Africa

Riding Safaris

Kenya boasts some of Africa's most beautiful landscapes and finest game viewing in all of Africa. From the snow and glaciers of Mt Kenya to rain forests, savannah plains, freshwater lakes, parched deserts and idyllic shores of the Indian Ocean coast, the country offers a bountiful array of environments.

Offbeat Safaris 

To ride on horseback across the real Africa, where you might not see a fence post for 200 miles or more, is a huge privilege: combining magnificent scenery with the thrill of riding amongst teeming herds of game is something no horse lover coming to Africa should miss. All the horses are home or ranch bred to a very high standard, thoroughbred and thoroughbred cross. The safaris cover 20 - 30 miles per day with opportunities for long canters and gallops and you will often encounter big game.

Nights are spent in fully serviced mobile camps in remote and secluded areas, supported by lorries and Land Rovers. Adventure is blended with creature comforts, freshly prepared meals and ice cool drinks. Accommodation is in spacious double sleeping tents with en suite toilet and hot water bucket shower. At the end of most safaris you will also spend two nights at Deloraine, an old colonial house located near Nakuru in the Rift Valley. There are lovely rides on the surrounding 5000 acres farm with interesting day trips to Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria.

Regular 10-day safaris operate on a set departure basis around the Masai Mara National Reserve, crossing the plains below the Loita Hills to the foot of the Bardamat Hills and onwards to the Mara River. This is some of the most impressive wildlife country in Kenya, home to abundant plains game and feline predators, and game drives by 4x4 Land Rover and bush walks supplement the 4 - 6 hours daily spent in the saddle.

Longer two week Long Distance Saddle Safaris also operate on a regular basis, both in the Mara region and on the Laikipia Plateau.

There are a minimum of 4 and maximum of 12 guests on each set departure trip. Please note that riding safaris do not operate in the months of April, May, November & December owing to the onset of the rains. Tailor-made safaris can also be arranged.

Kenya Safaris Unlimited

A horseback safari is one of the most unique and exciting adventures in East Africa. These safaris that journey through the game-lands of Kenya on Somali-Arab crossbred horses provide an exceptional opportunity to experience wildlife and habitats off the beaten track.

In the saddle your trek will take you through mountains and forest, across vast open savannah, into rivers and water-holes and up huge escarpments, all filled with a variety of animals. There are no fences, telegraph poles or tarmac roads and the sense of space and freedom is quite overwhelming. Imagine riding across the open plains surrounded by zebra and wildebeest or watching a family of elephant feed, or imagine a gallop alongside a herd of giraffe.

Your safari starts either in the Loita or Chyulu Hills, some 150 kms from Nairobi. After having spent a night in a comfortable Nairobi hotel you will be driven out to a first camp set up by a spring or in a glade of acacia trees. Each day, your saddlebags are packed with a picnic, hip flask, camera and sunscreen and you head into the wild blue yonder, riding for about 3 to 7 hours. Meanwhile the skilled safari crew have broken camp, driven round on bush tracks and re-erected the whole 'show' in time for your arrival. You arrive at your new hideaway in time for tea, cocktails and a hot shower followed by a sumptuous supper cooked over an open fire.

There are several different riding safari itineraries from which to choose:

Chyulu Trail to Kilimanjaro - an 8 days ride in the shadows of Mt Kilimanjaro, following the line of the 7000 ft Chyulu Hills to vast game-filled plains below.

The Aloe Blossom Ride - a 9 days exploration on horseback in the Masai Mara region, crossing from the Loita Hills to the Mara River.

Mara Mounted Patrol - a 13 days riding expedition across Masailand, from the Loita Hills across the plains of the Masai Mara, accompanied by 4x4 vehicles for close-up game viewing.

The Drumbeat of Africa - a 13 days combination riding and lodge safari visiting Meru National Park, the Aberdare Mountains, the Rift Valley and the Masai Mara.

Nowhere Left to Hide - a 16 days odyssey in Masailand and the Rift Valley, finishing at Longonot Ranch House near Lake Naivasha.

During the riding safari nights in the bush are spent in fully serviced luxury mobile tented camps with comfortable beds and hot water showers. Meals are taken in the mess tent and are prepared from the freshest ingredients.

All safaris are arranged on a private, tailor-made basis throughout the year except during the month of April. Rates vary according to group size (2 - 10 guests recommended) - please contact us for full details.

Ol Donyo Wuas
Ol Malo
The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille

Loisaba
Lewa Safari Camp
Borana

Sosian Lodge