KENYA HORESBACK SAFARIS
Safari on the back of a horse is unlike any other kind of safari. With our steady, well loved and expertly schooled horses you will feel both secure and at one with the landscape. On our horseback safaris in Kenya, we require all our riders to be competent and confident at all paces; surprises in the bush cannot be predicted. Every day will see a plethora of wildlife: impala trotting alongside us, wildebeest whirling away, giraffe lolloping off in any direction and zebras calmly cantering into the distance. Vistas are always enormous, the wide African sky impossibly huge, and the horizon distant and hovering in the midday heat. It's a feeling of utter freedom and a return to existing as a human in harmony with the environment.
un-limited: adj great in amount, boundless, endless, etc., having no limits or limitations
HORSES & TACK
Our stable is home to over twenty-five safari horses – a mixture of Percheron-Boerperd, Friesian-Boerperd, Arab-French-Somali crossbreds, Appaloosas and thoroughbreds. The majority of these have been bred and raised at home on our wildlife conservancy in central Kenya. Living at close quarters with wild animals, our horses are familiar with being amongst big game, have great endurance and are evenly tempered. Under the professional guidance of Felicia and her team of grooms, each safari horse is carefully schooled, exercised and loved for the sole purpose of carrying our guests safely through the African wilderness. We ride in the English style using very comfortable English general–purpose saddles. Each riding safari is personally guided by Gordie, with Felicia on hand to assist with the horses. We ride between 4 to 7 hours, covering 20 to 30 kilometres per day. Full days of riding when we move camp are alternated with days where we ride out of camp and return for lunch and a siesta in the afternoon. Our weight limit is 90 kgs (200 lbs or 14 st) (or by prior arrangement). Riding groups of between 1 and 12 guests may be arranged. All riders must be confident at all paces, of intermediate level of fitness and riding ability, and have with them a sense of adventure. We are unable to accept beginners.
WHERE WE RIDE
Our horse riding safaris in Kenya are operated in the most game-rich wilderness locations on the continent, in some of the largest unfenced expanses in Africa. Far from civilization, the sense of space and freedom is overwhelming. These areas offer great diversity in wildlife species, birdlife and scenery. They are also home to the Masai and Samburu people, who roam the plains with their herds of livestock.
MASAI MARA
Altitude 5,000 – 6,500 ft.
Area c. 5,000 sq. kms.
The beauty of the greater Mara Conservancies has come to represent the epitome of East Africa. The landscape is one of rolling savannah and acacia woodland, intersected by dark green veins of riverine forest on the banks of the Mara and Olare Orok rivers. This wilderness is an extension of the Serengeti (Tanzania) ecosystem and is considered to be Kenya's best wildlife sanctuary, where animals can still be seen in vast numbers. Carnivores, antelopes, primates and rodents are some of the mammals to be found. The annual migration of up to one million wildebeest is thrillingly dramatic and considered to be one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in the world. Needless to say, the flora, fauna and birdlife are phenomenal. The Mara is also home to the colourful and handsome Masai people who, with their herds of livestock, are synonymous with the region.
LAIKIPIA
Altitude 4,000 – 7,500 ft.
Area c. 9,500 sq. kms.
Laikipia is a vast expanse of wild country in the central highlands of Kenya. It stretches from the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya in the east, across the equator to the Great Rift Valley in the west. The landscape is physically diverse with open grasslands, basalt hills, escarpments, rivers and dense forests. It is widely accredited as one of Kenya’s premier safari destinations, the combination of abundant wildlife and exceptional scenic beauty providing the basis for Laikipia’s unique and high quality tourism. Wildlife is free to roam between the surrounding conservancies, ranches and community lands into Kenya’s northern rangelands. High levels of community involvement and participation allow visitors privileged access to the ethnically diverse cultures of the Mukogodo Masai, Samburu, Pokot and other peoples.
ITINERARIES, DATES & RATES
Our horseback safaris are designed entirely around the wishes of our guests, riding over a country that is home to abundant wildlife, framed by endless panoramas. The speed, distance and nature of our rides depend entirely on the dynamics of each group. Because of the sheer multitude of wild animals to be seen, our bespoke horse riding safaris typically alternate between days riding out from our mobile camp and days on the move. This means we ride into new country every day, and on move days, we might cover between 20 to 30 kilometres. While our skilled crew break and move camp, we ride on horseback to meet them in the late afternoon. Aside from being a unique way to view wildlife, a horseback safari is also one of the most environmentally friendly ways of going on safari. In the event that any of our guests feel a little saddle sore, our four by four safari vehicles are on stand by to take them on game drives. Traditionally, most of our safaris cater for private parties, however we operate a select number of ‘set departure’ rides, on which guests are invited to join a group of other like-minded riders. We offer these on a limited number of set dates throughout the year.
8 nights
mobile chic private canvas
22 ~ 30 June 2023 (fully booked)
02 ~ 10 July 2023 (10 saddles available)
12 ~ 20 July 2023 (7 saddles available)
22 ~ 30 July 2023 (fully booked)
01 ~ 09 August 2023 (2 saddles available)
11 ~ 19 September 2023 (fully booked)
21 ~ 29 September 2023 (fully booked)
01 ~ 09 October 2023 (fully booked)
8 nights
mobile chic private canvas
21 ~ 29 September 2024 (12 saddles available)
01 ~ 09 October 2024 (fully booked)
2023 Rates: US$ 9,995 per person sharing
A SHORT RIDE IN THE MARA
6 nights
mobile chic private canvas
07 ~ 13 July 2024 (6 saddles available)
15 ~ 21 July 2024 (fully booked)
05 ~ 11 September 2024 (12 saddles available)
13 ~ 19 Sepetember 2024 (12 saddles available)
2023 Rates: US$ 7,800 per person sharing
THE LOLLBORAN RIDE
6 nights
mobile chic private canvas
Booked by private arrangement
2023 Rates: US$ 7,800 per person sharing
6 nights
A heavenly riding safari using our horses riding from exclusive lodge-to-lodge in north Kenya.
2023 Rates: US$ 10,500 per person sharing
9 nights
boutique lodge ride
Booked by private arrangement
2023 Rates : US$ 12,900 per person sharing
READY FOR THE ADVENTURE OF YOUR LIFE?
Get in touch with Gordie & Felicia to start planning an unforgettable safari!
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