Borana Conservancy

Borana lies at the foot of Mount Kenya, just 26km (16 miles) from the equator and 1 980m (6 500 feet) above sea level. It is located within the vast area of the Ewaso ecosystem on the Laikipia Plateau, with a view of the snow-capped peaks and the glaciers of Mount Kenya to the south, and a panorama of mountains and desert to the north.
This location provides an idyllic setting for any African experience. This area is home to more than 50 indigenous tree families, and more than 300 bird species.
Laikipia is an area of exceptional beauty. It enjoys some of Kenya’s most prolific wildlife, as well as the highest populations of endangered species in Kenya.

The Borana Conservancy is the non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the sustainable conservation of critical habitat and wildlife. The mission of this conservancy is to provide a sustainable ecosystem in partnership with its neighbors and community, for critically endangered species on the brink of extinction.

This holistic approach commits Borana tourism, ranching and other enterprise to building local livelihoods and enhancing ecosystem integrity. Borana has received numerous awards, including the Ecotourism Kenya Award for best conservancy.

Borana is adjacent to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Its unique geographical location makes the 35 000-acre ranch a haven for a wide diversity of wildlife: buffalo, eland, Jackson’s hartebeest and herds of Grant’s gazelle, impala and plains zebra.

The Borana Conservancy is the non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the sustainable conservation of critical habitat and wildlife. The mission of this conservancy is to provide a sustainable ecosystem in partnership with its neighbors and community, for critically endangered species on the brink of extinction.

This holistic approach commits Borana tourism, ranching and other enterprise to building local livelihoods and enhancing ecosystem integrity. Borana has received numerous awards, including the Ecotourism Kenya Award for best conservancy.

Borana is adjacent to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Its unique geographical location makes the 35 000-acre ranch a haven for a wide diversity of wildlife: buffalo, eland, Jackson’s hartebeest and herds of Grant’s gazelle, impala and plains zebra.

Reticulated giraffe are commonly seen nibbling the acacias, while the cooler forests shelter bush buck, colobus and elephant. Olive baboons, vervet monkeys and the endangered patas monkey are also resident. Predators are also found here, but not in large numbers.
In 2013 and 2014, a number of black rhino were translocated to Borana and fences with neighboring Lewa Wildlife Conservancy were dropped. Both reserves run renowned anti-poaching and wildlife research operations, in partnership with the pioneering Northern Rangelands Trust.

The days are usually hot and dry and the nights quite cool. The long, hot and humid rainy period starts around April and lasts until June, and then the short rains come during the warm months of November and December.
January through to March is hot and dry, while July to October are warm and dry with cool nights and mornings.

Borana Camp consists of dome tents, each with two mattresses and bedding (two learners per tent). There are shared bathroom facilities. Please bring a sleeping bag for sleep-outs.

There is no electricity at the Borana Fly Camp – paraffin lamps are used for all lighting, and a generator is used to charge batteries. Studying at night with paraffin lanterns can at times be challenging, so a headlamp for this purpose is recommended, as well as an extra battery-operated lamp should you wish to study in your tent at night.

Borana Lodge consists of a total of eight cottages, four of which have large double beds and four that have twin beds. All cottages have a phenomenal view over the dam. The cottages are quite modern, including open fireplaces and stylish bathrooms.
There is electricity at Borana Lodge – the voltage is 220/240V AC and the plugs are the UK-type, round two-pin or flat three-pin. There are adaptors available and there is also complementary Internet (WiFi) access, though it may be slow and intermittent due to the remote location of the lodge.

Most of the time will be spent at Borana Fly Camp, and lodge accommodation is dependent on availability.