Governors’ Mugie

Enjoy our traditional shared game drives with a dedicated, highly qualified and experienced guide, which are available daily, in our specially-designed vehicles. Game drives can depart at any time, though are generally best in the early morning or late afternoon when animals tend to be more active as the temperature is a little cooler. If you would like to extend your afternoon game drive into the early evening, please speak with your guide.

Look out for all members of ‘The Mugie Five’: There are five species living on the conservancy which guests of Mutamaiyu House and Governors’ Mugie House won’t find at any of the other Governors’ properties. Each is perfectly adapted for a life in more drought-prone regions and each needs special conservation efforts to ensure their long-term survival in the wild as all of their global populations are currently listed as ‘endangered’, or in the case of the striped hyena, ‘near threatened’

Explore the varying landscape of Mugie, from the dam to olive tree forests and acacia scrubland, host to a wealth of diverse wildlife, including northern endemic species Grevy Zebra, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Reticulate Giraffe and Gerenuk.

Included in the accommodation price

Tala is most definitely one of Mugie’s ‘cast of characters’! At just a few days old, Tala was brought to Mugie Conservancy by a local herder after she began following his herd of goats. She was cared for by Margaret, who quickly became her surrogate mother. Now four years old, she wanders freely within the conservancy, but often returns to her chosen ‘home’ at the Head Quarters – where the staff are quite accustomed to being overseen by this towering presence!

Mugie Dam is Kenya’s third largest private dam with 156 acres of surface area to explore. The dam welcomes a variety of game which comes to drink or graze along the shore – especially elephants that are partial to a playful dip in its refreshing waters.

Governors’ Mugie House has two beautiful Canadian canoes which guests can enjoy during an early morning’s entertainment. Canoeing on the dam offers a thrilling opportunity to view wildlife from the water, out in the open air, armed with the spirit of adventure.

If a family of elephants happens to be bathing at the same time, rest assured that you have just witnessed one of life’s most enchanting adventures.

The Mugie Rangers are based close by with a team of bloodhounds who are used for daily anti-poaching patrols. Visit their headquarters to learn about the work they do, and experience the power of their keen scenting skills with a tracking demonstration.

Ask the manager to book a visit for you to meet the dogs and their handlers. If they are available, they will be happy for you to participate in a mock search, to demonstrate the hounds incredible sense of smell, with you hidden away as the ‘poacher’! You’ll be impressed with just how quickly they find you! A small gratuity given directly to the handlers will be greatly appreciated if you enjoyed your experience with them.

Research on predators in the area has seen two lionesses collared in order to monitor the pride’s movements and better understand where interactions occur, that can lead to human-wildlife conflict.

Guests can join the tracking team to look for collared lions. Please note, the topography and simple equipment mean that tracking can be challenging. However, guests will learn about the use of this technology and how it assists the Conservancy in aiding pastoralists and wildlife to live alongside each other.

Mugie’s undulating landscape offers some excellent lookout points for a perfect sundowner or bush picnic. As the sunsets, this is a lovely time of the day to take a minute out and watch the sunset over the Laikipia landscape with a cold drink in hand.

Get up close with nature on a foot safari and experience the untamed beauty of the Laikipia region. Being out of a car will allow you to get down to the same level as the wildlife and the smaller creatures that inhabit this incredible ecosystem. Learn all about them and their importance from your guide.

Enjoy a round of golf on this 9-hole private course, which is also Kenya’s most northern golf course! Caddys are available to help you whether you are a beginner or a pro. A tip is suggested for the caddy as they are not employees of Governors’ Mugie House. Golf clubs are provided if you would like to borrow them.

The golf course is also a perfect place for a walk or jog, or a spot of birdwatching!

Mugie Conservancy is at the forefront of conservation, operating as a low-impact cattle ranch and farm alongside preserving the delicate and productive ecosystems that host abundant wildlife, and provide key corridors for wildlife between the Laikipia plateau, the Mathews Range and the Samburu lands to the north and east. Guests are welcomed to visit the ranching and farm operations to understand how each functions alongside securing essential habitat for wildlife.

Mugie Trading Stock has brought about a new era of community livestock management, based on the premise of shared resources. This is a program unique to Mugie, it’s a program from which all parties benefit and furthers conservation, environmental and ecological conscientiousness.

Head down to visit the Mugie farm to collect freshly laid eggs or watch the dairy cows being milked at dawn. Learn about the Miraa plant and how it provides much needed income for many of our community neighbours. Saturday is Mugie’s ‘Dip Day’ – a fascinating experience for those that wish to see this cutting-edge program for themselves.

We have a fully trained spa therapist who will ensure you are well pampered while you are with us. Please request our spa menu once you are with us and please book through the manager in advance.

Guests staying at Governors’ Mugie have the opportunity to visit the Pokot at a nearby village and learn about the traditions and customs of this colourful tribe who hail from the districts of West Pokot and Baringo.

Watch highly adorned women carry out vibrant song and dance while an elderly lady prepares cloth out of a goat hide. Meanwhile, a village elder demonstrates the art of fire making by rubbing two pieces of wood of different hardnesses together and other men play a fast-paced game of ‘bao’ in the sand.

You are also welcome to take a peek inside one of their homes and understand the importance of gourds; how they are made and the way in which they are used to store milk.

This is a truly fascinating experience and should not be missed. There is a fee of Ksh 15,000 (approximately USD 115, rate depending) to visit the Pokot, regardless of guest group size and this activity should be booked in advance where possible.