Borana

The Borana Conservancy is the non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the sustainable conservation of critical habitat and wildlife. The mission of this conservancy is to provide a sustainable ecosystem in partnership with the neighbours and community, for critically endangered species on the brink of extinction. This holistic approach commits tourism, ranching and other enterprise to building local livelihoods and enhancing ecosystem integrity. Borana has received numerous awards including the Ecotourism Kenya Award for best conservancy.

Animals found at the Borana Conservancy:

Borana is adjacent to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Its unique geographical location makes the 35,000 acre ranch a haven for a wide diversity of wildlife: buffalo, eland, Jackson’s hartebeest and herds of Grant’s gazelle, impala and Plains zebra. Reticulated giraffe are commonly seen nibbling the acacias while thecooler forests shelters bush buck, colobus and elephants. Olive baboons, Vervet monkeys and the endangered Pata’s monkey are also resident. Predators are also found here, though not in large numbers. However, lions, leopards,
cheetahs and hyenas are growing in numbers.
In 2013 and 2014, a number of black rhino were translocated to Borana and fences with neighbouring Lewa Wildlife Conservancy were dropped. Both reserves run renowned anti-poaching and wildlife research operations in partnership with the pioneering Northern rangelands Trust.

LEWA (full day trips):

The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a private reserve in north-east Kenya near Mount Kenya National Park, Samburu and the Aberdares. The number of visitors to Lewa has been greatly restricted, giving you the opportunity to experience Africa at its wildest. Lewa is malaria-free and is situated at 4,500 to 6,500 feet (1,400-2,000 metres) above sea level. The Lewa Downs within the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a 16,000 hectare ranch that has been the home of the Craig family since 1924. They manage the Lewa Safari Camp and Wilderness Trails lodge. In addition, Ngwesi Lodge, as part of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, is a community run tourism project that has won world acclaim.
Only three other operators on Lewa Wildlife Conservancy offer safaris and only the lodge visitors may enter the reserve.
So, when you visit Lewa Conservancy, you will be far from the crowded safari trails and can enjoy the vastness of this beautiful region in tranquillity. The Lewa wildlife Conservancy works as a catalyst for the conservation of wildlife and its habitat. It does this through the protection and management of species, the initiation and support of community conservation and development programmes, and the education of neighbouring areas in the value of wildlife.

In 1995 the Craig family turned their entire farm on the northern slopes of Mt Kenya into the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, with a mandate to protect and conserve the wildlife of Kenya. They had to convince the local communities to stop seeing animals as competition for their cattle’s grazing and instead see them as a source of income. This was achieved and many fences were taken down and old migration routes were re-opened to the animals.
Lewa Downs is now an area of outstanding natural beauty with the Lewa River giving life to dense woodland and patches of open savannah providing the perfect habitat for a whole range of Kenya’s animals.

Animals found in The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy:

The Conservancy has grown and now supports an impressive array ofwildlife, much of it indigenous to the area. The 18,211ha area has more than 25% of the world’s threatened Grevy’s
zebra (there are approximately only 3,000 left).
There are of course a host of other animals native to this part of East Africa including elephants and reticulated giraffe who have bred so successfully, that the Conservancy was faced with an over population and had to relocate some of them.

Ngare Ndare (Sleep-outs):

Ngare Ndare is a lush indigenous forest at the foothills of Mt. Kenya. Azure pools glisten at the bottom of waterfalls and 200 year old trees stretch into the canopy supporting a rich variety of bird and animal life. The forest is a vital corridor that links the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to Mount Kenya, and one which elephants have been using for centuries. In the
1980’s farmland became more developed on the southern side of the forest, and farmers came into regular clashes with elephants. In an attempt to alleviate fatal human/ wildlife conflict, the forest was fenced off from southern farmland in 1992. Yet the Ngare Ndare Forest Trust wasn’t registered until 2004, and a concession management agreement was
finalised with the Kenya Forest Service only as recently as 2009.

Temperatures at Borana:

The days are usually hot and dry and the nights quite cool. Typical Kenya seasons go something like this:
Rainy Season: The long hot and humid rainy period starts around April and lasts until June, and then the short rains come during the warm months of November and December.
Dry Season: January through to March is hot and dry, while July to October are warm and dry with cool nights and mornings. The warm dry season is the best for game viewing and for personal comfort.

BORANA:

Accommodation:

(Borana lodge) consists of a total of eight cottages, four of which have large double beds and four that have twin beds. All cottages have a phenomenal view over the dam. The cottages are quite modern consisting of open fireplaces and bathrooms that are of epitome style.
*Most of the time will be spend in the lodge.

Borana Fly Camp:

The camp consists of dome tents, with two mattresses and bedding is provided (two learners per tent).
There are shared bathroom facilities. Please bring a sleeping bag for sleep outs.

Electricity:

There is electricity at Borana Lodge –The voltage is 220/240 volts AC and the plugs are the UK-type, round 2 pin or flat 3 pin. There are adaptors available and there is also complimentary internet (Wi-fi) access, though it may be slow and intermittent due to the remote location of the lodge.

There is no electricity at the Borana fly camp – paraffin lamps are used for all lighting and a generator is used to charge batteries. Studying at night with paraffin lanterns can at times be challenging so a headlamp for this purpose is recommended as well as an extra battery operated lamp if you wish to study in your tent at night.

Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages (beers & ciders):

These are sold from the camp/lodge and can only be paid for with cash. There are no credit/debit card or cheque facilities. Cordial fruit juices, tea and coffee are provided.

Water:

Fresh, drinkable water is available from the taps. Borana’s fly camp has jeetycans and borehole water. Bottled water is available for purchase.

Medical:

In case of medical emergencies, an evacuation can be arranged into Nairobi which has excellent Europeanstandard hospitals.