Sosian Lodge is an old, colonial-style estancia, or ranch farm, situated on the Laikipia Plateau in northern Kenya. It's one of the oldest working lodges and ranches in Kenya, dating back to the 1940s, and while it's been through several renovations since then, many of the original structures and features remain intact.
Sosian opened as a lodge only in 2002, and since then great efforts have been made to restore game to this region of Laikipia, where previously most of it had been hunted to extinction. While it doesn't have anything like the same concentration of game as the Masai Mara, there is a huge variety of wildlife in the region surrounding Sosian Lodge. With the exception of rhino, almost all of the big game can be seen at Sosian, including lion, cheetah, giraffe, elephant and leopard. Plains game, including zebra, ostrich, gazelle, oryx, are seen in large numbers.
The means available to you for exploring the ranch and its surrounding wilderness are as varied as the wildlife. Walking safaris (with options for fly camping on longer walks) and 4x4 game drives are offered at Sosian Lodge, as are camel safaris. The highlight, however, is undoubtedly the horse riding safaris. There are over 20 riding horses on the ranch, which guests can take into the bush, either on gentle trots within the vicinity of the ranch (suitable for inexperienced riders), or on full-day gallops across the plains. It's a wonderful experience, and allows you to get much closer to the game than is possible on foot or even by vehicle.
Accommodation
There are eight guest cottages at Sosian, scattered among the gardens. The rooms are spacious and beautifully furnished, and each one individually decorated. The atmosphere is very much that of a private home, rather than a resort.
Of the eight rooms, one is a large family unit (though any of the rooms can be converted into triples with the addition of an extra bed), and another a secluded honeymoon suite.
Dining
Dining at Sosian Lodge is always a wonderful experience. Much of the produce is grown on-site, in the vegetable and herb gardens, and most of the rest bought locally. Meals are served on the verandah, in the gardens by the pool, or around the communal dining table in the main ranch. Bush meals are also an option.
Facilities
Horse and camel stables
Bar and lounge
Swimming pool
Tennis court
Activities
Horse riding safaris
Short camel rides
4x4 game drives
Walking safaris
Rock-jumping, archery and fishing
Child Policy
Children over the age of 5 can be accommodated at Sosian Lodge. Do note that some of the activities, such as the horse riding and walking safaris, are restricted to children over 12 years.
