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Borana

Overview

Borana Lodge is a family-run and owned destination which plays a special part in the conservation of Kenyan wildlife. Borana Conservancy lies at the foot of Mt Kenya and is a haven for wildlife, considered to be Kenya’s newest and most successful rhino sanctuary - the private conservancy covers 32,…

Highlights

  • Home to the 'Big Five'
  • All profits invested in conservation
  • Gloriously luxurious accommodation with infinity pool
  • Help track the resident rhino!
  • Visit Ngare Ndare Forest and its wildlife

Essential Facts

  • 1 itinerary available
  • Max 8 riders per group
  • Average of 3 - 5 hours riding per day
  • Weight limit: 95kg / 210 lbs / 15 st

Description

Borana Lodge is a family-run and owned destination which plays a special part in the conservation of Kenyan wildlife. Borana Conservancy lies at the foot of Mt Kenya and is a haven for wildlife, considered to be Kenya’s newest and most successful rhino sanctuary - the private conservancy covers 32,000 acres and is home to more than 25 Black Rhino, a population which has grown since the species was introduced here in 2013. The conservancy is dedicated to the sustainable conservation of land and wildlife. In 2014 they removed the fences between Borana and Lewa Conservancy to the east, allowing the wildlife to move freely over 92,000 acres of wilderness. Both Black and White Rhino roam the conservancy as well as Ostrich, Reticulated Giraffe and Grevy’s Zebra (of which there are estimated to be fewer than 2500 left in the wild). The lodge is situated on the hillside above a dam where herds of elephants regularly come to drink and bathe. Lion and Leopard are among the regular nocturnal visitors and can be heard during the night.

Borana is home to two strings of safari horses and offers superb riding opportunities for all levels, in addition to mountain biking, bush walks, bird watching and a variety of cultural experiences. The food and drink is to an excellent standard and there is a ‘Safari Spa’ for those looking to unwind. Borana is the only lodge in Kenya to invest all profits into conservation - your visit here directly benefits their 101 person anti-poaching team, a mobile clinic and local primary schools. Their anti-poaching unit patrols the conservancy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round, safeguarding the future of endangered wildlife.

Borana Lodge consists of four stand alone cottages and two family cottages, all featuring en-suite bathrooms with large baths, fireplaces and outside verandas. The family have now added an additional property, Lengishu, which is an exclusive family home perched on the hillside just north of Borana Lodge. Both properties bring a range of opportunities to their guests, all with a focus on conservation in mind, such as tracking rhino on foot and helping the evening deployments of the conservancy’s armed rangers. You are welcome to take part in community activities too, allowing a true insight into the Kenyan way of life. Borana Conservancy is also home to one of the largest permaculture projects in East Africa, Kabati Regenerative Farm. The idea of the farm is to reduce the gap between farm and fork, ensuring that all guests at Borana Lodge and Lengishu eat fresh, local, organic food during their stay.

Horses & Riding

Tack

The stables can offer a variety of tack options to suit individual horses and rider preferences. Typically, the horses can be ridden in English, Australian Stock or South African Western saddles. All are well-cared for, good quality and comfortable to ride in as well. Bridles are all English style with simple snaffle or gag type bits.

Horses

The horses at Borana are predominantly thoroughbreds and thoroughbred crosses, many of which were born and bred on the conservancy. This makes them the ideal mount for exploring the reserve as they are so well acclimatised to the area, the animals and the job at hand.

Riding

There is 1 itinerary:

  • Borana Luxury Lodge Based Stay is a based ride

Ages

No age limit.

Health

None.

Weight

95kg / 210 lbs / 15 st

Food & Accommodation

Food

All food is freshly prepared using vegetables and natural produce from their own, or neighbouring farms and is accompanied by freshly squeezed juice from their orchard and wines from around the world. Borana uses clean water for their food preparation and they take great pride in their exceptional menu, fresh fruits, salads, vegetables, tempting light lunches and exotically delicious dinners.

The chefs take great pleasure in preparing tantalising and healthy cuisine to suit any palete, for all dietary requirements and ages.

Accommodation

Borana Lodge is made up of four stand alone cottages and two family cottages. Cottages one to four, two doubles and two twins, are situated in different locations across the hillside and all have exceptional views. Room one is ideal for honeymooners as it is set apart from the rest of the lodge, facing east, allowing guests to appreciate sunrise from the comfort of their four-poster bed.

