Last updated: May 2026
Borana Conservancy sits immediately west of Lewa, and since the boundary fence between them was removed in 2013 the two conservancies function as a single 91,500-acre wildlife landscape — one of East Africa’s largest contiguous rhino habitats and home to roughly 14% of Kenya’s national rhino population. Borana itself is a 35,000-acre private conservancy and working ranch, owned by the Dyer family for several generations, with one of the strongest leopard populations in Laikipia, a deep horse-riding heritage, and a lodge that combines genuine ranch atmosphere with serious conservation engagement. This Borana Conservancy guide covers everything you need to plan a visit.
Borana in Brief
Location: Northeastern Laikipia, immediately west of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Closest town: Nanyuki, 1.5 hours by road; Isiolo, 1 hour.
Size: 35,000 acres / 142 km² (Borana itself); 91,500 acres / 370 km² as the contiguous Lewa-Borana landscape.
Governance: Privately owned by the Dyer family; operated as Borana Conservancy not-for-profit. Family-run with a strong personal stamp.
Wildlife highlights: Significant black and white rhino populations (over 100 black rhinos plus white rhinos); high leopard density; Big Five complete; reticulated giraffe; Grevy’s zebra; African wild dog (seasonally).
Distinctive features: Zero poaching incidents since 2014; the Lewa-Borana fence-removed landscape; horse-riding heritage; family-owned working ranch character; rhino tracking on foot programme.
The Property’s Story
Borana began as a Dyer family cattle ranch in the colonial era, and the family has owned and operated the property for several generations. The transition to a wildlife-first conservancy began in earnest in the 1980s and accelerated through the 1990s and 2000s, with formal designation as Borana Conservancy and the development of the lodge.
The defining moment came in 2013 with the removal of the boundary fence between Borana and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. The fence removal created the “Lewa-Borana Landscape” — a 91,500-acre contiguous wildlife area, allowing rhinos and other wildlife to range freely across the combined property. The collaboration between the two conservancies has been studied as a model for cross-property conservation cooperation in Africa.
Borana has reported zero rhino poaching incidents since 2014 — a remarkable achievement attributed to the conservancy’s combination of community-focused conservation, dedicated ranger team (over 130 male and female rangers across the broader landscape), GPS-collared monitoring, and intelligence networks across surrounding communities.
The Wildlife
Rhinos
Borana hosts approximately 100+ black rhinos plus white rhinos, working as part of the broader Lewa-Borana landscape that holds over 250 rhinos collectively. Rhino tracking on foot with the conservancy’s monitoring team is one of the most powerful Borana experiences.
Leopards
Borana has one of the highest leopard densities of any Laikipia conservancy, with regular sightings on game drives and (especially) on night drives. The combination of dense bushland, rocky outcrops and abundant prey creates ideal leopard habitat.
Lions
Several resident prides; the lower country in the southern part of the conservancy holds the most reliable lion sightings. Lions cross freely between Borana and Lewa.
Elephants
Significant resident elephant population plus seasonal migrants from Mount Kenya forest via the Mount Kenya elephant corridor. Reliable encounters across the conservancy.
Buffalo
Large herds across the conservancy. Old solitary bulls common in the bushland.
Wild Dog
Wild dog packs use the broader Lewa-Borana landscape seasonally. Sightings not guaranteed but happen periodically.
Standard Safari List
Reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra (in smaller numbers than Lewa), eland, hartebeest, oryx, gerenuk on the higher edges, multiple antelope species, hyena (spotted), cheetah occasionally, plus a strong bird list including forest-edge species from the Mount Kenya foothills.
Borana Lodge
The flagship Borana Lodge is the family-run main accommodation on the conservancy. Eight cottages set against a beautiful hillside with unobstructed views of the conservancy. Designed in classic safari-lodge style with stone, thatch and hardwood. Heated pool, comfortable lounge, fireplace dining, family-friendly setup.
The lodge has built a reputation for combining genuine ranch character with refined service. The Dyer family is often present and engaged with guests. Service is unhurried and personal rather than corporate.
Rate: USD 1,000–1,500 per person per night all-inclusive.
Borana Cottages
For families and small groups wanting more privacy, the Borana Cottages are an exclusive-use option (4-bedroom and 5-bedroom configurations) with dedicated chef, vehicle and guide. Rate: USD 4,500–8,500 per cottage per night.
Other Accommodation Options
Lentorre Lodge — sometimes grouped with Borana due to the contiguous landscape — offers an alternative 8-cottage tented camp setup. Several other smaller properties operate within the broader Lewa-Borana area.
Activities
Game Drives
Standard morning and afternoon drives in 4×4 safari vehicles. Off-road driving permitted within the conservancy. Private vehicles included at the lodge rate. Cross-property game drives access the broader Lewa-Borana landscape.
Rhino Tracking on Foot
One of Borana’s signature experiences. Join the conservancy’s rhino monitoring team on foot for several hours, learning identification techniques and contributing to the daily rhino census. Powerful behind-the-scenes encounter.
Walking Safaris
Half-day to full-day guided walks with armed rangers. Excellent walking country with varied terrain.
Horseback Safaris
Borana has a deep horse-riding heritage. The stable holds well-schooled safari horses. Rides through the conservancy’s wildlife are some of the most distinctive Laikipia experiences.
Mountain Biking
Strong mountain biking programme on graded conservancy trails. eBikes available for guests who want extended range.
