At home on a Kenyan ranch - relaxed, familiar, unpretentious
Guide Price: From: $460 To: $540
Sosian is a privately owned game ranch on the Laikipia plateau with at its core a traditional farmhouse built by Italians back in 40's. There are seven individual cottages dotted throughout the gardens, all perfectly comfortable with ensuite bathrooms but otherwise a refreshing lack of gratuitous glitz in fact rather the opposite with a bit of retro chintz fighting valiantly for survival through the recent upgrades.
There's often quite a house party atmosphere with couples and groups mixing together in the sitting areas and dining room or indeed around the pool. It seems to attract like minded folk and with lots on offer within camp including croquet, snooker the whole feel is definitely a relaxed one.
In the past, and even now in other areas of Africa, its been unusual to find wild game coexisting happily alongside domestic stock but it seems to have been achieved here and as such gives the area its character.
There are a range of different eco-systems within the ranch and it is possible to see a good number of plains species and catch the odd sight or sound of lion or leopard. The northern section is made up of open plains and sporadic acacias, good numbers of grevy zebra, various antelope and oryx. The south is more thickly wooded and home to increasing numbers of elephant, buffalo and reticulated giraffe. Even wild dog have recently made a reappearance although sightings are a bit sporadic.
This place has finally grown into its skin which is definitely reflected in the great feedback we get on it. It provides an opportunity for some unusual activities (cattle dipping being one that springs to mind) as well as game drives, walks, nightdrives, horse-riding and even short camel safaris. The experience here is very much a relaxed taster of the ranch way of life rather than an intense game experience. Swimming under the waterfalls in the Euaso Narok river, some varied bird-watching and generally messing around the lodge all contribute to a fun few days.
Sosian combines superbly with the Maasai Mara and a few days on the Kenya Coast.
7 cottages
From: 460 To: 540
At home on a Kenyan ranch - relaxed, familiar, unpretentious
Incl. FB, all drinks, activities, laundry. Excl. Champagne.
Laikipia is a vast expanse of wild country in the central highlands of Kenya - it covers almost 2 million acres and runs from Mt Kenya in the East to the Rift Valley in the west. Laikipia lies outside the jurisdiction of National Parks, and is somewhere to get out of a vehicle and embrace the numerous safari activities that Kenya has to offer. Read more?
Kenya is the most established safari country, and consequently you have to step a little off the conventional route to find real wilderness, but it’s certainly there. Kenya also has much going for it as a family destination, and also a good number of very individual safari camps and lodges with a personal approach that makes your experience very special. Kenya also has a particularly diverse ecology which ranges from snowy mountains to true desert, rolling grassy plains filled with wildlife to craggy scrub intersected with dry riverbeds, sparkling beaches and volcanic ranges. Read more?
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Catherine's long experience of, and enthusiasm for Africa, makes her a mine of travel information. Add to the mix her vivacious character and inscrutable attention to detail and there are few people you'd rather have plan your holiday.
At Natural High, we've had long experience putting together trips in Africa that really work. Whether it's intimate bushcamps in out of the way places, or a private lodge in one of Africa's top-billing wildlife areas, light mobile camping or remote island escapes, we know there is a lot to choose from. We're absolutely confident that we can recommend the right places for you.
