Endangered Species Boma Ol Pejeta Northern White Rhino Conservation Kenya

Located within the vast Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya, the Endangered Species Boma is a place of global significance. This high-security enclosure is the protected home of Najin and Fatu, the last two northern white rhinos on Earth, offering visitors a deeply moving opportunity to meet them and learn about the mission to save their subspecies from extinction.

Home to the Last Two Northern White Rhinos

The primary residents of the boma are Najin and her daughter, Fatu. They are the last two individuals of the northern white rhino subspecies left in the world. Their story is both poignant and hopeful.

They were born in captivity at the Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic and were moved to Ol Pejeta in 2009 along with two males, in the hope that returning to their natural African habitat would encourage them to breed.

Sadly, natural breeding efforts were unsuccessful. The enclosure was also home to Sudan, the last male northern white rhino, who became a global icon for conservation before he passed away of age-related complications in 2018. Today, Najin and Fatu live under constant 24-hour armed guard, protected from the poaching threat that wiped out their wild relatives.

A visit is an opportunity to stand in the presence of the last of a kind, a truly profound experience.

The Science of Saving a Subspecies

The Endangered Species Boma is much more than just a home for the rhinos; it is a living laboratory at the forefront of conservation science. It is the operational base for the BioRescue project, a global consortium of scientists and conservationists working to prevent the extinction of the northern white rhino.

As Najin and Fatu are unable to carry a pregnancy to term, the only hope for the subspecies lies in advanced assisted reproductive technologies.

Periodically, a team of veterinarians and scientists performs a procedure to harvest eggs (ova) from Fatu. These eggs are then flown to a specialized laboratory in Italy, where they are fertilized in-vitro using frozen sperm collected from deceased male northern white rhinos.

The resulting viable embryos are cryopreserved, with the ultimate goal of transferring them into carefully selected southern white rhino females who will act as surrogate mothers. This groundbreaking work represents the last hope for bringing the northern white rhino back from the brink of extinction.

The Exclusive Visitor Experience

A visit to the Endangered Species Boma is not a typical safari activity. It is a highly exclusive and pre-booked experience that allows for an intimate and personal encounter with Najin and Fatu.

Unlike a game drive where animals are viewed from a distance, this visit allows you to enter the enclosure on foot, accompanied by one of the dedicated keepers who cares for the rhinos every day. This creates a much more profound connection with the animals and their story.

During the visit, which typically lasts around 45 minutes, the keeper will introduce you to the rhinos, share personal anecdotes about their distinct personalities, and explain their daily routines.

You will learn about the immense effort that goes into their care and protection, including the 24/7 armed security. Visitors are often able to get very close to the rhinos in a safe and controlled manner, offering an unparalleled opportunity to photograph and simply be in the presence of the last two individuals of a subspecies.

Fees for the Northern White Rhino Experience

A visit to the Endangered Species Boma is an exclusive, pre-booked activity that is separate from the general conservancy admission. All revenue generated from these visits is dedicated entirely to the Northern White Rhino Recovery Programme, funding everything from the keepers' salaries and the rhinos' food to the advanced veterinary procedures.

Booking in advance is mandatory as visitor numbers are strictly limited to ensure the well-being of Najin and Fatu. The fees are structured based on residency, and it is always best to confirm the most current rates on the official Ol Pejeta Conservancy website before your visit.

Booking Your Visit to the Boma

Visiting the northern white rhinos is a special activity that must be arranged in advance. It is not included in the standard Ol Pejeta Conservancy entrance fee and requires a separate ticket, with all proceeds going directly to the ongoing care of the rhinos and the scientific efforts to save the subspecies.

Due to the exclusive nature of the visit and the need to protect the rhinos from stress, the number of visitors is strictly limited each day.

Bookings must be made directly with Ol Pejeta Conservancy, either through their online portal or by contacting their reservations team. It is highly recommended to book well in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, as the available slots fill up quickly.

The experience is typically offered at several set times during the day. Confirming the specific timings and the current cost when you book is essential for planning your itinerary within the conservancy.

Other Vulnerable Species in the Enclosure

While the northern white rhinos are the permanent and most famous residents, the Endangered Species Boma also serves a broader conservation purpose within Ol Pejeta.

The high level of security makes it an ideal temporary sanctuary for other rare and vulnerable species that may be part of specific breeding or translocation programs. It functions as a safe holding area where animals can be monitored closely before being released into the wider conservancy.

Depending on the conservation projects active at the time of your visit, you may also have the chance to see other animals within the boma. In the past, this has included small populations of the critically endangered Grevy's zebra and the endangered Jackson's hartebeest.

The enclosure has also been used to care for a blind black rhino named Baraka, who acts as an ambassador for his species. These additional residents highlight the boma's crucial role in Ol Pejeta's multi-faceted approach to protecting East Africa's endangered wildlife.