Off-site Activities

You will explore the vast conservancy and surrounding areas of Borana for several days of the Exploration. The local team is working to curate a number of experiences including visits to nearby traditional villages, guided walks and hikes into a riverine forest and the blue pools, canopy walks, anti-poaching exercises, horseback riding, and much more. Four of these off-site activities have been pre-selected for the entire group to experience. You will have the opportunity to select three additional off-site activities.

Important: THREE additional off-site activities are included in the price of your Exploration registration. These activities are open to members and their registered guests. All off-site activities will take place between 24-27 September.

Please read these important notes about off-site activities:

  • Registered members and their registered guests may sign-up for THREE (3) additional off-site activities per person.
  • Off-site activities will take place AM and PM from 24-27 September. The date and time of your off-site activity will be selected for you.
  • All off-site activities have limited space and are first come, first served.
  • Some activities are weather permitting and may be cancelled due to inclement weather.
  • Some off-site activities may require a user-pay supplement and are indicated in the description.
  • All user-pay activities are non-refundable.
  • Members and guests that sign-up for the same activity will be assigned to the same group.
  • There are no wait-lists for sold out activities.

For questions about off-site activities, please contact Rebecca Litwack on the EO Global Events team at [email protected].

Pre-selected Off-site Activities:


Early Morning Game Drive with Bush Breakfast and Game Drive to Pride Rock



On safari you might imagine departing camp in the early morning or late afternoon to enjoy a game drive, soaking up the breathtaking conservancy with professional guides.

Borana is home to a wide diversity of wildlife including elephants, buffalos, rhinos, lions, antelopes and much more. It’s also home to a particular set of animals that are found only in the northern parts of Kenya, Ethiopia and Southern Sudan: the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich.

Borana shares a joint conservation management policy with its neighboring conservancies and together they protect a quarter of a million acres of Africa’s awe-inspiring natural environment.
And it’s not just about the mammals, Borana has listed over 334 different species of birds since records began in July 1980.

*All attendees will take part in at least two game drives during the Exploration with the opportunity to choose more.

What to bring: Casual, warm layered clothing for the early morning and comfortable walking shoes, binoculars, camera, hat, sunscreen and insect repellent.


Village Visit



Borana is located in the heart of the Maasai clan pastures. The Nilotic nomadic tribe people are incredibly proud of their culture. You will have an opportunity to spend time getting to know them, learning about their way of life during the village visit. The experience will broaden your worldview.

What to bring: Casual, warm layered clothing for the early morning and comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen and a hat, binoculars and a camera.


Game Drive with Anti-Poaching Training and Permaculture Visit



After an early breakfast, you will go for a game drive. At mid-morning, you will meet the anti-poaching team and take part in anti-poaching drills. The experience calls for a least two volunteers to assume the role of poachers tasked with hiding. The activity takes you inside the mind of those who continue to break wildlife laws. It’s an adventure which offers you the opportunity to witness first-hand how Kenya handles illegal acts.

Permaculture Tour

Also known as a conservation area, Borana is home to the largest permaculture projects in East Africa. Nestled on the eastern bank of the Ngare Ndare River, you will discover the Kabati Regenerative Farm, 440 acres of Riverine Forest, the Acacia savanna, and a 100 acres of arable land. The farm provides the conservancy with fresh, organic, slow food which is not only good for one’s health but also one’s soul.

What to bring: Casual, warm layered clothing for the early morning and comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen and a hat, binoculars and a camera.

You may register for THREE of the following off-site activities:

Guided Bush Walk


Register
There is something incredibly special about approaching a wild animal on foot, to hear them breathe or the gentle rip as they tear off the grass and eat, with no other interruption than the bird song and the breeze. You will be guided safely by expert walking guides through herds of giraffe and zebra and within a few hundred meters of big game like elephant and rhino. You will learn about some of the smaller yet equally as significant ecosystems that form this land that are so often missed when passing by in a vehicle. Your guide will share their knowledge of the plants, their medicinal properties and how they are integrated into the lives of the nomadic tribes that have migrated through this area for millennia.

Fitness: Participants must have a reasonable degree of fitness and agility. Ground is uneven and in places will have gentle slopes. You will need to be able to walk for 2-3 hours without getting out of breath.

What to Bring: Casual, neutral colored, warm layered clothing for the early morning and late evening and comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen and a hat, Binoculars or camera.

Price: FREE


Additional Game Drives


Register
On safari you might imagine departing camp in the early morning or late afternoon to enjoy a game drive, soaking up the breathtaking conservancy with professional guides.

Borana is home to a wide diversity of wildlife including elephants, buffalos, rhinos, lions, antelopes and much more. It’s also home to a particular set of animals that are found only in the northern parts of Kenya, Ethiopia and Southern Sudan: the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich.

Borana shares a joint conservation management policy with its neighboring conservancies and together they protect a quarter of a million acres of Africa’s awe-inspiring natural environment.
And it’s not just about the mammals, Borana has listed over 334 different species of birds since records began in July 1980.

