Borana, Laikipia & The Mara: Sustainable Preserve & Conserve Safari

Borana Conservancy sits at the foot of Mount Kenya just north of the equator on the Laikipia plateau, nestled between an arid landscape to the north and ancient indigenous forests to the south.

This 13 000 hectare conservation area is home to both black and white rhino and, along with Lewa Conservancy, creates the largest contiguous rhino habitat in East Africa. It’s possible to see all the Big Five as well as a wide variety of endangered species, including African hunting dogs.

Borana is also famous for being home to the original Pride Rock from The Lion King movie, and the producers took much inspiration for the Disney classic from their time at the conservancy. Because it is a conservancy, one can get out on horseback, experience walking safaris, mountain biking and a whole host of other activities including night drives, sustainable farm visits, local village visits and scenic flights.

Each night spent at Borana Lodge acts as a direct contribution to a wide variety of conservation efforts. This truly is traveling with a purpose. Borana Lodge is committed to sustainability, with all retained earnings invested in conservation efforts within the Borana Conservancy, making each stay a meaningful contribution to the preservation of the land and its wildlife.

Set in the heart of the Borana Conservancy, Borana Lodge offers an unforgettable safari experience with breathtaking views of Mount Kenya. Nestled on a hillside above a dam, the lodge provides a front-row seat to wildlife activity, with herds of elephants frequently seen bathing nearby. The presence of water draws a variety of wildlife, including nocturnal visits from lions and leopards.

Activities & Highlights
Borana Lodge offers a wide range of activities for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. Guests can explore the conservancy’s hills and valleys on foot, horseback, in safari vehicles, or even on mountain bikes. The lodge boasts two strings of safari horses, scenic game walks, abundant bird watching opportunities, and cultural experiences, ensuring there's never a dull moment. For a more leisurely experience, guests can relax at the Safari Spa or by the pool. With the exclusivity of a malaria-free private conservancy, every aspect of the safari experience is personal and uninterrupted. For the adventurous, additional activities include fishing, rock climbing, and scenic flights.

Accommodation
The accommodation at Borana Lodge includes four stand-alone cottages, each thoughtfully designed to complement the natural surroundings while ensuring maximum comfort. These cottages offer exceptional views and privacy, with two additional cottages providing a perfect setting for families. Room One is located farthest to the north of the main lodge, ideal for honeymooners and special occasions. A private veranda allows for romantic outdoor meals and beautiful views into the valley.

Laikipia encompasses is located east of the Great Rift Valley and north of the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya, on the edge of Kenya’s fabled Northern Frontier District. A patchwork of huge ranches, many of which are still working cattle ranches, have assumed the role of custodians of Kenya’s free roaming wildlife and are now geared towards adventurous and luxurious safari tourism. Groundbreaking conservation projects work in tandem with the local ecotourism industry, generating sustainable income for the local Samburu and Laikipiak and Mokogodo Masai communities, amongst many others.

The Laikipia plateau is fast becoming a region to rival the Masai Mara. Rolling savannahs interspersed with riverine woodlands and granite inselbergs dot the landscape, with multiple rivers and streams eventually running off into the Ewaso Nyiro, northern Kenya’s largest river.

Home to all the Big Five, this idyllic region affords a huge variety of experiences and activities without the larger numbers of visitors that are sometimes found in national parks. Guests have the possibility of seeing northern species of giraffe, ostrich, and zebra amongst others. Horseback, camel, and walking safaris are very popular.

Nestled in the high grasslands of the Laikipia Plateau, Segera Retreat is a sanctuary of luxurious seclusion with spectacular views of Mount Kenya. The retreat’s six timber and thatch villas are elevated above lush botanical gardens, offering privacy and a deep connection with nature. Guests are welcomed into an atmosphere of refined elegance, whether in the spacious Segera House, Villa Segera, or the restored Farmhouse homestead, where enhanced privacy and luxury await.

The retreat’s main area, including the Paddock House, Wine Tower, and renovated stables, is adorned with contemporary African art from the Zeitz Collection, creating a unique dining and relaxation experience. Meals at Segera are a highlight, prepared with organic, free-range ingredients sourced from the surrounding land, delivering a delicious, health-conscious culinary experience.

Activities & Highlights
Wildlife adventures at Segera Retreat offer unparalleled opportunities to experience Kenya’s natural beauty. Guests can explore the landscape in 4x4 vehicles, spotting some of the region’s most iconic species, including endangered Grevy’s zebra, wild dogs, and patas monkeys. The area boasts the second-highest density of wildlife in Kenya, providing exceptional game viewing opportunities. For a more intimate connection with nature, guided bush walks offer a chance to witness the vibrant birdlife and diverse landscapes up close. Guests can also enjoy a picnic or sundowner in the African bush, soaking in the magic of the setting sun over the Laikipia Plateau.

