Borana Lodge, Kenya

Borana Lodge does not operate a set itinerary. Please see below for information on some activities you may enjoy on a typical day

Dawn is a fabulous time on Borana - wake up with steaming hot tea or coffee and watch the sunrise over the Samangua valley and Hyena Dam.  An early morning walk with Ant Kaschula or one of our experienced local Maasai guides give guests the benefit of their extensive knowledge of the bush and its ways. They have an intimate knowledge of the land and its inhabitants.  Seeing big game on foot is extremely satisfying and allows guests to stalk game in completely safety. The slower pace means that guests also have a chance to see smaller animals that they would miss if speeding past in a car.

Then again you could just put your feet up, sit back in your open 4x4 and be taken to the game.  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 them in most of the parks.

One of the best ways of seeing big game is on horse-back - we have horses to suit all riders from beginners to experts. Guests can ride through the plains at the foot of the escarpment among giraffe, hartebeest and impala or into the forest that cloaks the foot of Mount Kenya.  Guests can explore the ranch with guides to show them the special places and the big game that abounds here. Picnic lunches and sundowners can be organised for those wanting a day's ride but a quick hack before breakfast is just as easy to arrange.

The silence and off-road ability of our top of the range mountain bikes allow guests to get very close to big game - quickly and in safety. Mountain bikes give guests the opportunity to travel long distances, at their own pace and in a completely natural environment. There are few better ways to see the bush.

Of course a visit to the high altitude rose farm or to our organic essential oil distillery is by no means compulsory - a day of eating delicious home grown organic food by the pool and maybe muster up the energy to drag yourself away from your exclusively comfortable sleeping house for an afternoon massage overlooking Mount Kenya.

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. Michael Dyer - who runs the ranch - is happy to take guests on his rounds. He shows guests the challenge of ranching in these hostile conditions - elephants in the vegetable patch, lions in the cattle bomas, flood, drought, famine.

An evening sundowner on Pride Rock followed by drinks in front of an open log fire and dinner under the ostrich egg chandelier is a perfect end to a perfect day.

Neither Wild and Exotic nor the operators or suppliers can accept any responsibility for changes to itineraries or dates that may arise due to weather or unforeseen circumstances such as changes, disruptions or delays to airline flights for whatever reason. This holiday is subject to Wild and Exotic's terms and conditions, a copy of which will be enclosed with your booking form.

Wild and Exotic fact sheet for Borana Lodge in Laikipia in Kenya

Accommodation: Borana has eight private and spacious guest cottages decorated in unaffected but luxurious up-country style (Four king-size doubles, four queen-size twins). Extra beds are available for children under 12. Two of the rooms can share a private dining room. All rooms have an open fireplace, veranda and en suite bathroom with bath and shower. The main lodge sitting area has comfortable sofas surrounding an open fireplace.

Activities: Wildlife viewing, riding, day and night game drives, bush walks accompanied by experienced and knowledgeable guides, relaxing by the horizon pool, picnics and bush dinners, mountain biking on Giant Iguana mountain bikes. Optional extras include a night under canvas fly camping, visits to the adjacent Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to see the endangered Grevy Zebra and Black and White Rhino, visits to Kisima and the floriculture project, cultural excursions to nearby Masai villages, masseuse and beauty therapy using home produced organic essential oils.

Best time to visit: January to October and December. Please note that Borana is closed during November.

Getting there: There are three ways of reaching Borana from Nairobi. Either by daily Air Kenya scheduled flight from Nairobi to nearby Lewa airstrip, or by private charter direct to the lodge's own airstrip or by a 4 hour overland transfer from Nairobi.

Horses: Wide selection of horses to suit all ages and abilities including children. Fast and exiting thoroughbreds or thoroughbred-cross (many former polo ponies) for experienced riders. Borana also has several Somali/Ethiopian horses, which are small (14/15hh), sure footed and ideal for riding in the bush. As the horses live outside game is unafraid allowing you to get closer to wildlife than is normally possible.

Meals: Food is freshly prepared in the kitchen using fresh vegetable and also farm produce, juice from the orchard, wines from around the world. Meals are served on a rosewood table in dining room.

Rates include: Full board accommodation, laundry, activities, house-wines, drinks except imported champagne

Recommended length of stay: 3 - 7 nights