Borana Lodge, Borana Conservancy, Laikipia
An intimate and authentic eco-lodge in a rugged and spectacular setting, Borana Lodge is at the forefront of wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism. Explore and enjoy the conservancy by vehicle, foot, horse or bike, then relax and enjoy stylish accommodation, welcoming service, delicious cuisine and superlative views.
Summary
- Safari in spacious, comfortable, luxurious, family-friendly cottages
- Panoramic views across the private 32,000-acre Borana Conservancy and ‘Pride Rock’
- Excellent ‘Big Five’ game viewing—plus several critically endangered animal species
- Part of East Africa’s largest continuous rhinoceros habitat—home to more than 200 rhinos
- Swimming pool, horse riding, mountain biking, bush walks, conservation & community activities
- Environmentally friendly, committed to conservation, community, and sustainability
- Accommodates no more than 20 guests in 4 double/twin rooms and 2 family cottages
- From KES 39,000 per night per resident adult on a generous all-inclusive basis
Location
Borana Lodge sits just 27 kilometres north of the equator and 6,000 feet above sea level within the 32,000-acre Borana Conservancy on the Eastern edges of the Laikipia Plateau. A combination of rugged hilly terrain and sweeping savannahs, Borana’s landscapes epitomise East Africa. The lodge and its surroundings enjoy dramatic views into the Wamba Mountains of the Northern Frontier District, across Borana Conservancy and up to Mount Kenya.
This unique geographical location makes the Conservancy a haven for a wide diversity of wildlife, with large numbers of buffalo, eland, hartebeest and sizeable herds of plains game. Rare reticulated giraffe are commonly seen nibbling the acacias, while the cooler forests shelter bush buck, colobus monkey, the endangered Patas monkey and elephant.
Borana is host to over 50 species of mammal including some of the world’s rarest and most endangered animals, including black rhino, wild dog, leopard, cheetah and lion. For keen ornithologists, Borana is home to over 350 species of birds, including a variety of eagles, vultures and the stunningly bright superb starling. Borana also is host to a working cattle ranch.
These days Nanyuki is home to the Kenyan Air Force and to the British Army in Kenya, and there are several good places to stop and shop in the town including Dorman’s Coffee, Artcaffé, The Butcher’s Block and Urban Ranch. Recommended eateries include The Nook and Antonia’s Kitchen. At Nanyuki Airport you will find the popular Barney’s restaurant and just across the road One Stop Nanyuki has a café, delicatessen and boutique. In the centre of town you will find numerous banks, general shops and supermarkets including a large Chandarana at the Cedar Mall.
Detailed Information
Accommodation
- Four stand-alone cottages—two doubles and two twin rooms, each with an ensuite bathroom
- Two family cottages—each with one double and one twin bedroom, each with ensuite bathrooms, with a shared sitting/dining area
- Family cottages 5&6 have an additional children’s bedroom, which shares a bathroom with the double bedroom.
- Family cottages 7&8 have a private access route and plunge pool—perfect for those wanting a more private safari experience. e
- Each room has a private veranda and allows for intimate starlit meals
- All bedrooms have fireplaces and safes
- Baby cots and extra beds for children available in selected rooms
- All cottages are solar-powered and have electricity 24 hours a day
- Hot water available 24 hours a day
- All rooms have exceptional views over the Hyena Valley dam, below which wildlife regularly gathers.
