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About the Author

Ivy is the researcher and writer behind The African Gourmet, blending African food, history, and cultural storytelling. Her work is cited by universities, Wikipedia, major news outlets, and global food writers.

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Start Here: Explore Africa’s Living Knowledge

Learn Africa through science, stories, recipes, proverbs, history, and geography — interconnected, just as life is.

Laikipia Kenya: Grevy’s Zebra, Rare Plants and Africa’s Great Rift Valley

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📁 endangered Grevy’s zebra 📁 Great Rift Valley 📁 Kenya 📁 Laikipia 📁 Maasai culture 📁 Wildlife of Africa
Maasai men playing cricket in Laikipia, Kenya

Laikipia, Kenya: Grevy’s Zebra and Rare Plants

Laikipia County sits in Kenya’s stunning Great Rift Valley, a region famous for wide open savannah, ancient cultures, and incredible wildlife. It’s one of the best places in Africa to spot the endangered Grevy’s zebra — the largest and rarest zebra species on Earth — along with unique plants and a mix of traditional and modern Kenyan life.

What “Laikipia” Means

The word Laikipia comes from the Maasai language and means treeless plain. The county stretches across 9,462 km² (3,653 mi²) along the equator, under the shadow of Mount Kenya.

Peopleand Culture

Laikipia is home to many ethnic groups. The Kikuyu and Maasai peoples make up the majority, while Borana, Samburu, Kalenjin, Meru, Somali, Turkana, and settlers of European and Asian origin also live here. Most people in northern Laikipia are pastoralists, moving livestock to find water and grazing land. Tourism, ranching, and small farming also support the local economy.

Wildlife Highlights

Laikipia is a biodiversity hotspot with the Big Five — elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino — plus some of Africa’s most threatened species. Here you can see:

  • Grevy’s zebra — bigger and rarer than common zebras, with thin stripes and a white belly.
  • Reticulated giraffe — one of three giraffe subspecies found only in Kenya.
  • Hundreds of birds, insects, and pollinators — including native bees vital for the ecosystem.
  • Medicinal and aromatic plants such as aloe and stinging nettle, used for local remedies and essential oils.
Grevy’s zebra with thin stripes and white belly

Did you know? Fewer than 2,500 Grevy’s zebras survive today — down from more than 15,000 just a few decades ago. Habitat loss, overgrazing, and reduced water sources threaten their future.

Grevy’s Zebra — A Presidential Gift

This striking zebra was named after French president François Paul Jules Grévy, who gifted the species to the King of Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia) in the 1880s. Today, Grevy’s zebras live mostly in northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia.

Climate and Landscape

Laikipia’s location on the equator brings cool, temperate weather and sweeping plains. It’s a working landscape — home to wildlife reserves, tourism lodges, pastoralists, and small farmers who depend on healthy ecosystems for water and grazing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Laikipia, Kenya?

Laikipia County is in central Kenya along the equator, just north of Mount Kenya in the Great Rift Valley.

What animals live in Laikipia?

Laikipia has the Big Five (lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, rhino) and endangered species like Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe.

Why is the Grevy’s zebra endangered?

Habitat destruction, competition with livestock, reduced water, hunting, and disease have caused sharp population decline.

What plants is Laikipia known for?

Over 500 medicinal and aromatic plants, including aloe and stinging nettle, grow in Laikipia’s diverse ecosystems.

Explore More African Wildlife

The African Gourmet explores how African food, history, and science intertwine. Here, a plant is a healer, a story is a map, and the kitchen is a laboratory. I’m Ivy — a writer raised by historians, now sharing Africa’s wisdom from the U.S. through cookbooks, cultural research, and storytelling. If you’re curious about where flavor meets memory, you belong here.

Recipes Explain Politics

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🍚 When Rice Recipes Become Revolution

What if your grandmother's rice recipe could explain the Liberian Rice Riots of 1979?

"In Liberia, rice isn't just food—it's life, identity, and sovereignty. When the government proposed raising rice prices in 1979, they weren't just adjusting economics; they were threatening every grandmother's ability to feed her family according to traditions passed down for generations. The riot that followed wasn't about politics—it was about the sacred right to cook your family's rice recipe."

🍲 The Deeper Recipe:

  • Ingredients: Colonial trade patterns + Urbanization + Economic inequality
  • Preparation: Political disconnect from daily survival needs
  • Serving: 40+ deaths, regime destabilization, and a warning about ignoring cultural fundamentals

This is African Gourmet analysis: understanding how the food in grandmother's pot connects to the protests in the streets. The recipes we inherit carry not just flavor, but the entire history of our political and economic struggles.

Understanding Africa through the stories our food tells • Since 2006

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African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why "The African Gourmet" if you cover more than just food?

Great question! While many associate "gourmet" exclusively with cuisine, its true meaning is "a connoisseur" – someone with refined taste and deep expertise. For over 18 years, I've served as a gourmet of African culture at large, savoring and presenting the continent's rich history, vibrant traditions, timeless wisdom, and contemporary stories with the same discerning palate one would apply to fine food. The name reflects my commitment to curating Africa's cultural wealth with authority and passion.

What makes The African Gourmet different from other culture sites?

With 18 years of consistent publishing, I offer depth and continuity that's rare online. I don't just report on African culture – I contextualize it, connecting traditional wisdom with modern realities, and food with folklore, politics, and daily life. It's a holistic view of Africa's past, present, and future, all through the lens of a seasoned cultural storyteller.

How do you choose what to write about?

My content selection is driven by a desire to showcase Africa's incredible diversity and challenge stereotypes. I balance covering foundational cultural elements (like proverbs and recipes) with timely analysis of current events (like the AGOA trade agreement). The goal is always to educate and illuminate the complex, dynamic realities of the African continent.

Do you focus on specific regions of Africa?

My coverage spans the entire continent – from North to South, East to West. While certain stories may focus on specific countries or regions, my mission is to represent the breathtaking diversity of 54 countries and thousands of cultures. I make a conscious effort to include both well-known and underrepresented cultures in my work.

Can I request a topic or contribute to the site?

I welcome thoughtful topic suggestions from engaged readers! While I maintain editorial control to ensure quality and consistency, I'm always interested in hearing what aspects of African culture you're curious about. Feel free to reach out through my contact page with your ideas.

How can I support The African Gourmet's work?

The greatest support is engaged readership – sharing articles you find valuable, participating in discussions, and helping spread cultural understanding. Following the blog and sharing it with others who would appreciate this unique perspective on Africa helps this 18-year labor of love continue to grow and reach new audiences.