Reviews: Northern White Rhinos visit

"This review covers the northern white rhino encounter, the black rhino encounter and the K9 anti-poaching unit at the Morani Information Center at Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Instead of going on a game drive, we visited the two last northern white rhinos: Najin and Fatu. Going into the enclosure we were met by Najin. Fatu and her “boyfriend” Tauwa (a southern white rhino) were busy further back in the enclosure and walking together. Najin came up to the land cruiser and proceeded to show us her love as we scratched her ears. Along with scratching her ears, we were privileged to be allowed to rub her horns and pet her head. We felt honored to be able to visit Najin and Fatu and highly recommend the activity. We would return for a visit today if we could.

After visiting the northern white rhinos, we walked over to an enclosure that had a black rhino. The Rhino is named Baraka. He is blind and has become an ambassador for Rhinos. Even though Baraka is blind, he is fairly nimble and came trotting over when his name was called. Although the northern white rhinos are from a zoo environment, Baraka is a wild rhino. We think Baraka would like us to know that rhinos are misunderstood animals. Baraka also likes to have his ears scratched and let us rub his horns and pet him. We also were allowed to give Baraka a treat – green, leafy, and very thorny “whistling thorn” acacia. The thorns looked to be a very sharp, almost two-inch-long daggers, but Baraka munched it down without any trouble. He is very loveable and reminds one of a one ton puppy dog. Who knew rhinos like to have their ears scratched! We would return every day if we could feed and interact with Baraka.

We also partook in the K9 anti-poaching unit with tracking activity encounter on a different day. We met up with Paul who explained what they do. As we walked by the kennel that housed the dogs, Paul explained that the K9 unit is there to protect against poaching of wildlife. There were three Bloodhounds for tracking poachers (Their names are Sugar, Sarah, and Otis); a Belgian Malinois to attack and detain poachers (the bite is said to likely break an arm) named Diego; and a Springer Spaniel named Drum that can detect ammunition. The unit has also been called to help with outside work on missing persons and police work with firearm detection. We were treated to three Bloodhound puppies that were starting their training. We got to go into the puppy enclosure and play with them. They were super cute and playful - lots of puppy hugs and kisses!

For the first demonstration, Paul had one of the armed guards hand us each a bullet out of his magazine of an AK47. We were instructed to hide the ammunition somewhere in the park near us. Drum the Springer Spaniel was then brought out and outfitted with his working vest and released to go find the ammunition. It was like there was a huge neon arrow saying – here it is! It took little effort and almost no time for him to find the ammunition. With ammunition returned, Drum was rewarded with a treat, and we went to the next demo. Paul showed us how the blood hound can track someone by having one of us stamp the ground with our shoe a bit and then go hide (with an armed guard). Then the other then held the leash of a blood hound as Paul instructed us on how to hold him while he tracks the scent. Mission accomplished with ease! The Bloodhound was rewarded for a job well done and the demonstration was done.

It is hard to say which was more enjoyable – playing with the puppies or interacting in the demonstrations. We would return again just to find out." Read more about this whole safari

"Since I was worried this would be a similar experience to the Giraffe center and the Elephant Sanctuary I opted out of this event--and regret it as my group loved it!" Read more about this whole safari

"I didn't go on this visit, since my foot was bothering me and my walking was limited.

The reaction from my companions was quite positive, though." Read more about this whole safari

"I’d long anticipated “meeting” the remaining two northern white rhinos. I expected it to be quite sobering, and it was. But to meet Zacharia (long-time keeper of the rhinos) and hear how they are managing the artificial insemination process was a beacon of hope.

Coincidentally I was there just as Ol Pejeta announced its success in implanting a southern white rhino embryo into a surrogate, so hopefully that success will continue with the northern whites.

The visit is very informative and presented. I felt like a VIP getting to drive into the enclosure with the girls.

I really enjoyed my visit and consider myself lucky to have gotten to do it." Read more about this whole safari

"We enjoyed visiting the Northern White Rhino Sanctuary very much.

We learned a lot about the efforts to save an almost-extinct species, and a vehicle will take you very close to the only two remaining Northern White rhinos in the world. It's a fascinating tour.

The manager Zachary's passion and dedication is inspiring." Read more about this whole safari

"An amazing and special experience, whilst also being very poignant that they are the very last two left of their species in the whole world.

It was great to learn more about these special animals from on one of the rangers, as well as learning about their high-tech plans to try and keep the species going in the future. To be able to feed and touch them was great as well.

And to also visit Baraka their blind rhino and feed him some browse was very special.

Definitely an experience worth doing if you are visiting or staying in Ol Pejeta." Read more about this whole safari

"Well organised visit in which we got to see the last two Northern White Rhino close to.

Also got to see blind Black Rhino.

Interesting small exhibition on site." Read more about this whole safari

"A very informative visit and up-close experience with the two remaining Northern White Rhinos in existence.

We learned about the international effort being undertaken to try and keep the species alive using in vitro fertilization. Our guide for the tour was Zachariah and he was very enthusiastic and informative.

At the end of the tour we were able to hand feed a black rhino that has become blind due to injury and age. It was a moving visit." Read more about this whole safari