Solio Game Reserve
Central Kenya Region
Solio Game Reserve, also known as Solio Ranch, is a privately owned wildlife conservancy located in Kenya's Central Province. Established in 1970, it was the world's first private rhino sanctuary, dedicated primarily to the conservation and breeding of the endangered black rhino. Covering approximately 7,100 hectares, the reserve provides a secure, fenced habitat that has allowed rhino populations to recover and thrive, with rhinos from Solio supporting other conservation areas across Africa. Beyond rhinos, the reserve hosts a rich diversity of wildlife including buffalo, zebra, giraffe, eland, oryx, impala, waterbuck, Thompson's gazelle, warthog, lions, and leopards. Solio Lodge, the exclusive luxury accommodation within the reserve, offers guests unparalleled close encounters with up to 40 rhinos at a time, along with diverse safari activities such as game drives, horseback riding, nature walks, and wellness treatments. The reserve's location between Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountains enhances its scenic and ecological significance, making it a unique destination for wildlife enthusiasts and conservation supporters alike.
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Tip: For the best experience, visit Solio Game Reserve during the dry seasons when wildlife sightings are more frequent. Booking accommodations and game drives in advance is recommended due to the lodge's exclusivity and limited capacity. Visitors can enjoy discounts or special packages by booking directly through the official website or authorized safari operators. Early morning and late afternoon game drives offer the most active wildlife encounters, including rhino viewing. Consider combining your visit with excursions to nearby Mount Kenya or Aberdare Mountains for a fuller Kenyan safari experience.
Interesting facts
- •Solio Game Reserve was the world's first private rhino sanctuary, established in 1970.
- •The reserve covers approximately 7,100 hectares (17,500 acres) and is fully fenced for protection.
- •Rhino populations from Solio have been translocated to other reserves across Africa to aid conservation.
- •Up to 40 rhinos can be seen simultaneously during game drives, a rare spectacle in wildlife reserves.
- •Solio supports a wide array of wildlife beyond rhinos, including lions, leopards, giraffes, and various antelope species.
History
Solio Game Reserve was founded in 1970 when Courtland Parfet, the owner of Solio cattle ranch, fenced off a large portion of his land to create Africa's first private rhino sanctuary.
This initiative was a response to the drastic decline in black rhino populations caused by rampant poaching during the 1970s and 1980s.
Initially a cattle ranch, the area was transformed into a protected wildlife conservancy with support from the Kenyan government and wildlife authorities.
Over the following decades, Solio became a critical breeding ground for black rhinos, helping to repopulate other reserves across Kenya and Africa.
Despite challenges such as poaching attacks in the early 2000s, the reserve remains a cornerstone of rhino conservation efforts.
Place Guide
Solio Lodge
The only luxury guest accommodation within the Solio Game Reserve, offering exclusive rhino viewing experiences and a range of safari activities including game drives, horseback riding, cycling, and nature walks.
Rhino Sanctuary Area1970
A securely fenced habitat dedicated to the breeding and protection of black and white rhinos, crucial for the species' recovery in Kenya.
Game Drives and Wildlife Viewing
Guided safari drives through the reserve enable sightings of diverse wildlife including lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, and numerous antelope species, often accompanied by bush breakfasts and sundowners.
Contact
Phone: 0111 033900
