4-Day Borana Lodge Horse Riding Safari
The 4-Day Borana Lodge Horse Riding Safari is a 3-night luxury riding trip in the Borana Conservancy, Laikipia, northern Kenya. You ride with expert guides across open ranch land with Mount Kenya in view. Borana runs separate stables for beginners and advanced riders. As a result, couples and mixed groups can ride together at their own level. Between rides, you enjoy guided walks, game drives and lodge comforts. Borana is part of the Lewa–Borana landscape, one of Africa's most successful rhino conservation areas. You may even ride near rhino.
4-Day Borana Lodge Horse Riding Safari at a glance
- Safari: 4-Day Borana Lodge Horse Riding Safari
- Destination: Borana Conservancy, Laikipia, Kenya
- Duration: 4 days, 3 nights
- Accommodation: Borana Lodge
- Safari style: Luxury horseback riding and wildlife experience
- Best suited for: Horse riding enthusiasts, couples, adventure travellers and wildlife lovers
- Riding level: Beginner to advanced, with separate stables
- Main activities: Guided horse rides, walks, game drives, night drives
- Best time: Dry months, roughly June to October and January to March
Why choose the 4-Day Borana Lodge Horse Riding Safari?
Laikipia is Kenya's best-known region for riding. It has open ranches, rolling hills and very little fencing. Elephants, giraffes, zebras and rhinos share the land. Borana adds a strong riding programme and a comfortable lodge.
Here is what makes this safari special:
- Riding for every level: a beginner stable and an advanced stable run side by side in one programme.
- Rhino country: the Lewa–Borana landscape protects black and white rhino. Riding near rhino is possible here.
- Open, quiet land: a private ranch means few rules and few other visitors.
- A short, complete trip: four days is enough to ride, walk and enjoy the lodge.
- Non-riders welcome: friends and partners can join walks and game drives.
Sample itinerary for the 4-Day Borana Lodge Horse Riding Safari
This itinerary is a guide only. Your guides shape each day around the weather, the wildlife and your riding level.
Day 1: Fly to Borana and meet your horse
Fly from Nairobi's Wilson Airport to the Borana airstrip. The flight takes about one hour. A short transfer brings you to Borana Lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you meet your guides and your horse. Riders of every level take a short ride to settle in. Sundowners follow, with Mount Kenya in the distance. Dinner is served at the lodge.
Day 2: A full day in the saddle
Start early with a guided ride across the ranch. Mornings are cool, and wildlife is most active. Expect giraffe, zebra and eland, and perhaps elephants. Return for lunch and a rest by the lodge. In the afternoon, join a guided walk or a game drive. Dinner is served at the lodge or in the bush.
Day 3: Longer ride or forest day
Experienced riders drive about 20 minutes to the advanced stable. They ride ex-polo horses on longer guided trips through more demanding country. Beginners and non-riders can ride a gentler route, or visit the nearby Ngare Ndare Forest. Return to the lodge for the evening. A night drive can follow dinner.
Day 4: Final ride and departure
Enjoy a last morning ride. Return to the lodge for a relaxed brunch. Then transfer to the airstrip and fly back to Nairobi.
Horse riding at Borana
Riding is one of Borana's main activities. The lodge runs a beginner stable and an advanced stable. Therefore, each rider gets a suitable horse.
- Beginner and novice riders: calm horses and ponies, with guides who match horse and rider.
- Experienced riders: the advanced stable lies about 20 minutes' drive from the lodge. It has ex-polo horses and offers longer guided trips.
- Weight limit: the lodge has been reported to apply a limit of about 90 kg. Confirm the current limit before you book.
- Wildlife on horseback: you ride quietly among giraffe, zebra and eland. Riding is a calm way to get close to plains game.
- Predators: guides avoid big cats, because horses can be skittish around them.
Tell us your riding experience honestly when you book. This keeps you and the horses safe.
