Few experiences can match horseback riding safari amongst a cantering herd of migrating wildebeest in Masai Mara, open grass land in Lailipia and zebras of Samburu. Traveling on horseback opens up vast unfenced tracts of Kenya wilderness, far from any road, and in Kenya you can ride for hundreds of miles without seeing any trace of humankind. While Africa wildlife are nervous of human beings on foot, they are far more relaxed about riders on horseback. Your human form and scent is disguised by your mount and it is possible, on horseback, to mingle in with grazing herds.  As a part of Africa's living environment, a horseback safari in Kenya gets you closer to nature than any other means of travel. It also enables you to reach regions too remote for even the sturdiest four-wheel drive.

It's essential to realistically assess your horse-riding skills and choose an appropriate horse riding safari. You don't need to be a world-class rider, as there are several operators Kenya who cater for complete beginners. Longer safaris in more remote regions require a higher level of proficiency. If there is a lion in the long grass you need to be able to stay in the saddle as your horse will certainly react quickly.

Several lodges and camps have their own stables and can offer short half-day rides. Some African farms involve horses in every aspect of day-to-day life, and guests at selected farm-stay lodges can participate in cattle mustering or impromptu games of polo: a vivid experience of rural African life. Committed riders can choose from a range of horseback safaris that last for days or weeks, fly-camping in the bush, dining under the stars and tacking up at daybreak for full days in the saddle.
Horse Riding Safari 10days

Day 1 – Nairobi
On arrival in Nairobi you will be met at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and transferred to Norfolk Hotel Nairobi for overnight stay.


Day 2 – Nairobi-Masai Mara
We then drive for approximately 5 hours out through the fertile Kikuyu highlands to the edge of the Great Rift Valley, into which we descend 2,000 feet. The panorama of grassland studded with volcanic mountains is home to an animal kingdom unrivalled anywhere else in Africa. Our route takes us up over the Mau Escarpment and through the Masai trading town of Narok. We fork south onto rough roads, reaching our private camp at the foothills of the Loita Mountain Range in time for a late lunch. Camp is established beneath giant yellow-fever acacia trees and is a popular roost for olive baboons and vervet monkeys. The afternoon is spent settling-in, followed by a short ride to familiarise ourselves with the horses (as an optional extra you may like to fly to the Mara on a scheduled charter). Meals and overnight at mobile tented camp.

Day3: Maasai Mara
The morning and afternoon is spent on horseback exploring the beautiful Loita Hills and the surrounding countryside. We ride through acacia thickets and open plains in search of Burchell’s zebra, East African eland, warthog, Cape buffalo, Grant’s & Thomson’s gazelle and Masai giraffe. There is a variety of birdlife to enjoy, including the African Scops owl, superb starling, secretary bird and the white-backed vulture.
Meals and overnight at mobile tented camp.

Day4: Loita Plains
Our first full day in the saddle takes us across the Loita Plains, past Kaitapini Hill and down onto the Shangalara lugga (dry river bed) for a picnic lunch. We enter the Olare Lamun valley and find our camp situated near a spring used by the Masai to water their cattle, a favourite haunt for both lion and leopard. Herds of impala, white-bearded wildebeest, Coke’s hartebeest and topi inhabit the neighbouring scrubland.
Meals and overnight at mobile tented camp at Olare Lamun

Day5 – Loita Hills
After an early breakfast we saddle up and trek across the open Savannah, interspersed with acacia, wait-a-bit brush and leleshwa (wild sage) woodland. We ride along the base of Oloiburmut Hill, before returning to camp for lunch. This area is home to a number of Masai manyattas (villages). Throughout the safari we have several opportunities to learn about, and, most importantly, enjoy the company of the Masai - a tribe of semi-nomadic people to whom the land belongs. Those who are interested may visit a small and remote primary school for the Masai children and in the late afternoon we visit a nearby manyatta of the local Masai “chief”. His constant company is a highlight of the stay here - a great friend of Gordon’s, he loves to serenade guests with stories of Masai tradition and lore. Meals and overnight at mobile tented camp at Olare Lamun

Day6 – Olare Orok
A pre-dawn wake-up call prepares us for a long ride over vast rolling plains skirting the southern end of the Bardamat Hills. We canter across the Koiyaki Plains to a picnic site on a small escarpment overlooking the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Now riding within the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, the increase in the abundance of wildlife is immediately apparent. We reach camp located in a glade of riverine forest on the Olare Orok River. A large campfire and extra vigilant syces (grooms) keep watch at night to make sure that nocturnal predators remain at a safe distance! Meals and overnight at mobile tented camp at Olare Orok, Maasai Mara

Day7 – Olare Orok
A day of rest for the horses, we set off in our customised 4x4 safari vehicles to photograph the wildlife at close quarters. We can expect to see spotted hyena, cheetah and elephant. An afternoon walk with the Masai morran (warriors) is also an option. After dinner we may go out by safari vehicle with a spotlight, to search for illusive nocturnal animals. Meals and overnight at mobile tented camp at Olare Orok, Maasai Mara

Day8 – Kiboko Bend, Mara River
We ride in a northerly direction through a spectacular secret valley, gently winding our way along the southern bank of the Mara River, looking out for the crocodiles and large pods of hippo that frequent this area. The riverine forest is home to a variety of tropical birds including the rare Ross's turaco. The concentration of game, especially during the wildebeest migration (July to October) is breathtaking. We arrive in camp in the middle of the afternoon. There may be time for a short game drive or walk after tea. Meals and overnight at mobile tented camp at kibokoBend, Mara River, Masai Mara

Day9 – Kiboko Bend, Mara River
We explore the Masai Mara by horse or vehicle to photograph wildlife including lion, leopard, silver-backed jackal, impala and waterbuck.

Another sensational day amongst the game. Meals and overnight at mobile tented camp at kibokoBend, Mara River, Masai Mara

Day10 – Nairobi
after saying “goodbye” to the horses and camp staff, we return by vehicle, approximately 6 hours, to your Nairobi hotel. Day rooms are booked so that one may shower and relax before international flights home (as an optional extra you may like to fly back to Nairobi on the scheduled charter). For those interested in shopping, a trip to find East African gemstones, bronze sculptures, Africana jewellery and other curios can be arranged.

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