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