From
$7,339
Tented Camp · Laikipia, Kenya
The River Camp, Ol Pejeta
Riverside luxury inside one of Africa's most pioneering conservation areas — with the world's last Northern White Rhinos on your doorstep
Few places in Kenya embody the conservation story of Ol Pejeta Conservancy. It is home to the world’s last two Northern White Rhinos, Najin and Fatu, who are protected around the clock by armed guards. Their presence serves as a profound reminder of both what we have lost and what is still possible. Ol Pejeta is also one of Kenya’s most wildlife-rich private conservancies, often referred to as Big Five country. It boasts a large population of black rhinos, lion prides, leopards, elephants, and over 300 bird species that inhabit the lush riverine woodlands.
The River Camp occupies one of the finest positions within this landscape. Raised on timber decks above the Ngobit River, the camp’s communal spaces are open on three sides, the river wrapping around them like a natural amphitheatre. From the lounge, the dining deck, and your own private veranda, wildlife moves through your field of view continuously, buffalo crossing at dusk, elephant drinking quietly at the waterhole, and the occasional flash of a fish eagle overhead.
Eight tented suites, six classic guest tents and two family suites are arranged along the riverbank with careful attention to privacy. The design aesthetic is contemporary and confident: clean lines, quality linens, hand-selected furnishings, and artwork that speaks to the East African setting without falling into cliché. Both indoor and outdoor showers are available in each tent; private deck day beds are positioned to make the most of the waterhole view directly in front. This is a camp designed to be lived in, unhurried, for as long as you can spare.
What elevates The River Camp beyond a beautiful setting is the depth of experience on offer. Lion tracking with Ol Pejeta’s research team, visits to the Northern White Rhino enclosure, night drives into the conservancy’s nocturnal world — these are not standard safari excursions but genuine conservation encounters that leave a lasting impression. The River Camp pairs naturally with Samburu, Solio, or the Maasai Mara for a Kenya circuit of real breadth and distinction.
Set on the banks of the Ngobit River with Mount Kenya rising beyond, The River Camp places you at the heart of Ol Pejeta Conservancy — Kenya's most celebrated private wildlife reserve and the last refuge of the Northern White Rhino. Eight beautifully appointed tented suites, private decks overlookin
Why Stay Here
- Inside Ol Pejeta Conservancy — home to the world's last two Northern White Rhinos
- Eight tented suites on the Ngobit River, each with private deck and waterhole view
- Lion tracking with the conservancy's research team — a rare, hands-on conservation experience
- Night game drives for leopard, aardvark, and the conservancy's nocturnal wildlife
- Spectacular views of Mount Kenya from camp and across the open plains
- Swimming pool, spa treatment tent, and bar lounge with river panorama
Our Commitment to Conservation
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is one of Africa's most respected conservation organisations, and The River Camp operates as an integral part of that mission. The conservancy protects the world's largest population of eastern black rhino south of the Sahara, alongside the last Northern White Rhinos on earth. Revenue from tourism directly funds the anti-poaching ranger programme, habitat management, and the
Rooms & Accommodation
All eight tented suites at The River Camp are built on raised timber decks above the Ngobit River, designed to place guests as close to the waterhole and river activity as possible without disturbing it. Interiors are contemporary and generously proportioned, with quality furnishings, en-suite bathrooms, and the choice of indoor or outdoor showering. Private deck day beds make it easy to spend hours watching wildlife move through the riverbank below — and many guests do exactly that. The camp’s design minimises its footprint while maximising the sense of total immersion in the landscape.
Classic Riverside Tent
A spacious en-suite tented suite positioned on a private timber deck above the Ngobit River. Twin or double bed configuration available. The private veranda with plush day beds looks directly onto the waterhole — a natural theatre of elephant, buffalo, and plains game that plays out morning and evening. Indoor and outdoor shower options, quality linens, and carefully chosen décor combine contempor
Private deck with day beds · En-suite bathroom · Indoor & outdoor shower · Twin or double beds · Tea & coffee station · Complimentary laundry · Wi-Fi
Family Suite
Two connected en-suite bedrooms within a single tented suite, ideal for families or travelling companions who value space and privacy. Each room has its own bathroom with indoor and outdoor shower, and the shared private deck overlooks the river and waterhole. Children are genuinely welcomed at The River Camp, and Ol Pejeta's remarkable conservation story — from the last Northern White Rhinos to t
Two en-suite bedrooms · Two bathrooms · Indoor & outdoor showers · Shared private deck · Day beds · Complimentary laundry · Wi-Fi
Experiences & Activities
Every moment at The River Camp, Ol Pejeta is crafted to immerse you deeper in the wild.
Lion Tracking with Researchers
Join Ol Pejeta's conservation team for an extraordinary morning using radio-telemetry equipment to locate and monitor collared lions. This is a genuine research experience — guests contribute real data to ongoing lion population studies while gaining a level of access to wild predators that standard
Big Five Game Drives
Morning and evening drives across Ol Pejeta's varied terrain reveal exceptional concentrations of wildlife. Black and white rhino, elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, and cheetah are all present within the conservancy. Dedicated rangers ensure the experience remains intimate and unhurried.
Night Game Drives
After dark, Ol Pejeta becomes a different world. Night drives reveal leopard on the move, aardvarks foraging in the open, genet cats, civets, and a host of nocturnal birds. Unlike in Kenya's national parks, there is no curfew on night drives within the conservancy.
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Dining
The dining experience at The River Camp makes full use of its remarkable position. The open-air deck, with the Ngobit River on three sides and Mount Kenya visible on clear mornings, sets the scene for unhurried breakfasts and convivial dinners. Menus are freshly prepared and draw from the best of Kenyan and East African produce, with bush breakfasts in the field and al fresco dinners under the conservancy sky available as optional enhancements. The bar lounge, another deck perched above the river, is a natural gathering point for sundowners, well-stocked and relaxed in equal measure. For occasions that call for something more intimate, the camp can arrange a private candlelit dinner in a secluded location within the grounds.
Gallery
Best Time to Visit
Ol Pejeta Conservancy rewards visitors year-round, and The River Camp is an excellent destination in all seasons. The dry seasons — January to March and June to October — offer the clearest game viewing conditions, with shorter grasses, concentrated wildlife at water sources, and reliable, cool weather. The longer dry season from July to October coincides with the Maasai Mara’s Great Migration, making this period ideal for a Laikipia-to-Mara combination.
The short rains of November and December bring brief afternoon showers but rarely interrupt game activities, and the landscape is lush and photogenic. April and May see the heaviest rains; the conservancy remains open and rates are typically lower, with birding particularly rewarding as migrants arrive. Rhino, being residents rather than seasonal visitors, can be encountered reliably at any time of year — as can the Northern White Rhino pair, who remain in their protected enclosure throughout.
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Location & Getting Here
Destination
Laikipia, Kenya
Conservation Area
Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Laikipia
Nearest Airstrip
Kamok Airstrip
Transfer Time
45 minutes from Nanyuki / 10 minutes from Kamok Airstrip
Getting Here
The River Camp is situated within Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia County, central Kenya, approximately 217 km north of Nairobi — around 3 to 4 hours by road or 45 minutes by light aircraft to Nanyuki Airstrip. The camp operates transfers from Kamok Airstrip, which is a short drive from the camp itself.
Safaris That Include This Lodge
Explore handcrafted itineraries where The River Camp, Ol Pejeta forms part of the journey.
