Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy Animal Orphanage


It may come off a little zoo-like at first but this orphanage is one of the few places in the world to have successfully bred the rare mountain bongo. Its success is such that there are now plans to release some of the captive-bred antelope into the Mt Kenya forests to bolster the current population of around 70. Children, and anyone who wants to have a baby monkey scramble over their head, will love this place.

It's deceivingly large and worth asking the guides about each animal's story. The orphanage has some of the last pygmy hippos in Kenya (which were given to the first president, Jomo Kenyatta) as well as a rescued leopard and cheetahs. As you enter, be prepared for the free roaming bongos, llamas and ostriches.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Highland Castle

11.12 MILES

If you are trekking along the Burguret Route, you will likely camp just below the lava cliff of Highland Castle at 3700m. If time allows and you're…

2. Endangered Species Enclosure

11.98 MILES

This 283-hectare drive-through enclosure next to the Morani Information Centre is home to the last three remaining northern white rhinos (one male and two…

3. Morani Information Centre

11.98 MILES

Part education or interpretation centre, part museum, this three-roomed structure is appealingly interactive and comes with instructions to 'please touch'…

4. Mt Kenya National Park

14.17 MILES

Africa’s second-highest mountain is also one of its most beautiful. Here, mere minutes from the equator, glaciers carve out the throne of Ngai, the old…

5. Shipton's Caves

14.42 MILES

Just before Shipton's Camp, along the Sirimon Route, you will find Shipton's Caves. You'll likely spend a night here to acclimatise, so ask your guide if…

6. Ol Pejeta Conservancy

14.91 MILES

Ol Pejeta Conservancy was once one of the largest cattle ranches in Kenya, but is now a 365-sq-km, privately owned wildlife reserve. It markets itself as…

7. Chimpanzee Sanctuary

15.18 MILES

Home to 39 profoundly damaged chimpanzees rescued from captivity across Africa and further afield, Ol Pejeta's Chimp Sanctuary encompasses two large…

8. Solio Game Reserve

17.51 MILES

This family run, private 71-sq-km reserve, 22km north of Nyeri, is Kenya's oldest rhino sanctuary and an important breeding centre for black rhinos. The…