Best Lodges in Laikipia : Laikipia, in Northern Kenya, is frequently disregarded in favour of the more well-known kenya safaris tour destination Masai Mara. However, Laikipia has much more to offer than Masai Mara, including large, empty spaces for safari in Kenya experiences, a range of Kenya safaris activities from riding safaris to quad bike safaris, incredible game viewing, and some of the most incredible luxury lodges in Africa. Laikipia is incredibly safe, amiable, and wild; it’s off the beaten path and off the radar. Here, you may have a true kenya safari tour with all the freedom one should have when not restricted by the government that oversees busy regions like the Mara. Laikipia offers breathtaking views of Mount Kenya and a surreal sense of being in authentic Africa. Here are some of the best Kenya safari tour top lodges in Laikipia, listed in no particular order:
Borana Lodge
The kenya safari tours views of Mount Kenya, the Lewa Plains, and the Ngare Ndare Forest may be seen from Borana Lodge, which is located in the centre of the Borana Conservancy. Exclusivity meets natural settings in this opulent lodge, which was constructed in 1992 by regional artisans using exclusively locally sourced building materials. A vast array of kenya wildlife is drawn to the area by the dam that all of the lodge’s guest rooms overlook. Eight roomy cottages—four doubles and four twins—can be found at Borana Lodge. With its own private veranda and vista, every cottage is isolated from its neighbour. Fine dining is offered as romantic private dinners in quiet settings or as buffets in the main dining area with a large fireplace decorated with the creations of local sculptors and artisans. Game drives, guided bush walks, foot tracking rhinos, horseback riding, mountain biking, and joining the Borana Conservancy anti poaching squad are just a few of the many kenya safari activities available. There are also available visits to the neighbouring Maasai settlements, local schools, and the Ngare Ndare Forest.
A visit to Borana Lodge directly supports a range of conservation initiatives. All of Borana Lodge’s retained earnings go towards supporting community initiatives. These include a mobile clinic, an education support programme that benefits two local secondary schools, six local primary schools, and several students pursuing postsecondary education, as well as a livestock-to-market programme that serves over 540 community members. Just ten resorts worldwide have attained the esteemed Global Ecosphere Retreat designation, which was bestowed upon Borana Lodge in 2020 by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
Il Ngwesi Group Ranch
Il Ngwesi Group Ranch spans 16,000 acres and is perched on a granite ledge with expansive vistas of northern Kenya. Built completely of native materials, the lodge is administered by the Il Ngwesi Group Ranch Maasai group. Six en-suite bandas consist of two Starbeds, one honeymoon suite, and three triples. The beds may be rolled onto raised platforms to spend the night beneath the stars. Every banda has an open floor plan, thatched roofs, and sitting places. Solar energy is used to heat water. Tree trunks are encircled by the timber floor in the sitting and dining room. Bright indigenous fabrics and rustic furniture crafted by Maasai artisans adorn the lodge. There is a pool and lounge by the pool.
Game drives, game walks, and cultural excursions to nearby Maasai villages are among the kenya safaris activities. Dinners, sundowners, and bush breakfasts can be planned. Walking Wild is associated with Il Ngwesi; reservations are advised for camel treks. It is advised to pay a visit to Omni, the black rhino orphan raised by hand. The lodge’s earnings go towards funding the area’s water supplies, schools, and livestock dips. II Ngwesi was awarded a bronze award by the Ecotourism Society of Kenya in addition to receiving the UNDP 2002 Equator Initiative Award.
Enasoit
Enasoit is a chic jungle camp situated in a private game reserve on the edge of the Lolldaiga Hills. The camp is only available for exclusive use. Because of its remarkable location, it provides exceptional game watching in a wildlife corridor that connects east and west Laikipia. The camp is situated above two saltlicks and a dam, which draw smaller wildlife including giraffes, buffalo, and elephants. There are six double tents with bathrooms. Every tent features a fireplace, a stone bathroom and tasteful furnishings. In addition, there is a pool house with two double bedrooms, a heated pool, and a private garden. There is a dining space and cosy seating places inside the mess tent. The group of chefs provides the meals. Enasoit Ranch offers both day and night time game drives as activities.
All the predators, such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, and wild dogs, can be found on the ranch. Sundowners and game treks are additional options. There are kenya cultural tours available to the nearby communities. You can schedule a horseback ride. There is also massage available at the camp. For trips to Mount Kenya and other parts of Kenya, Enasoit offers a helicopter for hiring, as well as a restored dhow for lease for trips around Lamu. It is possible to plan trips to Nanyuki or other places.
