Horseback Riding in Kenya
AMBOSELI SAFARI |
The Amboseli Safari passes through classic African big game country beneath snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro which towers a breathtaking 15,000 ft. above the surrounding plains. Amboseli National Park and the nearby areas hold some of Africa’s most abundant wildlife and, among many other kinds of wildlife, you will see huge herds of zebra and wildebeest, many types of antelope, lion and elephant.
The ride is fast paced at times and there are some good opportunities for gallops on dry lake beds and other places which provide excellent footing for the horses. This is Masai country and you will see the colorful tribesmen from time to time herding their livestock across the grasslands on the watch for marauding lion or leopard.
Camps are very comfortable and service is excellent. The skilled cooks provide tasty meals which you will greatly appreciate after a day in the saddle. There is a broad selection of responsive, sure-footed horses, and those who wish, can take them jumping over logs and brush when the opportunity presents itself. Knowledgeable and friendly guides help make this a marvelous introduction to the best of Africa.
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| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | Fly into Amboseli National Park, and be met by your guide at the airstrip.
Enjoy a wonderful morning game drive, en route to the first campsite on the south-west boundary of the Park. Amboseli is home to around 1,500 elephant which live in and around the swamps beneath Mt Kilimanjaro. This first game drive serves as an introduction to the Park, and its inhabitants. As well as the famous elephant, there are plenty of hippo, buffalo, plains game, predators and birds to enjoy viewing.
Arrive in camp, and be shown to your tent. Orientation around camp, have a cool drink, and then before lunch meet the horses and the staff who will accompany you throughout the safari. After a post lunch siesta, mount up for a two hour introductory ride through the yellow fever tree woodland at the base of Kilimanjaro. Today’s ride aims to get riders and horses acquainted at a gentle pace. Riders ease into their new surroundings whilst meandering through the woodlands in search of baboon, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impala, and gazelle. Do expect some trotting and cantering on this ride. |
| Day 2: | Depart at dawn on horseback for a morning exploration of the Kiturua Game Concession. Timing the ride early in the morning should enable riders to see the large herds of elephant that this area is famous for; the elephant emerge from their night time feeding areas and traverse the open plains en route to water holes on the far side of the concession.
Before heading over to these water holes, the ride meanders along the edge of thick bush, in search of predators such as lion and hyena, as they make their way back to their daytime cover. Soon the scenery opens up to flat, sandy terrain which in the cool morning air is just perfect for enjoying the first long, fast canters of the safari. The pace of this ride is fast, though there are good stretches of time when horses walk amongst the wildlife. Close to the water holes, large herds of plains game can be seen as they come to drink, in the safety of the bright sunlight. The ride approaches in attempts to see elephant, and also hippo as they enter the water to protect themselves from the heat of the day.
Enjoy a full English breakfast in the shade of an old Acacia tree close to the water, before returning to camp on horseback. Late lunch in camp is followed by a few hours’ rest in the heat of the day. An evening walk is offered, to stretch out riding muscles, and to learn more about the local flora and fauna, and the art of tracking. Scenic sundowners followed by a three-course dinner in camp. |
| Day 3: | Breakfast is served in camp before the morning ride. Horses and riders now acquainted, there is a chance to enjoy some jumping, as well as more interaction with game on horseback. Riding through the thick bush where the majority of the game is likely to be hiding, it is thrilling to come across a variety of wildlife; from flocks of guinea fowl, to herds of giraffe, or even jackals or hyena in the undergrowth. A common sight is the elephant again, though care is taken when riding with them in very thick cover.
Lunch in camp is followed by an afternoon game drive. Kiturua is home to a great variety of wildlife. The afternoon light, combined with the animals and scenery creates a good chance to take some phenomenal photographs which may have been difficult to capture on horseback. Today’s game drive often pauses for drinks at sunset, before heading back to camp with a spotlight, aiming to find predators as they begin their nocturnal hunting. |
| Day 4: | Depart camp early morning on horseback, with packed breakfast. Today’s ride leaves the Kiturua Concession and enters Amboseli National Park. Riding distance is about 30 miles, much of which traverses the game dense Enkongo Narok swamp. Expect to ride with large numbers of elephant, buffalo and plains game and perhaps even predators as the safari navigates through and around the swamplands.
