Borana Conservancy lies at the foot of Mt Kenya, a few miles North of the equator at 6,500 feet (almost 2,000 meters) above sea level. This 32,000 acre private conservancy is typical of the foothills of Mount Kenya. With the mountain to the South and an arid landscape to the North, Borana is perfectly situated for wildlife.
The conservancy introduced black rhino in 2013 and the population has since thrived. In 2014, Borana Conservancy and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to the East, took down their fences to form The Lewa-Borana Landscape, allowing the wildlife free reign on 92,000 acres of unspoilt African wilderness. The Lewa-Borana Landscape is a Key One Rhino population, one of only three in Kenya, home to over 100 black rhino and 92 white rhino: 14% of Kenya's rhino population.
Borana Lodge is at the heart of Borana Conservancy, with a fantastic view of Mount Kenya. The lodge is perched on a hillside above a dam, where herds of elephant regularly gather to bathe at lunch time. The presence of water close to the lodge attracts all kinds of characters; lion and leopard are regular nocturnal visitors and are sure to make themselves heard.
Borana Lodge has four stand-alone cottages with exceptional views. 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. With a sitting room shared between a double and a twin, parents can rest assured that their children are safe in the room next door. The combination of privacy, natural beauty and an abundance of wildlife creates a unique setting for a truly memorable safari experience.
At Borana Lodge you will be guided and hosted by those who know Borana best, with a chance to explore the hills and valleys on foot, on horseback, in a car or on a mountain bike. Borana Lodge provides the ultimate location for action and relaxation.
With two strings of safari horses, game walks, mountain bikes, an abundance of birds, cross-cultural experiences and plenty of excuses for meals and nights in the bush there is never a dull moment at Borana Lodge. Topped off with an in house Safari Spa, there is something for everybody.
Eight cottages – four individual and two designed for families, so the two rooms are enclosed within the same buildings, with spacious communal living areas.
Four rooms have large double beds and four have twin beds – queen size.
Each cottage is built of rock and cedar with a thatched roof. They all have open fireplaces, lit each evening with a basket of wood nearby. They all have verandas with breath-taking views. The bathrooms are spacious and clean looking out over wild Africa.
Room One
Located furthest to the north of the main lodge. Ideal for honeymooners. Double bed, four poster. Private verandah and beautiful views to the north as well as down into the valley. Lovely bathroom with bath and shower.
Room Two
Room two is bright and spacious with two queen size beds. Sheepskin rugs on the floor and a beautiful view of the sunrise make this room of the favourites with guests. It has a covered outdoor verandah and a view over the valley bellow.
Room Three
Room three has panoramic views onto the valley bellow. The room has two queen size beds, private garden and a covered paved verandah for private meals under the stars. It its located very close to Room Four- together they make a good combination for a family.
There is step free access to the main lodge where guests meet for dinner, as well as to the pool and the lunch area. There is the option to be picked up by a vehicle from the room, making it ideal for older guests or those with mobility issues.
Room Four
Room 4 is ideal four honeymoon couples or those on a romantic getaway. The cottage is built into the rocks of the hill with a large bath set into the stone. A four posted double bed sits at the center of the room with large windows which allow the morning light to flood the room.
There is a secluded private verandah, down some stairs outside the cottage. This verandah is perfect for a lazy afternoon or private, candle lit meals.
Rooms Five & Six
This cottage is a favourite with families, it comprises of a double and a twin room connected by a shared, outdoor sitting room.
The shared sitting room is equipped with a self-service minibar and has a fantastic view to the dam bellow which is often populated by waterbuck, buffalo and elephant.
Room 5 is a twin, with huge windows facing East, allowing for guests to see the sunrise from the comfort of their two queen size beds. The bathroom is spacious with a walk-in shower and a large bath.
Room 6 has a large double bed with a lovely bright bathroom. There is an extra child's room down some stairs with two smaller singe beds, perfect for children under the age of 12.
There is a private sun deck leading out from the double room.
This cottage can not be sold as two separate rooms.
Rooms Seven & Eight
This large spacious cottage is the most recent addition to Borana Lodge. With a shared sitting room and private plunge pool, adding exclusivity. The shared sitting room is the perfect location for family meals, with a kitchen and minibar. The cottage has a private plunge pool and guests often find themselves swimming at the same time as a family of elephants in the dam bellow.
Room 7 is a twin, up a set of stairs form the shared sitting room. It has wonderful views onto the dam bellow with large double glass doors that open onto a small balcony. There is a large bathroom with panoramic views from the shower and bath.
Room 8 is a double room, completely designed with the hill in mind the bathroom is built around volcanic rocks with bath, shower and loo on separate levels. There is a fantastic view to the dam from the shower and large double doors which open onto the plunge pool and valley bellow.
