Reviews of Ol Pejeta Bush Camp

"A lovely camp by the river.

Our tent was a classic 'safari tent', spacious with all mod cons including a very welcome plumbed in shower. (This is fairly recent as they used to be bucket showers). There was also a small washing line + pegs in the bathroom; useful for undergarments as other laundry was done by the camp.

We really enjoyed the buffet lunches and the served evening dinner - soups were particularly good. It was nice to join other folk around the camp fire before dinner for a drink and chat about our days. Meal times were very sociable occasions, and because it is a relatively small camp it was easy to interact with other guests. Staff were very efficient and attentive and seemed to learn all guests names very quickly. The managers, Anthony and William were very friendly and were keen to chat and regularly joined guests for meals.

Our knowledgeable guide was Abdi. We had some very good rhino sightings, lots of giraffes, including babies, (one with its umbilical cord still attached), several lion sightings inc. 9 cubs with mum (or auntie), a number of small elephant groups and lots more general game.

We have visited Kenya many times and this was our first stay at an Asilia camp. We were very impressed and thoroughly enjoyed our time at Ol Pejeta." See all these reviews: 12n in Kenya

"The usual superb Asilia experience." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya

"Wow what an amazing 1st camp in Kenya couldn’t have asked for more ,the camp was great just 7 tents .The welcome from the staff was fabulous,we arrived in time for lunch and to meet other guests and were introduced to our guide Nelson.

We went for 1st drive that afternoon we were in the truck with 2 other guests who we met at lunch ..they had arrived just before us .Nelson was a 1st class guide full of information and always ready to answer questions ,had a great sense of humour which made the drives all the more enjoyable .We visited the last two northern white rhinos which was incredible ,such dedication from the rangers and all that are involved in the work to rescue this species..an absolute must to visit.

The variety of animals to see at Ol Pejeta is excellent ..Nelson was very knowledgeable about the conservancy and all the work that was going on and absolutely made sure we saw as much as possible ..the conservancy is made up of a variety of terrains which made the drives very interesting.

The food at the the camp was top notch nothing was too much trouble ..soups were to die for ,staff again brilliant, Amos was a gem .The accommodation was tented with bucket showers and hot water bottles at night ..you are escorted back to the tent after dark ..everything you need very comfortable ,private with marvellous views ." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya

"Lovely camp and warm welcome from Alex and his team. The game drives were better than I expected - despite the unusual thunderstorms and heavy downpours for this time of the year!

Ol Pejeta is a "Rhino paradise" but also offers an incredible array of other wildlife. Great guiding by Abdi. Very good food.

The team made an extra special effort on Christmas day which was wonderful!" See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya

"This is a lovely camp, and I particularly appreciated the hosting by Alex Hunter, the ex owner who lives on site. With few other guests and no communal dining (due to Covid), as a solo traveler he was great company. He quickly identified me as a birder and even joined me on a couple of afternoon drives.

My guide Duma had exceptional bird knowledge, one of the best I've come across in East Africa. This was my first visit to Ol Pejeta and it's not the wildest place and hard to escape views of fences or buildings, but in these Covid times there were hardly any other vehicles around so we had all our sightings to ourselves.

Highlights included many rhinos and a couple of visits to hyena dens, one where the youngsters seemed determined to dismantle our vehicle. For some of the time, we used the camp's electric vehicle which was a first for me. Asilia are taking Covid protocols quite seriously, with separate dining and staff wearing masks." See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya

"My first camp, and I was so excited. Peter the "leader", was great fun, and was very informative, the bush safaris were magnificent, we had two drivers, and both were heaps of fun, teasing us at dusk that we were lost, while we listened to lions soaring!!!! And their knowledge is phenomenal, of both the wildlife and the bush. And the animals, well.........the only one I didn't see was a leopard, and they were so upset they couldn't find one. I still can't remember the guides names, but they called other guides on the phone to find different animals, we saw a cheetah with 1 cub, she had recently made a kill of a Thompson's gazelle and taken it back for the cub as well, but all the cub did was swat it's ears, it was cute to watch.

We saw a herd of elephants with several juvenile of various ages, there were two young bulls who had a play fight, don't know so much about the playing, there was lots of trumpeting and clashing of tusks. There was also a baby that the guide said was only a week old, he could still walk under his mum's belly he was so small. When the herd saw us they immediately formed a circle round the baby to protect it. Once they realised we were no threat they allowed him out, if you can imagine this little creature, with a trunk he really hadn't mastered, he put his ears out, trumpeted, and ran toward us in a little charge, then he suddenly realised what he was doing and turned and ran back to mum, we just sat and laughed.

We went to the rhinos sanctuary where we saw the last two southern (I think) white rhinos in the world. Those two, although are of breeding age cannot hold pregnancies, for different reasons, so apparently they have retrieved their eggs, and already had seen from an unrelated male, and they are going to do if using a northern white rhinos as a surrogate. This will happen apparently in January.

We went and stood on the equator for the necessary photo shoot!!!

We had a black rhinos charge at the car, fortunately the guide saw him coming ànd went really fast away from him!!!!

The tent was cosy, with WiFi and good internet connection, and the bed was so comfy, I had to laugh the first night, I put My foot into the bed and put it on something warm, I got out of bed rather quickly to discover a hot water bottle, they were also provided on the early morning drives. The mornings were very cold and indeed I needed a good coat or you would freeze.

