28th December: Arrive in Nairobi/ Fly to Laikipia

On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta Airport with Kenya Airways at 11h15, you will be met by a representative from ‘Tradewinds’ and escorted through immigration & customs and out to your awaiting East African Air Charters private aircraft to fly you straight up to the Borana Conservancy

28th December to 1st January: Borana Lodge, Laikipia

Borana Lodge is found at the heart of Borana Conservancy, perched on a hillside guaranteeing privacy from each cottage. The Lodge and cottages all have exceptional unobstructed views of Borana Conservancy and beyond. The Lodge is designed around the main house which is where guests and guides gather for drinks and dinner in the evenings. Created out of locally sourced materials, the main house has a vaulted thatched roof and a large rose-wood bar. With two large fireplaces, the bar is the perfect place to enjoy a signature cocktail and reminisce on the day’s adventures. Each cottage is built out of rock and cedar with a thatched roof.  They all have open fireplaces, lit each evening with a basket of sustainably sourced firewood nearby along with verandas with breathtaking views.  The bathrooms are spacious and have both baths and showers which look out over the wilds of Africa.

Borana offers some of the most thrilling, authentic and unique ways to encounter Kenya’s wildlife and wilderness thanks to their conservation efforts.

Embark on exciting game drives across the stunning landscapes of Borana Conservancy, where you'll have the chance to witness Africa's iconic wildlife up close. Expert guides will navigate you through this breathtaking conservation area, ensuring an immersive and unforgettable safari experience filled with awe-inspiring wildlife encounters in the shadow of Mt Kenya.

You can also set out on a bush walk, immersing yourself in the sights, sounds, and scents of the African wilderness. Accompanied by your guide and a ranger, you'll have the opportunity to explore hidden corners of the conservancy, track wildlife, and gain a deeper understanding of the ecosystem while enjoying an intimate and authentic safari experience on foot.

Enjoy breakfast in the shade of a yellow fever tree or dinner under the stars at The Hide. At Borana Lodge, they have a number of locations both within the lodge grounds and on the conservancy where you can indulge in tasty, locally sourced meals or cocktails at sundowners. Nothing comes close to a G&T in the company of a herd of elephants.

Horse riding is also a fantastic way to view wildlife and surround yourself with nature, and at the Borana Conservancy HeadQuarters, they keep a stable of over thirty horses suitable for all riders. (Please complete the riding information form prior to arrival).

Experience the thrill of mountain biking on the game paths and trails of Borana Conservancy. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or a beginner, these exhilarating adventures offer a unique way to explore the diverse landscapes, encounter wildlife, and soak in the breathtaking views which the conservancy has to offer, all while enjoying the freedom and excitement of two wheels.

Borana has a close relationship with one of the local Maasai communities North of the conservancy, who are eager to share their culture. A Maasai elder who will give you a tour of the village and will describe the history of the Maasai tribe. Various members of the community will show you their customary ways of life and traditions. The tour usually ends with a traditional tribal dance. (This is at an additional cost of $40 per person which goes straight to the community).

Rhino Tracking - This is not your average bush walk, help with conservation on Borana by joining the team of scouts who track and account for all rhinos each morning, often encountering elephant, giraffe and other wildlife. The team must set out on foot from various locations across Borana to see and monitor each rhino on the Conservancy. By joining them on this venture, Borana Lodge guests are given the opportunity to learn more about the “behind the scenes” work that goes into the conservancy, how they track and identify rhino, and take the time to meet the team that keep the rhino safe.

Ranger Deployments - Each evening, armed members of the anti-poachoing unit are deployed to various vantage points across Borana Conservancy in order to survey and monitor the wildlife, the land and the perimeter. Guests can help by accompanying parts of the team out on these deployments and dropping them off where they will then spend the night. These rangers are out all night, every night, regardless of the weather or day of the year. This gives you the opportunity to learn about ranger training and the day to day lives of our anti-poaching team as well as spending time with the men and women on the front line of conservation.

For more suggestions for how you able to spend your time here, and information on the Lodge and the Conservancy, please visit https://www.borana.co.ke

1st January: Transfer to Karisia Walking Safari

This morning after breakfast at 09h00, two drivers from Tumaren will collect your family from Borana to drive you down to your first campsite to start your Classic Walking Safari (approx 3 hours drive).

1st to 5th January: Classic Walking Safari, Laikipia

Karisia specialises in walking safaris supported by camels. Our trips offer a unique perspective on not just the animals by the land they live in. On foot, we fine tune our senses and experience the country in vivid and exciting detail.

Over the next five days, you will wake up each morning to a hot shower and cup of coffee, and set off on foot to your next campsite, which is carried on a more direct route by the train of camels. Accompanied by a lead local Samburu guide with fantastic English and amazing knowledge of the area, wildlife and culture, as well as the rest of the team and a couple of riding camels, you will traverse beautiful landscapes that tell the story of a turbulent geologic past alongside the Rift Valley. Archeological artifacts like flints, shards, graves and pottery litter the ground, evidence of an equally rich cultural history. The wildlife in our part of Laikipia distinguishes the area for its diversity of large mammals, the greatest in Kenya. Elephants, the big cats, and other large predators thrive along side endangered species like the Grevy's Zebra, Wilddogs and Highland Hartebeest. Arriving at the next campsite in time for a delicious lunch and to relax during the heat of the day. Each afternoon you will go on another adventure - rock climbing, or perhaps a sundowner excursion on top of rock kopje with views that go on forever.

5th to 7th January: Tumaren Camp, Laikipia

Set on the edge of a wide plain this beautiful camp looks west towards granitic inselbergs that define our local landscape. Each tent is furnished uniquely and all the tents offer sweeping verandas from which most of our plains game can be spotted. The grasslands are rich with wildlife and you can spend hours watching animals wander by or photographing the huge variety of birds coming to the bird bath.

Tumaren is rich in wildlife and our Samburu and Masai guides provide a great perspective on not only the game but also the local cultures of Northern Kenya. Our guides will plan the days according to your desires, wildlife and the local calendar. Each day can include guided walks, camel rides, visits to the camel creche, game drives, birdwatching, picnics, tracking, visiting a local manyatta/market (if the day is right), visiting a school, rock climbing and swimming in our beautiful 20m pool.

7th January: Laikipia to Nairobi/ Depart

This morning you will be transferred across to the Loisaba airstrip (approx 1.5hrs drive) to meet your Safarilink scheduled flight departing at 11h25. On arrival at Wilson Airport, Nairobi at 13h15 a driver from ‘Airports & Beyond’ will collect you and be at your disposal for the rest of the afternoon until dropping you at Four Points by Sheraton hotel at Jomo Kenyatta Airport, to freshen up in your day rooms, enjoy the spa or the pool and have some supper, before heading across to the airport for your evening departure on Kenya Airways at 23h35.

CONTACT NUMBERS:

Kerry +254 721 836792

Amy +27 61 038 4583