What borana conservancy does

Borana Conservancy Ltd is a private, not-for-dividend Kenyan conservation organization managing a 28,000-acre protected area on the northern slopes of Mt Kenya on the Laikipia Plateau. Established as a ranch in 1928 and reorganized as a conservancy under Michael Dyer's stewardship from 1984, the entity was formally gazetted by the Kenya Wildlife Service and Ministry of Tourism in 2022. Since 2013 it has operated as part of the 90,000-acre Lewa-Borana Landscape alongside Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Ngare Ndare Forest, hosting over 250 black and white rhinos and maintaining a record of zero poaching incidents for more than ten years through a 120+ ranger team.

The conservancy's technology stack centers on the EarthRanger protected-area management platform integrated with a LoRaWAN low-power sensor network and 15 AI-driven camera traps deployed with Wildlife Protection Solutions. Six rhinos carry LoRaWAN transmitters following 2023 ear-notching of 42 animals, and image classifications from WPS feed prioritized alerts (red for humans, vehicles, rhinos; green for other wildlife) into EarthRanger for ranger deployment decisions, with Tableau used for downstream analytics. The portfolio also includes the Borana Mobile Clinic (over 700 patients per month across ten communities), the Borana Education Support Programme (500+ scholarships since 2009, 11 teacher salaries currently funded, 53 bursary students), the Mazingira Yetu environmental education programme, a Breakfast Club serving 3,400+ students, and the ShareStock regenerative livestock business co-owned with Lolldaiga, Enasoit, and the Oromat cooperative.

Revenue is generated primarily through tourism, with every visitor paying a conservation contribution bundled with accommodation costs at wholly community-owned lodges (Il'Ngwesi Lodge, Tassia) and conservancy-managed properties. Secondary income comes from ShareStock livestock sales (meat and milk) and donor funding from partners including Save The Rhino International, ForRangers, The Long Run, Kisima and Gundua Foundations, and Lion Landscapes. All retained earnings are committed to wildlife protection, community programs, and habitat regeneration — no shareholders receive dividends. The 2025 expenditure budget totals $1,818,460, allocated $972,987 to Wildlife & Habitat Protection, $235,208 to Community/Education/Healthcare, and $568,434 to Admin & Overheads.

Name

borana conservancy

Legal name

Borana Conservancy Ltd

Website

https://boranaconservancy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Borana Conservancy is a private, not-for-dividend Kenyan protected area manager operating a 28,000-acre conservancy within the 90,000-acre Lewa-Borana Landscape, serving international eco-tourists, 250+ rhinos, and neighbouring pastoralist communities through tourism revenue, anti-poaching ranger operations, and integrated community healthcare and education programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Support Activities for Animal Production (11521)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Sanctuaries & Rescue Centers (Visitor Operations) (THAAAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Guided Wildlife Safaris & Game Drives (Sanctuary/Reserve-Based) (THAAAFAF), Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation services
• Community-based conservation
• Eco-tourism operations
• Rangeland management
• Anti-poaching services

Headquarters

HQ city

Nanyuki

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Tourism and Accommodation: Visitors pay a conservation contribution alongside accommodation costs. All revenue supports conservation efforts, community programs, and habitat preservation. No shareholders receive dividends; retained earnings fund social and environmental responsibilities.
2. Livestock-to-Market / ShareStock: Cattle managed under ultra-high density grazing system are fattened and sold in local markets. ShareStock initiative creates commercial system for collective livestock ownership, generating income from meat and milk production for pastoralist communities.
3. 2025 Expenditure Budget: $1,818,460 USD annual spend in 2025: $972,987 for Wildlife & Habitat Protection, $235,208 for Community/Education/Healthcare, $568,434 for Admin & Overheads.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Borana Conservancy manages a 28,000-acre gazetted protected area on the Laikipia Plateau in northern Kenya as part of the 90,000-acre Lewa-Borana Landscape. It delivers integrated wildlife conservation (focused on black and white rhinos), anti-poaching protection with 120+ rangers, community healthcare and education services, rangeland rehabilitation, reforestation, and regenerative livestock enterprise. Its primary commercial channel is eco-tourism, where every visitor pays a conservation contribution bundled with accommodation costs.

Product overview

Borana Conservancy operates as a protected area management entity offering integrated conservation services across its 28,000-acre conservancy in Northern Kenya. The portfolio includes core protected area management for wildlife conservation (particularly black and white rhinos), anti-poaching services with over 120 rangers, community healthcare via the Borana Mobile Clinic reaching ten communities, education support through BESP and Mazingira Yetu programmes, and the Breakfast Club nutrition initiative. Revenue-generating conservation enterprises include tourism properties and ShareStock, a regenerative livestock business co-owned with pastoralist communities. Additional services include the Maiyanat Land Regeneration programme and a 500-hectare reforestation initiative. Borana is seeking $1 million in funding for its reforestation programme and is exploring carbon offset opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero poaching incidents in over 10 years
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.

