MASAI MARA ON HORSEBACK - KENYA
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This is the Full Monty - a serious exploration of Masai land on horseback in the classic mobile tented safaris of past generations. A rare opportunity to ride in 'Out of Africa' country accompanied by the highly professional and experienced bush guides. Being on horseback means you avoid all other people and those mini vans with tourists the Mara has become known for. It is just yourself, the horses and the game. This is a once in a lifetime experience involving long hours in the saddle and surrounded by the most diverse and numerous species of game in the world. This safari is of a luxurious calibre with walk in tents, beds and hot showers every night, complete with back up and support team of Masai staff, chefs, grooms, waiters and camp staff who move camp and cater for you and your horses' every need. A horse riding holiday experience of a lifetime!
SAMPLE ITINERARY - MASAI MARA ON HORSEBACK
Day 1
Your fabulous horse riding holdiay begins as you are collected from your Nairobi Hotel or directly from the airport. Drive with a picnic lunch through the fertile Kikuyu Highlands before dropping down 2000 ft into the Great Rift Valley. We cross the volcano studded floor of the Rift before ascending the Mau Escarpment on the far side and thence to the Masai capital of Narok. We reach our camp in a grove of acacia trees by a small stream at the southern edge of the Loita Plains at Olare Lamun (the rhino salt lick) in time for tea. There may be time for an evening ride. Overnight Olare Lamun.
Day 2
A full day to explore this remote area with abundant game. Drives, rides and walks may be taken from camp. Overnight Olare Lamun.
Day 3 Our first moving day and we break camp in good time as it is the longest ride of the trip covering nearly 50kms. We ride across rolling open plains and the game generally becomes more plentiful as we approach the Mara ecosystem. We should see herds of zebra, topi, giraffe, wildebeest, gazelle and there is a good chance of seeing elephant and buffalo as well. We reach our camp on the edge of the Masai Game Reserve on the Olare Orok lugga late afternoon. From camp we are likely to hear lion and hyena at night and the abundance of game is apparent everywhere. Overnight Olare Orok.
Day 4 & 5
Two full days of morning and evening rides from camp with the option of driving into the game park for some good photographic opportunities. From the landrovers we can get much closer to lion, elephant and buffalo than we are able to do safely from the horses. Overnight Olare Orok.
Day 6
Another moving day. We head west across the Mara plains and reach the Mara River on the Park boundary. We hopefully ford the river (unless in complete flood) at one of the famous wildebeest crossings and then head south west across the Mara Triangle where we have our picnic lunch before ascending the Soit Olololol Escarpment to reach our camp in a forest glade with magnificent views overlooking the whole Mara ecosystem. Overnight Soit Olololol.
Day 7
We ride South West along the top of the escarpment enjoying more glorious views to the east on excellent going for the horses. We hopefully see the beautiful Mrs Ross’ and Schalows Turaco as well as much plains game. We descend the escarpment on foot along a rocky cattle track and have a picnic lunch under some acacias at the foot of the escarpment. After lunch we ride back through the Mara Triangle at the foot of the escarpment before ascending on a game trail. Many bachelor buffalo herds are a feature of the afternoon. Overnight Soit Olololol.
Day 8
We descend the escarpment again and ride across to the same wildebeest crossing on the river. We head in a North Western direction and after lunch, we find our final campsite set up on the banks of the Mara River. Close by there are some hippo pools and their grunting at night is a special feature of this camp. Overnight Mara River.
Day 9
Leaving camp after breakfast with a picnic lunch we drive via the tea growing area of Kericho to Deloraine. Deloraine is the beautifully restored colonial country home of your hosts, and the home of the 70 horses the safari and polo strings are selected from. Surrounded by beautiful formal gardens, a croquet lawn and swimming pool the house has been impressively restored and furnished in its origional colonial style. In addition there are the stables, with polo grounds, a cross country course, dressage arena, show jumping areana and lungeing ring. The last few days give you a chance to recover from the rigours of the safari and relax to experience the colonial life style of Kenya. We arrive in time for tea and an evening walk around the beautiful garden.
Day 10
An early morning ride before breakfast is optional. Also day trips to either the nearby Lake Nakuru Park or Bogoria famous for their flamingos can be arranged with a picnic lunch. Overnight Deloraine.
Day 11
Transfer to Nairobi in time for your return or onward journey.
As with many riding holidays, the itinerary may change due to game movements and rainfall.
NOTES - MASAI MARA ON HORSEBACK
2009 dates and itineraries
2nd – 12th January 8 days Mara + 2 Deloraine
6th – 16th February 8 days Mara + 2 Deloraine
18th – 28th February 8 days Mara + 2 Deloraine
6th – 16th March 8 days Mara + 2 Deloraine
20th – 30th March Laikipia + 2 Sosian
5th – 15th June Amboseli + 2 Sosian
3rd – 13th July 8 days Mara + 2 Deloraine
17th – 27th July Laikipia + 2 Sosian
7th – 17th August 8 days Mara + 2 Deloraine
21st – 31st August 8 days Mara + 2 Deloraine
4th – 14th September 8 days Mara + 2 Deloraine
15th – 25th September 8 days Mara + 2 Deloraine
2nd – 12th October 8 days Mara + 2 Deloraine
16th – 26th October Laikipia + 2 Sosian
The weight limit for this ride is 15 st/209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Full board accommodation, professional guide, all National Park/Game Reserve fees, all camping, wilderness concession fees, full complement of safari crew (cooks, waiters, mechanics, drivers, grooms, porters and tent stewards), safari equipment and support vehicles, horses and saddlery, all transfers within the time frame of the safari.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights to and from Nairobi, a certain amount of alcohol, visas, travel insurance, staff gratuities and Nairobi hotel accommodation either side of the safari (if required).
FURTHER DETAILS
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