Overview

8 Days Borana Ranch Ride to Borana Ranch, Lolldaiga Hills, Enasoit, Mpala, Suyian

Trip Highlights

Horse Riding Safari across the Laikiapia plains.
Conservation Activities at the ranch
The Wildlife

Day 1 :

Arrival – Nairobi

Met on arrival from your international flight at the JKIA airport by one of our representatives to your luxury City hotel of choice from our partner hotels. Subject to flight arrival, day spent at leisure with options of excursions subject to the hours you have during the day. Lunch is on own account where you may choose to have ala carte from the hotel restaurant. Dinner will be served from the renown Spur Steak Ranch a South African franchise opened since 1967 by the founder Allen Ambor who opened the Golden Spur in Newlands, Cape Town. Dinner at the Soaring Eagle Spur. Meals: lunch (own account), dinner at the Eka Hotel- Spur Steak Ranch.

Day 2 :

Nairobi – Borana

Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) - transfer to Borana either by private charter or on the scheduled flight to Lewa Downs from 09.00am Wilson airport. By road it’s a 3hr 30mins drive. Borana Conservancy is a cattle ranch turned conservation area in pristine countryside on the northern slopes of Mount Kenya with beautiful views of the snow-capped peaks of the Mountain in the south and the rugged mountains of the Mathews Range, Bodich and even Marsabit on the way to the Ethiopian border. Home to the big five and ‘Samburu special five species’ north of the equator namely: Grevy’s zebra, long-necked gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich and the Beisa oryx. Borana Lodge is located at the heart of Borana Conservancy, with a fantastic view of Mount Kenya. The lodge was built entirely from local materials by local craftsmen and the Dyer family. It is perched on a hillside above a dam, where wildlife regularly gathers. Check-in and lunch at this family-friendly, romantic location, an evening ride on the horses, returning for dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, dinner. Overnight at Borana Lodge.

Day 3 :

Borana

Full day spent exploring Borana on horseback and vehicle, with breakfast at the lodge, and picnic lunch on the Ngare Ndare River. Borana is a private conservation area, exclusivity is guaranteed. This makes every aspect of the safari experience personal, peaceful and uninterrupted and gives you the rare opportunity to be totally immersed in nature. The stable of over thirty horses suitable for all riders with patient easy horses, which have been trained to be careful with children and novice riders. From the stables, you can ride through the plains among giraffe, zebra, eland and impala and experience wildlife at close quarters. You will explore Borana and beyond, riding among a variety of wildlife species which populate the conservancy. You can also have guided walks through the bush, ride across the conservancy on horses or mountain bikes, view the wildlife in open-top safari vehicles, or lounge at the infinity pool and enjoy the view, as you relax in the evening. Meals: Breakfast, lunch dinner. Overnight at Borana lodge.

Day 4 :

Lolldaiga Hills

Leave from Borana on horses after breakfast, ride through Ole Naishu onto Lolldaiga Hills Ranch a 200 km2 (49,000 acre) livestock ranch and wildlife conservancy. Located 20 km northwest of Mount Kenya at an altitude of 1,700 – 2,300 m, the Ranch has outstanding views of Mount Kenya and the Aberdares. Lolldaiga provides a home for a huge number of wildlife and bird species, here you have an opportunity to see the frequently spotted animals which include the elephant, buffalo, lion, hyena, jackal, zebra (including the endangered Grevy's), many different plains game, vervet monkeys and baboons. Leopard, cheetah and wild dog are harder to find, but definitely around. Overnight at the fly camp. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at Lolldaiga.

Day 5 :

Lolldaiga Hills

Explore the Lolldaiga Hills on horses, in this ancient land form, comprises of s series of magnificent high folding hills, cedar forests, open grassland and wooded valleys. A well-documented series of archaeological finds, cave paintings and burial mounds show that the Lolldaiga Hills have been a treasured home since early mankind. The tour includes rock art, views and hyena dens. You will have an evening walk followed by a mandatory siesta. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at Fly camp.

Day 6 :

Enasoit

Breakfast, and ride down the Monkey Valley onto Enasoit located in Laikipia highlands of Kenya known for its rich and diverse natural treasure. Boasting of some of Kenya's most extraordinary and endangered wildlife and vast, pristine wilderness areas. The Enasoit camp and the surrounding reserve sit within a natural wildlife corridor and the density of wildlife and biodiversity is exceptional. Here you can explore the reserve on horseback, on foot or by vehicle always accompanied by one of our experienced guides, or you may simply watch the wildlife wander past from their verandah - enjoying both the tranquility and thrill of a safari without seeing any other visitors. Enasoit Camp has 8 rooms: 6 tented cottages and 1 family tent with 2 interconnecting rooms. All situated around the waterhole, which attracts a busy array of wildlife, visible from the ten verandahs. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom, wooden floors, a sitting area with a fireplace and private verandah. The pool house is a quiet retreat nestled on the side of a small hill a 5-minute dive or 20-minute gentle walk from Enasoit Camp. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at Enasoit.