Borana Lodge: where you stay
Borana Lodge is a hillside lodge on a private ranch on the edge of the Laikipia Plateau. It looks over the Samangua Valley, with views of Mount Kenya. The Dyer family has owned the ranch for three generations. The lodge opened in 1990.
The lodge has eight thatched cottages built from local materials by local craftspeople. Meals use produce from the lodge's own farm. You can eat in the lodge, in the bush or in a tree house.
The lodge sits on a hillside with several levels. Expect some stairs between the main areas and some rooms.
Wildlife and conservation on your riding safari
Borana protects a large area of wilderness in northern Kenya. It is part of the Lewa–Borana landscape. The area is a stronghold for black rhino. It also protects rhino and Grevy's zebra. You may also see elephants, giraffe, zebra, eland and buffalo.
The lodge reinvests its earnings in conservation. This funds ranger training, wildlife monitoring, a mobile clinic and education programmes. Your stay supports this work.
Other activities at Borana
Between rides, you can choose from:
- Game drives: open 4x4 drives through the ranch.
- Guided walks: on foot with an experienced guide.
- Night drives: to look for nocturnal animals.
- Mountain biking: off-road trails across the ranch.
- Ngare Ndare Forest visit: a short trip from the lodge.
- Ranch life: learn how the working ranch runs.
- Helicopter trips: available as an extra.
Best time for a Borana Lodge horse riding safari
Laikipia can be visited all year. For riding, the dry months are best. These are roughly June to October and January to March. Ground is firmer, skies are clear and Mount Kenya is easier to see. The wetter months are greener and quieter. However, muddy ground can limit riding.
We suggest at least three nights. That is why this safari runs for four days.
Who is this safari for?
- Horse riding enthusiasts: quality horses, open land and a serious riding programme.
- Couples: romantic setting, shared rides and private evenings.
- Adventure travellers: riding, biking, walking and forest visits in one stay.
- Wildlife lovers: rhino country and plenty of plains game.
- Families: the lodge has reduced-price children's rooms for ages 5 to 12.
What to pack
- Riding boots or closed shoes with a small heel
- Half chaps and comfortable riding trousers
- A riding hat, unless the lodge supplies one
- Light layers for cool mornings
- Sun cream, sunglasses and a hat
- Binoculars and a camera
- Insect repellent and personal medication
Frequently asked questions
What is the 4-Day Borana Lodge Horse Riding Safari? It is a 3-night guided riding trip at Borana Lodge in the Borana Conservancy, Laikipia. It combines horse rides, walks, game drives and a luxury stay.
Where is Borana Lodge? It is in the Borana Conservancy on the edge of the Laikipia Plateau in northern Kenya, with views of Mount Kenya.
Do I need riding experience for this safari? No. Borana has a beginner stable and an advanced stable. Tell us your level and we will match you with the right horse.
How long is each ride? Rides are guided and vary by day and level. Your guides plan them around the weather and wildlife.
Can I ride near rhino at Borana? Yes, there is a real chance. Borana is part of the Lewa–Borana landscape, a major rhino conservation area. Sightings are never guaranteed.
Can non-riders join? Yes. Non-riders can join guided walks, game drives and other activities.
Is there a weight limit? The lodge has been reported to apply a limit of about 90 kg. Confirm the current limit with us before you book.
How do I get to Borana Lodge? Fly from Nairobi's Wilson Airport to the Borana airstrip. The flight takes about one hour.
Is Borana suitable for children? Yes. The lodge offers reduced-price children's rooms for ages 5 to 12. Riding rules for children depend on age and skill.
What is the best time for a Borana horse riding safari? June to October and January to March are the best months for riding.
How much does the 4-Day Borana Lodge Horse Riding Safari cost? Agent rates run from about US$3950 to US$6370per person per night sharing. Request a quote for your dates.
Book your 4-Day Borana Lodge Horse Riding Safari
Tell us your travel dates, group size and riding level. We will prepare a tailored 4-day itinerary and a free quote. Contact Olengugih Safaris to start planning.
