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Ol Donyo Wuas is next to Tsavo West National Park and Borana is north of Mt Kenya (closest town Nanyuki)
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Riding holidays and horse safaris
Kenya ~ Lodges
Large estates, ranches where game and cattle co-exist and luxurious 'bush homes' are part of Kenya's colonial past and provide wonderful hospitality to the visitor, offering not only game viewing and the chance to enjoy Kenya's superb bush and wilderness, but also a wonderfully personal experience of Kenyan life. Borana, Sosian and Ol Donyo Wuas lodges are three of our favourites, ideal for anyone wanting to ride, perfect for a group with mixed interests and easy to combine with a few nights on the Kenyan coast, for a holiday that includes some of the best Kenya has to offer.
Ol Donyo Wuas
Ol Donyo Wuas is on the slopes of the Chyulu Hills in Southern Kenya, between Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks. Built by Richard Bonham, originally as his private house, it is a small personal lodge, which sleeps a maximum of 22 guests, and has exclusive access to quarter of a million acres of pristine wilderness. The lodge was completely refurbished in 2007 and the attractive 1, 2, and 4-bedroom cottages all now have private swimming pools and unique ‘star gazing’ platforms. Morning, evening and picnic rides are a lovely way to explore the rocky topped hills and open, acacia-studded plains with their numerous species of game that surround the lodge. As well as this, there are game drives and walks with an expert guide, day trips to Amboseli, a swimming pool and time, of course, to relax by the waterhole, where frequent visitors include elephant, oryx and eland, and soak up the peace of this idyllic retreat.
Borana
Borana Lodge is on the edge of the Samangua valley in Laikipia, about 4 hours drive north of Nairobi. Owned and run by the Dyer family, the stone and thatch lodge is a supremely comfortable, stylish, yet also relaxed and unaffected bush home, with swimming pool, verandas and panoramic views over the wilderness towards Mount Kenya. Herds of elephant often come to drink at the waterhole below the lodge, buffalo hide in the thick, shady bush, lion rest under acacia trees and many different antelope graze on the open plains. A good selection of horses, from polo ponies and thoroughbreds for experienced riders, to tough cross-breds for families with children, tailor-made riding that can include morning, evening or full day picnic rides, overnight stays in other lodges and friendly polo chukkas, not to mention game drives, guided walks and visits to local Masai or Samburu villages make Borana a fantastic holiday choice.
Sosian
Sosian is a privately owned game ranch on the Laikipia Plateau in central Kenya, an area bordered by the Great Rift Valley to the west, the Aberdares Range to the south and Mount Kenya to the southeast. Part owned and managed by Tristan Voorspuy, one of the pioneers of riding safaris in Kenya, it offers a highly personalised safari experience with a choice of game viewing by horse, by vehicle and on foot as well as other activities that include camel safaris, fly camping, fishing and swimming. Itineraries are tailor-made and a stay at Sosian is a superb choice for anyone looking for a flexible and relaxed safari holiday, with a variety of activities. Add a few days on the Kenyan coast and you have the ingredients for one of the best holidays imaginable!
Riding: tailored to suit, up to 6 hours a day.
Horses: polo ponies, TB crosses (some children's ponies available)
Pace: moderate and varied (tailored to suit).
Riding ability: confident novice to experienced riders; families welcome.
Weight limit: approx 95 kgs (15 stone) but please contact us just to check that a suitable horse / horses are available if you are close to this.
Accommodation: private lodges
Group size: Borana sleeps 16; Ol Donyo Wuas sleeps 22; Sosian sleeps 14. Riding at all is in small groups, usually maximum 8.
For Borana testimonials click here
For Ol Donyo Wuas testimonials click here
The horses include a mixture of breeds with several thoroughbred and Arab crosses, polo ponies, some local cross bred ponies and some South African Boerpede. They are between about 14hh and 16.2hh with some smaller childrens ponies available. They are responsive, forward going and thoroughly enjoyable to ride. Several are polo schooled. They are also sensible to handle, used to game and at home in the bush. Tack is English style with some Maclellan saddles also available at ODW. Riding groups are generally small, but the lodges sleep a maximum of 14 to 22 guests.
Hours: The riding can be varied to suit, with morning and evening rides out from the lodges for a couple of hours each, or full day rides with a picnic when there might be about 6 hours riding.
Pace and experience required: As the riding is tailored to suit, different experience levels can be catered for. However as you are riding in an area where there is big game, you should have some previous riding experience and as a minimum should be happy at a walk, trot and canter in open country on a well-schooled horse. You will enjoy the riding all the more if you are riding fit so if you are not riding regularly we recommend you put in a few hours a week riding in the months before your trip.
All three lodges are extremely comfortable privately owned lodges with excellent personal service. Accommodation is in individual cottages built of thatch and stone, using local materials, all simply but beautifully decorated. Cottages have either double beds or twin queen size beds and private bathroom and most have a private veranda. There is a main dining room in each lodge where meals are generally eaten. Borana sleeps a maximum of 16 guests in 8 cottages, Sosian sleeps a maximum of 14 in 4 cottages and Ol Donyo Wuas sleeps a maximum of 22 in 7 cottages. All lodges have swimming pools - some cottages at Borana and Ol Donyo Wuas have private plunge pools.
| Rates 2010 |
Safari rates are seasonal and calculated on a per night basis Borana Lodge Ol Donyo Wuas Lodge |
| Rates include - all riding, guiding and equipment, accommodation (based on two sharing), all meals and some drinks. | |
| Rates exclude - flights to Nairobi, transfers from / to Nairobi, personal medical insurance (compulsory), visa fees, some alcohol and personal items such as tips. | |
| Dates 2010 |
Lodge stays and tailor-made mobile camping safaris on request
|
| Season: | all months except some of April, May & November. |
The meeting place for the safaris is Nairobi, Kenya's capital. There are several direct flights from London to Nairobi each day with British Airways, Virgin and Kenya Airways. Several other airlines such as Air France and KLM have flights via Europe. For an economy return flight from London budget around £550 to £700.
(Ol Donyo Wuas and Borana, 10 night combined stay)
| Day 1 | Arrive Nairobi and transfer to Wilson airport for a private charter flight to the Chyulu Hills. Settle in, meet the horses and a first ride to see the area. Dinner and overnight Ol Donyo Wuas. |
| Day 2 |
A full day at Ol Donyo Wuas lodge, with morning and evening rides, game drives or guided walks to view game and explore. Dinner and night Ol Donyo Wuas. |
| Days 3-5 |
Set off on a 3 night mobile safari riding from camp to camp. Cross open plains, then head up into the Chyulus, watching game that grazes on the open plains and hides amongst rocky kopies, with Kilimanjaro a stunning backdrop. 3 nights spent in mobile safari camps. |
| Day 6 |
Ride back to Ol Donyo Wuas lodge. Lunch at the lodge, time to relax by the pool and an afternoon ride, game drive or walk. Dinner and night Ol Donyo Wuas. |
| Day 7 |
Scheduled safari link flight via Wilson Nairobi to Lewa Downs. Transfer by jeep through Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to Borana Lodge. Dinner and night Borana. |
| Days 8-10 |
Three days with morning, evening and picnic rides, drives or walks for game viewing on Borana perhaps visiting the main farm on the slopes of Mount Kenya. After riding, relax and enjoy Borana's wonderful setting, views and swimming pool. 3 nights Borana Lodge. |
| Day 11 | Early morning game activity, then transfer back to Lewa Downs for a safarilink flight to Nairobi. |
| Contact us on 01837-82544 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and answers to questions |
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