Solio Reserve

The ‘Solio Ranch’ is one of the finest wildlife parks in Africa, which hasn´t figured on the tourist map for generations. The park is a fenced, privately-owned wildlife conservancy geared towards rhino conservation. The Solio Game Reserve was founded in 1970 when the owner of the Solio cattle ranch fenced off a large section of land and dedicated it to conservation. The park plays a major part in the protection and breeding of black rhinos in Kenya. Breeding has been so successful that rhino from Solio has stocked game reserves all over Africa. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for more information on the Solio Reserve and rhino conservation.

The park entrance to this wildlife and nature paradise is located only 5 minutes away from the Rhino Watch Safari Lodge, which is one of the reasons we consider the Solio Reserve one of our main attractions. In addition to the world’s largest population of white rhinos and the near hundred black rhino, the Solio Reserve is inhabited by different other wildlife, such as buffalo, zebra, giraffe, oryx, antelope, Thompson’s gazelle, impala, waterbuck, and warthog. The park also offers some of the best leopard viewings in the country, and lion and cheetah can also be found. Our safari team is almost daily underway in the Solio Reserve and is constantly informed about the movements of the animals. Unforgettable game drives are guaranteed.

The Solio Reserve is also an ideal place for bird watching. The acacia forest in the middle of the reserve is traversed by a river that at times turns into a swamp-like area. This habitat is a paradise for birds. Including the more than 300 species that are found in the game, the reserve is European rollers, flycatchers, and birds of prey such as vultures, eagle owls, Montagu’s Harriers, long-crested eagles, and buzzards. Also crowned cranes and the European stork can be found here every year.

Despite a concerning decline of lions in Africa, the lion population in the Solio Reserve has managed to stabilize itself in the last few years. New since 2012 is our nightly game safaris into the Solio Reserve to observe these big cats and other animals. Cheetahs, lions, hyenas, and leopards are mainly nocturnal hunters, which can make night observations an exhilarating experience.

Game drives into the Solio Reserve are taking place from the Rhino Watch Lodge. As part of our Rhino specials, we visit the park during almost all our game safaris. However, we are more than happy to offer you a single game safari with one of our experienced Solio guides. Please contact us for further details.

The Solio Reserve operates one of the oldest and most successful projects for the conservation of rhinos in their natural habitat. To educate more on the endangered rhino, the Rhino Watch Lodge offers a special Rhino Camp, commencing at the beginning of 2013, which includes workshops and lectures by rhino ecologist Dr. Felix Patton.

SOLIO 1970 -2010 40 YEARS OF RHINO CONSERVATION

“Solio Game Reserve is the premier rhino breeding sanctuary in Kenya. Over the forty years, it has been in existence, Solio has provided 93 black and 52 white rhinos to other reserves while maintaining a healthy population itself. It all started from small beginnings…..”

Click here to continue reading about the history of the Solio Reserve.