Kenya - Borana
Borana Conservancy is situated on the Laikipia Plateau at the foot of Mount Kenya. In 2014 the fences between Borana and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (to the east) were dropped to form one continuous conservation area. The Lewa-Borana landscape is now one of the largest continuous rhino habitats in east Africa and home to 14% of Kenya’s total rhino population.
There is a good selection of horses to suit a wide range of riding abilities including children. Guest numbers are small and the guides will tailor the riding to suit everyone. There is plenty of faster riding for experienced riders. The Conservancy is home to black and white rhino and offer opportunities for great game viewing and challenging riding.
If you wish to take a break from riding then you might opt for a game drive, guided bush walk, mountain biking or simply relax by the pool and pamper yourself with a massage or beauty treatment.
Night game drives will introduce you to nocturnal birds and animals found on the reserve. Borana is an ideal holiday for mixed groups of riders and non-riders.
The Riding Wild mobile safari is for experienced riders. Starting from Borana Lodge you ride over the Borana Conservancy to Il Ngwesi Group Ranch. This mobile safari is available to private groups on request.
There are horses to suit all preferences and abilities. Novice riders who are happy at walk and trot will have fabulous game viewing from horseback on the open savannah surrounding Borana Lodge, whilst competent riders can have more challenging riding. The horses at Borana Lodge are mainly Thoroughbred or Throughbred-crosses, many of them former polo ponies of the Dyers. There are also a number of Somali ponies and Somali crosses, a small strong horse ideal for riding in the bush.
The tack and riding style is English.
Hard hats are mandatory for guests under the age of 21 years.
The Riding Wild mobile safari is only for competent riders.
Guest accommodation is in spacious and secluded cottages. The rooms all have their own fireplaces which are lit every evening. Everyone comes together in the lodge for meals and cocktails, but it is also possible to have private dinners if you wish.
There is an infinity pool with views across the valley and pretty gardens to enjoy a leisurely afternoon. The accommodation is built on quite a steep incline and some of the rooms further away from the main lodge may not suit all guests. Please let us know if you would prefer a room closer to the main lodge.
If you can bear to leave your wonderful room, you might choose to have an exciting night or two under canvas at a fly camp.
Room 1 - Located furthest to the north of the main lodge; ideal for honeymooners. Has a four poster double bed; private verandah and beautiful views to the north as well as down into the valley; lovely big bathroom with bath and shower.
Room 2 - Located between Room 1 and the main lodge. Amazing views from the bathroom; has a private deck; two large single beds.
Room 3 - Located below the main lodge. Together with Room 4 makes a good combination for a family. Has two large single beds; private verandah and space in the bedroom to relax as well; lovely big bathroom with bath and shower and great views.
Room 4 - Located below the main lodge; near to Room 3; also great for honeymooners. Has a private deck below the room; the bathroom below the bedroom is moulded into the natural rock.
Room 5 - Shares a veranda with Room 6 (which also has its own children's room). Has views down into the dam; two large single beds.
Room 6 - Shares a verandah with Room 5 and so ideal for a family of six. Has a children's room downstairs (the children's room is only suitable for small children - small beds!) but is very colourful; the two bedrooms in Room 6 share a bathroom, which is upstairs adjacent to the parents' bedroom; more amazing views from the bath and shower!
Borana Villa (Rooms 7 & 8 under the same roof) - Perfect for families travelling together; Room 7 is a twin room ensuite; Room 8 is a double room ensuite; there is a shared plunge pool in front of Room 8; both rooms share a verandah area with views down into the dam and more amazing views from the bathroom.
Borana Lodge: Open all year. There are no set arrival or departure days and stays of any length are possible.
Riding Wild Safari: dates on request for private groups (7 nights / 6 days of riding)
Sample Itinerary for Borana Lodge Stay
Sample Itinerary for Riding Wild Safari
Select your preferred arrival date:
RIDE PRICE We recommend a minimum stay of three nights at Borana Lodge. The following prices are for a seven night stay and include a 10% discount for stays of five nights or more.
| Borana Lodge | Per Adult Sharing | Single Supplement | Per Child (5 - 15 years) Sharing |
| 6 Jan - 14 Jun 2023 | $5,166.00 | $1,260.00 | $2,583.00 |
| 15 Jun - 30 Sep 2023 | $6,930.00 | $1,890.00 | $3,465.00 |
| 1 Oct - 19 Dec 2023 | $5,166.00 | $1,260.00 | $2,583.00 |
| 20 Dec - 5 Jan 2024 | $6,930.00 | $1,890.00 | $3,465.00 |
INCLUDES Accommodation; full board; drinks; all Borana ranch activities - riding, game drives, walks; Borana Conservation fees; transfers from Lewa airstrip.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT is payable as shown, but in low season it may be possible to have a single room without a supplement so please ask.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Fly camp set up fee of $600 per group; visits to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy $134 per visit per adult; visit to Ngare Ndare forest $40 per visit per adult; visit to Kisima Floriculture project $70 per group; other off site visits; massage / beauty treatments; tips.
NEAREST AIRPORT Nairobi.
TRANSFERS It is possible to transfer by road (4.5 hrs from Nairobi to Borana) c. $400.00 per vehicle one way. Or you could take a scheduled flight from Wilson airport to Lewa (c. $534.00 per person return - minimum two passengers, single supplements apply). The scheduled flight arrives back to Nairobi around midday and international flights usually depart late evening. If you prefer to have longer at the lodge on your last day and less time in Nairobi there is the option to return mid afternoon by private air charter to Wilson (c. $1,405.00 per plane based on two sharing and late departure fees would apply at Borana). Road transfers between the airports in Nairobi are an extra cost.
We can arrange transfer by air charter or road transfer from Nairobi to Borana.
For air charter transfers, international flights should arrive into Nairobi by 07:00 to allow you to connect onto the internal flight to Lewa, otherwise you will need to overnight in Nairobi. Return flights should depart in the evening after 18:00.
Due to the sometimes long delays at immigration and the sometimes heavy traffic between the international airport and Wilson we recommend you arrive into Nairobi the day before and overnight in Nairobi on arrival.
A luxury lodge situated on the Laikipia Plateau in the foothills of Mt Kenya and adjacent to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Nearest airstrip for scheduled light aircraft is Lewa Downs but Borana have their own airstrip for private charters.
The weather in Kenya is fine all year round with little seasonal variation. During the day it will get hot while at night temperatures can drop quite sharply and it can feel cold. The long rains fall in April and May and the short rains in November.
April and May are arguably one of the best times to see the area as most days are characterised by crystal clear skies offering clear views of Mount Kenya and the rugged country to the north. The mornings are cool and fresh and the afternoons warm. Rain is normally in the form of the odd afternoon or evening shower and the thunderheads that build up in the late afternoon make spectacular sunsets.
The riding was amazing. We saw so much beautiful scenery on horseback and so many animals. The horses were all lovely and were suitable.
Ursula ,Jersey
Overall rating: 5/5
Toiletries, towels, dressing gowns and hairdryers are all provided and the laundry service is very quick, so this should help with the 15kg luggage limit.
In The Saddle says
A real treat! The lodge is beautiful with the feel of a lovely bush home and if you can tear yourself away from its comforts then there are also great horses and lots of riding to enjoy.