Breakfast out in the bush was great........a little un-nerving in case the odd buffalo or lion may be about, despite being told it was ok, I ate with one eye peering out. The food was good, different because it was sometimes native, but that was an interesting experience, I even ate crocodile!!!!! Yes it does taste like chicken!! My first night there chef baked a huge birthday cake for me with candles as well !!! Which was very thoughtful, and they all came out singing in Swahili which was awesome.

The boundary of the camp on one side was a river, the banks were too steep to see the animals drink, but buffalo walked past, a hippo, well he more plunked and shuffled than walked, Giselle, earth on,
We saw giraffe and I was able to see the difference in the markings between the Rothschild at giraffe manor and these guys who were common giraffe. I saw zebra, there were two types, which on a couple of occasions has interbred and gave birth to hybred, who are apparently sterile. The guides were great, if I mentioned I would like to....see, or do anything, they just went off road and did it, I wanted to see the river where the animals drank from, so he took me, The whole camp was amazing, such an incredible experience, you can't put into words the feeling of the place, it's so friendly, run very efficiently, and extremely eco friendly. Well worth coming.

I could go on for hours about the animals, and what it felt like to actually see them do things you've read about or seen on documentaries. I said to the guys I wanted to see a chase, but not the kill, and to see the animals after the kill, and I did, they seemed to go out of their way to please, and nothing was too much trouble." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya; 2n in Zimbabwe

"We (a family of 5) had a fantastic time at Ol Pejeta Bush Camp. The safari with our guide Yusef (very kind and knowledgeable), the lovely tents (everything you needed), the very delicious food (they could cater to all kinds of requests) but above all the fantastic personal touch of the owner Alex and his stuff made our stay a very memorable one. We also very much loved the breakfasts and sun downers out in the bush. The whole team really does everything they can to give you the best time ever." See all these reviews: 8n in Kenya

"Ol Pejeta campsite was enshrouded with a peace and quiet that I indulged myself in. My Guide and Driver were excellent and were obviously just as interested in what I had to tell them as I was in what they had to tell me and they were always eager to answer my questions. I could not have wished for a better Guide and Driver, in their company I felt as if I was out with Friends. All the staff were respectful, friendly and eager to help to ensure that I enjoyed my stay at the campsite and that I was comfortable and looked after. So much so that on my first night I found my bed not only had five blankets on it but also had two hot water bottles tucked away inside.

The night was accompanied with the noises of two local lionesses who prowled Ol Pejeta Campsite which was on their territory. There was also a resident Goliath Heron who paraded the opposite river bank to mine and even though he got to know about my camera and move away when he saw it I did get a shot of him standing in the sunshine with his wings spread wide open.

There were books in the lounge area, both fiction and non fiction, which I enjoyed browsing (this is what I missed in the other campsites) and in the same area there was a huge log fire to sit beside in the evenings.
The meals were mostly from a quality buffet which as an almost non-meat eater I prefer and 'seconds' were always available.

I enjoyed a visit to the rhino sanctuary and actually touched a rhino but, big question, could he feel my touch through that thick skin? We also visited the chimpanzees' sanctuary but, ashamedly, I did not find it so interesting.

During the afternoons the wind increased in strength and became very cold and from my first evening I was offered, and took, the seat next to the driver to make sure I was warm enough. That same evening there was a terrific downpour of rain which filled a lot of elephant wallowing holes ready for the next day. The rain also brought the elephants into the area.

The biggest prize in our game viewing was to see a bat-eared fox but amongst others I also saw rhinos, zebras, monkeys, giraffes and at last a betrothed couple of 'pink' legged ostriches.
On my second morning and for the first time I was able to see Mount Kenya without its usual shroud of cloud. I was honored!

At the end of my last game drive we saw the most spectacular sunset I have ever seen and there was no need for a drink, eats or a table to sit at. We viewed it from the vehicle and were able to drive along to different viewpoints. Artistically and visually it was superb but scientifically it was mind-boggling and something I shall always remember.

Ol Pejeta Bush Camp is the site I would want to visit again, It was everything that I could wish for. It was the place where I was most content and hope to visit again." See all these reviews: 14n in Kenya

"This is not a 5* hotel or an 'out of this world' upscale experience, nor does it seek to be. It is a Bush Camp. Having set that expectation, it is excellent at what it aims to deliver. Individual tented bedrooms are very comfortable and well finished (half a dozen in total). Showers are available in the en suite bathrooms within minutes of being requested.The one central building (the Mess) comprises a reception area, west facing terrace/bar area, sitting area with books and log fire, and dining area.

The food is excellent (head chef James), most drinks are free (including very acceptable Italian wines), all staff very good or better and all very friendly indeed (a credit to the manageress and to the individual owner), and the evening dinner party atmosphere all on one table most convivial and interesting. This Mess building is new and is only now being finished off in its details but that did not detract from the enjoyment of my short stay at all. Wifi available but sometimes patchy.

Within 48 hours, I had seen so many animals on safari including all the so-called Big Five (with all 3 species of rhino) (and I did not particularly target the five at all). I could happily have stayed longer but this was planned at short notice just as a couple of days at the end of a Mount Kenya trek.

Great suggestion for me personally by Expert Africa and many thanks indeed for putting it together with some road transport and a flight so quickly." See all these reviews: 2n in Kenya

"This was one of the two really outstanding places where we stayed. Alex Hunter (owner/manager) was an excellent host and was both hospitable and helpful, leading a superb team. Abdi was a knowledgeable guide and good driver. The food was excellent.

All very highly recommended. We felt really well looked after and hope to return again one day." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya; 5n in Tanzania