Conservation Engagement
Behind-the-scenes visits with the rhino monitoring team, anti-poaching K9 unit, the wildlife veterinary facility, and community partnership programmes. Borana encourages substantive guest engagement.
Sundowners and Bush Meals
Multiple scenic locations across the conservancy for sundowner stops, bush dinners and special-occasion picnics.
River Picnics
Picnic excursions to scenic river locations, often combined with walking activities.
Night Drives
Available; particularly productive for the conservancy’s strong leopard population and the smaller carnivores.
Getting to Borana
By Air
Fly Nairobi (Wilson Airport) to Lewa Downs Airstrip on SafariLink or AirKenya — 50 minutes, USD 250–320 one-way per person. Lodge transfer (45 minutes by road across the Lewa-Borana landscape) to Borana Lodge.
By Road from Nairobi
4–4.5 hours via the A2 highway through Karatina and Nanyuki, then onto the Borana entrance gate.
From Other Laikipia Conservancies
Lewa: 30–60 minutes by road across the fence-removed boundary. Ol Pejeta: 1.5 hours by road. Loisaba: 2.5 hours by road.
The Conservation Story
Zero Poaching Since 2014
Borana has reported zero rhino poaching incidents since 2014 — an extraordinary achievement given the broader rhino crisis across Africa. The combination of:
- Over 130 dedicated rangers across the Lewa-Borana landscape (male and female)
- K9 anti-poaching units (Belgian Malinois and bloodhounds)
- GPS-collared monitoring of all rhinos
- Community intelligence networks
- Helicopter response capability
- Strong community partnerships that align local interests with conservation outcomes
…has produced one of Africa’s strongest documented anti-poaching results.
Community Partnership
Borana works with surrounding communities through a substantial partnership programme — schools, healthcare, water infrastructure, scholarships, and direct community-employment initiatives. Conservancy revenue funds this work.
The Lewa-Borana Landscape
The 2013 fence removal between Lewa and Borana created one of East Africa’s largest contiguous private wildlife landscapes. The two conservancies operate as separate entities but coordinate on wildlife management, anti-poaching, and infrastructure.
How to Combine Borana
Borana Alone (3–4 nights)
Spend the full stay at Borana Lodge — full Big Five, rhino tracking on foot, walking, riding, biking. The lodge’s character benefits from a longer stay.
Borana + Lewa (5–7 nights)
Treat the two conservancies as the single landscape they now form. Stay at one or both for variety; the wildlife crosses freely between them.
Borana + Loisaba (5–7 nights)
Strong landscape contrast — Borana’s rhino-focused conservancy plus Loisaba’s escarpment country and Star Beds.
Borana + Ol Pejeta (5–7 nights)
Two of the strongest rhino-focused properties in different settings. Ol Pejeta adds the chimpanzee sanctuary and the northern white rhinos.
Practical Tips
Length of Stay
Minimum 2 nights. 3–4 nights to do justice to the rhino tracking, the riding, and the standard safari activities.
What to Pack
Standard safari kit. For horse riders, bring a riding helmet (lodge supplies but personal preference matters); for mountain bikers, padded shorts.
Children
Family-friendly with the Cottages as the optimal family configuration. Borana Lodge accepts children and offers age-appropriate activities.
Conservation Engagement
Build a rhino tracking session and an anti-poaching K9 unit visit into your stay. Both are powerful and uniquely Borana.
Booking
9–12 months ahead for high season; 4–6 months for shoulder seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Borana relate to Lewa?
The boundary fence between Borana and Lewa was removed in 2013, creating the contiguous Lewa-Borana Landscape. Wildlife moves freely between the two conservancies. Each operates as a separate entity but they coordinate closely.
Can I track rhinos on foot at Borana?
Yes — one of Borana’s signature experiences. Join the conservancy’s rhino monitoring team for several hours of guided tracking with the rangers.
Is Borana good for leopards?
Yes — one of the higher-density leopard populations in Laikipia. Regular sightings on game drives and (especially) night drives.
What’s the difference between Borana Lodge and Borana Cottages?
Borana Lodge is the main 8-cottage main accommodation; Borana Cottages are exclusive-use multi-bedroom houses for families and groups. Different scales and degrees of privacy.
Are children welcome at Borana?
Yes. Borana Lodge accepts children; Borana Cottages are particularly well-suited to family groups.
How does Borana compare to Lewa?
Lewa is larger (62,000 acres vs Borana’s 35,000) with stronger Grevy’s zebra populations and the Mount Kenya backdrop. Borana has higher leopard density, the family-ranch character, and an arguably more intimate experience. Most thoughtful itineraries combine both.
Is Borana safe given the broader Laikipia security history?
Yes. Borana has comprehensive security and decades of safe operation. The 2017 land-conflict events affected specific areas in the broader region; Borana operations have continued normally.
Can I horse ride if I’ve never ridden before?
Yes — Borana has school horses for total beginners. More experienced riders have access to faster, more responsive mounts.
The Bottom Line
Borana Conservancy delivers a Laikipia experience that combines serious conservation engagement (rhino tracking on foot, zero poaching since 2014, the Lewa-Borana landscape) with the family-ranch character of a property that’s been in the same family for generations. Eight cottages of intimate luxury, strong leopard density, riding heritage, and direct access to the broader 91,500-acre Lewa-Borana wildlife landscape make Borana one of the most rewarding single conservancy stays in Laikipia. For travellers who want the conservation depth and the personal scale that the larger commercial properties don’t quite match, Borana is at the top of the recommendation list.
