Overview
Organic design and panoramic views.
On hill looking over its own 14,000-hectares of gentle Laikipian hills to Mount Kenya on the horizon, Borana is fabulous setting for a safari adventure and one of East Africa’s most forward-thinking properties.
Over three generations within the same family, the old cattle ranch has been restored into a thriving conservancy where wildlife roams while the original camp has become an understatedly luxurious lodge. In recent years, they have joined neighbouring Lewa in creating the largest rhino sanctuary in Kenya and become a certified Global Ecosphere Retreat®, marking it out as one of the most sustainably properties on earth.
Six cottages, a pair of which are two-bedroom family units, are stylish yet homely, built from stone and thatch to blend in with the landscape and enjoying panoramic views. Warmly welcoming communal areas include grand dining space, infinity pool and spa.
But it’s the scope for adventure that brings people back here with exciting experiences such as tracking rhino on foot, horseback riding, mountain biking, scenic flights and community visits alongside game drives and walking safaris.
Facts
At a glance
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Six cottages including two family units
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Swimming pool and spa
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Lounge and dining area
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Global Ecosphere Retreat®
Experiences
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![Borana Lodge Kenya Laikipia Safari 8]()
Game drives
Head out on a custom-built, four-wheel drive, open-sided vehicle with a trained field guide as you seek out the conservancy’s inhabitants such as black and white rhinos, lion, leopard, wild dog, elephants and much more on day and night drives.
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![Borana Lodge Kenya Laikipia Safari 12]()
Horse riding
When the Dyer family first arrived in the Borana Conservancy the only means of transport was horse, and their love of horses remains. Riding on the plains among giraffe, zebra, eland and impala is an incredible experience.
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![Borana Lodge Kenya Laikipia Safari 4]()
Mountain biking
This way of exploring allows you to head out at your own pace as you go up hills and through valleys surrounded by nature.
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![Borana Lodge Kenya Laikipia Safari 16]()
Rhino tracking
You can join the rangers who track the rhino each morning. It’s a great way to learn about what goes on behind the scenes in conservation and rhino protection.
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![Borana Lodge Kenya Laikipia Safari 6]()
Walking safaris
One of the most tranquil ways to experience wildlife is when on a guided bush walk. Walks are led by an experienced field guide, accompanied by an armed ranger.
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![Borana Lodge Kenya Laikipia Safari 7]()
Cross-cultural experiences
Because Borana has developed a close relationship with one of the local communities, you are welcome to take a tour of the village with one of the Maasai elders and hear about the history of the tribe.
Community & Culture
One of the core objectives of Borana Conservancy is managing the interactions between humans and wildlife. With this in mind, they not only invest in the protection of wildlife with rangers on the ground, but they also help to build local livelihoods. Borana has always shared the benefits of tourism with its neighbours and helped change the perception of wildlife by increasing its potential value. They do this by supporting the development of various community tourism enterprises, including a mobile health clinic and the Borana Education Support Programme.
Borana encourages guests to support local women by buying the traditional beaded items that they showcase in the shop. This beading helps the women to generate an independent income. Borana guests’ visits to Ngare Ndare Forest and Arijuju Maasai Village have helped support the communities financially.
Conservation
In 2007, the owners, the Dyer family decided to commit all retained earnings from Borana to support conservation activities. Its aim is to make conservation a long-term viable option through business resilience, strong community connections, and providing a habitat for the region’s most endangered species.
The conservancy, along with neighbouring Lewa, is home to 14% of Kenya’s endangered black rhinos, and works closely with the Kenya Conservancies Association and Northern Rangelands Trust. Constant biodiversity studies and species surveys are conducted here and plans are in place to protect threatened species. A team of 120 rangers employed from local communities has helped stave off poaching incidents in recent years.
Footprint
Borana Conservancy is committed to achieving and maintaining energy efficiency and minimizing carbon footprint on the environment and surrounding community. The whole property runs on solar energy, underutilized boreholes provide water via solar pumps, and 98% of waste has been diverted from landfill.
Food at Borana Lodge is sourced from the local Waitabit Farm, Kenya’s largest permaculture project whose goal is to leave their corner of the world healthier and more biodiverse than they found it. Waitabit provides organic fruit, vegetables, eggs and beef which are full of flavour and make for delicious, sustainable meals.
Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
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Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
What makes us different
Why Niarra
Niarra Travel is a forward-thinking travel company headquartered in London born out of a passion to do things differently.
In Swahili, a Bantu language spoken by millions in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, the name Niara means "with utmost purpose" and our team are united by a passion for exploration and a belief that the right kind of travel can make the world a better place.
Our Travel Researchers are here to create incredible trips with a positive impact for you.
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Unforgettable experiences
Creating your trip is entirely collaborative and our Travel Researchers are here for every step.
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Positive impact
Curated sustainable experiences and accommodation that maximize the benefits to local people and place.
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Fairness and transparency
An open, competitive pricing structure that ensures more money goes to where it's needed in the destination.