*All attendees will take part in at least two game drives during the Exploration with the opportunity to choose more.

What to bring: Casual, warm layered clothing for the early morning and comfortable walking shoes, binoculars, camera, hat, sunscreen and insect repellent.

Price: FREE


Horseback Riding for Beginners


Register
Exploring Borana by horseback continues to be one of the best ways of seeing wildlife. The once-in-a-lifetime experience is recommended to everyone regardless of your ability level Guests will leave camp after an early breakfast or afternoon tea for a ride through the conservancy. Kenya’s sublime plain is the backdrop as you encounter wildlife causally passing by. English-style Wintec saddles, as well as Australian stock saddles, provide the comfort needed for both rider and horse. If this is your first riding experience, you have the option for a safer stable where big game is limited; but the enjoyment of walking amongst herds of giraffe and zebra is still very much there.

What to bring: Casual, warm layered clothing, long pants and comfortable walking shoes/tennis shoes.

Program note: This horseback riding experience is open to all levels. As a safety concern, we ask for all riders to confirm their ability by completing a self-assessment form.

Price: US$95 per person.


Horseback Riding Intermediate/Advanced


Register
Exploring Borana by horseback continues to be one of the best ways of seeing wildlife. The once-in-a-lifetime experience is recommended to everyone, regardless of your ability level. Guests will leave camp after an early breakfast or afternoon tea for a ride through the conservancy. Kenya’s sublime plain is the backdrop as you encounter wildlife causally passing by. English-style Wintec saddles, as well as Australian stock saddles, provide the comfort needed for both rider and horse.

As a safety concern, we ask for all riders to confirm their ability level. All intermediate to advanced riders need to be comfortable at a walk, trot and canter in an English saddle. This is worth noting if one has to flee an angry elephant or buffalo.

What to bring: Casual, warm layered clothing, long pants and comfortable walking shoes.

Program note: This horseback riding experience is for intermediate to advanced riders. We ask all riders to confirm their ability by completing a self-assessment form. All intermediate to advanced riders need to be capable of controlling a horse at a walk, trot and canter in an English saddle.

Price: US$95 per person.


Ngare Ndare Forest and Canopy Walk


Register
Ngare Ndare Forest Trust is a unique and phenomenal experience. This forest is located southeast of Borana and is quickly becoming a tourist attraction. Within the forest, you will find gorgeous rock pools with clear blue spring water gushing from the side of the hill. The canopy walk allows for a close and personal view of the Hartlaub’s turaco and other wildlife.

Fitness: Participants must have a reasonable degree of fitness and agility for this tour. The ground is uneven in places so you will encounter slopes and other indentations. Note: The tour last between two the three hours.

What to bring: Casual, warm layered clothing for the early morning, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, hat, bathing suit, camera and binoculars.

Program note: The canopy walk activity is not recommended for those with a fear of heights, but they may relax and enjoy a walk around the forest.

Price: US$55 per person


Visit to the Rapid Response Unit Joc Room: Anti-Poaching Team Headquarters


Register
Did you know estimates project that on average 100 elephants and three rhino are killed every day in Africa? Animal poaching is big business these days. The money made from ivory and rhino horn on the black market is appalling, fueling the killing of countless elephants and rhinos. If this continues, extinction is inevitable—and we may see it in our lifetime.

During Exploration, you’ll have an opportunity to go behind the scenes of the state-of-the-art facility that uses night vision, helicopters and Google technology to infiltrate and eliminate poaching syndicates. It is a high-stakes operation whose goal is to keep these animals alive for another generation. It’s an eye-opening, enthralling and humbling experience.

What to bring: Casual, warm layered clothing for the early morning and comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen and a hat.

Price: US$150 per person per visit.


Helicopter Trip – Morning, Mount Kenya and Fly Fishing


Register
Are you looking for a change of scenery? Why not head out at sunrise and spend some time at one of the glacial lakes on Mount Kenya. Fully stocked with rainbow and brown trout, you can try your hand at fly fishing or enjoy a short hike around the lake. Take in this stunning landscape over a picnic breakfast before flying over the peaks of Mount Kenya (weather permitting).

What to bring: Casual, warm layered clothing for the early morning and comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, hat and a camera.

Price: US$1,960 per person.


Helicopter Trip – Half Day Ololokwe, Mathews

15 – 22 September 2019

Register
Ololokwe is the sacred mountain to the Samburu people. A distinctive landmark, rising seemingly out of nowhere, this rocky mountain can be seen for miles and will mark the start of a beautiful day. Kicking off that lovely day, you will depart from camp for a three hour scenic flight to northern Kenya, landing on the top of Ololokwe for coffee or afternoon tea before heading north over the savannah plains of Samburu. You will sweep through the dry Milgis River bed for breakfast/sunrise, finally arriving at the Mathews Rang: a beautifully rugged mountain range that rises from the arid plains with mist forests, and ancient cycads on its summit, before returning to camp.

What to bring: Casual, warm layered clothing for the early morning and comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, hat, and a camera.

Price: US$1,850 per person