Borana Lodge is a luxury, family-hosted luxury lodge situated on a working 35,000 acre ranch in the Laikipia region of northern Kenya, just north of the Equator, and not far from Mount Kenya. Borana Hotel Lodge is set on the edge of the Samangua Valley with panoramic views of Mount Kenya. Borana Lodge is a small, luxurious lodge, 16 miles north of the equator, at an altitude of 6,500 ft, the area is a haven for a wide diversity of wildlife, including lion, elephant, Jackson’s hartebeest, buffalo, reticulated giraffe, Patas monkeys and great herds of antelope roaming the plains, while the cool forest shelters bushbuck, colobus monkeys and leopard.
Borana Lodge Kenya was built is 1992 by local artisans, only local building materials and dead wood from the ranch were used in its construction, the result is a supremely comfortable and luxurious lodge which is totally in keeping with its surroundings; it seems to have grown organically from the rocks on which it was built. Borana Hotel overlooks a dam which fills with the floodwater flowing off the surrounding hills. It is the local watering hole for all the wildlife in the area so there is constant activity for the guests to watch.
There is also a game blind built right on the edge of the dam so that visitors may go down and see the activity at close range: elephants swimming are a favorite, the nights are cool and there are fires in the rooms every night of the year. The clear view of the occasional snow and permanent small glaciers on Mount Kenya is a wonderful contrast to the huge panorama of mountains and desert to the North.
A stay at Borana Hotel is a unique opportunity for total immersion in the life and goings on ranch where environmental and ecological considerations rank alongside the responsibilities felt towards the neighbouring communities, pastoralists in the form of development partnerships and mobile health clinics, or the education trust. Of course a tour to the high altitude rose farm or to our organic essential oil distillery is by no means compulsory; there are plenty of other ways to entertain you on Borana ranch hotel.
Two strings of horses, mountain bikes, game walks, cross-cultural experiences and plenty of excuses for a night fly camping await visitors. We just want you to know that there's more to Borana. Ranch, then again you could just put your feet up, sit back in your open safari land cruiser 4 x 4 and be taken to the game, eat delicious home grown organic food and maybe muster up the energy to drag yourself away from your exclusively comfortable sleeping house for an afternoon massage overlooking Mount Kenya and, of course, the pool Borana is devoted to conserving wildlife in its natural habitat.
The whole ranch is available for your exploration and guests are welcome to join in any of the ongoing activities, from tracking collared elephant and lion to visiting one of the many community conservation projects, which are supported by the Borana ranch Laikipia. Near the ranch is the Sergoi Rhino Sanctuary with a population of almost 40 black and white rhino.
There's a wholesome glamour to Borana Lodge, the lodge is very well pulled together, set in great safari country and the animal concentrations, which now include wild dogs, are excellent. There are tons to do and great people to do it with. All round, this probably makes Borana one of the best places to stay in Laikipia. The emphasis at Borana is on comfort and a sort of hearty grandeur that chimes absolutely with the highland ranch life that goes on in one of Laikipia's highest areas. At Borana there's a lot of sheep skin and leather (straight from the ranch tanneries), the textiles are thick and woven, the timber - much of it fallen wild wood - chunky and strong.
There's no veneer at Borana, this lodge is as solid as the granite hillside it commands. The hillside on which Borana is set is a wide area, and the lodge buildings tumble down its slopes. Everything is very spread out and each room has big views, through remarkably large picture windows, across the river valley to the foothills of Mount Kenya beyond. Each room is a large stone built cottage with beautiful woven reed thatch roofs. No shortage of space on this 35,000 acre ranch means all rooms can offer plenty of space, yet being on hillsides means the rooms are on multiple levels and consequently have a cottage style.
Borana is set on a rocky hillside in Laikipia, overlooking a dam and meandering river valley, in the foothills of Mount Kenya. Borana is the lodge on a ranch of the same name that most farmers only dream of owning: it's high (6200ft) so it's sunny and cool and rugged - all 35000 acres of it is now increasingly devoted to wildlife, rather than livestock. When you come to Borana, you get not only private access to these wild acres, but also to the way of life of a family whose ancestors were a part of colonial history.
