Black Leopards of Kenya Safari II

2028 Black Leopards of Kenya Safari II Travel Plans

Tuesday, January 18

Depart the US/Canada.

Wednesday, January 19 (D)

Arrive in Nairobi. Transfer to the hotel will be provided using their airport shuttle. We’ll gather this evening for a group welcome dinner and drinks. Overnight at Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport (or similar)

Thursday, January 20 – Sunday, January 23, 4 Nights (B, L, D, Bev, Lau)

After breakfast, we’ll depart from Nairobi and fly to Laikipia Wilderness Camp. Our luggage will travel by road—no weight restrictions!

The Camp
Upon arrival, get settled in at our camps. Natural Exposures has secured exclusive use at Laikipia Wilderness’ Main Camp and River Camp. Main Camp guests can enjoy spacious tents with an ensuite bathroom and a private veranda offering stunning views over the Ewaso Narok River and Laikipia landscape. The River Camp is located under the tree canopy on the banks of the Ewaso Narok and has the same ethos as the Main Camp. Each cottage offers a spacious interior, an ensuite open-air bathroom, and a private veranda overlooking the river.

Black Leopard Game Drives
Set out twice daily in our specially designated Black Leopard Safari Vehicles, limited to just four guests per vehicle to ensure ample space for camera gear, comfort, and unobstructed photographic opportunities. These purpose-built safari vehicles provide prioritized access to black leopard sightings, giving our group the best possible access and priority when sightings are reported.

Laikipia is fortunate to be home to a thriving leopard population, many of which are well habituated to safari vehicles, creating outstanding opportunities to observe and photograph these elusive cats.

During game drives, our primary focus will be tracking and photographing the famous black leopard that inhabits this remote wilderness. These rare melanistic leopards are among Africa’s most sought-after wildlife subjects, known for their shadow-like appearance and beautifully ghosted rosettes visible in the right light. Early-morning and late-afternoon game drives maximize opportunities for dramatic photographic conditions, from golden, dust-filled backlighting to low-light behavioral moments.

Beyond the black leopard, Laikipia Wilderness Camp delivers exceptional photographic diversity within its 20,000 acres. The region supports the endangered Grevy’s zebra, large elephant populations, several antelope species, striped and spotted hyenas, river buffalo, hippos, warthogs, and a remarkable variety of birdlife—over 500 species have been recorded! Predator encounters are frequent, with opportunities to photograph lions, cheetahs, and leopards in beautiful, uncluttered terrain. Laikipia is one of Kenya’s best destinations to spot the elusive and endangered African wild dog.

Night Drives
Unearth striped and spotted hyenas, aardwolf, aardvark, zorillas, porcupines, genets, white-tailed mongoose, and other small mammals. Laikipia has a couple of camera traps, which we can set up to capture wildlife at night. This can be an exciting activity during your stay, especially if we find an animal kill or a den. Red lights are used for night drives.

Monday, January 24 – Thursday, January 27, 4 Nights (B, L, D, Bev, Lau)

After breakfast, we will drive to the nearby luxurious andBeyond Suyian Lodge.

The Lodge
Get settled into your suite! Each suite features a private rim-flow plunge pool and window views of ancient kopjes, endless plains, Mount Kenya’s silhouette, and the dawn light rising over the riverbend. SWAROVSKI OPTIK Companion 8×32 binoculars are provided in your room to use during your stay, so be sure to grab them before heading outside or on safari!

All meals, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages (excluding champagne, cognac, and fine wines), as well as laundry service, are included in your stay.

Black Leopard Game Drives
Named after the African wild dog in the local Maa language, Suyian Conservancy spans approximately 44,000 acres of prime wilderness and conservation land in northwestern Laikipia. Framed by the snow-capped silhouette of Mount Kenya and bordered by the Ewaso Narok River, the conservancy lies between the southeast and northwest Laikipia Conservancies, forming a vital wildlife corridor within one of Kenya’s richest ecosystems. Over 100 mammal species have been recorded on the conservancy, with more than 50 regularly seen throughout the year.

Game drives at Suyian are defined by their exclusivity and sense of wilderness, often unfolding without another vehicle in sight. The conservancy supports thriving populations of rare and distinctive northern Kenyan species, including the elusive melanistic black leopard, African wild dog, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, and desert warthog. Afternoon drives extend into the evening, revealing the nocturnal rhythms of the bush: striped hyenas emerging at dusk, aardvarks foraging under cover of darkness, and porcupines glinting silver beneath the moonlight as they leave their burrows in search of food.

We will venture out twice daily to experience the breadth of Suyian’s landscapes and wildlife. Each vehicle accommodates a maximum of four guests. Along the way, refreshment stops provide time to stretch your legs and take in the extraordinary surroundings, while expert guides share deep knowledge of the conservancy, its wildlife, and the stories that make this landscape so unique.

R&R
Middays, when the sun is at its peak, and the animals are less active, we’ll take time to relax.

This is a good time to take advantage of Suyian’s wellness center. Two treatment rooms open onto striking conservatory views, each with a private shower, changing area, and veranda. A steam room and cold plunge pool complete the space for deeper renewal. Or lounge in one of the shaded sun loungers near the lodge’s aprkling rim-flow pool, the perfect setting for quiet contemplation, afternoon tea, or simply letting time drift by.

Friday, January 28 (B)

Fly to Nairobi late morning; luggage will arrive by road. Depart Nairobi (airport code NBO) in the evening, or continue with Natural Exposures for the gorillas of Rwanda!

Saturday, January 29

Arrive home.