- All guests have access to the shared swimming pool and bar
- Tap water is tested regularly and is safe to drink
Lodge Amenities
- Located at the heart of Borana Conservancy, Kenya’s newest and most successful rhino sanctuary
- Communal bar and sitting room area
- Lovely indigenous gardens bursting with flowers and birds
- Communal infinity swimming pool overlooking the Hyena Valley dam
- Thatched poolside bar and dining area
- In-room massages available at an additional cost
- Gift shop stocked with locally sourced treasures
- Guide rooms for nannies, drivers, and pilots available
- Wifi in all guest rooms
- Laundry service
- Good phone signal in selected areas
- Use of the lodge office by special request
Activities
- Guided bush walks
- Guided day and night game drives in open game viewing vehicles
- Mountain biking
- Horse riding for all experience levels
- Bird watching with experienced guides
- Sundowners
- Farm tours
- Picnic breakfasts & lunches
- Tracking the rhino on foot
- Accompanying rangers on deployments
- River swimming
- Fly camping (at additional cost)
- Day trips available to the Ngare Ndare and Mukugodo Forests (at additional cost)
- Visits to the Borana Conservancy Mobile Clinic
- Visits to primary schools that are part of the Borana Conservancy Education Programme
How to get there
By Air
There are daily flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to the neighbouring Lewa Downs Conservancy airstrip on Air Kenya and Safarilink (flights are often via Nanyuki and Samburu). The airstrip is 50 minutes’ drive from Borana Lodge and return transfers are included in your stay. Private planes and charters land at the Borana airstrip, which is a 10-minute drive from the lodge.
By Road
Borana is a 4-5 hour drive from Nairobi via Nanyuki and Timau. The house is about 45 km / 1 hour’s drive beyond Nanyuki.
Visitors Book
“We could not have enjoyed our stay at Borana more. Our guide, Ben, was FABULOUS! We enjoyed every minute of our time with him. His knowledge of the land and wildlife and his passion for his work was so wonderful to experience. We had wonderful meals, a beautiful cottage, experienced a rhino ranger deployment and rhino, rhino and more rhino! From sun-up to sundowner each day was perfect and we didn’t even scratch the surface of the activities on offer. The food was fantastic and the dawas delicious! We’ll be back!”
RC, USA
“We had a truly wonderful time at Borana. The staff were on point and the service was impeccable. Our room was the family room with the private plunge pool and that did not fail to impress. The food is very good indeed. Being a vegetarian, I often get curries and rice offered to me. However, there was a great variety in the food offered and the fresh salads were inventive and delicious. Tamara and James have done a brilliant job of keeping up staff morale and standards at the lodge. They were on hand to answer any queries and guide us whenever required. A fabulous holiday and just what we needed! Thank you Borana!”
DP, Nairobi
Rates
Full Board Accommodation at Borana Lodge
- Minimum stay in standard season: 2 nights
- Minimum stay in peak season – 3 nights
- Children under 5 years stay for free
- Special resident rates during the high season can only be guaranteed within 4 weeks of travel
Standard season rental rate (6th Jan – 14th June & 1st Oct – 19th Dec)
- KES 39,000 per resident adult sharing per night
- KES 19,500 per child (5-15) sharing per night
- KES 50,700 for single occupancy per night
- Infants under 5 stay free
High season rental rate (15th June–30th Sept & 20th Dec–5th Jan)
- KES 59,400 per resident adult sharing per night
- KES 29,700 per child (5-15) sharing per night
- KES 77,200 for single occupancy per night
- Infants under 5 stay free
Check-in from 11 am, check-out by 10 am
Included in your stay
- Full board accommodation
- Conservancy fees
- Local airstrip transfers (Borana Conservancy and Lewa Downs)
- Soft drinks, beers, house wines & selected house spirits
- All Borana Conservancy-based activities, shared day & night game drives, horse
riding, mountain biking, e-biking, bush walks, rhino tracking, ‘behind the scenes of
conservation activities, tours of Waitabit Farm, and sundowner excursions
Available at additional cost
- Premium wines, spirits, and champagnes
- Afternoon departure with lunch—KES 11,700 per person (room check-out 10 am)
- Exclusive use of a vehicle (subject to availability)—KES 45,500 per vehicle per day
- Guide/pilott accommodation—Kes 42,000 per night (excluding conservation fee)
- Visit to Ngare Ndare Forest—KES 2,000 per adult, KES 1,000 per child
- Visit to Lewa Wildlife ConservancyKESs 4,319 per adult,KESs 2,160 per child
- Fly camping setup feeKESs 85,000 per group (two guests minimum)
The above rates are for Kenyan residents and citizens—please contact us for non-resident rates.
The owners require all adult guests to sign an indemnity/disclaimer form on arrival.
These rates and terms and conditions are valid for stays up until 5th January 2027.
Please contact us to make a booking.
Please familiarize yourself with all our terms & conditions when making a booking
