes of Laikipia, where rare northern species, open wilderness and the elusive black leopard make every day feel a little less predictable.
At A Glance
Collection | Signature Safari Collection |
Journey Type | One Destination Safari |
Destination | Laikipia, Kenya |
Recommended Stay | 4–6 Nights |
Choose From | 3 Luxury Lodges & 2 Camps |
Nearest Airport/Airstrip | Nairobi Wilson Airport (WIL) to Loisaba Airstrip / Nanyuki Airstrip |
Wildlife Highlights | Black leopard, African wild dog, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and abundant plains game |
Ideal For |
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Fully Customisable | Yes |
Why You'll Love This Safari
The Black Leopards
Laikipia has become known for its rare melanistic leopards, including the famous black leopard of the Laikipia Wilderness area, Giza. They are elusive and never guaranteed, but for patient photographers and wildlife enthusiasts, the possibility of encountering one adds another layer to the safari.
Kenya’s Northern Species
This is a place to look beyond the usual safari checklist. Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and African wild dog are among the species that make Laikipia so different from Kenya’s more southerly safari destinations.
Safari on Foot
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Laikipia offers some of Kenya’s most rewarding walking experiences, allowing you to slow down and experience the landscape differently. Tracks, birds, plants and smaller details become just as important as the larger wildlife around you.
A Landscape With Character
Rocky kopjes, open plains, river valleys and wooded areas create a more varied landscape than the classic open savannah of the Mara, with Mount Kenya often forming part of the horizon.
Conservation at the Heart
Much of Laikipia is made up of privately managed conservancies where wildlife, communities and working landscapes exist alongside one another. A safari here gives you the chance to experience conservation as part of the landscape rather than simply as something happening in the background.
A Different Side of Kenya
Laikipia feels quieter and more exploratory than Kenya's better-known safari destinations. It is a place for travellers who want time to follow tracks, walk through the bush, spend longer with unusual species and let the day unfold around what the landscape reveals.
Lodges In Our Portfolio
The Black Leopards of Laikipia is built around five carefully selected properties across the region, each offering a distinctly different way to experience its wildlife and landscapes. From the refined seclusion of Suyian to the intimate, conservation-focused camps of Ol Pejeta and the relaxed bush character of Laikipia Wilderness, the choice of camp can shape the entire feel of your safari.
&Beyond Suyian Homestead
An exclusive-use safari home set within the vast Suyian Conservancy, Suyian Homestead offers a completely private way to experience northern Laikipia. Rather than following the rhythm of a traditional lodge, the days unfold around your group, with private guides, vehicles and a beautifully designed home overlooking the rugged landscape. The experience is as much about slowing down together as it is about exploring a wilderness known for rare northern species and occasional black leopard sightings.
Best Suited For
Multi-generational families and groups of friends
Couples or small groups wanting complete privacy
Travellers who prefer their safari on their own schedule
Luxury travellers looking for a private-use experience
Guests wanting a slower, residential style of safari
Lodge Atmosphere
Exclusive • Ultra-Luxury • Contemporary • Private
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&Beyond Suyian Lodge
Set across 44,000 acres of rugged northern Laikipia, Suyian Lodge is a strikingly contemporary retreat shaped around the dramatic granite landscape. Its secluded setting gives the experience a sense of space and wilderness that feels distinctly different from the Mara, while the surrounding conservancy offers opportunities to encounter rare northern species, wild dogs and the elusive black leopard.
Best Suited For
Design-conscious luxury travellers
Couples seeking an exceptionally secluded escape
Travellers looking for something beyond the classic safari landscape
Guests interested in northern Kenya's distinctive wildlife
Those who want a high level of comfort without losing the feeling of wilderness
Lodge Atmosphere
Architectural • Dramatic • Secluded • Contemporary
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Kicheche Laikipia
Tucked beneath Mount Kenya in the wilderness zone of Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kicheche Laikipia is a small tented camp where the wildlife and conservation story take centre stage. Six tents overlook a busy waterhole, while the surrounding conservancy is home to black rhino, Grevy's zebra, Jackson's hartebeest, Beisa oryx and a remarkable range of other wildlife. It is an intimate, hands-on safari for travellers who want to get closer to both the landscape and the work protecting it.
Best Suited For
Wildlife and conservation enthusiasts
Families wanting an intimate safari
Travellers particularly interested in rhino
Photographers and keen wildlife observers
Guests who value guiding and meaningful experiences over elaborate facilities
Lodge Atmosphere
Intimate • Natural • Conservation-Led • Authentic
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Laikipia Wilderness Main Camp
Perched above the Ewaso Narok River, Laikipia Wilderness Main Camp is a relaxed, family-owned camp that feels deeply connected to its surroundings. Six spacious tents are tucked into the hillside, with open-air bathrooms, private verandas and a central mess where evenings are spent around the fire. The camp is particularly suited to longer stays, when there is time to explore Laikipia through game drives, walking and the slower rhythms of life in the bush.