In 1918, a young Welshman called Llewellyn Powys came out to Kenya to take possession of a farm he was granted in return for his military service in World War One. As he had nothing to put on it, he didn't occupy it immediately but went instead to work for someone else - he was paid in sheep. When he had enough to form his own flock, he walked them to his new farm, miles across Kenya from the Aberdares to Kisima, a piece of land in the shadow of Mount Kenya. Here he stayed, and married, and had children. And eventually bought more land, including Borana. His children, Gilfred Powys and Rose Dyer still live on this farm, with their children, and their children's children. The story has an almost Amish quality to it, but life for the Dyer family now has bushy tailed bigness to it that also rubs off on the lodge. As you move around the ranch on what become quite busy days, you will almost inevitably rub shoulders with different members of this very friendly family, and might even be invited in for tea.
Laikipia is a vast expanse of wild country in the central highlands of Kenya - it covers almost 2 million acres and runs from Mt Kenya in the East to the Rift Valley in the west. Laikipia lies outside the jurisdiction of National Parks, and is somewhere to get out of a vehicle and embrace the numerous safari activities that Kenya has to offer. Laikipia is today an interesting amalgam of land that's almost all either privately or communally owned, whether by large-scale ranchers, small subsistence farmers, Maasai or Samburu communities.
From the perspective of the visitor, Laikipia is about freedom and a chance to experience the lifestyle of those who live here. Ranging from the foothills of Mt Kenya towards the north and west, the vegetation varies from indigenous forest to rock, arid scrub and steep river valleys. This area sees relatively little rainfall but can be deceptively cold at night during certain times of the year. The Laikipia Wildlife Forum has been very active in promoting collaboration amongst it's members and so this area has become an important conservation body, with ranches involving themselves in eco-tourism and conservation projects both within their own land and alongside the local communities.
Borana Lodge Hotel Accommodation
Borana Hotel has unrivalled luxury, elegance & comfort, staying in the lodge or renting a magnificent house on the ranch. Borana Lodge has eight thatched cottages decorated in luxurious up-country style. Three cottages had king size double beds and three have queen size single beds. All rooms are spacious and have open fire places, en suite bathrooms and private veranda. A central eating area and sitting area is furnished for maximum comfort. Borana Lodge is built primarily for privacy; each cottage is exclusively sited with its own special view, totally secluded from its neighbor. This ensures guests have a chance to appreciate the wilderness and loneliness of Africa.
Borana Lodge Hotel Restaurant
All food is freshly prepared in the kitchen; vegetables and farm produce from the farm, freshly squeezed juice from the ranch's orchard and wines from around the world. There is a central eating and sitting area: comfy leather sofas surround a huge fireplace with picture windows looking onto the valley below. A massive rosewood table in the dining room is where meals are served by friendly and attentive staff. Local artists' paintings and sculptures decorate the lodge, and are also available for sale.
Walk up a cedar ramp and you are confronted with a dramatically sited swimming pool. Guests can swim in a spotlessly clean eye-level pool while watching the elephants wandering down a well-trodden path on their way to the watering hole. The pool veranda, furnished with roman couches, is a favourite place for a relaxed lunch and a chance to lie in the sun. Just above the pool is the Borana shop. This shop gives guests the opportunity to purchase some of the best of African art, as well as beadwork from the local tribesmen, handcrafted jewellery and many other knick-knacks and curios from Kenya.
Your hosts will be Antony Kaschula and Rawana Pye, Borana offers an insight into the workings of the ranch including all the projects, which involve the neighboring communities. Rawana was born and brought up in the Safari Industry in Kenya, and has spent much of her childhood at the family lodge, Ol Donyo Wuas in the Chyulu Hills. She has ridden in the bush since the age of 7, and been in the environment of a small hosted lodge since this age and has lodge management experience from both Kenya and Tanzania. In 2004 Rawana graduated with a Law degree from Warwick University in the U.K. and went on to work for Travel Africa Magazine for one year, before returning home to Kenya to manage Borana Lodge which she has been doing since October 2005.
