Borana Lodge is a destination that offers something for everyone.
Riders and non-riders alike can slot into the laid-back way of life in the foothills of Mt Kenya.
Choose to stay at Borana lodge for the week and with 32,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness to explore, you’re guaranteed fresh views and a new experience every day. Home to the Big 5 and an abundance of other diverse and often endangered wildlife, ride amongst great herds of game. Admire the expansive landscape and take in the snow-capped peaks of Mt Kenya, come away feeling truly enriched. You may also opt to spend a night in a fly camp set up just for you within the conservancy.
Non-riding group members will not be missing out and can arrange to take part in a wide range of activities. Borana has enough to entertain the whole family. Highlights include, game drives, guided walks through the bush, cycling through the wilderness, spending time with the armed anti-poaching unit, visits to a local Maasai village or sundowners on Pride Rock, the original inspiration Pride Rock in Disney’s Lion King.
Tailor made multi-day riding safaris lasting from one to eight days can also be arranged starting and ending on Borana. These offer an excellent riding experience and can be booked with a minimum of 4 horse riders. There are a variety of itineraries to choose from and you will have the opportunity to cross some of Kenya’s most beautiful landscapes. Visit the high altitude lakes of Mt Kenya, explore the fascinating landscape with a renowned geologist, or gallop down dry river beds further North.
QUICK FACTS
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Borana, Kenya |
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Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) |
 |
Open All Year |
 |
Up to 8 nights |
 |
Group Size: Max. 6 |
 |
Minimum of 4 for Cross Country |
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Advanced for Cross Country |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Ride with rhinos in one of Kenya’s most successful rhino conservancy
- Enjoy exciting riding teamed with a beautifully luscious and relaxing lodge experience
- Canter with great herds of zebra and gaze upon groups of giraffe
- Caters for mixed groups of riders and non riders exceptionally
THE DESTINATION
Borana Conservancy is situated north of Mt Kenya in Laikipia. The conservancy plays host to an impressive array of wildlife that includes Africa’s Big 5. The reserve provides secure and important habitat for many endangered species. It also boasts one of Kenya’s most successful rhino sanctuary.
The Conservancy is dedicated to the sustainable conservation of land and wildlife. Earnings from tourism and other commercial enterprises contributes towards the support of communities, wildlife and it’s habitat. Your stay here will act as a direct contribution to safeguarding the future of endangered wildlife in Kenya. This truly is travelling with a purpose.
DATES & RATES
Open all year round. Please enquire for exact dates and availability.
2021 RATES:
Standard Twin or Double Room
06 Jan – 14 Jun 2021 / 16 Sep – 19 Dec 2021
$ 600 pppn sharing + $175pp CONSERVANCY FEE
15 Jun – 15 Sep 2021 / 20 Dec – 05 Jan 2022
$ 700 pppn SHARING + $175pp CONSERVANCY FEE
Villa Rooms
06 Jan – 14 Jun 2021 / 16 Sep – 19 Dec 2021
$ 630 pppn SHARING + $175pp CONSERVANCY FEE
15 Jun – 15 Sep 2021 / 20 Dec – 05 Jan 2022
$ 750 pppn SHARING + $175pp CONSERVANCY FEE
Long Stay Special: 10% off the total cost of stay for 5 nights or more
8 NIGHT TRAIL RIDE (4 pax minimum)
From: $8 466 pp SHARING (including local flights & conservation fees)
Included
• Full board accommodation
• All drinks throughout your adventure (except Champagne)
• A private and expert guide
• All riding, game drives, guided walks & mountain biking
• Laundry
• Wifi
• Local airstrip transfers
Excluded
• International flights and visa
• Internal flights from Nairobi (Included in the 8 night Trail Ride)
• Comprehensive Travel & Medical insurance
• Gratuities
YOUR 8-DAY ITINERARY
** Please note that this is a sample itinerary if you were to do an 8-day trail ride (needing a group of 4 or more).
For lodge stays, guests have the opportunity to enjoy various activities during their stay. One of the highlights is horse riding among giraffe, zebra, eland and impala to experience wildlife at close quarters. At Borana lodge, there is a stable of over 20 horses suitable for more experienced riders, but novice riders can be introduced to the magic of horse safaris at their second stable a short distance away.
Other activities include: game drives in custom-built game vehicles, guided walks, mountain biking, farm tours, village visits and rhino tracking.
Day 1 - Borana
Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) – transfer to Borana. This will either be via private charter or on the scheduled flight to Lewa Downs.
Get introduced to your noble stead and head out for your first evening ride. Overnight at Borana Lodge.
Day 2 - Borana
Wake up on a glorious African morning and the birds singing. Ride out of the stables with a picnic breakfast packed in your saddlebags, ready for the day’s adventures.
Spend a relaxed lunch and afternoon back at the Lodge.
In the afternoon, enjoy a game drive or walk on Borana. Overnight Borana Lodge.
Day 3- Ngare Ngare
Leave after breakfast and ride east through Borana down to the Ngare Ndare River. Overnight fly camp under the stars.
Day 4 - Kisima
Ride through the famous Lewa Wildlife Conservancy with an opportunity to see rhino from horse back. Saddle bag lunch en route to Kisima – the family home of the Dyers. Long riding day. Overnight Kisima.
