Sosian Lodge · Rumuruti, Kenya
Riding Kenya's wild Laikipia plateau
Sosian Lodge sits on a 24,000-acre private wildlife conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya, with the second-largest elephant population in the region. The original ranch house was built in the 1940s by Italian artisans, now restored to sleep up to 14, with four double cottages in the gardens overlooking the Laikipia Plateau and Mt Kenya. A stable yard of 30 safari horses supports riding for novices through experienced riders (only experienced riders go out with big game), alongside camel treks, kayaking, fishing and cattle ranching. Altitude 5,500ft, no recorded malaria.
There are safe, well-schooled horses and shorter rides and arena lessons for less experienced guests. To ride out among big game you need to be genuinely confident and in control at all paces in open country, able to keep up and respond quickly. Only experienced riders go out where there is big game.
A yard of around 30 well-schooled safari horses, with smaller ponies for children.
Days follow the cool hours: an early ride out across the plains, back to the lodge through the heat of the day, then out again in the afternoon, on horseback or on a game drive. Beyond the riding there are camel treks, kayaking and fishing on the river, and the working life of a cattle ranch to see. The lodge itself, a restored 1940s ranch house, sleeps a small number of guests with cottages in the garden.
Sosian Lodge, a restored 1940s ranch house with garden cottages overlooking the plateau, comfortable and unhurried.
All meals included, with drinks; dietary needs catered for.
Best months: June to October, and January to February
Riding is good through the drier months. The lodge is closed in May during the long rains; minimum stay is three nights.
Nearest airport: Nairobi (Wilson airport for the light-aircraft leg; Jomo Kenyatta for international arrivals)
Transfers: Fly from Nairobi Wilson to a Laikipia airstrip (Loisaba or Nanyuki), then a drive of up to two hours to the lodge
Fly into Nairobi, then a scheduled light aircraft up to Laikipia and a short drive to Sosian.
Photographs courtesy of Sosian.
