BORANA LODGE – BORANA WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY – LAIKIPIA

Set at the heart of Borana Conservancy, Borana Lodge is set against a beautiful hillside with an organic design and panoramic views.  In 2007, the Dyer family, who founded Borana Lodge, made a conscious and important decision to commit all retained earnings from the commercial activities on Borana Conservancy to supporting the increased costs of conservation.

By staying at Borana Lodge you are making a direct contribution to conservation, allowing then to continue on their sustainable journey committing all profits to securing conservation integrity.

Walk through the bush, ride across the conservancy on horses or mountain bikes, view the wildlife in open-top safari vehicles, or lounge at the infinity pool and enjoy the view.

LOCATION

Borana Lodge is located in the Borana Conservancy in Laikipia.  Access is via Lewa Airstrip and it is a 50-minute drive to the lodge.

LODGE

Borana Lodge has four stand-alone cottages with exceptional views. Each of these cottages are unique, designed with the hillside in mind, not forgetting the finer details which make for true comfort.

Two further cottages provide the perfect refuge for families; a sitting room is shared between a double and a twin so parents can rest assured their children are safe in the room next door.

Each cottage is built out of rock and cedar with a thatched roof.  They all have open fireplaces, lit each evening with a basket of sustainably sourced firewood nearby along with verandas with breath-taking views.  The bathrooms are spacious and have both baths and showers which look out over the wilds of Africa.

Further along the ridge line you will find a horizon pool looking onto the Hyena Valley Dam below, which allows for poolside game viewing. The lunch pavilion is set above the pool house and boasts wonderful views over the entire conservancy.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

During a good afternoon on Borana, you might see over 20 different kinds of mammals.  Around 300 elephants roam freely through the conservation area, in search of food, water and security. Borana has over a dozen matriarch cows with radio collars in the Laikipia area so that they can monitor their movements.

A list of birds was started in 1980 and has been compiled by many ornithologists since and the lodge has accounted for over 300 different species of birds.

As Borana is a private conservation area, exclusivity is guaranteed. This makes every aspect of the safari experience personal, peaceful and uninterrupted and gives you the rare opportunity to be totally immersed in nature.

RIDING – at the Borana Conservancy Head Quarters there is a stable of over thirty horses suitable for all riders including patient easy horses which have been trained to be careful with children and novice riders. From the stables, guests can ride through the plains among giraffe, zebra, eland and impala and experience wildlife at close quarters.

There is a strict weight limit of 15 stone/210 lbs/95 kg and all advanced riders must be comfortable at a walk, trot and canter in an English saddle. Non-riders and beginners are welcome at any level.  Riding Wild Borana is a proud member of the African Horse Safari Association.

Game Drives – are led by trained Kenyan field guides who have a broad local knowledge of the area as well as its flora and fauna. Wildlife is best viewed early in the morning and in the afternoon, night drives can be arranged for departure after dinner

Guided Walks – one of the most tranquil ways to experience wildlife is when on a guided bush walk led by an experienced field guide, accompanied by an armed ranger. While walking, guests have the chance to appreciate the smaller aspects of this ecosystem. Our guides are extremely knowledgeable and can teach you about the medicinal and practical uses for indigenous plants.

Mountain Biking – for the more adventurous, mountain biking is a must. Borana has a range of adult bikes available and one bike suitable for children aged 9 or over.  Guests should be relatively fit and confident with off-road bike riding. The hills and valleys provide the perfect terrain for adrenalin-fuelled adventures.

Farm Tours – Borana is home to the largest Permaculture project in East Africa. Nestled on the eastern bank of the Ngare Ndare River is Waitabit Farm, 440 acres of riverine forest, Acacia savannah and 100 acres of arable land. This is where the majority of the fresh produce used at Borana Lodge is sourced.

Family Experiences – Borana Lodge was built with families in mind.  From swimming in the pool or a waterfall, to cooking lessons with the lodge chef, exploring the river, riding one of our smaller, more docile horses or watching big game from the safety of our Land Rovers, Borana has much to offer children of all ages.

The kitchen is always happy to cater to the gentler palettes and earlier hours that tend to suit younger guests. For those who need to be in bed before their parents, a listening service is always on hand.

Rhino Tracking – help with conservation on Borana by joining the team of scouts who track Rhinos in the morning. The team must set out every morning to see and account for each rhino on the Conservancy. Learn more about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into conservation and meet the team that keep our Rhino safe.

Deployments – each evening, the armed unit of the anti-poaching team is deployed to various vantage points on Borana in order to survey and monitor the conservancy and you can accompany members of the team out on these deployments.

Visiting one of the schools – that is part of The Borana Education Support Programme is a great way to get a glimpse of everyday life in Kenya and is a highly enlightening experience.

Visiting a traditional Masai Village – Borana has a close relationship with one of the local communities north of the conservancy who are eager to share their culture. A Maasai elder will give you a tour of the village and describe the history of the Maasai tribe.

Visiting the Borana Mobile Clinic – spend a day with the mobile clinic which visits local communities and villages. Sit in on appointments while the team distributes medication and advice to those who need it. The aims of the nurses and counsellors with the clinic are to provide medical and sanitation education, family planning and HIV awareness.

Ngare Ndare Forest – the indigenous Ngare Ndare forest is a safe haven for large animals. This includes elephant and buffalo, and is a paradise for birds, monkeys and butterflies.  The Forest is known for its canopy walkway, which weaves in between the tree tops at 40 feet above the ground. There is a platform at the end of the walkway with fantastic views across a natural spring and the forest beyond. 

GIVING BACK

Borana are a proud member of The Long Run. a global network of tourism businesses committed to conserving ecosystems and improving the well-being of people through a holistic balance of the 4Cs – Conservation, Community, Culture, and Commerce. The Long Run is hosted by Preferred by Nature, a non-profit organisation working in 100+ countries to support better land management and business practices that benefit people nature, and the climate.

By staying at the lodge you help conserve 92.000 acres landscape, over 250 Rhino, close to 50 lions and more. Employ 13 teachers, fund 55 bursaries and support the infrastructure development of 10 schools. Support a livestock to market programme which has encouraged wood rangeland management and livestock husbandry practices for the last 5 years. Invest 212.000 USD generated by conservation fees alone in January and February of 2023.

BORANA LODGE IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND

THE LODGE WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN OF ALL AGES AND THERE ARE BABYSITTING SERVICES AVAILABLE AND TAILOR-MADE ACTIVITIES TO SUIT EACH FAMILY.