Borana & Lewa Luxury Trail Ride

Book your international flight to Jomo Kenyatta (Nairobi) International Airport. If you‘re doing a long international flight, and arrive late at night, we recommend an overnight in Nairobi which we are happy to arrange for you at an extra cost. Should you arrive on the morning of your adventure, you will need to arrive before 10 AM.  You will be met upon arrival and transferred to either your overnight hotel or to Wilson Airport. You will board a 1.5 hour light air charter flight to the Lewa Airstrip. 

On arrival at Lewa Airstrip, you’ll be met by your guide in a game drive vehicle and have your first taste of life on safari! The drive is around 1.5 hours, depending on what wildlife is spotted en-route!

When you arrive at the lodge, you’ll have a briefing with your guide who will introduce you to life at Borana and all the activities on offer. The team at the lodge will help plan the next few days, ensuring you get to experience all the magic that Borana has to offer.

Settle into your rooms and take some time to relax and enjoy the lodge’s amenities, surrounded by the stunning landscapes of the Borana Conservancy. Head to the stables after lunch to meet our expert guides and set off on horseback to explore. The first ride tends to be slower, allowing you to get used to the different riding style, saddles and get to know your four legged companion. Get back to the lodge in the warm, evening light and enjoy your first sundowner drinks overlooking the plains below. Head to the lodge for a decadent dinner.

f you aren’t woken by the dawn chorus then you will receive a gentle wake-up call and a steaming cup of tea or coffee to enjoy in the comfort of your room. Start your horse riding safari with a full day of exploring the Borana Conservancy. Ride through diverse terrain, including rolling hills, open plains, and wooded areas, while encountering an abundance of wildlife along the way.

Enjoy a picnic breakfast amidst the breathtaking scenery before returning to the lodge for a well-deserved rest and lunch. After lunch, if you don’t fancy a siesta, then read, watch the wildlife go by from your deck, or enjoy the pool, an ideal place to cool down and escape the midday heat. Spend the evening game driving on the hunt for big cats. Sundowner drinks might be enjoyed at Pride Rock or another incredible lookout point. Dinner and night at Borana Lodge.

Experience Behind the Scenes of Conservation – Head out at first light to join the team of Borana Conservancy rangers as they track rhino on foot. This is a wonderful experience which gives a true ‘behind the scenes’ view into how a successful rhino conservancy is run. Return to Borana Lodge for a relaxing lunch and siesta before you head out on your riding adventure.

After afternoon treats of homemade cakes or scones, you spend the afternoon on horseback, cantering alongside herds of zebra or jumping fallen logs in a glade of yellow fever trees. Return to Borana for a bush dinner at The Hide, enjoying a locally sourced Swahili inspired menu under a blanket of stars.

f staying for 4 nights, you have the freedom to choose which activities you would like to do. We recommend a long morning ride, heading off in a different direction. Enjoy some long canters across the plains, or follow the ancient elephant trails, navigating the tall grasses and forests in search of giraffe, zebra, antelope, elephant, buffalo – and any other surprises you can find.

In the afternoon, head out on a guided nature walk, game drive or a challenging mountain bike. Indulge in sundowner drinks out on the hilltops with nothing but wilderness around you. Head back to the lodge in the evening light, keeping a look out for the more elusive nocturnal wildlife. Enjoy a decadent candle lit dinner prepared by the executive chef and spend the evening telling anecdotes about the days adventures.

Pack your bags to depart early the next morning, you can choose to take just a day pack to the Fly Camp, or have all your luggage transported by the team. Then fall asleep in your luxurious room, listening to the sound of the night birds as you drift into sleep.

Today is a full day in the saddle, as you ride to the fly camp. Set off early, on an adventurous ride, heading into Ngare Ndare Forest. Stop under the shade of the trees for a saddle bag lunch, and siesta. Then immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the wilderness as you journey through varied ecosystems, from dense woodland forest to open savanna. Being on the horses allows you to canter across the plains and cross down in to the valleys where no car can go.

Arrive to find hot showers and a cold beer waiting for you, in whichever order you prefer! The camp is run by a team of Maasai who will cook for you over an open fire and ensure your tents are set up in the best locations for star gazing. Experience an unforgettable night under the starlit African sky with the horses tethered nearby.

After an early breakfast, your horses will be saddled up, ready to take you on the next leg of your journey towards Lewa Wilderness. You will leave Borana Conservancy as you cross the Ngare Ndare River and traverse the scenic landscape, encountering diverse wildlife and enjoying the thrill of riding through untouched wilderness.

Arrive at Lewa Wilderness in time for a late lunch and settle into your comfortable accommodation, either in a Garden Cottage or Hillside Room. All your luggage will be transported for you by the team. Say goodbye to your Borana guides and horses as they head back home again. After a long day in the saddle, you may opt for a relaxed afternoon at the lodge or head out on an evening game drive to discover your new surroundings and look back across the route which you rode from Borana. In the evening, gather around the long dining table to have dinner, or request private dining either at your cottage or at the pool.

You have the freedom to choose which activities you would like to do. Activities include horse riding, game drives, walks with the Masai, Village visits or even camel trekking. There are 2 activities a day, with plenty of time around lunch to relax at the lodge. Immerse yourself in the rich biodiversity and conservation efforts of the area, appreciating the unique beauty of the Lewa-Borana landscape. After another incredible dinner, fall asleep in your luxurious room, listening to the sound of the night birds as you drift into sleep.

On your departure day, there is usually enough time for a last ride before tucking into a delicious breakfast. Then it’s time to pack your bags and hop into the game drive vehicle for your drive back to the airstrip. Here you’ll board your light air charter flight back to Wilson Airport, arriving around 1.30PM. We’ll arrange that you are collected there and taken to either your overnight hotel, or to JKIA airport for your departing flight. If you have a late night flight, we can arrange a driver so you can head out for dinner or explore Nairobi. Remember, we can also arrange flights to the Masai Mara, Kenyan Coast or Zanzibar to extend the adventure beyond your horse safari.