The New York Times has named Borana Conservancy — under Laikipia in Kenya — as one of its top travel destinations for 2017.

Borana Conservancy sits on a stunning topography of rugged savannah across a 91,000-acre landscape shared with the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Borana was featured alongside other stunning corners of the world such as Canada, Botswana, Marrakesh, Stockholm and Madrid.

The full list, published online last Wednesday, describes Borana’s charismatic megafauna and the Conservancy’s newly opened Arijiju, as well as activities available for guests which include fly fishing excursions to Mount Kenya, trail running, horseback riding and treetop canopy tours alongside traditional game drives. Guests can also experience conservation first-hand by joining Borana rangers for wildlife tracking.

Borana is home to one lodge and three private houses, all offering exclusive experiences for discerning travellers. Conservation initiatives on the property, in collaboration with partners such as Lewa, Il Ngwesi, local communities, Kenya Wildlife Service and the government, have made Borana a safe refuge for endangered and threatened species, most notably rhinos, elephants, Grevy’s zebras, giraffes and lions.

The New York Times is one of the world’s most popular and widely circulated newspapers, and it is a privilege to have Borana recognised for its natural beauty, conservation initiatives as well as the quality of service.

Quick facts:

• The Conservancy is one of the best places to view rare and endangered wildlife – the shared landscape with the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is home to 14% of Kenya’s rhino population, one of the largest populations of endangered Grevy’s zebras, more than 40 lions and large herds of migratory elephants. Other iconic African wildlife found in the landscape include cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, impala, plains zebras, buffalos and more than 400 species of birds!

• Guests have a choice of one lodge and three private houses to stay while visiting Borana. These are Borana Lodge, Laragai House, Sirai House and Arijiju.

• Borana offers some of the most thrilling, authentic and unique ways to encounter Kenya’s wildlife and wilderness, be it walking through the bush, riding on ranch horses or mountain bikes, driving in the open-top safari vehicles, paragliding with vultures and other birds or lounging at the infinity pool and enjoying the views.

• In 2014, Borana and the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy removed the fence separating the two conservancies to form the largest black rhino sanctuary in Kenya, an unprecedented move for the benefit of the critically endangered species.

• Borana, in partnership with Riding Wild, offers three or more night riding safaris across Laikipia.

• The recent start of the Kabati Regenerative Farm, sandwiched between Borana and Lewa Conservancies, allows Borana Lodge to be completely self-sustainable. Fruits, vegetables and beef are produced on the farm and prepared for the lodge’s guests.