Ride Kenya

Horse riding safaris in Kenya

Based near Ol Donyo Wuas Lodge in Southern Kenya, Ride Kenya offers luxury mobile safaris from set dates and on request throughout the season. Most safaris start close to Ol Donyo Wuas on the Masai owned Mbirikani Group Ranch then venture off into the different eco-systems of Amboseli and the wider Chyulu Hills, an area of some 1.4 million acres. An exciting journey through unexplored, untouristed wilderness with its quintessential African plains, volcanic craters and spectacular granite outcrops, these safaris are a wonderful way to combine exhilarating riding with game viewing. The area's scrub like acacia woodland is home to Kenya's last colony of truly wild black rhino; herds of buffalo shelter in the mist forest and elephant from Amboseli, renown for their enormous tusks, are often seen wandering across the plains.

After riding nights on safari are in a comfortable private camp that is moved and expertly prepared ahead of you and sometimes at Ol Donyo Wuas itself. Ideal for intermediate to experienced riders, safaris can also be organised for mixed groups on request, with non-riders welcome to join and spend days game viewing and exploring by vehicle or on foot.

Summary

Riding: 4-6 hours a day

Horses: polo ponies, TB crosses, Boerperds (some children's ponies also available)

Pace: moderate in the hills to fast, with plenty of long canters, in open country

Riding ability: confident intermediate to experienced riders

Weight limit: 95 kgs (15 stone) although, depending on ability heavier riders can sometimes be accommodated - contact us to discuss

Accommodation: 5* camping (mobile camps)

Group size: max 8

For Ride Kenya Safari testimonials click here

The horses include a mixture of breeds with several thoroughbred and Arab crosses, polo ponies, some local crossbred ponies and some South African Boerpeds. They are between about 14hh and 16.2hh, are responsive, forward going and thoroughly enjoyable to ride. Tack is English style with some Maclellan saddles also available.

Hours: There is usually about 4 to 6 hours riding a day, moving from camp to camp or riding out from camp with breaks to rest, for lunch and game viewing.

Pace and experience required: To join a safari you must be a fairly experienced rider who is comfortable on a horse at all paces from a walk to fast canter in open country. You will be riding in varied country where there is big game including elephant and lion. The going on the safaris varies depending on the terrain. It is slow in the hills, but there are opportunities for long canters in the dry riverbeds and on the open plains where riders are encouraged to spread out and take their own line. If in doubt about ability please contact us.

Accommodation
Accommodation on these safaris is in private tented camps set up especially for you along the route. Spacious, walk in double safari tents are used with comfortable beds, tables, chairs and linen provided. Each tent has a bathroom attached with a bucket shower and hot water on request and a private ‘long drop’ loo. There are plenty of staff to look after you and make sure you are comfortable.

Rates 2010	Ride Kenya 6 night Chyulu Hills Safari USD 4050 single supplement USD 947 6 night Amboseli Safari USD 4298 single supplement USD 1005 February Special Chyulu Hills Safari USD 3450 single supplement USD 947 Safaris will be confirmed for a minimum of 2 people. Maximum group size is 8 riders (plus guides)Contact us for rates for private group safaris (these depend on group size).
	Rates include - All riding and other available activities, guiding and equipment, twin accommodation (single tents only if paying supplement or if otherwise available), Conservancy fees, meals, drinks (except champagne, premium spirits and cellar wines) and laundry service, (and transfers from / to Nairobi by scheduled Safarilink flights on set departures only).
	Rates exclude - flights to Nairobi, transfers from / to Nairobi (except on set date departures) personal medical insurance (compulsory) staff gratuities and items of a personal nature Prices are quoted in US dollars as the ride prices are set in this currency. Payments to us can of course be made in pounds sterling if you wish and we can give you a sterling rate at the time of booking.
Dates 2010	6 night Chyulu Hills Safari 6th to 12th January 14th to 20th February* 7th to 13th June 12th to 18th July 20th to 26th September 6th to 12th December Special rate 6 night Amboseli Safari* 28th June to 4th July 2nd to 8th August 23rd to 29th August 27th December to 2nd January 2011 Other dates and tailormade itineraries available 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 flights from London to Nairobi each day - British Airways has direct daily daytime flights and Air Kenya has direct daytime and overnight flights. Several other airlines, such as Air France and KLM, have flights via Europe. For an economy return flight from London budget around £450 to £650.

Chyulu Hills Safari (Please enquire for Amboseli itinerary)

Day 1	Met in Nairobi and transfer to Wilson airport for a scheduled safarilink flight to the Chyulu Hills. Transfer to camp for lunch and then a short afternoon ride to try the horses. Dinner and night Lenkiliriti camp.
Day 2	A ride of 5-6 hours into Chyulu East National Park with the opportunity to see a good variety of wildlife. Picnic lunch and return to camp by a different route for dinner and the night.
Days 3	Set off through acacia scrub and then start the 2,000 ft ascent into the Chyulu Hills with good canters along the way. Picnic lunch then continue on to camp set up in the mist forest on the edge of a crater. Evening walk to explore the area before dinner and the night Crater Camp
Day 4	A morning ride in the hills with spectacular views of the classic African plains and Mount Kilimanjaro. After a picnic lunch, a walk in the mist forests to look for buffalo, leopard, and giant forest hog before transferring back to Crater Camp by car for dinner and the night.
Day 5	Mount up and start the descent from the hills through acacia forest and into a dry river bed looking out for signs of lion on the way. Emerge onto the plains where camp has been set up at the foot of a spectacular granite outcrop (kopje). Dinner and overnight Kopje Camp.
Days 6	Breakfast before dawn and set off for a last day’s riding. Head for a dry riverbed to look for elephant and for a gallop on the sand. After about 5 hours riding return to camp for a late lunch. Afternoon game drive or walk then dinner and overnight Kopje Camp.
Day 7	Early breakfast then transfer to the airstrip for a Safarilink flight to Nairobi.
	Contact us on 01837-82544 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and answers to questions