Anthony was born and raised in Zimbabwe and holds a Professional Guide's License from that country which is recognised as one of the highest guiding qualifications in Africa. He has been guiding since 1998 and for the last three years he has been running his own business as a safari consultant and private guide, conducting safaris through Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Gabon, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Cultural Tourism: Borana is not just a game sanctuary it is also a working ranch. Many guests have found that spending a day on the ranch is equally as interesting as looking at the animals.
Bicycle Safaris: Black Mamba Safaris take guests on guided bike tours around the Laikipia area, to the two community owned lodges at Il N'gwesi and Tassia and around Borana ranch itself. The silence and off-road ability of Borana's top of the range mountain bikes allow guests to get very close to big game
Safaris on Horseback: Borana would not be the place it is today without horses. When the Dyer family first came to the area, horses were the only means of personal transport. Today, all Borana farms still have stables. One of the best ways of seeing big game is on horseback and is highly recommended. Located in the wonderfully remote Laikipia region is Borana, set in the shadow of Mount Kenya. Guests enjoy the pleasure of riding in varied, stunning surroundings, including dry plains, hills and valleys. Even for non-riders, Borana Lodge is great choice because there are many other activities. Borana specializes in accommodating both complete beginner riders and experienced riders looking for an adventure. Borana boast 24 horses that vary in size from 15hh to 16.2hh and include thoroughbred crosses, Ethiopian ponies and some ex-polo ponies.
For children, there are also a few smaller bush ponies. Guests are sure to have a well-mannered horse to suit their preferences. Guests at Borana choose between two different styles of riding safari available. Guests can either combine their stay at the lodge with a few nights fly camping, or choose a dedicated mobile riding safari, spending between four and seven hours in the saddle each day. For those who prefer to stay at the lodge, riders of all abilities can be catered for.
There is no particular itinerary; you are able to ride as and when you like and for as long as you like and on as many different horses as you like. Mountain excursions are also available, where guests can choose to stay overnight in log cabins, or guests may choose to go on a day ride with a picnic lunch up on the moorland. Depending on the riding safari that you choose, there are a variety of accommodations available.
If you prefer to be lodge-based, Borana offers comfortable stone and thatch cottages, each exclusively with its own special view.There is a central eating and sitting area, complete with a view of the valley below. For those wanting to explore the area for a few days, there are custom trips that can be arranged for you, either by mobile fly camps, or setting you up at locally run community lodges. These comfortable eco-lodges help support the immediate community.
Camel safaris afford a great way to see Kenya's wild north. Guests can walk through the bush with expert guides while their luggage and camping equipment is carried by hardy Somali camels through the arid bush to the north of Borana.
Day and Night Game Drives: Borana Ranch has a fleet of custom-built four-wheel drive vehicles, driven by supremely knowledgeable driver/guides. Since Borana is private property, there are no game park rules and no one else will ever obscure your view of the big game that lives here. Night game drives - when most animals are active - are very popular, allowing guests an insight into the nocturnal life of the bush that is denied to them in most of the parks.
Borana Ranch Livestock Borana - Ranch has over 2000 head of cattle. The cattle are kept for beef production though we also have our own dairy herd for ranch consumption. The cattle are primarily of the 'Boran' breed; this is for their ability to withstand droughts and pests, though we do a single with the 'Sementhal' breed in order to improve the body form.
Ranch Seven Elephants Tree Nursery - The Seven Elephants Tree Nursery was founded in 2000, inspired by what Michael had seen at the Seven Ravens Tree Nursery in Rongai in Kenya's Rift Valley.
Disabled Tannery and Leather Workshop - In 1966 Will Powys began an ambitious project to employ the local handicapped people of the area.
Borana Ranch Women Groups - Borana supports three women's groups in the area. All three are involved in beading different articles which are then sold.
Borana Forest Project - In January 2002, Michael Nickels was asked to set up a Dryland forestry project on behalf of Borana for the surrounding community of Ngare Ndare Village. The aim of the project was to convert the 25 acres of severely eroded land into a productive agro forestry project.
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