Horseback Riding in Kenya
SOSIAN RANCH |
During the colonial era a strong ranching industry was built on the Laikipia Plateau with enormous ranches of over 100,000 acres and herds numbering in the thousands. This ranching tradition carries on but has of course changed with the times. Now ranchers realize that the wildlife populations, once seen as competition for scarce grazing, are a huge asset with the rise of eco-tourism. Sosian Ranch still raises cattle and sheep, but also works to encourage the return of wildlife and the ranch now boasts resident lion prides, leopard and the rare wild dog.
In addition to walking and game drives, Sosian is perfect for horseback and camel riding. The ranch has numerous trails of varying levels of difficulty, and a ready supply of well-trained horses. It is home to 18 horses and going for a ride is one of the most wonderful ways of blending into the bush and seeing wildlife. You can get up close to the game, but also get away quickly if you need to! Not for complete beginners, but not to be missed by anyone keen on riding. Most of the horses are thoroughbreds and crosses, ranging from 14 hands to 16 hands and a combination of English saddles and Australian Stock saddles are used.
Sosian was fantastic: great horses, good footing, excellent wildlife, good food. Annabelle was really wonderful, and Charlotte, whom I met only on my last day, was also very nice. They gave me a really fine horse to ride, and a good jumper. Some great rides among the giraffes and avoiding the elephants. Saw leopards for the first time, and walking to/swimming in the river was a great way to spend the middle of the day.
- John Beardsley
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| Itinerary |
A Typical Day At Sosian Ranch
Early wake up at 06.30 with a cup of tea or coffee brought to your room.
After a quick light breakfast, an exhilarating ride through the ranch property with great views of the wildlife before the heat of the day sets in. Or, if you prefer, a morning game drive, stopping for a walk led by a professional guide, a chance to learn about tracking and the smaller details of the bush.
Picnic brunch on the side of the river, then return to the lodge to relax by the pool or siesta.
After tea an evening drive, or fishing expedition, sundowners on top of a hill overlooking miles of African wilderness followed by a night drive with a spotlight in search of leopard, porcupine and more exciting nocturnal animals.
Back at the lodge, a quick shower and then a 3 course dinner in the cozy dining room with an open fire.
The ranch offers the following activities:
Game Drives
The best way to cover distance is by vehicle and being in a 4x4 certainly enables you to get close to the wildlife. The animals react differently when you are in a car, they virtually ignore you, enabling visitors to get some great photos and to just sit and enjoy looking at them and observing their behavior. Game drives are available at most safari camps and lodges in Kenya, but Sosian is fortunate to be able to offer so much more; make sure you try some of the other activities.
Night Drives
Night drives are an adventure not to be missed, taking you out after dark in an open vehicle with a spotlight in search of exciting nocturnal species such as aardvark, striped and spotted hyenas, leopard, porcupine, white-tailed mongoose, bush-babies and genets.
Camel Riding
Camels are a familiar sight in Northern Kenya and have been raised here for hundreds of years. Not only are they very hardy providers of milk for northern Kenyan farmers, they are friendly and wonderful to ride as they provide such a great vantage point from which to see the bush.
Fly Camping
Fly-camping means sleeping outdoors in a very simple camp, eating under the stars around a camp-fire and falling asleep listening to the noises of the African bush. At Sosian Ranch we offer small private groups the opportunity to do exactly this, quite different to staying in the lodge and a completely unique experience.
Fishing
Take a rod and a local expert and venture down to the river, or one of the pools below the waterfalls, or to one of the dams on Sosian Ranch. Tilapia, barbel and catfish are all common takers for worms or bait. Fly-fishing has also been tried and you are welcome to bring your own rod. We have spinning rods at Sosian for adults and children and it is a very popular way to spend a late afternoon, not only might you catch a fish or two but usually you will see an array of wildlife whilst you are fishing.
Bird-Shooting
Kenya has excellent populations of sand-grouse and guinea fowl, both Helmeted and Vulturine, and we can arrange bird-shooting safaris from Laikipia Ranch. For serious enthusiasts, day-trips and overnight safaris to Kalacha, an oasis in northern Kenya's Chalbi desert are available at an extra cost, and here you can find one of the highest populations of sand grouse in Africa and excellent shooting.
THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES.
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| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
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| Pricing and Dates |
| Meeting Point | Nairobi |
| Riding Ability | Strong Intermediate Intermediate Novice |
| Riding Per Day | Flexible hours |
| Pace | Flexible depending on Ability |
| Tack | English |
| Horses | Thoroughbreds, Somali Cross Ponies |
| Weight Limit | 210 Ibs |
| 2012 Dates | Year Round, excluding April 16-May 31, and November |
| 2012 Price | Peak Season (Dec. 16-Jan. 2, 2013) $650 per night
High Season (Jul. 1-Oct. 31)
$580 per night
Mid Season (Jan. 3-Mar. 31)
$515 per person
Green Season (Apr.1-15,June,Dec.1-15)
$460 per person
Price includes conservation fees. |
| Single Supplement | $130 per night |
| Transfers | See additional information |
| Additional Information | The following Transfer Options are One Way:
Option 1: Drive (6 hours) from Nairobi to Sosian Ranch (must leave Nairobi by 10am). Price $440 total.
Option 2: Fly from Nairobi (Wilson Airport) to Nanyuki and drive the 2 hours from Nanyuki to Sosian Ranch Price $300 per person.
Option 3: Fly from Nairobi (Wilson Airport) to Loisaba and drive the 1 hour from Loisaba to Sosian Ranch Price $345 per person.
*All transfer prices are based on double occupancy and are dependent on travel dates.
Insurance Required
Ride price is set, guaranteed, and final at the time deposit is paid. |
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