^{Photo Credit: Borana Conservancy}

Going on a horseback safari at Kenya’s Borana Conservancy is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that actually lives up to the hype. You're out there riding through the bush on a horse, with giraffes and zebras walking nearby like it’s no big deal.

It's quiet and peaceful—you can actually hear the sounds of the wild, and you’re close enough to the animals that you feel like you’re part of the landscape, not just passing through it.

What’s cool about Borana is that it’s not just about tourism, it’s a full-on conservation project. The money from your stay helps protect rhinos, fund local schools and clinics, and support the rangers who patrol the area.

If you're lucky, you might even get to go out with the anti-poaching team and track rhinos on foot.

You don’t need to be a pro rider to do this either. They’ve got horses for all experience levels, and the rides can be anything from a chilled-out morning loop to a full-on adventure where you're cantering across the plains or riding into camp at sunset.

And if you're really up for it, you can do an overnight trip where you ride all day, then sleep in a remote tented camp under the stars with no one else around.

The scenery is next level too. One minute you’re riding through open grasslands, the next you’re in a shady forest or crossing a river.

Even when you're back at the lodge, it’s stunning. It’s set up on a hill with views over a watering hole where elephants and buffalo come to drink.

If you’re into horses or just want to do a safari that feels different and way more connected to nature, Borana is it.

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