Laikipia Hotels and Resorts, Laikipia Community Lodges, Game Lodges

BORANA LODGE.

OFFICIAL CATEGORY (Ministry of Tourism Classification):

LOCATION: Located in Northern Kenya, Laikipia Plateau, in the foothills of Mt Kenya and 16 miles from the equator, adjacent to the lewa wildlife conservancy.

DESCRIPTION: The lodge is set on the edge of Samangua valley which meanders out of the Laikipia Plateau onto the Samburu Plains of Northern Kenya with views our over Mt. Kenya and rugged mountains which break off into plains and rivers. With Kilimanjaro's 6,000 meter high snow-capped peaks presiding over the landscape, the setting is unrivalled.

Borana was established 12 years ago and built from local materials and dead wood from the ranch. The Exterior takes its cue from the rugged setting and building hug the valley contours, roof tops reflect ridge lines and paths follow gullies.

These cottages gather around a main house. The main house has a veranda and two lounges all commanding spectacular views of the valley below.

NUMBER OF ROOMS: Twelve guests are accommodated in 6 individual cedar and stone thatched cottages, 2 doubles and 4 single/doubles.

Room Décor: Each room is different and designed to absorb the existing terrain and afford spectacular views.

Room Amenities: Each cottage is spacious and has a veranda, a fireplace and large bathrooms with the choice of bath or shower. Three cottages have king size double beds and three have queen size singles. One room has a children’s bedroom attached to it.

Special feature: Situated in a truly magnificent landscape. The scenery is simply breath taking. Borana is family owned and run.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE FACILITIES:

Borana is truly unique in design and experience, the food is spectacular and the Samburu guides and staff are captivating and integral to the experience. The lodge also offers easy access to some of Kenya’s most interesting landmarks. Borana is able to offer an enormous amount of variety in both terrain and vegetation in a concentrated area.

Borana takes great pride in the food served. Most of the fresh produce, meat, poultry, vegetables, dairy products, are obtained everyday from the ranch (Borana is self-sufficient in home-grown vegetables and dairy produce). All the breads, pastas and cakes are home-made using home milled flour. Menus vary from the traditional to the exotic but are consistently mouth-watering.

Meals are taken around one large table, which allows for informality and a lively exchange of conversation. Depending on the weather al fresco lunches are often served in the building overlooking the swimming pool and dam. Meals are also available in the privacy of ones room on request. Borana accommodates most diet preferences.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

• Day and night game viweing drives in open vehicles accompanied by Samburu Guides,
• Walking Safaris
• Horseback riding,
• Visits to the Dinwesi Village and/or Lewa Rhino Conservancy,
• Swimming,
• Fishing in the dam below the lodge which has been stocked with rainbow trout.
• Bird-watching (over 400 species).
• Sightseeing flight around Mt, Kenya,
• Visits to samburu Game Reserve or Aberdare National Park
• bird-shooting.
• Overnight or day trip to Lake Turkana to visit Dr Leaky’s excavation site ‘The Origins of Mankind’.
• Borana has a swimming pool with an ideal vantage point for the waterhole in the valley below.
• Gallery and Gift Shop

CONFERENCE FACILITIES: Nil

CLIMATE:

The retreat lies roughly 6,200 feet above sea level, resulting in warm days and cool nights. May through September is the coolest time of year; November through March is the warmest. Closed from 15th April to 15th May and November.

OFFICIAL CATEGORY (Ministry of Tourism Classification): 4****

LOCATION: Lewa Safari Camp is set on the 45,000 acre privately owned Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (also known as Lewa Downs,) which lies on the northern foothills of Mount Kenya. Getting there: - By road - 4 hours from Nairobi. By air - daily scheduled service (Air Kenya) departs Nairobi Wilson at 9.15 am, arrives Lewa via Nanyuki at approximately 10.30 am - return - departs Lewa daily at approximately 10.45 am, or by private charter from anywhere in Kenya.

DESCRIPTION: One of Kenya’s original ranches, Lewa Downs has been the Craig family home sine 1924 when Craig grandparents came from England and began raising cattle here. Now incorporated in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, which includes Anna Merz’ highly respected Ngare Sergoi Rhino Sanctuary, the area is committed to the conservation of wildlife and the diverse habitats found on these northern slopes of Mt. Kenya, as well as to benefit the local community by providing employment, schools and clinics.

