Borana Lodge Laikipia, Kenya

£950.00

Perched on a hillside in East Africa’s largest rhino sanctuary, the elegant rustic cottages here are built with local stone and wood, while bathrooms are built around rock. The local vegetable garden provides the kitchen with fresh greens, and there are plenty of activities including rhino tracking and mountain biking.

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Description

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Location

Set in a 35,000-acre property on the edge of the Laikipia Plateau, the lodge is located on a hillside at the foot of Mount Kenya, offering panoramic views of the Samangua Valley, the Lewa Plains and the Ngare Ndare Forest. Together with Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, it is East Africa’s largest contiguous rhino sanctuary (there are currently 21 black rhinos). Flights from Nairobi land at Lewa Airstrip, a 90-minute drive from the property. The property has its own helipad.

Style and Character

Built with sustainable materials, the eight rustic cottages are perched on a hillside. Each enjoys a secluded location, ensuring plenty of privacy. The spacious building housing the dining and living area has recycled windows from a hotel in Mombasa.

Service and Facilities

Retained earnings from tourism and livestock ventures support the rhino conservation. There are plenty of activities including game drives, game walks, horse riding, mountain biking, rhino tracking and fishing. Buggy and quad biking trips (two-person buggy US$300/£201), paragliding (US$150/£101 per person) and fly camping (US$300/£201 per group) can be organised, along with visits to Masaai villages (US$30/£20 per person). In-room spa treatments are available. While I found the staff to be friendly and welcoming, I felt rather let down by the management when organising daily activities, as minds seemed to be elsewhere.

Parking
Restaurant
Room service
Bar
Laundry
Pool
Spa

Rooms

The eight thatched cottages are built using local stone and wood. Beds are made of cedar or olive wood, and all have cosy fireplaces and private verandas. The attractive spacious bathrooms are built around natural rock, and offer panoramic views of the valley. All are equipped with Cinnabar Green products made with organic plants grown on the slopes of Mount Kenya.

Food and Drink

Fresh fruits and vegetables from the local garden provide the kitchen with fresh ingredients; cream, eggs, milk and lamb are from the ranch, while chicken is sourced from a farm nearby. Borana’s sister-farm Kisima provides wheat and potatoes, and presses its own oil.

Value for Money

Double rooms from US$1210 (£798) in low season; rising to US$1490 (£983) in high. Prices include three daily meals and most activities. Free Wi-Fi.

Access for guests with disabilities?

Yes. One room is accessible to disabled guests.

Family-Friendly?

Yes. Room 6 has a double room as well as a twin room for young children, decorated with murals of wildlife. Rooms 7 and 8 are often sold as family units; as well as having their own plunge pool, they offer private dining facilities. Activities for children include pony riding, mountain biking, cooking and baking, and fishing. Children under five stay free of charge.

Borana Conservancy, Laikipia, Kenya.

00 254 20 2115453 borana.co.ke