Sosian Lodge
Sosian is a 24,000 acre private wildlife conservancy that prides itself on managing a unique blend of tourism, conservation and traditional cattle ranching in Laikipia’s highlands. Sosian’s ranch house was originally built in the 1940’s by Italian artisans, and beautifully restored in recent years to accommodate up to 14 people, whilst maintaining the welcoming atmosphere of a private home, known now as Sosian Lodge.
You will be able to do as much, or as little as you like. While relaxing in luxurious comfort in beautiful surroundings, your only real concern is how you wish to plan your long African days – and you will find the choice is endless. Sosian’s speciality is in providing a totally private game viewing experience, away from the restrictions of National Park rules. This sense of freedom and exploration means that they can offer action packed adventures in the surrounding Laikipia wilderness.
You can chose from a multitude of ways of unique ways of seeing game with your own personal, experienced and very knowledgeable guide: horse riding, camel safaris, trekking, game drives, night drives, bush walking. The horses are well schooled, and easy to handle – and the saddles are English.
As well as big herds of elephant, zebra, buffalo, numerous species of antelope, giraffe and hippo; lion, leopard, cheetah and spotted hyenas are regularly spotted. Sosian is home to some rare and endangered mammal species such as Jackson’s hartebeest, Grevy’s zebra, Reticulated giraffe, striped hyena and aardwolf. There are three packs of African Wild Dogs in the area and sightings of these endangered predators are prolific. Sosian works closely with the Laikipia Predator Project collecting data on wild dogs and lions to protect both these species. The birdlife is spectacular and large raptors such as Martial Eagle, African Hawk Eagle, and Bateleur are resident and often seen.
One of the most special and exhilarating experiences is to spend the night fly – camping under the huge African sky and indulge in a delicious bush dinner around the camp fire. With nothing between you and the Laikipia plains but tarpaulin, the sounds, smells and sights are acutely magnified against the silent backdrop of the wilderness.
When you are not pursuing an unquenchable search for wildlife, there are other activities include swimming, fishing, archery, tennis, football, rafting, tubing down the river, jumping off waterfalls into refreshing rivers. A visit to a nearby Samburu settlement should not be missed and provides a fascinating insight into traditional pastoral life which has not changed appreciably in hundreds of years. Sosian has an expanding herd of 600 + head of Boran cattle (Kenya’s very own zebu breed developed from the native stock) including a pedigree breeding herd and small dairy. A tour of the ranching side of Sosian is another fascinating which we recommend. Guests can lend a hand with dipping, weighing and vaccinating and learn about the trials of keeping unfenced cattle in this wild environment full of large predators.
At Sosian Lodge there are seven comfortable cottages dotted throughout the verdant, shaded garden. Each one has it’s own private veranda from which you can enjoy the spectacular views of the Laikipia Plateau , and they also have a fully-plumbed en suite bathroom. The lodge has a beautiful rock swimming pool, set besides a soaring open sided thatched roof house, spaced with hammocks and comfy day beds, providing the perfect place to laze after your early morning safari.
Sosian is well known for its warm and friendly hospitality as your hosts will ensure all your requests during your stay are met. The delicious home cooked food using fresh ingredients from the garden, comes highly praised. There are lots of wonderful places for you to choose where to eat including picnics by the river, lunches by the swimming pool or a gastronomic feast in the dining room.
Sosian has now launched 5- 7 day horseback safaris, from Sosian through Laikipia staying at neighbouring lodges and camps. The riding and landscape are varied, and all the properties so different. This safari is perfect for those wanting an element of adventure, while still enjoying life’s luxuries.
Wild and Exotic recommends that not only is Sosian a wonderful place to visit if you are travelling on your own, as a couple or in a group – but it is a magical place to visit as a family. It gives the opportunity of a range of pursuits to suit all ages and levels of adventure, so that everyone has the opportunity to really experience the African wilderness in a way that they are most happy. When teenagers are becoming bored by a family holiday, Sosian is guaranteed to thrill and excite!
Climate: The ranch lies at high altitude (5500 ft), which makes for a perfect climate with few mosquitoes. Although it will be hot during mid day, evenings are enjoyably cool.
Seasons: Sosian closes for May and November.
Kenya general information and map
Capital: Nairobi
Getting there: Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta international airport is the hub of East African air transport, and it has connections to most European cities. The flying time to Nairobi is approximately 9 hours from London.
Time: GMT plus three hours
Try not to miss: The Masai Mara for breath-taking vistas and unrivalled game viewing opportunities that reach a peak during the migration of plains game and attendant predators between late July and mid September. Wild and Exotic have a selection of camps and lodges chosen for location and style of management that will ensure you are up close and personal with the action. A short distance away lies Lake Victoria, where the attractions include fishing for huge Nile perch and searching for the rare roan antelope in Ruma National Park. The beautiful Chyulu Hills also stand within the Mara ecosystem, close to Amboseli National park where large herds of elephant roam the plains against the backdrop Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro, just across the border in Tanzania.
The northern plateau of Laikipia sits beneath Africa’s second highest mountain, Mt Kenya, and is home to vast private and exclusive wildlife reserves where the visitor can enjoy fly camping, walking and camel safaris. Meru National Park is another far from the beaten track destination in Northern Kenya where we work with two fabulous lodges in pristine wilderness settings. For the adventurous we recommend a visit to the Northern Frontier District and Lake Turkana – otherwise known as the Jade Sea – and the Chalbi Desert, remote and wonderful destinations for the intrepid traveller.
After the excitement of the bush we recommend a stay beside the Indian Ocean, where deep sea fishing, diving, snorkelling, diving, and other water sports await the energetic. In our opinion the best Indian Ocean destinations in Kenya are to be found on the less populated and beautiful northern coastline close to Lamu, where we represent a handful of stunning and exotic hotels.
Visas: All UK visitors require a visa. Visas can be purchased from the Visa counter at Arrivals in the airport, or visas can be applied for online http://kenyahighcom.org.uk/wp-content/themes/kenyahighcom/forms/Form-22-Application-for-Visas.pdf. Visa processing time after application and payment is seven days, and is US$50.
Weather: July, August and September are considered the best times to visit Kenya. June, November, December, January, February and March are also good times to visit. There are short rains in November, and long rains in April and May.
Why Kenya: It is often said that Kenya has been spoilt by mass tourism, and it is true that certain areas have suffered from exploitation. However Wild and Exotic have identified scores of remote and exclusive lodges in many different regions of Kenya, where the timeless beauty of this country remains as captivating and wild as ever. Few countries in Africa can match her extraordinarily diverse landscape that includes the fertile plains of the Masai Mara and the Rift Valley, arid deserts in the North, Lakes Turkana and Victoria, the snow capped peak of Mt Kenya, and the azure blue Indian Ocean. The standards of service and guiding are consistently high throughout Kenya’s national parks and there is no better country in the world in which to view Africa’s wildlife at its magnificent best.