NUMBER OF ROOMS: 9 twins, 2 triples and 1 double in 12 discreetly spaced permanent luxury tents.
ROOM AMENITIES: Each tent is alluringly decorated and has electric lights, ensuite bathrooms, with flush toilets, hot and cold running water for the basin and shower, and a private verandah.

ROOM DÉCOR: Recently, the Conservancy embarked on mission to renovate the tents to bring in a more revolutionary and exotic design, which allows for panoramic views from your bed, a permanent bathroom made from attractive local materials and a large verandah. The new tan tents bled in fantastically with the surroundings and are thatched with reed from the Lewa swamp.

SPECIAL FEATURE: An unforgettable combination of spectacular scenery, hospitality, privacy and abundant wildlife...

FOOD AND BEVERAGE FACILITIES: The camp's excellent chefs produce delicious, freshly cooked home fare, with emphasis on locally available ingredients. The main building houses a dining area and bar joined to a sitting area by an open log fire. Adjoining the dining area is a warm and cosy lounge, which overlooks a floodlit waterhole where wildlife comes to drink, and in the evening guests sit around a campfire under the stars.

GENERAL FACILITIES:
Generator powered electricity;

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:
• Day and night game drives, on which guests are accompanied by experienced guides;
• Guided walks;
• The camp has a swimming pool and pool house
• Horse riding AND camel safaris;
• Visits to an ancient acheulian archaeological site;
Visits to Lewa's unique game blinds;
• Excursions to a Maasai cultural boma on Il Ngwesi, the neighbouring community wildlife scheme that Lewa has helped to establish;
• Educational lectures on the history, development and day to day operation of the conservancy; flights to Rutundu, a beautiful montane tarn on Mount Kenya offering superb trout fishing and where a beautifully rustic lodge provides accommodation for up to ten.

CONFERENCE FACILITES:
Not Available.

CLIMATE: Situated in the tropics, the climate is made up of generally warm days and chilly nights.

LOISABA LODGE

OFFICIAL CATEGORY (Ministry of Tourism classification): 4****

LOCATION: Loisaba is a remote destination in Northern Kenya. Access by air is on daily scheduled Air Kenya Wilson/Nanyuki - 0915/0955 Hrs (return is daily 1115/1215 Hrs). Thereafter a 25-minute private charter from Nanyuki to Loisaba’s all weather airstrips. Alternatively, a 50-minute private air charter directs to Loisaba from Nairobi. By road is 70 Kms (2½ hours) drive from Nanyuki on the slopes of Mount Kenya (2½hour drive from Nairobi by tarmac road) or a 3 hour drive from Nakuru in the Rift Valley (1½ hours from Nairobi

DESCRIPTION:
Constructed from stone, cedar and thatch, the lodge is perched high on the edge of the plateau looking south towards Mount Kenya. The lodge was chosen by Prince Bernhard and Princess Juliana of the Netherlands as the venue to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary together with the entire Dutch royal family.
The lodge is perched high on the edge of the plateau looking south towards Mount Kenya. It is constructed from stone, cedar and thatch

NUMBER OF ROOMS: The lodge has 7 rooms (04 doubles and 03 twins). One room has a separate sitting room that can double as a further bedroom for a family group

ROOM DÉCOR: Each room has large French windows that open onto a private deck cantilevered off the escarpment. The views are legendary, and a thousand feet below a water hole draws continuous wildlife. All the furniture in the lodge is handmade at Loisaba.

ROOM AMENITIES: Each room has an en-suite bathroom.

