Laikipia Kenya Lodges

Borana Lodge: Where Luxury Meets Wild Kenya

An Intimate Hillside Sanctuary

Borana Lodge sits on a dramatic hillside, offering panoramic views over the Samangua Valley and Lewa Plains. Ngare Ndare Forest and Mount Kenya’s snow-capped peaks dominate the southern horizon, creating a striking backdrop for guests arriving at this elevated retreat.

At approximately 6,000 feet above sea level, the lodge enjoys a temperate climate. It is malaria-free—a significant advantage for discerning travellers. This climate supports year-round comfort and makes outdoor mornings and evenings pleasant for guests seeking wildlife viewing. Visitors appreciate the ease of a malaria-free stay during safaris and walks.

🛏️ The Cottages

The lodge comprises just eight stone, timber, and thatch cottages, thoughtfully positioned to ensure privacy while remaining within easy walking distance of the main lodge.

🛁 Each cottage features en-suite bathrooms with twin washbasins, baths, and walk-in showers.

🔥 Open fireplaces, lit by staff each evening.

🌅 Private verandas with valley views.

👗 Dressing rooms and comfortable sitting areas.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For families, two cottages interconnect to create spacious family units with two en-suite bedrooms sharing a sitting room and private plunge pool.

🎨 Room configurations range from intimate honeymoon suites to vibrant children’s rooms with playful details. The furniture throughout is crafted from cedar, leather, and hand-painted fabrics, creating a warm, authentic ambiance.

🍽️ World-Class Facilities

🛋️ Borana Lodge features a spacious lounge with a roaring fireplace, an elegant dining room, and a well-stocked bar.

🏊 The infinity pool overlooks a waterhole frequently visited by wildlife, especially elephants.

💆 Guests can enjoy spa treatments at The Wallow Spa, offering a range of relaxing therapies.

🌾 Dining at Borana Lodge offers a farm-to-table experience, with most ingredients grown on the family farm or sourced from local growers.

🍷 Meals celebrate Kenyan flavors while satisfying the most discerning palates, with fresh produce, homemade breads, and wine from around the world.

🦁 Extraordinary Wildlife Encounters

Borana Lodge sits within a conservancy that forms part of Africa’s most successful rhino sanctuaries. Together with neighboring Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, the area is home to thriving populations of both black and white rhino, with 21 rhinos reintroduced to Borana in 2013.

🌙 Wildlife viewing is exceptional, with day and night drives available on both Borana Ranch and Lewa Conservancy. There is no fence between the two conservancies, allowing wildlife to roam freely.

Species regularly sighted include:

🦁 The Big Five: Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino.

🦓 Rare and Endangered: Grevy’s zebra (population approximately 300), reticulated giraffe, and African wild dog.

🐆 Other Wildlife: Cheetah, gerenuk, impala, eland, and ostrich, plus numerous bird species.

🧭 Unforgettable Activities

🦏 Rhino Tracking on Foot — Join expert guides to track endangered black rhino on foot, learning the art of reading tracks and signs for an intimate, responsible wildlife encounter.

🐎 Horseback Safaris — Borana offers some of the best riding safaris in Laikipia, with well-trained horses suitable for beginners to experienced riders. Full-day rides venture into the Ngare Ndare Forest, while multi-day horseback adventures include overnight fly camps.

🚵 Mountain Biking and E-Biking — Explore vast stretches of bush on two wheels, getting closer to wildlife than vehicles allow.

🚶 Guided Walks — Experience the smaller wonders of the bush and encounter wildlife at eye level.

🚁 Helicopter Flights — Cover immense landscapes with aerial views of Mount Kenya and the surrounding wilderness.

🤝 Community and Conservation — Visit the anti-poaching unit, learn about rhino protection efforts, and engage with local Maasai communities.

🌳 Ngare Ndare Forest — Explore this ancient indigenous forest, a wildlife corridor and elephant migratory route, featuring a canopy walkway suspended 40 feet above the ground.

💰 Borana Lodge 2027 Rates

Inclusive rates covering accommodation and a 24% contribution to conservation.

All prices in USD.

🌟 Rate Card

	Adult	Single	Child
☀️ Peak Season	$1,320	$1,716	$660
🌤️ Standard Season	$1,040	$1,333	$520

Inclusive rate accounts for accommodation cost and a 24% contribution to conservation.

📅 Season Dates

☀️ Peak Stays

15th June – 30th September 2027

20th December 2027 – 5th January 2028

🌤️ Standard Stays

6th January – 14th June 2027

1st October – 19th December 2027

🛏️ Stay Requirements

Minimum two-night stay in standard season.
Minimum three-night stay in peak season.
Child rate applies to those from 5 to 15 years at the time of travel.
Children under 5 years stay free of charge.

✅ What’s Included

💚 Mandatory 24% per person donation to conservation

🚑 Mandatory emergency flying doctors cover

🍽️ Full board accommodation with soft drinks, beers, house wines and spirits

🚐 Local airstrip transfers (Borana Conservancy and Lewa Downs)

🦁 All Borana Conservancy based activities:

Shared day and night game drives, horse riding, mountain biking, eBiking, bush walks, rhino tracking, behind the scenes of conservation activities, tours of Waitabit Farm and sundowner excursions.

