Solio Ranch

Wildlife & Animals

Expert

Anthony is the author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya.

Solio Ranch is quite a small property and is totally fenced: you can see most of the ranch’s animals in a couple of days. Black and white rhino concentrations are excellent here. There are more black rhinos, but they’re often concealed in the trees and are more difficult to see than white rhinos. Lion sightings are also possible. Other wildlife includes zebra, giraffe, warthog and buffalo. Antelope species include the stately eland, Coke’s hartebeest, Beisa oryx, waterbuck and impala.

ElephantNone

GiraffeOccasional

HippoNone

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

WildebeestNone

White RhinoAbundant

Black RhinoOccasional

LionOccasional

LeopardRare

CheetahOccasional

HyenaOccasional

Wild DogNone

Wildlife Highlights

Rhinos are the specialty of this small reserve. White rhinos wander around the grassy plains in small family groups of three to four individuals, although unusual herds of up to 15 can be encountered. Black rhinos, typically very shy, can be seen in thicker vegetation. Unusually, the two species sometimes hang out together in mixed groups. Predators such as lion, cheetah and leopard are either resident or pass through regularly.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife viewing in Solio is good at any time because of the small size of the fenced reserve. Rain can interfere with game drives and general enjoyment of the environment, however, so the best time to visit is during the Dry season (June to September). There’s another dry period from December to February, which is also good.