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Borana Lodge is situated on a hillside in the heart of the Borana Conservancy, guaranteeing breathtaking views and intimate accommodation, an array of experiences and activities, and an overall experience second to none.
The four cottages at the lodge have been built to blend in with the landscape surrounding this boutique Lodge, with a focus on being environmentally friendly and embracing local communities and farm-to-fork meal experiences. Meals are enjoyed in the warm dining area, vaulted ceilings creating an ambiance of space and luxury, and a bar area boasting an exquisite rosewood bar. Guests can unwind in the cozy lounge, with two fireplaces enhancing this intimate experience.
Guests have the opportunity to sit back and relax in an intimate and authentic wilderness environment, with the option of massage treatment available or simply to sit and relax next to the swimming pool which is nestled in the bushy gardens. A pool bar caters to guests’ needs while they keep an eye out for wandering wildlife passing by in the distance.
A Hide is set up at the bottom of the hill, with a view over a salt lick and the Hyena Valley Dam, a perfect way to spend a day with a picnic hamper and beverage of choice. Bush dinners are also arranged in the Hide, a unique location to enjoy tasty Swahili cuisine. Borana Lodge prides itself on reducing their carbon footprint, and eco-friendliness is a priority throughout.
Borana Lodge is located in the Borana Conservancy, a 90-minute flight from the Lewa Airstrip. Flights from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta and Wilson Airports will take around one hour and a private charter can be arranged to Borana’s private airstrip. The drive from Nairobi is a scenic four-hour experience.
There are four stunning stand-alone cottages and two family cottages located at Borana Lodge, each offering incredible views that can be enjoyed from a private verandah. Unique in design and containing modern comforts and classic decor and all en-suite with shower and bath. Cottage One is located to the north of the main area and comprises a double bed, a sitting area, a work desk, and a fireplace. This is an ideal option for honeymooners as the sunrise views are simply breathtaking. Cottage Two is located closer to the main lodge and can be made up of a double bed or two twin beds. There is a sitting area, fireplace, and work desk.
Cottage Three is a stunning twin-bedded option with wheelchair access and close to the main area as well as Cottage Four, and therefore ideal for families with older children looking to combine the space. The verandah is under the shade of a large fig tree and the interior comprises a sitting area, work desk, and fireplace.
Cottage Four has a double bed and is located below the main lodge, close to Cottage Three and the pool house. This cottage is wrapped around a dramatic rock formation and has the unique feature of a bathroom located down a set of stairs. Colorful rugs, creative wooden furniture, and local art complete the room which features tall thatch roofs and screeded floors.
Family Cottage Five has two large single beds and Cottage Six has a double bed and boasts a private sundeck. There is a children’s room located down a flight of stairs in Cottage Six and there is a shared bathroom for all occupants to use. Both Cottage Five and Cottage Six are connected by a shared verandah making it an ideal space for families.
Family Cottages Seven and Eight are perfect for guests looking for a more intimate experience. Located close to Hyena Dam, this space shares a plunge pool and a shared sitting and dining room, an ideal accommodation option for friends or families with teenagers. Cottage Seven is twin-bedded while Cottage Eight is a double room.
Open vehicle game drives and guided bush walks are popular activities when staying at Borana Lodge with guests having the option to enjoy a scenic safari when embarking on a helicopter flight. Other adventures include mountain biking, camel rides, and horse riding. Guests can visit the Ngare Ndare Forest and experience the wonders of the Waitabit Farm and the local villages nearby.
Visitors have a chance to go behind the scenes with the teams that keep the wildlife on the Borana Conservancy and to track rhinos with the dedicated poaching team. Taking time out to visit a Maasai Beading community will fascinate guests as they marvel at the talent these women have, crafting unique bracelets, necklaces, and other keepsakes. Paying a visit to a local school will leave visitors humbled and filled with gratitude, a wonderful activity an option for guests staying at Borana Lodge.
The best times to visit Tanzania are December through March or June through October during the dry seasons, when the game viewing is at its best. The rains usually last from April to May then occur again in November when there are fewer tourists and vegetation flourishes. During February, wildebeest are calving, giving you a front row seat to the baby's first moments in the savannah.
A mid-range safari with lodging runs $350 to $400 per person, per day while a high end luxury safari with all the trimmings ranges from $600 to about $1000 per person, per day. Read more about safari costs for Tanzania.
Both countries are reputed for outstanding game viewing. Tanzania’s jaw-dropping Mount Kilimanjaro, sweeping coffee plantations and the exotic island of Zanzibar make it unique from its northern neighbor, while Kenya's lush green landscapes make it a bit less tropical, climate-wise. The two countries are frequently combined into a single journey, given their proximity to each other and the fact that they are both locations for the must-see Great Migration. Read more about whether Kenya or Tanzania is better for a safari.
