OL PEJETA NOW OFFERS ‘SAFARI BY BIKE’
Often described as one of Kenya’s most complete safari experiences, a visit to the Ol Pejeta conservancy always holds high expectations for a rewarding safari experience and many regular visitors are sure to find innovations and new facilities every time they come to the sprawling estate.
Be it Living with Wildlife on the new residential estate at the periphery of the conservancy, which has opened up a safari experience at the doorstep of the home owners, or the recently opened a fully fledged restaurant at the estate headquarters casual day visitors now find, which is serving anything from breakfast at sunrise to an early supper before closing with the sunset. Accommodation at the fancied Pelican House has drawn in the market segment of those seeking to cater for their own meals without having to pitch tent at one of several designated camp sites, enjoying the comfort of a fixed roof over their head and doors to shut behind themselves when going to sleep instead of zipping up the canvas.
Only days ago was it confirmed that Ol Pejeta will be the first in Eastern Africa to use UAV’s – aka Drones to ensure 24/7 surveillance of the 90.000+ acres property to guard their 100+ rhinos against poachers, after already pioneering, hand in hand with KWS and Tropic Air, the establishment of a rapid airborne deployment unit, ready at a moment’s notice to swing into action against poachers.
News of a new tourism product, Safari by Bike therefore come as no surprise, when the information was passed yesterday as Ol Pejeta is always good for surprises and new things to be tried out.
Partnering with Serena Hotels (www.serenahotels.com) and their Sweetwaters Safari Camp and adventure operator Rift Valley Adventures (www.riftvalleyadventures.com) a package is now available which includes a 2 – 3 hour mountain bike trip into the conservancy, accompanied by experienced guides to ensure the safety and security of the cyclists. Called the Ol Pejeta Maxi Adventure Experience full board accommodation at Sweetwaters is as much part of the deal as is the guaranteed entrance to the endangered species enclosure where the rarest of the rare, the Northern White Rhinos are kept. Visitors staying a third night will also get an escorted morning bush walk, again bringing them close up and personal to wildlife from ground level, from where in particular the bird life can be seen in its full splendour.
As an optional extra does Rift Valley Adventures also offer canyoning, where they take adrenaline junkies and adventure aficionados for an added activity which includes kayaking the Ewaso Nyiro River and a series of jumps into the rock pools found there.
And all of this, where else, on Ol Pejeta. Visit them via www.olpejetaconservancy.org for details on their rhino breeding programme, their community relations and support projects, information on the Living With Wildlife estate as well as for bookings.
(Picture courtesy of Ol Pejeta Conservancy)