Day 5 - Lake Rotundu
Leave Kisima early after breakfast and ride up onto the moorland. Picnic lunch on the mountain, riding in to the log cabins at Lake Rotundu. Overnight at Rotundu.
Day 6 - Lake Rotundu
Try your luck fishing at Lake Alice. Another lovely ride over the moorland. Overnight at Rotundu.
Day 7 - Kisima
Ride back over the moorland and into the rosewood forests of Mt Kenya to Kisima House. Visit the flowers or the farm in the afternoon. Overnight at Kisima.
Day 8 - Borana
Leaving after a delicious farm breakfast at Kisima, ride down through the Ngare Ndare Forest with a picnic lunch awaiting you at the blue pools. An amazing opportunity to swim in the crystal clear spring water. Carry on over Samangua and back to Borana. Overnight at Borana.
Additional Activities at Borana
- Game Drives
- Rhino Tracking on Foot
- Guided Bush Walks
- Mountain Biking
- Deployments with the Borana Conservancy Anti-poaching Unit
- Visits to Ngare Ndare forest
- Local School Visits
- Local Masai Village Visits
THE ACCOMMODATION
The lodge is situated on a beautiful hillside with panoramic views throughout. An infinity pool allows you to relax while watching elephant and other game make their way down to the dam below. There are four stand-alone cottages and two family suites to choose from. Each with their own spectacular view; one with its own private plunge pool.
Lunch is provided buffet-style in the pavilion above the pool. All rooms and cottages are close to the main area of the lodge with a cosy sitting room and bar. The is a dining room where drinks and dinner are served in the evening.
QUICK FACTS
|
Borana, Kenya |
|
Jomo Kenyatta Nairobi International Airport (JKIA) |
|
Open All Year |
|
Up to 8 nights |
|
Group Size: Max. 8 |
|
Minimum of 4 for trail rides |
|
Intermediate and above |
1 Night: From $600 pp sharing
SUITABLE RIDING LEVELS
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Beginner |
|
Novice |
 |
Intermediate |
|
Intermediate Plus |
|
Advanced |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Ride with rhinos in one of Kenya’s most successful rhino conservancy
- Enjoy exciting riding teamed with a beautifully luscious and relaxing lodge experience
- Canter with great herds of zebra and gaze upon groups of giraffe
- Caters for mixed groups of riders and non riders exceptionally
DATES & RATES
Open all year round. Please enquire for exact dates and availability.
2021 RATES:
Standard Twin or Double Room
06 Jan – 14 Jun 2021 / 16 Sep – 19 Dec 2021
$ 600 pppn sharing + $175pp CONSERVANCY FEE
15 Jun – 15 Sep 2021 / 20 Dec – 05 Jan 2022
$ 700 pppn SHARING + $175pp CONSERVANCY FEE
Villa Rooms
06 Jan – 14 Jun 2021 / 16 Sep – 19 Dec 2021
$ 630 pppn SHARING + $175pp CONSERVANCY FEE
15 Jun – 15 Sep 2021 / 20 Dec – 05 Jan 2022
$ 750 pppn SHARING + $175pp CONSERVANCY FEE
Long Stay Special: 10% off the total cost of stay for 5 nights or more
8 NIGHT TRAIL RIDE (4 pax minimum)
From: $8 466 pp SHARING (including local flights & conservation fees)
Included
• Full board accommodation
• All drinks throughout your adventure (except Champagne)
• A private and expert guide
• All riding, game drives, guided walks & mountain biking
• Laundry
• Wifi
• Local airstrip transfers
Excluded
• International flights and visa
• Internal flights from Nairobi (Included in the 8 night Trail Ride)
• Comprehensive Travel & Medical insurance
• Gratuities
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
”Thank you to everyone at Borana who made our stay so special. Borana was the first stop and we were met by the wonderful Laurence and David who thrust a cool beer in our hand on the runway and took us straight off on a drive. We were so lucky to have them as our guides. David is a mean spotter and Laurence has a wealth of knowledge. I highly recommend the walking safari to pride rock, cooling off with a delicious G&T with the most stunning view.
We chose Borana as we wanted to do the horse riding safari which was as amazing as we thought it would be. Riding through herds of zebra and close to giraffe, elephants and a rhino was spectacular. Joseph and Charles were fantastic riding guides!
Everyone made our stay extra special and we loved our lodge with private plunge pool and views over the watering hole. Completely breath-taking. Fires at night. Hot water bottles. Rosé lunches. Bush suppers. It was all fantastic. We hope to be back in the not too distant future
Rosanna Short
How we care for our horses
Our horseback adventures are hand-picked for their quality and care of their horses. Here’s how the horses at Borana are kept in tip-top shape for your safaris. Our horses are on top of the hierarchy and receive very special care:
- All our horses roam freely during the day in a herd environment and are tucked safely in stables at night.
- As we nearly always do rides from the lodge – rather than mobile safaris – guests can request to use the same horse every day for the duration of their stay, however, we love changing the horses to give guests different experiences and give the horses rest. After a long day of riding, horses will get the day off.
- All the tack is cleaned daily and checked for wear and tear and correct fitment.
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We have a resident farrier-groom and the farrier trainer comes in once a month to check on the horses’ feet. The teeth get checked every year by horse dentists from the UK.
Please let us know if you have any more questions around this.
