Hidden at the heart of Borana Conservancy and in the hilly parts of Kenya is Lengishu House, an exclusive hotel offering tourists a view of the extensive wildlife.
Joe and Minnie MacHale, from Hampshire England, are the owners of the breathtaking hotel, a mansion that was once their family home.
Reportedly, the couple had stayed in the country for a long time and longed to create something special. It was built with locally sourced materials and expertly crafted by local artisans.
"Our family’s love of Kenya began over 40 years ago during Minnie’s life-changing four-year stay in Nairobi, from which we gained a number of deep and lasting friendships, together with an appreciation of the beauty of this country and the friendliness of its people. As a result, we embarked on our first family safari holiday in Kenya some 20 years ago," Joe noted on the hotel's website.
According to Billionaire Magazine that toured the hotel, former President Uhuru Kenyatta was the first paying guest in 2018.
“It sort of just grew into the idea until it made sense. Initially, we planned to have eight staff; actually, we need 25 to keep it ticking over,” Minnie told Billionaire Magazine.
"Lengishu was designed to blend quietly into its natural surroundings, taking care not to break the silhouette of this ridge. My wife Minnie, who had a background in interior design, worked with a local designer and his team of local builders," the husband noted in an interview with the Independent, a UK publication.
Often, the house accommodates six guests for Ksh1.3 million (USD10,000) per night excluding conservation fees of Ksh25,500 (USD190) for adults and Ksh12,250 (USD95) per child. The house allows accommodation for a minimum of three nights.
The price includes full-board accommodation local airstrip transfers, sundowner excursions, soft drinks, beers, house wines and spirits, laundry and WiFi,
Additionally, it includes activities like game drives, guided bush walks, mountain biking, behind-the-scenes conservation activities including tracking rhinos on foot, and one horse-riding excursion per person.
They exclude the conservation fee, activities beyond Borana Conservancy, any outsourced activities, conservancy and visits to the Ngare Ndare forest, and gratuities.
During a past interview, the couple disclosed that establishing a home in the conservancy came with some challenges and they had to align themselves with the 4Cs, community, culture, conservation, and commerce.
"Our intention is to support local people and their traditions. Ensuring that local employment and successful commerce continue to thrive," Joe told the Independent.
The house is situated on a hilltop offering a heavenly view of the wildlife and Savannah below. It is decorated with antique paintings as well as sentimental ornaments from the couple.
It also has floor-to-ceiling windows that allow natural light into the houses.
Since Borana Conservancy is home to the big five- rhinos, lions, elephants, leopards, and buffalos, the guests at the hotel get front-row seats to get a close-up of the animals among others including hundreds of bird species.
In line with climate conservation, the hotel majorly uses solar energy to run the facility.
"We offer an exclusive-use six-bedroom family home sleeping a maximum of 12 adults at the heart of Borana Conservancy."
In June 2022 it was ranked among the best villas worldwide by Travel + Leisure Magazine.
