Part of the Big 5, the rhinoceros is one of Africa's most emblematic animals. It is also one of the world's most threatened large animals. The good news? Thanks to numerous protection measures implemented by authorities and sanctuaries, their numbers are rising again. It is therefore still possible to see them on safari. We invite you to discover the best places to see rhinoceros in Kenya.

Did you know? What is the difference between black and white rhinoceros?

Contrary to popular belief, black and white rhinoceros are not distinguished by their color. In fact, their names stem from a mistranslation of the Afrikaans word "wyd," which means "wide" and was long confused with "white." In reality, the word "wyd" refers to the wide, flat shape of the upper lip of the white rhinoceros, unlike the black rhinoceros which has a more hooked, V-shaped lip. This is the only physical distinction that can be made between the two species.

Why are rhinoceros threatened?

While they once roamed the African continent in great numbers, rhinoceros experienced a significant population decline at the dawn of the twentieth century.

This sad reality is explained by the reduction of their natural habitat (civil war and human activities) and by poaching. Early colonists arriving in Africa hunted them mainly for "sport" and their meat. More recently, poachers kill rhinoceros for their horns, which they sell to certain Asian and Middle Eastern countries, where rhinoceros horn is mistakenly believed to have medicinal properties. 

The result? The various species of rhinoceros are no longer counted in thousands but in hundreds throughout Kenya. To counter the devastating decline of rhinoceros, reserves have been created and numerous protection operations have been implemented throughout the country.

Here is an overview of the situation for each species:

• Black rhinoceros: classified as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), this species experienced a population decline of 97.6% between 1960 and the 1990s. Black rhinoceros comprise three subspecies: the eastern, southern, and southwestern black rhinoceros.

• Northern white rhinoceros: considered extinct in the wild, only two individuals remain in the world, located at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya.

• Southern white rhinoceros: this subspecies of white rhinoceros is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). While only 20 to 50 individuals were found in South Africa in the late nineteenth century, collective conservation efforts have restored their numbers to more than 16,000 individuals across the continent.

Parks and reserves where you'll have the best chance of seeing rhinoceros in Kenya 

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Located on the slopes of Mount Kenya and Aberdare National Park, just 3 to 4 hours' drive from Nairobi, Ol Pejeta Conservancy is considered the rhinoceros paradise.

Indeed, it is the largest sanctuary for black rhinoceros in all of Central and East Africa. While the sanctuary had only 20 black rhinoceros in 1993, protection and reintroduction operations have allowed this number to climb to 165 individuals today.

In addition to black rhinoceros, Ol Pejeta Conservancy is known for harboring the world's last two northern white rhinoceros. This subspecies of white rhinoceros is considered extinct in the wild. Unfortunately, the two females known as Fatu and Najin are no longer able to reproduce. According to the sanctuary: "The future of this subspecies now lies in the development of in vitro fertilization techniques and stem cell technologies, costly and complicated procedures that have never been attempted before in rhinoceros."

Finally, the Ol Pejeta conservation sanctuary is home to 44 southern white rhinoceros, the first individuals of which were introduced in 2005. This is a species listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Good to know:

In addition to the various rhinoceros species, the Ol Pejeta sanctuary is home to many wild animals including the Big 5 and endangered and critically endangered species such as African wild dogs, cheetahs, lions, Grevy's zebras, and Jackson's hartebeest. It is also the only place in Kenya where you can see chimpanzees!

Lake Nakuru National Park

Located in central Kenya, at the bottom of the Great Rift Valley, the Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the rare national parks in the country where you can still see rhinoceros on a wildlife safari.

Indeed, eastern black rhinoceros (an endemic species) and South African white rhinoceros were introduced there in the 1980s at the government's initiative with the objective of ensuring the survival of the species. To protect them from poachers, an electric fence was installed around the entire park. Thanks to these conservation efforts, Lake Nakuru National Park was designated in 1984 as Kenya's first rhinoceros sanctuary.

Today, around a hundred are found there. Visitors will have a better chance of spotting white rhinoceros, particularly in the south of the lake, than black rhinoceros, which are known for being more shy and fond of hiding in the bush. In any case, this is THE park to choose if you want to have the best chance of seeing rhinoceros on a safari in Kenya.

Note:

In addition to its rhinoceros populations, Lake Nakuru National Park is known for its impressive bird colonies as well as other emblematic African animals such as lions, buffalo, hippopotamuses, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs…

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

Located in northern Kenya, south of Isiolo and north of Mount Kenya, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is, along with Ol Pejeta Conservancy, one of the best places to observe rhinoceros up close in their natural habitat in Kenya.

Created in 1995, at the initiative of the Craig family (the reserve's owners) and the famous rhinoceros advocate, Anna Merz, the wildlife reserve initially had only 15 individuals. Today, the sanctuary is home to 244 rhinoceros in total. This represents approximately 10% of Kenya's black rhinoceros population and 15% of Kenya's southern white rhinoceros population.

It is worth noting that Lewa Wildlife Conservancy also houses the Northern Rangelands Trust. This is an innovative partnership with several northern communities that have donated land to help preserve wildlife. The sanctuary also offers an educational program that helps with the development of schools and students.

Good to know:

In addition to its rhinoceros, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a refuge for elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, giraffes, wild dogs... There are also more than 450 bird species and the world's largest population of Grevy's zebras, an endangered species. You can go on safari by staying at one of the reserve's luxury lodges.

Tsavo East National Park (Ngulia Sanctuary)

Head to the coastal province in southeastern Kenya to discover Kenya's largest conservation area: Tsavo National Park. It is in the Tsavo East National Park, more precisely in the Ngulia rhinoceros sanctuary, where you can see rhinoceros.

Located on the foothills of the Ngulia Hills, the sanctuary was created in 1986 to combat the devastating effects of poaching. Indeed, the rhinoceros population in Tsavo West National Park was approximately 20,000 individuals in 1940 and dropped dramatically in the following years to only 20 individuals by 1989.

Thanks to conservation efforts and multiple anti-poaching protection measures, the park now has 80 rhinoceros protected by an electrified fence and the presence of ranger patrols.

Note:

On a safari in Tsavo East National Park, you will not only be able to see the rhinoceros of Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary but you will also be able to admire elephant families, lions, Masai giraffes, buffalo, dik-diks, Cape elands and impalas and many more...

Solio Reserve (Solio Ranch)

Solio Reserve (also called Solio Ranch) is a private, enclosed wildlife reserve focused on rhinoceros conservation. It is therefore one of the best natural sites for observing rhinoceros in Kenya.

Located between the high slopes of Mount Kenya and the peaks of the Aberdare Mountains, the reserve was founded in 1970. The land was once used for livestock farming before being transformed into a nature reserve to accommodate wild animals.

It is home to around a hundred rhinoceros (black and southern white) and boasts hosting the world's largest population of southern white rhinoceros. It is even said that the reserve has the highest density of rhinoceros per square kilometer. Moreover, your chances of spotting them are excellent!

Good to know:

Very little known to tourists, Solio Reserve is the ideal place to go on safari off the beaten path in Kenya. In addition to rhinoceros, you can see buffalo, zebras, giraffes, oryx, Thomson's gazelles, impalas, waterbucks, lions, cheetahs...