The ride also crosses a vast dry lake bed so there are plenty of chances for galloping and also jumping some of the trees that have been pushed over by elephant. A Ride Kenya vehicle meets riders with cool drinks, cushions in the shade and a picnic lunch for riders and horses!
The ride today ends on Olgulului Ranch, on the North-western boundary of Amboseli.
After about seven hours riding, enjoy a hot shower and drinks in camp; an oasis of tall trees set in the midst of vast open country, with deep red soil and endless views. |
| Day 5: | An early departure from camp, as the ride today is aiming for the northern end of the majestic Chyulu Hills. Similar in length to yesterday’s ride, with a picnic lunch half way. Enjoy the scenery as it changes from deep red soil, through black cotton and into volcanic basalt. Expect to see migratory herds of eland, kudu, oryx, gerenuk, hartebeest, gazelle and giraffe as they too make their way from the swamps of Amboseli to the high country of the Chyulu Hills.
Enjoy meeting groups of nomadic Maasai herdsmen, and passing by their villages. Some Maasai still live a very traditional lifestyle, and experiencing their culture first-hand is fascinating. Arrive late afternoon into the new campsite. |
| Day 6: | Whilst the horses rest, set off on foot to climb Lenkiloriti; a massive volcano that offers stunning views of the Chyulu Hills. Take binoculars to the top and scan the forests below for the black rhino and breeding herds of elephant that reside in the area.
Enjoy lunch in camp today, followed by an afternoon ride through the beautiful volcanic landscape. This area is a favorite hunting ground for a local leopard. Perhaps opt to do a night game-drive after dinner to try to locate the leopard and other nocturnal animals that inhabit the area. |
| Day 7: | Depart camp on horseback and head though thick Acacia woodland towards the main base of the Chyulu Hills. The route winds through seemingly endless stands of whistling thorn acacia as it climbs into the hills. Ample opportunities to canter, gallop, and jump due to the excellent footing.
The Acacia woodland is home to many species of mammal including some of the biggest ‘Tuskers’ left in Africa. Over the course of the day, the ride ascends about 2,000 feet above the plains, with stunning views stretching for 90 miles on a clear day. Arrive at Crater Camp for a late lunch. The camp is nestled into a forest next to a large volcanic crater, and it overlooks the plains that stretch to the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Late afternoon, climb the volcanic crater in pursuit of the very rare Verreaux’s Eagle which nests in the nearly inaccessible rocky outcrops at the rim. Or, explore the lava tubes under the crater which lie within walking distance of the camp. These jagged caves stretch for miles as they lead away from the crater and have been used for generations of hunter-gatherers as shelter. Enjoy sunset in this most spectacular campsite. |
| Day 8: | Enjoy breakfast in camp, followed by departure by road, to the Ol Donyo Lodge airstrip for the schedule flight to Nairobi departing at 8:15am. |
| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
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| Pricing and Dates |
| Length of Ride | 8 days, 7 nights and 7 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Advanced Strong Intermediate Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-1 Maximum-10 |
| Riding Per Day | 4-7 hours |
| Pace | walk, trot, canter, with option to jump and gallop |
| Tack | English Saddles |
| Horses | Thoroughbreds, Somali Cross Ponies,Boerpeds |
| Weight Limit | 200 |
| 2012 Dates | January 22-29; February 12-19; June 23-30; July 21-28; August 4-11; December 30-January 6, 2013 |
| 2012 Price | $4,960-conservation fees and membership to the Flying Doctor's Society.
**Groups of 1-3 riders will be charged a “small group supplement” of USD $100 per person per day. The supplement will be refunded as soon as a 4th rider books.** |
| Single Supplement | $1,110 Single Supplement-not required for those willing to share |
| Transfers | $400-Subject to change |
| Additional Information | Insurance Required
A deposit of 50% of the ride price is required for this ride.
Ride price is set, guaranteed and final at the time deposit is paid. |
| 2013 Dates | December 30, 2012-January 6, 2013 |
| Transfers | Flight from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to Amboseli and Return-Included |
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