Mugie is at the northern end of the Laikipia Plateau with a spectacular view of Mount Kenya. The climate on Mugie at 6,000ft (1,800m) is temperate with warm days, cool nights and constant breezes. A welcome fire is often lit in the evening.

 

Laikipia is host to many tribes but principally the Pokot, Turkana, Samburu and Il Dorobo whose people have maintained their traditional way of life. Mugie employs people from all these tribes.

 

Mugie Conservatory was founded by the Hahn family who have been involved in Africa’s wildlife and people for over forty years. For the last 32 years, Mugie has been managed by Claus Mortensen who was born and brought up in Kenya. Mugie Sanctuary has preserved and increased its population of critically endangered black rhino and Jackson’s hartebeests. Through their preservation of the delicate ecosystem, the sanctuary has boosted populations of lion, oryx, elephant, giraffe, cape buffalo, gravy zebra, eland, as well as over two hundred unique bird species.

 

The Local Area

The Conservancy is a vital part of the local economy by providing employment and medical care to the surrounding tribes. We are especially proud of Mugie Primary School which is now ranked number one in the district. Mugie provides nutritious meals, uniforms and teachers for more than two hundred pupils including eleven special needs children.

 

Accommodation

The accommodation is primarily Mutamaiyu House for those seeking a luxurious stay. For those who want something more adventurous, self contained camping sites are available by prior arrangement. Setting up can be done in the Rhino sanctuary at a designated site. Firewood, water and security can be provided for a small charge in addition to the conservation fee. Campsites outside the sanctuary can also be organised.

 

Kenya is world renowned for its wildlife, where generations of travellers have enjoyed safaris. Mugie hosts the “Big Five” but remains a private conservancy so both the wildlife and guests enjoy the tranquility. Bush walks are not permitted in Kenya's national parks but on Mugie this is encouraged subject of course to the security of our guides.

 

Wildlife

Plains Game

Buffalo, Grevy’s Zebra, Burchell’s Zebra, Warthog, Dik-dik, Eland, Gerenuk, Grant’s, Gazelle, Hartebeest, Impala, Oryx, Steenbok, Thomson’s Gazelle, Waterbuck

 

Predators

Cheetah, Leopard, Lion, Aardvark, Aardwolf, Bat-eared Fox, Civet Cat, Genet Cat, Hyena, Jackal, Mongoose, Serval Cat, Wild Dog

 

Rhino

Black rhino were re-introduced to Mugie in 2004 making them the world’s most northern black rhino population. The translocation of the black rhino to Mugie was part of a national effort to protect and enhance black rhino population in Kenya by moving rhinos from Nairobi National Park, Nakuru National Park and Solio Ranch to other protected areas to form viable breeding populations.

 

Mugie has always had an indigenous black rhino population but in 1980 the last rhino were removed at the height of the poaching which decimated the rhino and elephant populations throughout Africa.

 

Mugie has the perfect habitat for black rhino with all of their favourite trees, shrubs and plants. Due to the rarity of the rhino, close monitoring and security is needed. Everyday, rangers in the field check the body condition and the welfare of each rhino. In partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, the Mugie rhino monitoring team share a database of information which is crucial to understanding and protecting these amazing animals.

 

Elephants & Girrafe

There are around 85 resident elephants on Mugie with herds of up to 300-400 migrants crossing the conservancy. Mugie also has the elegant and graceful Reticulated Giraffe.

 

Birds

Mugie is a bird watching paradise with a quarter of Kenya’s 1,000 bird species to be found. The birdlife ranges from rarely seen bustards, flamboyant starlings, arid land birds such as sand grouse to tropical forest birds such as turacos and trogons.