GUIDE ON BORANA CONSERVANCY IN EASTERN LAIKIPIA

Borana Conservancy is an adjacent conservation wilderness next to Lewa, and together, these pioneering Kenyan conservancies serve as examples for a new generation of conservation models that are proven to effectively manage the wilderness and human use. The Borana Conservancy began as a cattle and sheep ranch that was passed down through three generations. In response to declining populations of Africa’s valuable fauna, the Dyer family designated portions of their land to conservation.

Recognizing that revenue was needed to effectively manage the conservancy, the family built the Borana Lodge as a way to bring in income, as well as raise global awareness. In an effort to extend the influence of their conservation program, the Borana Conservancy worked with local peoples to develop community-based conservancies, namely IL N’gwesi with the Maasai and Tassia Lodge with its Lekurruki community. Both programs provide a means for income that remains in the communities and supports local conservation efforts.



Another project undertaken by Borana is the Laikipia Wildlife Forum, a highly-regarded group that actively engages key stakeholders in safari conservation efforts. Through the forum, both small and large landowners have an outlet and network to discuss and remedy the issues facing Kenya’s wildlife populations, and opportunities to develop effective wildlife management strategies on a local level.

As with Lewa Conservancy, the effective management of the fauna, flora and other habitats of Borana Conservancy now makes it home to jackson’s hartebeests, African wild dogs, grevy’s zebras and other endangered species, as well as more common prized herbivores and predators e.g. buffalo, elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, hyenas and many more.

AfricanMecca guests at the conservancy are treated to exclusive access to some of Kenya’s most beautiful countryside and magnificent wildlife. Because the conservancy is on private land, the breathtaking scenery can be enjoyed with a variety of activities, many of which are restricted in national parks and many game reserves, such as horse riding, mountain biking, walking safaris, day and night game drives and much more.