Sosian
Sosian is a privately owned ranch in the heart of the Laikipia escarpment in central Kenya.
Sosian is a very exclusive and well run property offering a wide range of experiences across the beautiful Laikipia countryside. The homely central areas are housed within the restored farmhouse which leads out to a wide verandah, lawn and sweeping views. The accommodation is very comfortable but not opulent, and management and service is attentive and friendly. Activities are flexible and varied. There is plenty of wildlife on Sosian, including the predators, and game drives are undertaken daily. However to make the most of Sosian guests will have the chance to walk and ride, perhaps try fishing or river swimming, or experience a more adventurous night out fly-camping. There are also opportunities to see how the ranch side of the property works alongside wildlife conservation. The property will suit travellers who enjoy warm hospitality, good food and flexible and varied activities, but who do not require five star luxury.
Rooms
Acccommodation is provided in seven rooms, contained within four cottages set in the manicured lawns of the gardens. There are three purpose-built cottages, each containing two en suite bedrooms and private verandahs. Interleading from one of the rooms is an additional children’s en suite twin/triple room, which creates a ‘family cottage’. The fourth cottage, known as the ‘Italian Cottage’, is set in a more private location and contains just one, large en suite bedroom.
Central Areas
The central areas are held the original restored farmhouse which contains a large sitting room with fireplace, a snooker/games room, and a more formal dining room where dinner is taken – most breakfasts and lunches are taken on the wide verandah or by the pool. There is a small curio shop, a lovely swimming pool and even a tennis court. Massages can be arranged by the pool (treatments at extra cost).
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for Charging – Yes
Swimming Pool – Yes
Habitat & Wildlife
The Laikipia covers a significant portion of dramatic countryside in northern Kenya, sandwiched between Samburu and Mount Kenya in the east and the Aberdare Mountains and Great Rift Valley in the west. The central section of the area is covered by a lava plateau which creates a series of rocky escarpments offering epic views, whilst a series of rocky outcrops and hills dot the landscape revealing the landscapes much more ancient history (some of these rocks are thought to be around 80 million years old). The region is divided into a number of private ranches, conservancies and community lands with farming (cattle mainly), wildlife conservation and local populations all existing in relative harmony. As the region is increasingly closely managed, and the local communities are made more aware of their role in conserving wildlife and benefitting from this, there has been an increase in properties dedicated solely to wildlife, and in these areas the wildlife populations are growing steadily. Some private ranches have been concentrating on wildlife conservation for many years and offer superb game viewing experiences, though in general the Laikipia region is better known for its wilderness, scenery and the wide variety of activities on offer.
The terrain and habitat is varied with two main rivers dissecting the region – the Ewaso Nyiro and Ewaso Narok. These rivers are fed from Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountains respectively, and provide year round water through what can otherwise be described as a dry and harsh environment. Around 250 species of birds have been recorded and the mammal list includes greater kudu, gerenuk, wild dog, elephant, buffalo, cheetah, leopard, lion, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Thompson and Grants gazelle, eland, Beisa oryx, defassa waterbuck, striped hyaena, spotted hyaena, baboon, vervet monkey, jackal, warthog and many smaller species such as caracal, African wild cat, serval, genet, civet, porcupine, aardvark, aardwolf and rock hyrax.
Activities
One of the highlights of Sosian is the wide range of activities on offer which allow guests to experience the conservancy to its full and make for an interesting and varied holiday destination. The ranch, covering some 24,000 acres, is a working property (Sosian has local Boran cattle as well as its own extensive vegetable garden), so a safari here includes more than just viewing the wildlife. Activities include day and night game drives, guided walks (1-2 hours), camel treks, mountain biking (two sizes for adults and teens are available – maximum group size seven guests), kayaking, fishing (course fishing for catfish, barble and tilapia), and guests can also go running with a ranger. Sosian has an established stable yard and offers horse riding safaris for experienced riders only – these are two to three hours per ride in the morning or afternoon. For novices, they can offer garden rides and lessons in the fenced arena. Overnight fly-camping experiences are also included which includes a bush dinner and sleeping on a camp bed with sheets and blankets in a light weight tented camp or on a bedroll under the stars.
Guests can also join the ranch manager for a morning and get involved in the ranching activities, gaining insight into how cattle and wildlife can coexist. A visit to a local school is also possibly subject to term time and availability. At extra cost it’s possible to visit a local manyatta.
At extra cost, longer walking safaris or horse rides and camel treks, with overnight fly-camping, can also be arranged.
Seasons
Sosian is open from December through April and then again from June through to the end of October each year.
There is no age restriction at Sosian, and the style of the lodge, including a shallow swimming pool, and the warm welcome make Sosian ideal for families with children of all ages. The Family Cottage is perfect for families with younger children, whilst the Garden Cottages are very suitable for families with children old enough to have their own room. The wide range of activities make this an adventure playground for teenagers and more adventurous families can enjoy many wonderful experiences beyond the game viewing.
Sosian is a story of conservation success, restoring previously neglected land to a haven for wildlife. In its efforts to protect and restore the ecosystem, the local community was vitally engaged and training and employment was offered to build a strong anti-poaching team, and dedicated work force for the tourism lodge. Sosian employs over 100 people from our neighbouring communities to help run the tourism, cattle, conservation, anti-poaching and security on the conservancy.
In addition to training and employment, Sosian supports the wider community needs, including operating a program supporting the local school which is just 3km from the ranch and sees 330 children attend daily. Over the years Sosian has contributed to the building of new classrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, desks, playground equipment as well as providing teacher salaries and offering scholarships for secondary education. School visits may be arranged during your stay and the staff and pupils are delighted to meet guests from Sosian. local health clinics and schools.
Sosian also actively supports the local health clinic, contributing to the nurses’ salaries and help with medical training. This clinic is vital when it comes to immunisation, basic health issues and family planning.
Alongside community support, Sosian is involved in a number of conservation projects. They are supporters of the Laikipia Predator Project which have fitted a number of lions and wild dogs with radio tracking collars to gain information on their movements and behaviour to better manage their conservation.
They are also members of Laikipia Wildlife Forum which aims to protect the area’s wildlife by promoting sustainable land use. The farm has removed their fences to allow wildlife to move unrestricted and use security patrols to deter poachers.