• Lewa Wildlife ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013In 2013, the fence between Borana and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy was dropped, forming one continuous landscape. This connected ecosystem allows wildlife to roam freely over 90,000 acres, hosting over 250 black and white rhino.
• Ngare Ndare ForestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the connected Lewa-Borana Landscape ecosystem, allowing wildlife to roam across state-owned Ngare Ndare Forest and the broader conservancy network.
• Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment conservation partner; led the 2024 black rhino translocation to Loisaba; partnered on the National Rhino Range Expansion project. Borana was formally gazetted as a protected area in 2022 with KWS recognition.
• Save The Rhino InternationalkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey conservation partner supporting anti-poaching efforts and rhino conservation at Borana.
• ForRangerskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 2015, ForRangers raises funds through extreme endurance events to support Africa's rangers. Provides Borana ranger team with life insurance, kit and equipment.
• True RangekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical assistance partner for rangeland rehabilitation demonstration site at Maiyanat Community Conservancy. Partnership began in 2023 with funding from Lion Landscapes.
• Maiyanat Community ConservancykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorth of Borana, Maiyanat hosts the 180-acre rangeland rehabilitation demonstration site spearheaded with technical assistance from True Range and funding from Lion Landscapes.
• The Long RunkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability commitment independently audited by The Long Run. Borana is a member of The Long Run, sharing knowledge globally and implementing lasting conservation solutions.
• National Environment AuthoritykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability commitment independently audited by Kenya's National Environment Agency.
• Suzuki Rhino ClubkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2023, Suzuki Rhino Club partnered with Borana and donated a new Suzuki Jimny vehicle to support Mazingira Yetu educators visiting schools, students and parents.
• Mount Kenya TrustkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner organization collaborating with Mazingira Yetu Centre for broader conservation engagement and education.
• Daraja AcademysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafe-space boarding school for Kenyan girls; Mazingira Yetu Centre engages in visits, meetings, and collaboration to enhance conservation impact.
• Lewa Education ProgrammekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerBESP collaborates closely with Lewa Education Programme to ensure continued support for high-achieving students from surrounding communities.
• Lolldaiga ConservancykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerShareStock livestock startup co-owned with Borana Conservancy, using regenerative practices to manage large herds and restore ecosystems.
• EnasoitkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerShareStock livestock startup co-owned with Borana Conservancy, part of collective ownership model for sustainable livestock management.
• Oromat Livestock Co-operativekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPastoralist livestock co-operative partner in ShareStock initiative, enabling fair managed access to natural resources for communities.
• Wildlife Protection Solutions (WPS)keyTechnology or IntegrationPartnership to deploy 15 AI-driven camera traps monitoring gates and wildlife corridors. Images transmitted to WPS, scanned by AI software, and prioritized reports sent to Earth Ranger.
• Loisaba ConservancykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceived 21 black rhinos (12 from Lewa-Borana Landscape) in January 2024 translocation as part of National Rhino Range Expansion project.
• SegerakeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnticipated destination for rhino translocation in Q2 2025, as part of ongoing habitat expansion efforts.
• Il'NgwesikeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdjacent community-owned land owned by Il'Ngwesi Maa community. Rhino translocation support continues; part of connected landscape vision.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Northern Rangelands Trust: Kenyan community conservancy umbrella organization supporting 39+ conservancies across northern Kenya. Borana operates in adjacent and overlapping landscapes, and NRT provides a useful benchmark for governance, community integration, and donor aggregation.
• Big Life Foundation: East African wildlife conservation NGO with a comparable ranger-driven, technology-enabled anti-poaching model across the Kenya-Tanzania border. Operates similar EarthRanger-style monitoring and community ranger programs.
• African Wildlife Foundation: Pan-African conservation NGO active across Kenya's key landscapes including Laikipia. Provides donor aggregation, policy advocacy, and landscape-scale programming that overlap with Borana's habitat-protection mandate.

Direct peers

• Segera Retreat: Laikipia-based luxury conservancy and the planned Q2 2025 destination for additional Borana-origin rhino translocations. Operates the same convergence of conservation, community, and premium tourism.
• Ol Pejeta Conservancy: Largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, also on the Laikipia Plateau, combining protected-area management, community programs, and high-end tourism. Closest scale and operating-model comparable to Borana in the same ecosystem.
• Lewa Wildlife Conservancy: Adjacent Laikipia conservancy that dropped its fence with Borana in 2013 to form the 90,000-acre Lewa-Borana Landscape. Operates an identical rhino-focused, community-integrated, tourism-funded conservation model and shares ranger, technology, and donor ecosystems.
• Loisaba Conservancy: Laikipia conservancy that received 12 Lewa-Borana rhinos in January 2024, placing it directly in Borana's rhino translocation network. Runs a similar tourism + conservation + community model and competes for the same high-end safari guests.
• Ngare Ndare Forest Trust: State-owned indigenous forest that is the third pillar of the Lewa-Borana-Ngare Ndare connected landscape. Shares wildlife corridors, monitoring obligations, and rhino habitat responsibilities with Borana.

Others

• Save the Rhino International: A direct Borana partner funding anti-poaching and rhino conservation. Not a competitor but a relevant peer in rhino-specific funding, advocacy, and donor ecosystems in which Borana competes for grants.
• The Long Run: Global member-based sustainability consortium of which Borana is a member. Independent sustainability auditor of Borana's operations and a peer-set of comparable nature-based hospitality and conservation businesses.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/boranaconservancy
• Instagraminstagram.com/boranaconservancy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/borana-conservancy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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