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 normally 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 (needs to be pre-booked and there is an additional set-up fee).
Room 1 - Located furthest to the north of the main lodge; ideal for honeymooners. Has a four poster double bed; private veranda 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 veranda 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 veranda 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 veranda 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 |
| 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 |
| 6 Jan - 14 Jun 2024 | $5,229.00 | $1,260.00 | $2,615.00 |
| 15 Jun - 30 Sep 2024 | $6,993.00 | $1,890.00 | $3,497.00 |
| 1 Oct - 19 Dec 2024 | $5,229.00 | $1,260.00 | $2,615.00 |
| 20 Dec - 5 Jan 2025 | $6,993.00 | $1,890.00 | $3,497.00 |
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 (2024: $150); 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 Most people arrive by scheduled flight from Nairobi Wilson airport to Lewa $455.78 (c. $476.84 in 2024) per person return - minimum two passengers, single supplements apply). Road transfers between the airports in Nairobi are an extra cost. It is possible to transfer by road from Nairobi to Borana, a journey of around 5 hours for $333.33 ($388.89 in 2024) per vehicle each way for up to 6 passengers.
Most people arrive into Borana by flight from Nairobi Wilson airport to Lewa Downs and transfers from Lewa to Borana are included in the rate.
There are currently two flights from Nairobi Wilson - one departing at 10:20 and a second departing at 13:30. In theory you could arrive into Nairobi on an overnight flight and connect with the later flight but, due to the sometimes long delays at immigration and heavy traffic in Nairobi, our strong recommendation is that you arrive into Nairobi the day before and overnight in Nairobi prior to your holiday at Borana.
The return flight from Borana will arrive into Nairobi in plenty of time for onward flights departing Nairobi after 18:00.
It is also possible to transfer by road from Nairobi to Borana - an interesting journey of about 5 hours.
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
