Overview
Safari with views of Mount Kenya
A working cattle farm since the 1920s, Sosian has pioneered a way to work in harmony with nature combining wildlife conservation, tourism and cattle ranching. Set on the Laikipia Plateau with views of Mount Kenya, the original ranch house is the focal point of the lodge and boasts a large sitting room, dining room, bar and billiards room. Find a spot on the wrap-around veranda and enjoy the views out over the bush. There are eight bedrooms dotted through the gardens.
Being on a private conservancy, there is an exciting mix of activities from game drives and walking safaris to wild swimming and horseback riding – a speciality of Sosian. There's a relaxed family feel here and it’s always a lot of fun.
A thriving conservation project, the income it generates in tourism goes straight into allowing Sosian to work on community projects. Some of the ways they are involved in neighbouring communities is in schools and education, healthcare clinics, family planning and community cattle buying schemes.
Facts
At a glance
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Seven rooms
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Swimming pool
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Bar
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Dining room
Experiences
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Game drives
For the best wildlife viewing, climb onto a 4X4 Land Rover with specially raised seats in the early morning or late afternoon. But a drive in the middle of the day could give you the chance to see herds of elephants playing in the mud at the river. There are also over 350 species of bird here.
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Riding safaris
Discover the bush surrounding Sosian on horseback. The terrain is varied and you’ll find yourself riding through rivers, along tracks and across open countryside. The one to three-hour rides are usually in the morning or afternoon and you might choose to ride to an overnight fly camp for a stayover.
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Walking safaris
The most intimate way of discovering the bush is on foot. Together with an experienced walking guide, you’ll learn how to follow animal tracks, identify dung and spot different flora and fauna. There’s a wealth of details waiting for you to notice that you miss from a vehicle. It is not necessary to be very fit, and your guide will adjust the walk to suit your preferences.
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Fly camping
Truly immerse yourself in the bush experience as you settle down for a night under the stars. Enjoy dinner at the camp fire and drift off to the distant sounds of lions, hyenas and leopards.
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River activities
Spend your days fishing, kayaking and jumping off waterfalls. With 15km of the Ewaso Narok River running through it, Sosian offers a variety of water activities. Make a splash or simply enjoy relaxing on the banks.
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Camel treks
The camels at Sosian are friendly and affectionate. Go for a 40-minute ride and enjoy the bush from a unique vantage point.
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Cultural experiences
Set in a culturally diverse part of northern Kenya, Sosian offers you the opportunity to visit one of the neighbouring villages or manyattas. Many of the nearby communities are nomadic, but visits can be arranged with the Samburu, Pokot and Turkana people.
Community & Culture
Sosian lies at the centre of three of Laikipia’s communities, the Samburu, Turkana and Pokot tribes. As well as employing approximately 120 people from our neighbouring communities, Sosian aims to train all staff on site in aspects of tourism, ranching and anti-poaching, thereby giving them the chance to progress when many did not even have the opportunity of secondary school.
Within the wider community, they help to provide children from a nearby school with books, stationary, desks and sports equipment. They also contribute to a clinic which handles health and family planning. Finally, the Sosian Cattle Trading Project buys community cattle during the dry periods, offering farmers good prices, when the prices would otherwise have been low.
Conservation
Over two decades ago, the land which is now Sosian Conservancy was an overgrazed and ecologically devoid cattle and sheep ranch where wildlife that was thought to pose a threat to the livestock was heavily persecuted. However, a change in management focused on restoring the ecosystem and conserving the wild species native to the area in a way that works in harmony with cattle rearing.
Sosian has been instrumental in setting up a secure corralling system to protect cattle from lions at night. They also run anti-poaching and ranger training, and have a rangeland and water management programme.
Footprint
Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
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Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
What makes us different
Why Niarra
Niarra Travel is a forward-thinking travel company headquartered in London born out of a passion to do things differently.
In Swahili, a Bantu language spoken by millions in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, the name Niara means "with utmost purpose" and our team are united by a passion for exploration and a belief that the right kind of travel can make the world a better place.
Our Travel Researchers are here to create incredible trips with a positive impact for you.
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Unforgettable experiences
Creating your trip is entirely collaborative and our Travel Researchers are here for every step.
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Positive impact
Curated sustainable experiences and accommodation that maximize the benefits to local people and place.
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Fairness and transparency
An open, competitive pricing structure that ensures more money goes to where it's needed in the destination.