Laragai House on Borana Ranch, Laikipia, Kenya

Originally built as a country retreat by the Lords Valentine and Michael Cecil, Laragai offers unparallelled seclusion and comfort in a breathtaking setting. This private home is only booked on an exclusive-use basis due to its style and situation. The interior of the house features the best in local furniture with luxurious carpets from Rajasthan and fabrics from London. The sitting room is ‘African Baronial’ with a thatched roof, enormous fireplace and animal paintings. The views from Laragai House , situated 17 miles north of the equator and at 6000ft, are exceptional - The Lolokwe and Wamba Mountains dominate the far horizons to the north and Mount Kenya looms out of the clouds to the south and 3,000 feet below is Kenya’s Northern Frontier District. There is plenty of entertainment in the home, which has satellite television, an extensive DVD library and Wi-Fi Internet access throughout. There is also a fantastic sound system with many CDs to choose from and, for musicians, a full size electronic keyboard that is wired into the amplifier. The extensive game room can keep the whole family entertained with table tennis, croquet and boules. From the sheltered area around the heated swimming pool guests have a view across a small dam which attracts elephant and buffalo. The pool deck has a bar, kitchen and bathroom and is the perfect place for long lunches while the alcoves around the pool provided shaded retreats for an afternoon siesta. There is also a clay tennis court with racquet's and balls provided. The house has a full staff, all of whom are attentive yet discreet.  The house sleeps 16: four luxurious double rooms & two twin rooms all complete with spacious en-suite bathrooms plus two children’s twin rooms sharing a bathroom.  The two master bedrooms have fireplaces. A private guide/pilot room is also available in the managers house.   The property has an adjacent helicopter landing site and a private airstrip about 2 miles away. EXPERIENCE ON THE ESTATE:   Increasingly acknowledged as one of the most important areas for biodiversity in Kenya, wildlife population densities in the Laikipia region rank second to the internationally renowned Maasai Mara ecosystem.  The diversity of large mammals is higher than in any other part of Kenya. Laikipia hosts the highest populations of endangered species: black rhino (half of Kenya’s total population), Grevy’s zebra (70% of the world’s population), reticulated giraffe, the only viable population of Lelwel hartebeest in the country and Africa’s only expanding population of wild dog. Mammals: Over 50 species including elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard, lion, wild dog & cheetah plus count;ess plains game such as eland, zebra, giraffe, warthog,Jackal hyena and bat eared fox.  Birds:  Over 350 species. Trees:  48 indigenous species have been identified. Activities include: Night & day game drives; guided wildlife, bird life and scenic walks; horse riding (novice & experienced riders 5yrs+); mountain biking; sundowners; picnics; bush dinners; ranch days; swimming pool, clay tennis court (racquets & balls provided), games room, satellite TV, large selection of DVDs, tennis-table room and boules. Experiences available off the estate :  Excursions to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy; visits to Kisima floriculture project; cultural visits; riding & fishing excursions to Lake Rutundu & Lake Alice on Mount Kenya; fly camping; helicopter fishing on Mount Kenya or Lake Turkana; scenic flights in a helicopter, fixed wing-aircraft or Waco bi-plane (preferably by advance booking to avoid disappointment); massage treatments (advance request only). CONSERVATION AND COMMUNITY:  Over three generations, the Dyer family have dedicated extensive time, energy and finance to conservation.  This has been achieved in a number of different ways, many of which you will see whilst visiting  Borana.  Focusing on education, poverty alleviation  & employment, health, habitat management & wildlife conservation, some of their many projects include:• The Laikipia Wildlife Forum • The Seven Elephants Tree Nursery:  Produces more than 30,000 trees annually for reforestation efforts • Hide & Sheep Ltd:  Employs a talented group of blind & physically disabled people from the local community, who together create an impressive variety of top quality sheep and calfskin products • The Borana Mobile Clinic:  Focusing on AIDS awareness, family planning & an immunisation scheme for babies• Education Support Programme: Raising money for five local primary schools CUISINE:  All food is freshly prepared in the kitchen. As many ingredients as possible are sourced from the farm produce and the kitchen garden; freshly squeezed juice from  orchards and wines from around the world.  Breakfasts of fresh fruit, cereals and a variety of cooked breakfasts; home-made buffet lunches; three course dinners in the dining room or under the stars.  All food preferences are catted for  but please let us know in advance if you have any special dietary requirements. COMMUNICATION & ELECTRICITY: Laragai runs on a generator from 6-AM and 6pm-midnight; however through batteries and an inverter system, power is available 24-hrs.  Flashlights are provided in the rooms. Voltage: 220 V. Outlet: Square 3-pin. There is mobile phone service & mobile internet service.  Wi-Fi is available. CLIMATE & SEASONS: Laragai is open all year round apart from November.  Borana has warm days & cool nights with daytime temperatures between 24-28°C.  Warm clothing is recommended for early mornings & evenings.  Weather patterns are increasingly hard to predict, however we expect the rains to come twice a year in November & late March to the end of May. These generally comprise of clear days punctuated by short heavy rain storms. ACCESSIBILITY: By Road: Laragai is a 4-hour drive from Nairobi and a 1-hour drive from Nanyuki. By Air: Daily scheduled Safarilink and Air Kenya flights from Nairobi Wilson Airport to neighbouring Lewa Downs (1-hour drive from Laragai). There is an airstrip on Borana for charter flights, a 10-minute drive from the house.  Laragai also has its own helicopter landing site. CHILDREN: Children under-5 are free of charge. Children’s rates apply from 5  - 16 years old.  Laragai has much to offer children of all ages: swimming in the pool or waterfall; exploring the river; riding on one of the Patient Security horses & watching big game from the safety of the Land Rovers.  The kitchen is happy to cater to the gentler palettes and earlier hours that often suit younger guests.  For those who need to be in bed before their parents, a listening service is always on hand. GENERAL INFORMATION: Malaria: Borana is free from the malarial mosquito • Languages: The guides all speak English and Kiswahili. • Boutique:   There is an excellent shop at adjacent Borana Lodge  including products from its community projects • Park Fees: Conservation fees are necessary when staying at Laragai; Lewa Wildlife Conservancy fees are payable for visiting the Lewa Conservancy. Style Opulentand extremely comfortable private safari house Air/Con No, but fans in bedrooms which are sufficient for the altitude does not really require a/c. Open fires in the evenings. Dining Yes, house chef. Children Yes, nanny available as required No. of Bedrooms 8 all en suite. Pool Yes, heated pool and games area. Activities Swimming, tennis, riding, fishing (for trout at 11,000ft on Mt Kenya), guided 4x4 game drives, fly-camping and guided walking safaris.  Price Range Please ask us for details