Safari in Borana

rich wildlife in an unusually hilly savanna terrain

The Borana Conservancy is a large private conservation area which covers the uplands immediately to the west of the better known Lewa Downs Conservancy in the Laikipia East area of north-central Kenya.

The area contains some very pretty landscapes, mostly comprising domed hills with dramatic views, backed by plateau grasslands.

It represents a critical buffer against the heavily populated and farmed upland areas to the south and serves as a vital wildlife corridor connecting the lush Mount Kenya ecosystem with the vast open ranges of the north.

The combined area of Borana Conservancy and Lewa Downs is well populated with a full range of wildlife, including lions and elephants, as well as being an important sanctuary for highly endangered species such as black rhinos, white rhinos, Grevy’s zebras and reticulated giraffes.

The area is private and feels very exclusive, with very low visitor densities. The wildlife viewing is perhaps a little more difficult than on the adjacent Lewa Downs, largely due to the more challenging terrain, but there’s still plenty to see.

We tend to recommend the area most commonly to guests who are very keen on horse-back safari, since it’s such a strong speciality here.

Borana tends to feature in high end trips to Kenya, especially for guests who are keen on horse-riding.

The usual stay duration is 3-4 nights.

Seasonality

The best time of year to visit Borana is generally considered to be the Jun-Oct dry season, but there are good reasons to visit during other months.

Getting around

Borana is usually accessed by light aircraft from Nairobi.

It is also possible to connect by road from lodges in Lewa, other parts of Laikipia and as far afield as Samburu and Mathews Range.

Where to stay

Almost everyone who visits Borana chooses to stay at just one of the four lodges, usually for a period of 3-6 nights.

a great equestrian option for high-end safaris