Borana Lodge — Hotel in Laikipia County

My husband and I were lucky enough to stay at Borana Lodge for our first African safari experience. Having had no idea what to expect-other than hopefully seeing some of the wildlife of course-we were absolutely blown away by how incredible the entire team at Borana Lodge was!

From the moment we arrived, we were treated as family, not guests. It's clear the team feels passionately about making each person who comes to stay comfortable and welcomed, and at every corner they were willing to go above and beyond to ensure our stay was perfect! From a special private birthday dinner by the pool our first night, wake up calls each morning with hot tea and biscuits to watch the sunrise from our private porch, and periodic chats about how our day is going and checking in on what activities we were interested in participating in, we felt beyond catered to.

Some of the small touch highlights included the fire lit in our room each night accompanied by hot water bags placed on each side of the bed to keep it warm while we had dinner and the fresh flowers in our room and on the table for each meal! The attention to detail was impeccable, and went far beyond what I ever could have expected or imagined for our stay.

While the entire team deserves only the highest praise, I must extend special thanks and recognize Tatiana for an incredibly warm welcome and generous hospitality from the moment we arrived throughout the entire duration of our stay, to Osman for impeccable attention to detail accompanied by wonderful food selections and adjustments for an admittedly picky couple (easily some of the BEST meals we have ever had-in all of our travels, both at home and abroad-were here at Borana Lodge!), to Kasao for a wonderful knowledge of the wildlife, conservancy, and some of the best driving we've ever seen, and to Nicholas and the entire team at Riding Wild Borana for the most breathtaking guided rides on incredible horses.

Getting to see the incredible animals that call Borana Conservancy home was incredible, but it was the stay at Borana Lodge that elevated the experience into something beyond our wildest expectations for this experience. We came to Kenya for the wildlife, but left feeling arguably equally, if not moreso, fulfilled by the amazing team and experience we had at Borana Lodge.

If you're on the fence about a stay here, myself and my husband can wholeheartedly say-don't wait another second! I couldn't imagine visiting Kenya any other way, and we're already planning for a visit in the future-and bringing more of our family along for the...

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Safari Experience That Exceeded Every Expectation

My wife and I have traveled extensively across five continents, but nothing prepared us for the magic of Borana Conservancy and Lodge.

This isn't just a safari destination—it's a masterclass in how hospitality, conservation, sustainability, and authentic African wilderness should come together.

The lodge is architecturally stunning, with grass hut roofs; it is built organically into the rock of a small mountain, creating an intimate connection with the landscape that feels both age-old and luxurious. Every suite offers privacy and breathtaking views as the sun rises over the conservancy.

But the real soul of Borana is its people. The staff doesn't just serve; they genuinely care. You can feel the empowerment in every interaction, from warm morning greetings to thoughtful gestures that anticipate needs you didn't know you had.

Speaking of which, Millie, the property manager, should be teaching case studies at hospitality schools worldwide. She's created a culture where excellence isn't just expected—it's celebrated and lived by every team member.

The culinary experience deserves its own standing ovation. Every meal features locally grown ingredients transformed into dishes that honor Kenyan flavors yet satisfying the most discerning palates. Fresh, creative, and absolutely delicious.

And then there's Peter, our game drive guide during the stay. His encyclopedic knowledge, passion for conservation, and ability to read the bush made us feel like privileged witnesses to nature's greatest stories. He didn't just show us animals—he helped us understand the intricate ecosystem we were fortunate enough to observe.

If you're considering Borana, stop considering and start calling. Some experiences change how you see the world. This is...

Absolutely amazing experience here!!!! Was here for 5 nights 5/2022 and legitimately cried when I left. The entire staff is so amazing and makes you feel so incredibly welcome and wanted! The staff I spent the most time with were; Albert, Ruth (Luth :)), Millie, Abdi, Francis, James, Tamara. They were all EXTREMELY knowledgable when it comes to the ins and outs of Kenya and it's wildlife! I was never left without an answer to all of my many many questions about the environment.

The lodge itself is beautiful and very well maintained with lots of color and coziness! Perfect blend of rustic and luxurious! The pool was absolutely stunning and I really enjoyed the variety of furniture available for lounging.

The food deserves it's own 5* review because HOLY COW!!! Every single thing we ate was stunning and delicious. The chef deserves a standing ovation after every course. Bring elastic pants ;)

We saw so much wildlife I can't even list them all but there is no shortage! We were able to get up close and personal (game drive or horseback) with giraffe, lions, elephants, rhinos, baboons, warthogs, and countless others. You won't be disappointed! The horseback riding was top notch as well! The horses were selected carefully for us based on our experience levels and they were all a perfect fit! Please give Bullet some carrots for me if you have the pleasure of riding him. The horseback guides, Charles, Peter, Humphrey, and Nicholas were amazing as well! They made sure we had an exciting experience and handled the wildlife encounters very safely.

This is already getting too long but I could drone on for hours about how special of an experience I had. I can't wait to go back.

THANK YOU...