Cultural experiences are equally enriching, with visits to the local community offering a glimpse into the centuries-old traditions of the people of Laikipia. For a truly unique adventure, Segera’s “nest” experience - created in collaboration with Nay Palad - allows guests to sleep under the stars in a raised "nest" with a rooftop bed, surrounded by the sounds of the bush. This unforgettable experience includes a picnic-style dinner, candle-lit drinks, and breakfast delivered to your door, creating a sense of romantic seclusion.

Accommodations
Segera Retreat’s luxurious accommodations are designed for ultimate relaxation. The four Garden Villas, with their thatched roofs and wooden verandas, offer an oasis of comfort and style. Each villa features a spacious en-suite bedroom with large stone showers, extra-large beds draped with linen mosquito nets, and deluxe amenities. Outside, guests can enjoy an inviting outdoor bath and a daybed that can be converted for romantic overnight sleep-outs. Every Garden Villa includes access to Segera’s undulating salt-water pool and an in-room bar, ensuring a restful and indulgent stay amidst the beauty of the Laikipia Plateau.

The world renowned Masai Mara, also known as ‘The Mara’, is located in south west Kenya and is an awe-inspiringly vast expanse of gently rolling African savannah plains. The word ‘Masai’ refers to the Masai / Maasai tribe, nomadic inhabitants of the area and ‘Mara’ is their term for ‘spotted’, with reference to the flat-topped Acacia trees, shrubs and bushes that dot the landscape picturesquely across the reserve.

Measuring over 150 000 hectares, it borders Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park in the south. A unique wildlife conservation haven, The Mara is famous for its diversity of wildlife and is a premium Kenyan safari location. Large numbers of lion, cheetah, elephant, rhino, African buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe and zebra roam the reserve freely and unconfined, in their vast natural habitat. The Great Wildebeest Migration is a year-round phenomenon, moving between Tanzania’s Serengeti and the Masai Mara.

The conservancy approach is widely seen as the way forward for wildlife conservation and eco-tourism in Kenya, because it not only secures vital space for wildlife but includes the local population as custodians of their national heritage. This has been vital not only for conservation of the whole greater Mara but also wildlife corridors and the prosperity of many hundreds of Maasai families. Nearly forty tourist camps contribute to employment amongst the communities and provide a presence, alongside Maasai anti-poaching units, for the protection of the wildlife.

Cottar’s 1920s Camp offers a unique safari experience that transports guests to the golden age of safari, while upholding a strong commitment to conservation and sustainability. Set in the private Olderkesi Conservancy on the border of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, this award-winning, conservation-led camp is one of only eleven Global Ecosphere Retreats in the world, recognized for its dedication to global sustainability and community support.

Managed by the fifth-generation Cottar family, who have over 100 years of experience in Africa, the camp combines the charm of a bygone era with modern luxury under canvas, providing an authentic and elegant safari experience.

Activities & Highlights
At Cottar’s 1920s Camp, guests can enjoy a wide range of immersive activities that connect them to the surrounding wildlife and local Masai culture. The camp offers expertly guided wildlife drives through the rich ecosystems of the Masai Mara, where an abundance of animals roam freely. Guests can also participate in meaningful conservation experiences, such as learning about vulture rehabilitation and taking part in a reforestation seedball dispersal walk.

For those seeking cultural engagement, there’s the opportunity to spend time with the region’s only all-female conservation ranger unit, or to embark on a guided bush walk to learn about medicinal plants and forage for local wild food. In addition to these enriching experiences, guests can enjoy the camp’s famous traditional canvas bush bath, take a refreshing dip in the pool, or relax with a stargazing experience beneath the African night sky. Children are well-catered for too, with activities like an entomology safari to ignite their curiosity about the natural world.

Cottar’s 1920s Camp is a proud member of The Long Run, a global initiative recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. The camp follows the 4C framework - Conservation, Community, Culture, and Commerce - ensuring that it operates sustainably while supporting both local ecosystems and the Maasai community.

Accommodation
The camp features eleven spacious and luxuriously appointed tents, including five luxury double tents, two honeymoon tents, and four family suites. Each tent is designed to reflect the elegance of the 1920s, while providing modern comforts to enhance the safari experience.

The luxury double tents, named Ndovu, Kudu, Swala, Duma, and Athi, boast beautiful interiors with en suite bathrooms, wooden flooring, and bespoke furniture that evokes the timeless style of the twenties. Despite the vintage aesthetic, the tents include thoughtful details like wallpaper, a rarity in tented camps. Each tent also offers a cozy living area complete with a dining table, writing desk, daybed or couch, and large windows that frame stunning views of the savannah from the camp’s elevated location. These elements together create a comfortable, sophisticated, and immersive retreat in the heart of the African wilderness.