Arijiju

BORANA CONSERVANCY, LAIKIPIA, KENYA

Arijiju

Eco Lodges

since december 2020

Arijiju was designed to lie low in Borana-Lewa Conservancy’s Sieku Valley wilds in Northern Kenya. Partly sculptured into the rock bed with grass roofs, there’s a low-impact beauty that seeps through the entire Arijiju experience. The five-bedroom private house is acutely aware of its interconnected relationship and dependence on the thriving ecosystem, cultures, and communities that surround it.

Arijiju offers a range of different activities and encourages guests to stay for longer rather than the usual hopping from one safari camp to the next. This allows guests to have a slower and more enriching stay, peppered with experiences that are owned and led by the surrounding villages and communities. Alongside the carbon-efficient and sustainably built thatched spa, fresh kitchen garden produce and ethically reared meat, biking safaris, and hiking through Ngare Ndare Forest, there’s the chance to visit local villages and enjoy football matches with the Arijiju community team. The owners say, ‘Our mission is to provide a space that people can come to and completely leave behind the stress of their everyday life. We want our guests to leave with a sense of revival whilst also knowing how important it is to travel to places that strive to make a positive impact on their environment. Arijiju aims to support the Borana Conservancy and greater Laikipia region as much as it can.’

CONSERVATION

Situated on the 90-000 acre Borana- Lewa Conservancy.

Monthly contributions to Borana Conservancy helps to fund the protection of 14% of Kenya’s Black Rhino population, alongside over 300 elephants, flourishing lion prides, cheetah, leopard, giraffe, and many other endangered species.

COMMUNITY

Over 75% of the employees are from the local communities

Arijiju aims to give at least two internships a year to people from the local community so they can gain experience in the hospitality industry.

CULTURE

Visiting the Arijiju cultural Manyatta – this is a traditional village set up by the Maasai community to the North of Borana Conservancy on community-owned land.

Whilst guests are staying at Arijiju, if they would like beaded gifts such as beaded bracelets and belts, a lady from the neighboring community of Chumvi is asked to make these items.

COMMERCE

Invests in Borana Conservancy and contributes directly to the running costs of the conservancy, community outreach programmes and the protection of the ecosystem.

Arijiju focuses in slow immersive travel experiences.

Arijiju’s Highlights

The house has five large bedroom suites, a roof terrace, library, home cinema, squash court, tennis court, gym, hammam, spa treatment room, hot tub, and 25-meter infinity lap pool.
Green Purchasing –Arijiju aims to use eco-friendly and sustainable suppliers as well as shop locally as much as possible.
Arijijus Environmental Practices: The water management includes collecting rainwater and reusing grey water as well solar harvesting for running and powering the entire property.
Arijiju is built to blend into the landscape and in keeping with Kenyan traditions.