The Camp

Location: Borana Ranch Conservancy, Kenya
Number of Cottages: 8

Borana Lodge's eight secluded cottages enjoy panoramic views over the Lewa Plains to the Ngare Ndare Forest and Mount Kenya beyond. Cottages have large double beds or two twin beds, and luxurious bathrooms that also boast a fabulous view! A wood-burning fireplace takes the edge off the evening chill at 6,000 feet. In harmony with the landscape, the lodge is built from local, sustainable materials and set in a verdant garden of plants chosen for their scents, colors and flowers. The lodge overlooks a lake that is a popular watering hole, and elephants often wander past the infinity pool as guests are swimming or sunning on the veranda. Watch wildlife from the sitting room as you relax around the huge open fireplace. In the dining room, enjoy fresh produce from the ranch and fresh juice from Borana orchard fruits.

Back to top

Facilities & Amenities

• En suite bathroom with tub and shower
• Hair dryer
• Fireplace
• 220v charging outlets in room
• Central pool
• Wi-Fi
• Laundry included
• Local drinks included (house alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks)

Back to top

Wildlife Viewing & Activities

Borana shares a joint conservation management policy with its neighbors that protects a quarter of a million acres of Africa’s natural environment. On a good wildlife drive, which most here are, safari-goers might see 20-25 different kinds of animals. Some 300 elephants roam freely across the private reserve, as do 21 different species of ungulates. The plentiful hoofed game draws abundant predators: lion, leopard and cheetah, smaller cats like caracal and serval, spotted and striped hyena, and rare aardwolf and wild dog. Primates include olive baboon, vervet monkey and bushbaby. On Borana’s eastern boundary with the Lewa Conservancy are white and black rhino and sitatunga antelope. Activities include wildlife drives in open 4x4s, night drives, guided bush walks, mountain bike and horseback safaris, sightseeing flights and hikes on Mt. Kenya, and ranch tours that highlight the challenge of ranching in an often hostile environment.

The conservancies of the Laikipia District have varying concentrations and species of wildlife, and the below chart helps to illustrate major wildlife sightings often experienced in the area. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a rhino sanctuary, and this and other reserves in Laikipia feature unique subspecies, such as reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, and Jackson’s hartebeest and a number of other mammals, birds and reptiles. Exact sightings will depend on seasonality and wildlife movements.

Climate

Conservation

Borana Lodge is a dedicated contributor to environmental projects in its area, recognizing that conservation of Africa’s wildlife and habitat are inextricably linked to the people who share the land. Over three generations the Dyer family has dedicated extensive time, energy and finances to conservation, manifested in various ways that guests to Borana will witness. The primary areas of focus have been education, health, poverty alleviation and employment, habitat management and wildlife conservation. The ranch monitors some of its cows with radio collars, in order to track their movements as part of its ongoing research to find ways for livestock and predators to better coexist. A substantial portion of revenue generated at Borana goes toward achieving conservation- and community-oriented commitments, in order to secure the long-term future of the region.

Back to top