SPECIAL FEATURE: The Star Beds - Kiboko and Koija
The two sets of Star Beds are unique to Loisaba. The first and original set are located among a kopje of rocks in one of the eastern valleys overlooking a large water area at Kiboko. The second and newer set is located about 8 kilometers further south on the banks of the Ewaso N’giro River. These are dramatically hung over the flowing waters below and are reached by boat from the opposite bank. These are known as the Koija Star Beds and are part of an exciting new joint venture project that Loisaba has undertaken in partnership with the Laikipiak Masai people from the neighboring Koija tribal lands. Each Star Bed is different and comprises a raised, handcrafted wooden platform semi-covered with a thatched roof. Homemade ‘Mukokoteni’ beds can either be wheeled out onto the uncovered area for a night under the stars, or left under the shelter of the roof. The Star Beds are normally reached on one or a combination of foot, horse or camel and with two sets now in place create a unique opportunity to travel between them both and the lodge as part of a Star Bed Expedition. Guests are guided and hosted by a team of traditional Samburu and Laikipiak Masai warriors. Food is prepared in traditional camp style over a fire at the open walled, central mess area. Both the Kiboko and Koija Star Beds comprise 2 double sleeping platforms and one large family platform. Each double platform is designed for 1 or 2 people but one can easily accommodate a third bed. The family platform accommodates 4 people. Each platform has a flush loo and large camp-style drum showers. Each is sited to ensure complete privacy.

Loisaba Cottage: A truly exclusive, self-contained private cottage built on the edge of the escarpment entirely from local stone and thatch. The location and architecture of the cottage are breathtaking, as are the furnishings, most of which have been designed and made at Loisaba. The cottage has its own staff, game-drive vehicle and a private, cliff-top swimming pool. The ultimate hideaway for small groups. 2 Bedrooms, 1 double and 1 twin (convertible to double) both with en-suite bathrooms with bath and shower.

The ‘Lookout’ - Inconspicuously nestled in an outcrop of rocks in the valley below the lodge overlooking a rich natural spring, the lookout provides a rare opportunity to spend time with animals, and in particular some unusual nocturnal species, at very close quarters. While the lookout can be visited for a few hours during both day and night it is also designed to accommodate up to four people overnight. The blind is charismatically and comfortably furnished and has a lavatory. An armed ranger will accompany guests at the blind. *Subject to availability these can be sold at short notice to guests staying in the Lodge or the Cottage.

GENERAL FACILITIES:
The lodge has a swimming pool, tennis court, bocce court and croquet lawn.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:
• Swimming Pool
• Tennis Court
• Sky-bed based walking/riding safaris
• Day and night game drives in customized open topped safari vehicles.
• Walking safaris accompanied by traditional Samburu guides, Camel safaris – day or overnight with lightweight fly camp,
• Horseback riding,
• River rafting,
• Visits to local Samburu and Laikipia Masai manyattas, Bird watching, Bush dinners, breakfasts, picnics and sundowners, Tennis and swimming.

• Painting and drawing (equipment supplied).

• Helicopter excursions - by the Millennium, a 5 passenger Squirrel helicopter will be based at Loisaba available to guests for tailor made excursions (trout fishing on Mount Kenya, trips to Lake Turkana and the northern deserts, morning hilltop breakfasts etc.) 4 brand new exciting all-terrain vehicles are available for the ranger escorted off-road patrols. Minimum age 18 years old. This can be added to overnight fly camping.

• Camel and horse riding, driving or walking safaris with local guides including an ‘elephant whisperer’, river rafting, tennis and much more in this wildlife rich and unchanging tract of Africa render Loisaba absolutely unforgettable.

CLIMATE: At 6,500 feet above sea level, Loisaba has a temperate climate making all its activities both pleasurable and viable for most of the year. The days are generally sunny and warm and the evenings clear and cool.

Loisaba is a stunning lodge clinging to the edge of a thousand foot escarpment at the western edge of the Laikipia Plateau. Set in a private conservancy, this luxurious ranch which has fabulous views of Mount Kenya attracts more than two hundred and fifty species of bird and fifty of wildlife.

Loisaba’s elevated position is breathtaking. All seven cottages have decks built into the escarpment that overlook a waterhole used by a continuous parade of four-legged visitors. A lavish suite with its own staff and cliff top swimming pool is superb, but what makes Loisaba really special are the ‘Starbeds’ a few miles away. Run in conjunction with the local Samburu tribe, these thatched wooden platforms are half roofed and equipped with showers and loos. King sized beds can be rolled in and out of cover, so romantics can sleep beneath the huge African sky whilst the agoraphobic remains under shelter.

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