Solio Game Reserve Safari – The Ultimate Rhino Safari in Kenya

A Solio Game Reserve Safari offers one of the most exclusive and conservation-focused wildlife experiences in Africa. Located on the Laikipia Plateau, between the dramatic landscapes of Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountains, Solio Game Reserve is internationally celebrated as a cornerstone of rhino conservation in Kenya.

For travellers seeking authentic Rhino Safaris in Kenya, Solio delivers something increasingly rare—space, silence, and purpose. This is a private sanctuary where wildlife protection, ethical tourism, and meaningful encounters come first.

At Wild Portraits Safaris, we design private safaris to Solio that go beyond sightings, allowing guests to actively support conservation while experiencing extraordinary wildlife moments.

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Why Choose a Solio Game Reserve Safari?

Solio Game Reserve is home to the largest population of Black and White Rhinos in Africa and is recognised as one of the most successful private conservation models in East Africa.

A Solio Game Reserve Safari offers:

• Low visitor numbers and minimal vehicle traffic

• Exceptional rhino sightings in open terrain

• Ethical, non-intrusive wildlife encounters

• A deep connection to conservation and education

This makes Solio one of the top destinations for Rhino Safaris in Kenya, particularly for photographers, conservation-minded travellers, and guests seeking a quiet, exclusive safari experience.

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The Conservation Story of Solio Game Reserve

Solio’s conservation journey began in 1966, when the land was purchased by Courtland Parfet and operated as a cattle ranch. Recognising the drastic decline of rhino populations due to poaching, Parfet made a visionary decision in 1970—to fence off a large section of the ranch and dedicate it entirely to the protection of endangered wildlife.

This marked the creation of Kenya’s first private rhino sanctuary.

At a time when Black Rhino numbers had fallen from tens of thousands to just a few hundred across East Africa, Solio became a safe haven where rhinos could live, breed, and thrive under strict protection.

Key Conservation Milestones

• 1970: Introduction of five Black Rhinos

• 1978: Arrival of Southern White Rhinos

• 1980s: Relocation of endangered rhinos from high-risk regions

• 2000 onwards: Rhinos translocated from Solio to strengthen populations at Lake Nakuru National Park, Lewa Conservancy, and Ol Pejeta Conservancy

• 2024: Establishment of a Rhino Orphanage to care for vulnerable and orphaned rhino calves

Today, Solio Game Reserve holds the second-largest rhino population globally and remains a vital stronghold for Rhino Safaris in Kenya.

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The Solio Rhino Orphanage – Protecting the Next Generation

The introduction of the Solio Rhino Orphanage in 2024 marked a major milestone in Kenya’s conservation efforts. The orphanage provides specialised care for orphaned and vulnerable rhino calves, many of whom have lost their mothers due to natural causes or human-related threats.

The orphanage focuses on:

• 24-hour veterinary and ranger care

• Rehabilitation and behavioural development

• Preparing calves for eventual reintegration into the wild

By visiting Solio Game Reserve, guests are directly contributing to the protection of future rhino generations—making every safari a meaningful act of conservation.

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Rhino Safaris in Kenya: What You’ll See at Solio

Black Rhino (Hook-lipped Rhinoceros)

Black Rhinos are browsers that thrive in Solio’s shrub and woodland habitats. Identified by their pointed upper lip, they are mostly solitary and highly photogenic. Calves stay with their mothers for up to four years, and individuals can live 40–50 years in the wild

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### White Rhino (Square-lipped Rhinoceros)

Larger and more social, White Rhinos are grazers that prefer open grasslands. Their relaxed group behaviour and impressive size make them ideal subjects for close wildlife photography.

Wild Portraits Safaris Guide Tip: It is common to observe multiple rhinos grazing together or gathering near waterholes during a Solio Game Reserve Safari.

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Wildlife Beyond Rhinos

Although rhinos dominate the landscape, Solio supports a rich variety of wildlife:

• Big Cats: Lion, leopard, and cheetah

• Plains Game: Giraffe, zebra, eland, oryx, impala, waterbuck, warthog

• Birdlife: Over 350 recorded bird species, making Solio a birdwatcher’s and photographer’s haven

What to Do on a Solio Game Reserve Safari

Private Wildlife Viewing

Solio offers intimate, unrushed game drives with the Big Four—lion, buffalo, leopard, and rhino. Elephants are absent to preserve sensitive rhino habitat, allowing for clearer visibility and better photography.

Rhino Tracking with Experts

Wild Portraits Safaris works with highly experienced professional guides renowned for their tracking skills, conservation knowledge, and photographic awareness.

Bush Dinners & Sundowners

Enjoy unforgettable moments in the wild—quiet sunrises, golden sunsets, and immersive bush dining experiences that deepen your emotional connection to the land.

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Conservation Fees – How Your Safari Makes a Difference

Every Solio Game Reserve Safari includes a mandatory conservation fee, which plays a critical role in protecting wildlife and supporting ongoing conservation initiatives.

Solio Game Reserve Conservation Fees

• USD 106 per adult per day

• USD 52 per child per day

These fees directly support:

• Rhino protection and anti-poaching patrols

• Veterinary care and monitoring programs

• The Solio Rhino Orphanage

• Habitat management and community conservation initiatives

By paying these fees, guests actively contribute to one of the most successful Rhino Safaris in Kenya, ensuring conservation remains sustainable for generations to come.

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Best Time to Visit Solio Game Reserve

Wildlife viewing is excellent throughout the year. However, the dry seasons (January–March and July–October) offer the best conditions for Rhino Safaris in Kenya, as animals gather near water sources and visibility improves.

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Getting There & Practical Information

• Location: Laikipia Plateau, Central Kenya

• Distance: 29 km from Nyeri | 180 km from Nairobi

• Access: Well-maintained roads using customised 4×4 safari vehicles

• Climate: Mild temperatures ranging between 15°C and 25°C

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Where to Stay on a Solio Game Reserve Safari

• Solio Lodge – Exclusive luxury lodge inside the reserve with exceptional rhino sightings

• JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp – Luxury tented camp near Solio

• Rhino Watch Safari Lodge – Photographer-founded lodge just outside the conservancy

Wild Portraits Safaris will recommend accommodation based on your photography goals, comfort preferences, and level of exclusivity.

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Why Book Your Solio Game Reserve Safari with Wild Portraits Safaris?

At Wild Portraits Safaris, we design private, conservation-led Rhino Safaris in Kenya for travellers who value:

• Ethical wildlife encounters

• Expert guiding and patient tracking

• Photography-focused experiences

• Direct contribution to conservation

A Solio Game Reserve Safari with us is more than a journey—it is a meaningful partnership with conservation.

👉 Let us design your private Solio Game Reserve Safari in Kena