Solio Conservancy

(also known as Solio Ranch or Game Reserve) is a privately-owned wildlife sanctuary in Kenya, internationally renowned as one of Africa’s most successful rhino breeding conservancies. It plays a critical role in the conservation of both black and white rhinos, supplying animals to other reserves across East Africa.

Overview and Conservation

Located in the valley between Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountains, the conservancy was established in 1970 when the owner of the Solio cattle ranch, Courtland Parfet, fenced off a large section of land for wildlife conservation. This initiative, requested by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), became a pioneering effort to protect the threatened black rhino population.

Today, the core sanctuary spans approximately 19,000 acres within a larger 45,000-acre ranch and is home to over 200 rhinos, with sightings of large numbers at a time being common. The success of its breeding program means many rhinos in other Kenyan parks were originally from Solio.