Rooms five and six are ideally suited to families - a double and a twin room connected by a shared outdoor sitting and dining area, as well as having superb views of the dam and valley below. There is an additional smaller children's room with twin beds for those under twelve, allowing six to sleep here in total.

Rooms seven and eight are perhaps the most exclusive as they offer a private dining room and open sitting room. This villa is closest to the dam and features sprawling bathrooms and a private plunge pool.

All guests have use of the lodge's infinity pool.

Lengishu is a new property, open from Christmas 2018 onwards. This is an exclusive family home perched on the hillside just north of Borana Lodge. Lengishu has been built from local, sustainable materials and features its own large swimming pool and an art room. It can be booked as separate cottages (for up to four guests) or as a private property to suit twelve.

Itineraries

Borana Luxury Lodge Based Stay Luxury accommodation.

Other Activities

Borana offers a range of activities aside from horse riding. Game drives, bush walks and mountain biking with an experienced guide are a wonderful way to explore the conservancy and learn more about the incredible wildlife which makes its home here. The conservation-based activities are really something special, guests having the chance to track and identify rhino on foot and to assist with the evening deployments of the conservancy's armed rangers.

Paragliding and helicopter excursions are great for the adrenaline-hunters whilst those with an interest in local life can participate in community engagement activities. A visit to Kabati Farm is also very interesting for those who enjoy good food and knowing where it comes from.

Travel

International guests will fly into Nairobi international airport, from where it is possible to take a road transfer (lasting roughly 4.5 hrs from Nairobi to Borana) at an additional cost - please contact us for availability and prices.

However, it is certainly recommended that you take a scheduled or private transfer flight from Wilson (Nairobi's regional airport) to Lewa airport (at additional cost). From here you can be collected and transferred to Borana Lodge. The scheduled flights arrive back to Nairobi around midday and International flights usually depart late evening. You will need to take a taxi from Nairobi international to Wilson airport and back again.

Testimonials

David H., Nov. 23, 2023

Really awesome, enjoyed every moment. The rainy season was not expected but no problem. The landscape was super green and the weather did not cause problems. The lodge team were understanding and switched timing to suit us no problem. Favourite memory? Riding behind and beside a herd of zebra.


Svetlana G., Dec. 19, 2017

In general and in particular, the trip exceeded all my expectations. I liked the lodge very much. It's truly a really very good choice. On the one hand it's a very simple house in the country style, but on the other hand, the luxury is in the details. I enjoyed being with the team at the lodge. Atlanta and Hunter, who received the guests and entertained them, make sure every guest enjoyed their stay. All the guides were very courteous, interesting people, educated and passionate about what they do. The food was very fresh and although it seemed simple, it was very thoughtfully put together. The dishes were absolutely delicious and well presented. The lodge has two stables, one filled with horses for beginners and the other with horses for more experienced riders. Even the stables for experienced riders that I attended had horses that were very obedient, well-trained horses and in my opinion would be perfectly suitable for novice riders as well. All the horses looked healthy and well cared for. Each day I got to try a new horse, all were lovely and it was very interesting for me. Eventually, I did find my favourite horse! The guide Nicolas was a very nice person. Every ride he chose a different route and tried to understand and take into account your preferences. He led the group well and was very professional. The two accompanying guides, one in the front and one at the back were also very decent guys. On the rides, you felt absolutely safe.


Will J., May 18, 2016

I asked Holly to organise a dream holiday and she did. Immaculate lodges, great horses, stunning scenery, huge amounts of wildlife, faultless hospitality, food and drink...everything was perfect.


Tish J., May 18, 2016

Amazing! The experience was wonderful - the horses were very well behaved and well-matched for our riding ability, and we saw so much game with our very knowledgeable guides. The lodges were stunning and we were looked after unbelievably well - I don't think I've eaten so much for a long time!


Itinerary & Pricing

Day 1 - Arrival

Riding: No riding.

Most people choose to take a light aircraft transfer from Nairobi to Lewa airstrip but it's also possible to transfer by road - a journey of c. 4.5 hours.