This cottage can not be sold as two separate rooms.
Game Drives
Game drives are conducted by trained Kenyan field guides who have a broad local knowledge of the area along with its flora and fauna. Game is best viewed early in the morning or in the afternoon, night drives can be arranged for departure after dinner which give guests the opportunity to have interactions with nocturnal animals such as porcupines and aardvark.
There are a range of activities to keep children occupied on drives, including rhino identifying cards and lion whisker spot cards.
Rhino Tracking on Foot
The Borana Conservancy rangers are required to see each individual rhino once a day. Guests have the opportunity to head out with the rangers, on foot, first thing in the morning, to track and identify an individual rhino.
Viewing such large creatures on foot provides an exhilarating experience as well as an insight into the life of a member of the Borana Conservancy anti-poaching team.
Horse Riding
Borana Conservancy is equipped with two sets of stables, each of which caters to riders of varying experience.
Our larger stables cater to the more advanced rider, with ex-polo ponies leading rides for over two hours across the conservancy. This is a fantastic way to see the wildlife without the sound of an engine.
Stables for the less advanced riders (small children included) are on the Eastern side of Borana Conservancy and run at a much slower pace. The grooms are very happy taking children for short rides on lead reigns which is a great way to build up their confidence.
Mountain Biking
For the more adventurous, mountain biking is a must. We have a range of adult bikes available along with one smaller bike suitable for children aged 9 or over.
Guests must be relatively fit and confident with off road bike riding. The hills and valleys provide the perfect terrain for adrenalin fuelled bike rides.
Deployments with the Borana Conservancy anti-poaching team
Borana Lodge guests are given the opportunity to join our anti-poaching team on their evening deployments. This allows guests to get a behind the scenes view of how conservation on Borana operates.
Guests will be given a tour of the ranger head quarters as well as meeting the heads of security. After an introduction to the team and how they operate, guests will then assist with dropping rangers off at various locations on Borana where these men will then spend the night, keeping a watchful eye of the conservancy.
Guided Bush Walks
Bush walks are conducted by an experienced field guide accompanied by an armed Borana Conservancy ranger.
While walking, guests have the chance to appreciate the smaller aspects of the Borana eco-system. Borana guides are extremely knowledgeable and give an insight into the medicinal and practical usses for indigenous plants.
Walks around the lodge grounds can be arranged for children while parents enjoy some down time. Children will learn about the birds and plants as well as the tracks of smaller creatures which live at lodge.
Visit to the Ngare Ndare forest
Located on the Southern boundary of Borana Conservancy, the Ngare Ndare forest shows the stark contrast between the various ecosystems of Northern Kenya.
The 13,000 acre indigenous forest, made up of African Olives and Cedar Trees, provides a safe haven for elephant and other larger mammals as well as a fantastic collection of exotic birds and butterflies. Through the forest lies a crystal clear turquoise river, fed by the underground glacial spring of Mount Kenya's melt waters. With breathtaking waterfalls and not another human around, it is the perfect place for a bracing swim during the heat of the day.
The Ngare Ndare Forest also offers an impressive canopy walk. Suspended at 30m above the ground, this suspension bridge runs for 400m through the forest. Walking the length of the bridge is a truly immersive experience, with wildlife bellow and beautiful birds singing a dancing above, it must be seen to be believed. There is a large platform located at the end of the canopy walk, where lunch will be served, with a fantastic view of the river bellow - where elephant and buffalo are often found drinking or having a swim themselves.
Local school visits
Borana Conservancy proudly funds seven primary schools as well as providing bursaries for over twenty secondary school children.
Visiting one of the primary schools in the area is a fantastic insight into Kenyan life. Children are extremely pleased to share their school days with visitors and love showing people around the grounds. The head master of the school will give guests a guided tour before heading into one of the classrooms. There will be the opportunity to see how the children spend their days and how pleased they are to be learning.
The school teachers encourage visitors to take an art class or to join in on a sports in the afternoon. Football and volleyball are very popular in Kenya, so running shoes are a must!
This is a fantastic activity for families, visiting children and local children often create great friendships, it is an experience which is not easily forgotten.
Local Maasai Village Visits
Borana has a close relationship with one of the communities North of the conservancy boundaries who are eager to share their culture.
You will be met by a Maasai elder who will give you a tour of the village as well as describing the history of the Maasai tribe. Various members of the community will show you their customs, ways of life and traditions. The tour usually ends with a traditional tribal dance which you will be encourage to join in with.
This is a fantastic immersion in to traditional Kenyan culture.
For more information about Borana Lodge click HERE.
See videos about Borana Lodge HERE.
The Borana Conservancy is a member of the Long Run. Find out more HERE