The Great Migration is a wildlife spectacle, sometimes called The Greatest Show on Earth by safari enthusiasts, during which hundreds of wildebeest and other mammals head towards greener grazing pastures during East Africa's dry season. It is heavily dependent on the weather, specifically the rain which brings new vegetation upon which the wildebeest feed. Generally-speaking, herds are in the Serengeti from November to May. In May, as the grass dries up, herds begin the 500-mile migration north and by June they are in the greener plains of Kenya’s Maasai Mara. They usually stay here until October. From January on, they alternate between woodlands and plains, depending on the weather. In anticipation of the short rains—and the greener grasslands that come with it—the herds begin their trek down to the Serengeti. In November and December, they arrive to a flourishing green landscape where they stay until the cycle begins again.
The best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda is during the dry season (December– February and June - August) when conditions are especially good for trekking to view mountain gorillas. Game drives in the national parks are also fruitful during this time.
Wear neutral colored, lightweight clothing on your Uganda safari. Dress in layers and bring a warm sweater for morning and nighttime game drives. For gorilla trekking, bring a waterproof rain jacket, hiking boots, long socks, hiking pants, bug repellant, and a daypack. A sunhat and gardening gloves are also a good idea; the jungle is dense and thick.
Natural World Kenya Safaris offers Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda with basic accommodations starting at $96 per person, per day, plus the Uganda gorilla trekking permit which costs $700 per person per day (the permits are required, and those fees are non-negotiable.) Costs increase from there.
Natural World Safaris can provide basic, mid-range, and luxury trekking safaris and is eager to work with almost any budget.
Suggested tips range from $10 to $20 per person per day for a private guide and the same amount for your driver if that is a different person than your guide.
If you are on a guided safari or gorilla trek in Uganda, your chances of encountering problems are minimal. However, it is always a good idea to take precautions on your safari, particularly when traveling through urban areas or in regions close to the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The trek to spot gorillas can be strenuous. It could take anywhere from two to eight hours to find and observe the gorillas, depending on the time of year. Be prepared to hike for multiple hours through uneven terrain at high altitude. It is advisable to train before any gorilla trekking trip by walking uphill, or better yet, by taking day hikes.
When it comes to wildlife viewing, there are never any guarantees. There are no fences in the parks in Uganda and the gorillas are free to roam. However, our expert guides and gorilla trackers have years of experience taking guests to see these magnificent creatures. They know their favorite spots to congregate and work closely with park officials each day to provide the best possible chance of seeing gorillas in the wild.
Most mountain gorillas in Uganda live at between 4,900 to 7,500 feet. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the country’s mountain gorillas, has a high point of 8,550ft.
The best time to go on a gorilla trek in Rwanda is during the dry season (June - September) when conditions are best for trekking to view the country’s highlight: the fascinating mountain gorillas.
Wear neutral colored, lightweight clothing on your Rwanda gorilla trek. Dress in layers and don’t forget a sweater for chilly morning and nighttime game drives. For gorilla trekking, bring a waterproof rain jacket, broken-in hiking boots, long socks, hiking pants, bug repellant, and a daypack. A sun visor and protective gloves – such as gardening gloves - are also useful.
Natural World Kenya Safaris offers Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Rwanda with basic accommodations starting at $720 per person, per day, plus the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit which costs $1,500 per person per day (the permits are required, and those fees are non-negotiable.) Costs increase from there.
Natural World Safaris can provide basic, mid-range, and luxury trekking safaris and is eager to work with almost any budget.
Suggested tips for your guide are $25 per person, per day for a private guide and the same amount for your driver if that is a different person than your guide.
Rwanda is one of the safest countries in Africa, particularly if you are on a guided safari or gorilla trek. Your chances of encountering problems are minimal. However, it is always a good idea to take precautions on your safari, particularly when traveling through urban areas. Cross-border travel into the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Burundi is not safe, however, so steer clear of this.
The trek to spot gorillas can be strenuous. It could take anywhere from two to eight hours to find and observe the gorillas, depending on the time of year. Be prepared to hike for multiple hours through uneven terrain at high altitude. It is advisable to train before any gorilla trekking trip by walking uphill, or better yet, by taking day hikes.
When it comes to wildlife viewing, there are never any guarantees. There are no fences in the parks in Rwanda and the gorillas are free to roam. However, our expert guides and gorilla trackers have years of experience taking guests to see these magnificent creatures. They know their favorite spots to congregate and work closely with park officials each day to provide the best possible chance of seeing gorillas in the wild.
Most mountain gorillas in Rwanda live at between 8,000 to 13,000 feet. Volcanoes National Park has a high point of 15,000ft.
Contact us for more information
For more information about our safari excursions, or to book your dream safari trip with Natural World Kenya Safaris, simply get in touch with our friendly travel advisors. Give us a call on +254 704 001 122 or leave your details on our contact us page, and we'll reply as quickly as possible.
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