Best Suited For
Travellers wanting an authentic, unhurried safari
Families, with excellent family accommodation
Couples looking for a quieter camp
Guests who enjoy walking and exploring beyond game drives
Travellers who prefer character and hospitality over polished luxury
Lodge Atmosphere
Relaxed • Family-Owned • Intimate • Adventurous
Laikipia Wilderness River Camp
Set directly beside the Ewaso Narok River, River Camp offers a more private and exclusive expression of the Laikipia Wilderness experience. With only four guest cottages and exclusive use, it works particularly well for families and groups who want the camp to themselves, with the river providing a constant backdrop to slow afternoons and evenings around the fire. The same guides, activities and relaxed character of Main Camp remain, but here the experience feels even more secluded.
Best Suited For
Families and multi-generational groups
Private groups wanting exclusive use
Photographers wanting uninterrupted time in the area
Travellers who enjoy a slower, more secluded safari
Guests particularly interested in the black leopard territory around the camps
Lodge Atmosphere
Exclusive • Riverside • Relaxed • Intimate
Sample Itinerary
Recommended Stay: 4 Nights | 5 Days
We believe four nights gives you enough time to settle into Laikipia and experience its wildlife beyond the usual game drive. The days can be shaped around game drives, walking, photography and the particular species or experiences that draw you here.
Day 1: Arrival
Fly from Nairobi to the airstrip closest to your chosen camp.
Meet your guide and begin the journey into Laikipia, with a game drive en route where possible.
Arrive at camp, settle in and enjoy your first evening in the bush.
Inclusions: Air transfer, lunch, afternoon game drive, sundowners, dinner.
Days 2-4
Set out early for game drives in search of Laikipia's northern species and predators.
Spend time tracking wildlife, with opportunities for guided walks depending on your chosen camp.
Return to camp during the heat of the day for lunch and time to relax.
Head out again in the afternoon, continuing into the evening where night drives are available.
Depending on your interests, include conservation experiences, photography, cultural experiences or other activities offered by your chosen camp.
Inclusions: Morning drive with coffee and snacks, breakfast, lunch, selected activities where applicable, afternoon game drive, sundowners, dinner.
Day 5: Departure
Enjoy a final morning drive or walk before breakfast.
Depart for the nearest airstrip and fly onward to Nairobi or your next safari destination.
Inclusions: Morning drive with coffee and snacks, breakfast and/or lunch, air transfer.
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The All Out Safaris Perspective
Laikipia is one of those places that rewards you for slowing down.
It is not simply about ticking off the Big Five. It is about finding the wildlife that makes this part of Kenya different: a Grevy's zebra on the plains, a wild dog moving through the bush, a reticulated giraffe disappearing between the trees or perhaps the shadow of a black leopard.
The landscapes are varied, the safari is quieter and there is more freedom to experience the bush on foot. For us, that is what makes Laikipia special. You come looking for something rare, but often leave remembering everything else you found along the way.
Questions about this safari
What wildlife can I expect to see?
Laikipia is known for black leopard, African wild dog, Grevy's zebra and reticulated giraffe, alongside elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and a wide range of plains game. The exact sightings depend on the area, season and conditions.
Are black leopards guaranteed?
No. They are wild and elusive animals, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. If seeing or photographing a black leopard is a major priority, we can recommend the areas and camps best suited to that focus.
What makes Laikipia different from the Masai Mara?
The Mara is famous for its open plains, big cats and the Great Migration. Laikipia offers a more varied landscape, rarer northern species, fewer vehicles in many areas and more opportunities for walking and conservation-focused experiences.
Is Laikipia good for photographers?
Yes. The combination of unusual species, varied landscapes, walking opportunities and lower-density safari experiences makes it particularly rewarding for wildlife and landscape photography.
Which Laikipia lodge should I choose?
That depends on your travel style, budget and priorities. &Beyond Suyian Lodge suits travellers looking for a refined, secluded experience and access to rare northern species. &Beyond Suyian Homestead is designed for ultra-luxury private groups and families wanting exclusive use. Kicheche Laikipia is particularly well suited to wildlife and conservation enthusiasts, especially those interested in rhino. Laikipia Wilderness Main Camp suits travellers who prefer an informal, adventurous bush experience, while River Camp is best for groups wanting exclusive use and a more private riverside setting. If you're unsure which is right for you, we'll recommend the option that best matches your travel style and preferences.
Can I walk in Laikipia?
Yes. Walking is one of the region's great strengths, although the activities available depend on the conservancy and camp you choose. We can build your stay around walking if it is an important part of the experience.
How do I book this safari?
Simply complete the enquiry form below. We'll then hop on a consultation call to discuss and prepare a personalised safari proposal with recommended accommodation, itinerary options and pricing for you to review.
Similar Safaris
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