Do you what to do horse riding while seeing the Big Five? We are sure this is a big dream for many riders. With a fantastic view of Mount Kenya and an arid landscape to the North and ancient indigenous forests and high altitude moorlands to the South, Borana Lodge can give you an experience in a prime location with both wildlife and breathtaking scenery that will exceed your dreams.
Text and photo Dorte Tuladhar
As Borana, named after the Borana cow, is a private conservation area, exclusivity is guaranteed. This makes every aspect of the safari experience personal, peaceful and uninterrupted, a rare opportunity to be totally immersed in nature.
As advanced riders we had one of the best rides throughout the plains. We experienced one of the best and longest canters with their home-bred thoroughbred crosses. Apart from seeing the Big Five we also rode among giraffes, zebras, elands and impalas. As an extra bonus we were lucky to see a cheetah mom with her four cubs walking gracefully over the plains as well as watching three lions eating their zebra catch. We felt lucky with our warmth hearted guides’s love for nature and the animals as well as his enthusiasm and energy.
Our experience at Borana Lodge was more than we could have asked for.
Before dinner all guest will gather for drinks and appetizer at the fire place. The dinner is prepared with their organic and locally sourced food at one long table where all guests from around the world will gather and share their experiences of the day.
The lodge is family owned and run so you truly feel a warm, attentive and relaxing welcome.
Apart from riding across the conservancy on horses either as advanced rider or beginner, some also would walk through the bush, do mountain-biking, view the wildlife in open-top safari vehicles, tracking the rhino on foot or lounge at the infinity pool and just enjoy the view.
It is perfect for families and romantic getaways with its eight bedrooms across six cottages where great attention is put into details resembling the original eco-lodges in Kenya.
Borana Conservancy, together with Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, forms one of the largest continuous rhino habitats in east Africa, home to over 200 individuals. By staying at Borana Lodge you are having a tangible impact on the sustainable conservation of land, wildlife and building local livelihoods. Borana Lodge is a Global Ecopshere Retreat ®, one of the most rigorous sustainability audits, accredited by The Long Run. This is based around the 4Cs philosophy, encompassing Community, Culture, Conservation and Commerce
Moreover, Borana Conservancy is home to the inspiration for Pride Rock from Disney’s original animated film The Lion King. Pride Rock is reachable on foot as well as in a vehicle, horse back or on a mountain bike. We had a wonderful sundowner experience at the Pride Rock which was the perfect location for sunset accompanied with drinks and snacks and an incredible and mesmerizing view.
Borana Lodge (www.borana.com) rates start at $820 USD per person per night including horse riding excursions, excluding international travel and transfers. Book through Borana Lodge directly at bookings@borana.co.ke, +254 (0)702 243 171. All profits generated by guest stays at Borana Lodge are invested into the sustainable conservation of land, wildlife and building local livelihoods.