❌ What’s Not Included

💵 Gratuities

🥂 Premium spirits, cellar wines and champagne

🗺️ Adventures beyond Borana Conservancy

🏥 Travel and medical insurance

💆 Spa treatments at The Wallow

➕ Additional Costs Per Person

🍽️ Afternoon departure with lunch — $90 (room check out 10am)

🚙 Exclusive use of a vehicle (subject to availability) — $350 per vehicle per day

🧑‍🏫 Guide / pilot accommodation (excluding conservation fee) — $330

🌳 Visit to Ngare Ndare Forest — $60 per adult, $30 per child

🦏 Visit to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy — $200 per adult, $100 per child

⛺ Fly Camping set up fee — $660 per group (two guests minimum)

🚁 Adventures across Northern Kenya on horseback, e-bike, helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft can be arranged — price on request.

📥 Ready to Book?

Our travel specialists will tailor every detail of your stay, from the perfect cottage to the rides, drives, and experiences that suit your pace.

see our borana lodge Riding Wild Itineraries

🛡️ Conservation Legacy

Borana Lodge is owned and operated by the Dyer family, whose passion for conservation and the ranch shines through in every aspect of the guest experience. A dedicated team of rangers protects the rhino and elephant populations, and guests can observe their ongoing work, which includes liaising with local communities.

💚 By staying at Borana, guests actively contribute to these conservation efforts.

⭐ Why Beyond Kenya Safaris Recommends Borana Lodge

Borana Lodge represents the perfect fusion of luxury, adventure, and conservation. With its intimate atmosphere, exceptional wildlife viewing, diverse activities, and unwavering commitment to protecting Kenya’s natural heritage, it deserves its reputation as one of the country’s premier safari destinations.

🛏️ Recommended Stay: 3–5 nights to fully experience the range of activities and wildlife encounters.

👥 Best For: Experienced riders, adventurous travellers, families, photographers, and those seeking a conservation-focused safari experience.

🏨 Similar Accommodation at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

🦏 Kifaru House – An exclusive-use lodge within the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, this thatched property offers 360-degree views and accommodation for up to 12 guests. Named for the Swahili word for rhino, it provides exceptional Big Five game viewing and has earned top rankings from Travel+Leisure.

🏆 Sirikoi – A multiple Condé Nast Gold List winner, this family-run lodge offers award-winning accommodation with spacious rooms, world-class fine dining, and incredible wildlife viewing in the heart of Lewa.

✈️ Lewa Wilderness Lodge – One of Kenya’s oldest safari camps, established in 1972 and still family-owned and run. Features nine exclusive thatched chalets, home-grown farm-to-table dining, and unique activities including flights in a vintage yellow bi-plane.

🏜️ Lewa House – A boutique lodge featuring unique “Earth Pod” cottages with organic, Gaudi-esque architecture, set on a hillside with uninterrupted views of Mount Kenya and the Mathews Range.

⛺ Lewa Safari Camp – A beautiful camp offering excellent value, allowing guests to be part of conservation in action within the 65,000-acre Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

🌊 Extend Your Journey: Kenyan Coast – Idyllic Beachfront Serenity

🏖️ Alfajiri Villas

Your Private Cliff-top Paradise

A collection of exclusive villas with sweeping views of the Indian Ocean. Personal butler service and private swimming pools. Spa treatments and water sports options, including scuba diving. Fresh seafood and Swahili cuisine with an Italian twist.

⛵ Peponi Hotel

A Coastal Sanctuary in Lamu

A family-owned boutique hotel on the Shela beachfront in Lamu. Rooms with verandas facing the sea, accentuated by Swahili architecture. Fresh daily catches and a renowned bar. Dhow sailing trips and cultural tours within this UNESCO heritage site.

🐢 WaterLovers Beach Resort

Oceanfront Elegance and Comfort

Eight spacious suites and one villa with ocean views. Eco-friendly practices in paradise, with a turtle protection program. Infinity pool, excellent Italian-Kenyan cuisine, and wellness center. Close to Diani’s vibrantly active coral reef, ideal for snorkeling and diving.

Whether it’s embarking on another exhilarating safari in the Masai Mara or unwinding along the pristine shores of the Kenyan Coast, these accommodations offer the perfect blend of adventure, luxury, and relaxation to complement your East African exploration. Each location provides a distinctive experience that reflects the unique charm of the surroundings, much like the unforgettable stay at Borana Lodge.

🌅 Plan Your Stay

Borana Lodge not only promises an unrivaled safari experience but also directly supports the preservation of the region’s rich heritage. For a personalized journey, contact our expert travel specialists to tailor your visit to this enchanting part of Kenya.

💚 As Borana Conservancy’s wildlife numbers and conservation stories go from strength to strength, the conservation fees are increasing to $235 USD per adult per night. All conservation fees are invested into the core operational costs of Borana Conservancy which includes wildlife security and protection, a healthcare program, an education program and much more.