Day 7 :

Mpala

Early breakfast and proceed on the horseback ride through Ol Jogi a 58,000 acres (235 square km) private wildlife conservancy in Laikipia. Focusing on wildlife conservation by providing a safe habitat for indigenous and critically endangered species. Ride across the Nanyuki River and onto Mpala Ranch with exceptional wildlife along the way. Overnight fly camp. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at Fly Camp.

Day 8 :

Suyian

Breakfast in camp and then ride through Mpala – a kopje filled landscape – across the Ewaso Narok River and onto Suyian. Suyian is the Maa name for the African Wild Dog, our rarest predator. The Ranch covers 43,495 acres in northwest Laikipia. The Ewaso Narok River forms the property’s eastern boundary. The large-scale properties surrounding Suyian Ranch are all involved in wildlife conservation and together with Suyian, these properties collectively harbour the largest concentrations of wildlife in the Laikipia ecosystem. There are five distinct habitat types on Suyian supporting a diverse range of flora and fauna, Grass plains, Acacia woodland, Phonolite escarpment, Riverine and a Granitic Inselberg complex. Stay at Chogis in delightful rustic accommodation where an evening botanical walk with Anne Powys ensues. Return for dinner. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight at Suyian.

Day 9 :

Suyian

Spend the day exploring this beautiful ranch with extraordinary rock hills and bountiful wildlife with Anne Powys – a botanist and geologist with an ear for a good story – a truly memorable experience. These granitic hills rise like oases out of the hot, arid surrounds, and are populated by very old forests - relic vegetation from at least 3,000 years ago. Walking in these hills is a very different experience to being out in semi-arid Laikipia. The birdlife is unique on these “Desert Islands” the bird species are mostly upland. There are some magnificent avenues of old Podocarpus trees. Various species of wildlife, elephant, lion, buffalo, baboon, and smaller creatures like civet cats, genet, porcupine and bush pig. Return for dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, dinner. Overnight at Suyian.

Day 10 :

Nanyuki – Nairobi

Either drive to Nanyuki for the scheduled flight back to Nairobi at 12:45pm or fly direct on a private charter from Suyian. Met at Wilson airport by our representative and transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where you will have a day room at an airport hotel, and lunch. Transfer to your terminal for your outbound flight. Meals: Breakfast, lunch at Crowne Plaza or Four Points by Sheraton Airport Hotel.

FAQs

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Is the tap water safe for drinking on safari?

It is recommended not to drink tap water in any location but to drink the bottled water purchased at the hotels, lodge, and camps.

What mode of payment can be used for extras at the Camps / lodges?

Visa and Mastercard are accepted. Please note we cannot accept US dollar bills older than the year 2000.

What is the recommended length of stay at each conservancy / Park / Reserve?

Minimum 2 nights in each location.

Do I need to book any experience in advance?

For those on photographic safari, there is need for a private vehicle at an extra charge.
Hot Air Balloon safari both in Lake Nakuru & Lake Naivasha, requires an advance booking and additional charge.
Other activities available in the parks, reserves or conservancies are at an extra charge ask for more activities in detail.

What local currency is used in Kenya?

Kenya – Kenya Shilling

What electricity sockets are used in East Africa?

Kenya operates on a 240V supply voltage and 50Hz

What is the recommended tipping or gratuities to the safari driver guide, porter, staff or waiters/waitresses whilst on safari?

Please see below recommended guideline which is at your discretion.
Safari driver guide per day, per vehicle $10 – $40 per person.
Restaurant waiter/waitresses per meal $1.50 – $2.00 per person
Porter per bag $ 0.50 – $1.50 per person

Can I use my mobile phone whilst on safari?

Yes, you can but you will need to buy a local sim card, on arrival for use during your stay. Or use the lodges, camps or hotel landlines to make internationals calls, this will be billed to your room.

Can I store extra luggage in Nairobi especially on Air safaris?

Yes‚ there is a complimentary secure store at our Wilson Airport Office. please inquire from the check-in counter.

When is a booking considered reserved?

Terms of reservations and payments based on seasons:

Booking during the green season (7th January – 15th June, 1st November – 21st December) done between 42days prior to the guest’s proposed arrival date, and reservations made less than 42 days prior to the proposed date of arrival, such bookings will only be confirmed upon receipt of a 100% pre-payment.

Bookings during the migration season (16th June – 31st October) and festive season (22nd December – 8th January) full payment is due not later than 60 days prior to the guests’ arrival date on all hotels, lodges and Camps.