Depending on your arrival time there may be the opportunity for an afternoon ride or game drive before enjoying your first delicious dinner. You can stay for as long as you like, min 3 nights.

Days 2 to 7

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

The itinerary is completely flexible and riding can be arranged to suit, from an early morning hack to a full day adventure through the spectacular wildlife at the slopes of Mt Kenya. The game roaming the plains is easily viewed from the back of a safe but spirited horse and guests can even enjoy watching the animals from the swimming pool. The Lodge overlooks a dam which fills with floodwater from the surrounding hills and this acts as the local watering hole for many amazing African creatures.

The nearby Ngare Ndare forest is full of amazing plantlife and some beautiful wildlife including black rhino, monkeys, elephants, a variety of birds and butterflies. This is just one of the area's highlights. There is a high altitude rose farm or an organic essential oil distillery to be visited and there are a host of other activities available. In addition to the horses there are mountain bikes, 4x4s for game drives, guided game walks, cross-cultural experiences and plenty of excuses for a fly camp experience.

When the Dyer family first came here the horses were the only means of personal transport. Today, all their farms still have stables and they have horses to suit all levels of rider from beginners to experts. The stables at the lodge house a number of horses suitable for capable riders and these are used for the based stay - short hacks, full day rides or exploration of the working ranch. Michael is happy to take you on his rounds around the ranch where you can learn much about the 2000 Boran cattle, most of which are kept for beef production with a small herd for dairy purposes. Further up the slopes towards Mt Kenya the family keep a stable of Polo ponies which offer great fun for the experienced rider. At the foot of the slopes is the Ngare Ndare River where Rose keeps a stable of horses that are suitable for novices. They are patient and safe horses which have been trained to be careful with children and non-experienced riders.

There is a tree nursery here which was founded in 2000 and now produces over 30,000 trees annually for reforestation projects on the ranch and within the surrounding communities. This small aspect of the lodge is just one example of why this is such a special destination and such a fascinating and enjoyable place to visit.

Generally activities are taken early in the morning when the game is most active, returning to the lodge for lunch and a siesta before joining an afternoon activity as the temperatures cool.

NB. Conservancy fees for Lewa and Ngare Ndare Forest are not included and have to be paid should you choose to visit.

Day 8

Riding: No riding.

Check-out is strictly by 10am on the day of departure. A late departure will incur an additional charge.

Light aircraft transfers usually arrive back into Nairobi at c. midday.

Accommodation

Each night is spent in one of 8 luxury guest rooms at Borana Lodge. All have private en-suite bathrooms.
Experience Beginner / Intermediate / Experienced

All abilities welcomed
Minimum group size 4
Maximum group size 8
Departure windows

At any time during: Jan. 6, 2025 - Jan. 5, 2026  (Dates available to suit, with flexible arrivals/departures. Min 3 nights.)

Pricing

2025
Adult, Sharing, Peak Season (15 June - 30 Sept; 20 Dec - 5 Jan 2026)		 £950 $1200 €1150 per night
2025
Adult, Single, Peak Season (15 June - 30 Sept; 20 Dec - 5 Jan 2026)		 £1240 $1560 €1495 per night
2025
Adult, Sharing, Standard season (6 Jan- 14 June, 1 Oct - 19 Dec 2025)		 £735 $930 €890 per night
2025
Adult, Single, Standard season (6 Jan- 14 June, 1 Oct - 19 Dec 2025)		 £960 $1210 €1160 per night
2025
Child (5-15years), Sharing, Peak season (15 Jun - 30 Sept, 20 Dec - 5 Jan 2026)		 £475 $600 €575 per night
Children under 5 years stay free of charge
2025
Child (5-15years), Sharing, Standard season (6 Jan- 14 June, 1 Oct - 19 Dec 2025)		 £365 $465 €445 per night
Included Accommodation, Borana conservancy fees (24% of the charge), all meals and local drinks (soft drinks, beers, wines and spirits), riding and on-site safari activities (game drives/walks), laundry, transfers from Lewa airstrip to the lodge, flying doctor cover
Not included Flights, transfers from Nairobi to Lewa, travel insurance, premium spirits and champagnes, tips, off-site visits such as cultural visits, visits to Lewa or Kisima & other personal expenses.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.