Borana Ranch, Laikipia, Kenya

With the snow-tipped peaks and glaciers of Mount Kenya to the south and a panorama of mountains and desert to the north, Borana provides an idyllic setting for any African experience, especially a safari. Home to the Dyer family for three generations, Borana takes its name from the native Boran cattle still farmed on these arid grasslands. The ranch sits within a vast game conservation area and the Dyer family is dedicated to working alongside its neighbours to preserve the natural environment and to promote economic and social improvements in the area. The grandfather of the present owners of Borana fell in love with the wildness and soul-enriching isolation of this land. In building the lodge, the Dyers took care not to lose this while ensuring that the Lodge offers the ultimate in luxury and comfort. All cottages are entirely secluded and have private views from both bedroom and bathroom of the valley below. With panoramic views over the Samangua Valley and the Lewa Plains to the Ngare Ndare Forest and Mount Kenya beyond, the Lodge offers eight romantic and unique location. All the cottages have an open fireplace and private veranda. Built of local sustainable materials The Lodge is designed to work in harmony with the landscape and enjoys an idyllic setting. Just 17 miles north of the equator and lying at 6,000 feet above sea level the lodge is free from the malarial mosquito and the nights are pleasantly cool. All areas of the Lodge overlook a lake that is a popular watering hole for the local animals so there is constant activity for guests to watch. You can even take a guide and walk down to the dam to enjoy a close-up view of elephants swimming! There are eight cottages at Borana. Four have large double beds and four have twin beds - both of which are queen size. Four of the cottages have their own veranda. Two sets of cottages share a veranda, ideal for a family or friends both of which have a phenomenal view over the dam. Each cottage also has an open-fireplace lit every evening by the room stewardess; a basket of firewood is kept in each room. The bathrooms are the epitome of luxury: spacious, clean and with exceptional views over wildest Africa. The Lodge is set in a verdant garden of largely indigenous plants chosen for their scents, colours and flowers. From the infinity pool guests can watch the elephants wandering their well-trodden path to the watering hole or simply relax, read and soak up the sun. The pool veranda is a favourite place for a long, leisurely lunch watching the natural world unfold before you. In the dining room at the main lodge guests can sample fresh produce from the Ranch, fresh juice from the Borana orchard and wines from around the world. In the sitting room, sofas and armchairs surround a huge open fireplace and picture windows guarantee a continuing vista to the plains below. The Lodge has a fleet of radio-linked, custom-built, four-wheel drive, open-sided vehicles that are driven by supremely knowledgeable driver/guides. Since Borana is private property, there are no game park rules and no one else will ever obscure your view of the big game that lives here. Night game drives - when most animals are active - are very popular, allowing guests an insight into the nocturnal life of the bush that is denied them in most of the parks. One of the best ways of seeing the ranch is on horseback and rides are encouraged for all standards, it really is the best way of seeing game and should not be missed. If you dont want to ride you can take a 4x4 guided safari drive or exciting bush walk. Suitable activities are also available for families with young or teenage children. Borana shares a joint conservation management policy with its neighbours that is dedicated to protecting a quarter of a million acres of Africa’s awe-inspiring natural environment. During a good afternoon on Borana, you might see 23 different kinds of animals including the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino) and wild dogs, cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals together with many plainswilder beastfe, zebra wilderbeast and antelope. Around 300 elephants roam freely across the land some of which have been fitted with radio collars in the Laikipia area so that you can monitor their movements. One matriarch took her extended family of sixty for 92 miles in one week before retuning to Borana safe haven. FACILITIES Borana has a swimming pool with wonderful views over the valley and a shop selling works of art from all over Africa.    TRANSFER   Scheduled 45-minute flights from Nairobi to Nanyuki and 15-minute private charters into Borana, or one hour’s drive from Nanyuki. No. of Bedrooms Eight cottages: four with double beds, four with twin queen size beds.  All have an open fireplace, en suite bathroom and private verandas and some family cottages have their own plunge pools. All are extremely comfortable and well appointed. From £350.00 per person per day full board with game activities.  Activities Game drives in the company of knowledgeable rangers and trackers Game walks with an experienced guide Night game drives Explore the ranch on horseback Visit Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, home to black and white rhino and other endangered species Bush meals with Maasai dancers Fly fishing on Mount Kenya  Day trips to Samburu and the Save the Elephant camp Professionally guided walking safaris or mountain biking expeditions to two exclusive-use lodges (Il N’gwesi and Tassia) Borana has a sister exclusive use lodge called Laragai House