Best Lodges in Laikipia : El Karama Lodge
El Karama Lodge on the Ewaso Nyiro River overlooks a saltlick that draws a lot of animals. The Grant family has owned and operated the resort on 15,000 acres of private land since the 1970s. 2010 saw renovations. With verandas and rock bathrooms, the four en suite tented bandas are made of canvas, thatch, and stone. The rondavel features twin and double beds as well as an adjacent bathroom. The family home features a bathroom, terrace, two elevated single rooms, a twin room and a double room. The two river cottages each feature a dressing room, balcony, and an en suite double room. The river cottages can be viewed as a self-catering unit and share a kitchen, living and dining area, and campfire. An expansive terrace, an open-sided lounge, and a living area with a bar and fireplace encircle the zero-gravity swimming pool.
The dining room faces the river and has a fireplace and sofas. Treatments and massages are available at the Safari Spa. Day and night game drives, strolling excursions involving the observation of animals, river fishing, horseback riding, and kid-focused tracking expeditions are among the available activities. Visitors can watch the Saihiwal cattle being milked, dipped, and inspected while at the ranch. El Karama Lodge is the recipient of Ecotourism Kenya’s Sir Award for its dedication to protecting wildlife habitats.
Best Lodges in Laikipia : The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille
The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille is a private reserve featuring a group of luxurious homes. The 25,000-acre Conservancy is a forward-thinking collaboration in Kenya tourism and conservation between private investors, donors, and the Maasai people. There are four distinct architecturally designed residences, each of which symbolises a Voice of Africa. Three en suite double bedrooms with an African contemporary design make up The Chiefs House. There is one en suite double bedroom and one en suite twin bedroom in the Swahili-style Sultan’s House. The Eyrie features one en suite double bedroom in an African classic design. Two en-suite double bedrooms with campaign decor make up The Colonel’s House. The lodge features a spa, gift shop, swimming pool, and telescope-equipped library. There is WiFi everywhere. There are game hikes and drives both during the day and at night.
There is mountain biking, quad biking, horseback riding, and camel riding are available kenya safari activities . It is possible to plan bush dinners, sundowners, and picnics. On the lawns are croquet and boules. River rafting, kayaking, and a bush skills training are extra-cost kenya tours activities. Helicopter and light aircraft trips can be scheduled. Additionally, the sanctuary may plan Kenya safaris tours and trips to other parts of Kenya. Visitors are welcome to view the community service and conservation initiatives that the sanctuary sponsors.
Best Lodges in Laikipia : Sosian Lodge
The 1940s saw the construction of Sosian’s first ranch home by Italian craftsmen. Following a tasteful refurbishment, Sosian Lodge opened. Behind the garden, which is mostly made up of succulents, is Mount Kenya. Sosian is a 24,000-acre private wildlife sanctuary that blends traditional cattle ranching, tourism, and conservation. Each of the seven en suite double cabins has a private veranda. The fresh ingredients used in Sosian’s home cooking are cultivated in the garden. Meals are served in the bush, by the swimming pool, along the river, or at the lodge. Walking, horseback riding, camel safaris, day and night wildlife drives, and Kenya cultural tours to nearby Samburu settlements are just a few of Sosian’s activities. There are many different things to do on the river, such as rafting, fishing, and waterfall leaping. There’s tennis and archery available. Additionally, Sosian provides specialised walking safaris, where guests explore the bush, tracking animals during the day and spending each night in a movable tented camp at a different spot. With around 600 Borana cattle—Kenya’s zebu breed created from native stock—Sosian also maintains a small dairy herd and a pedigree breeding herd. You can help in dipping, weighing, and vaccinations as part of a tour of Sosian’s ranching operations. As a representative of Offbeat Safaris, Sosian can plan horseback safaris as well as safaris around the nation.
Best Lodges in Laikipia : Sabuk
Located on the edge of the northern Laikipia Plateau, Sabuk is a private wilderness haven perched atop a cliff overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro River. Dramatic views of the Matthews Mountains, Karisia Hills, and Laikipia plains are available from this elevated position. The six large, open-fronted, stone cottages at Sabuk each have a private veranda with breathtaking views and a thatched roof. One family cottage features a king size bed and three singles, while two other cottages have twin beds. The family-friendly Eagle Cottages provide two en suite cottages with a king-size bed and a triple-bedded room, as well as a private dining area and plunge pool. In addition, Sabuk features an infinity pool, a church with a view suitable for marriages, and an open mess area where visitors may unwind on cushions while taking in views of the river.
Over the course of more than 20 years, Sabuk has provided walking and camel safaris; each Kenya safaris tours is customised. The Laikipia Maasai impart their knowledge of tribal customs and bush crafts, including game tracking and the therapeutic use of regional flora. Walking safaris with camel assistance are available to guests for a duration of one morning to two weeks. The kenya safaris are led by Maasai and Samburu warriors, and guests can sleep under the stars. Additional Kenya safaris tours activities include horseback riding, sundowners at views, game walks, game drives during the day and night, and bush breakfasts.
