Flora and Fauna

Laikipia is rich in rare and endangered flora and fauna. The area is home to vast arrays of wildlife, which are widely distributed in the semi arid lands. Wildlife population densities in the Laikipia region now rank second to the famous Maasai Mara ecosystem, while the diversity of large mammals is the highest in Kenya.

The April 2013 Checklist of Birds of Laikipia County, Kenya reports that of 1,133 species known to occur in Kenya, Laikipia County has records of 48% of Kenya's documented species.

An estimated 800 plant species occur on Mpala. The vegetation is characteristic of semi-arid African savannas, predominantly grassy savanna bushland, with patches of woodland and open grassland. Dominant trees include species in the genera Acacia (Mimosaceae), Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae), Balanites (Balanitaceae), and Boscia (Capparaceae).

More than 2,000 cattle, camels and sheep are ranched on Mpala, but the region also hosts an intact savanna mammal community, including Kenya's second largest elephant population. Eighty five mammal species and at least 300 bird species can be found on Mpala. Elephant, eland, plains zebra, oryx and giraffe are seasonally abundant, depending on rainfall and forage availability. Waterbuck, impala, Grant's gazelle, Jackson's hartebeest and bushbuck are resident. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, black-backed jackals, aardwolfs and bat-eared foxes are regularly seen.
 

For detailed lists of the flora and fauna found on Mpala click on the links below:
Plants
Mammals
Butterflies
Reptiles and Amphibians
Birds