Pioneering Kenya’s Northern Frontier on Horseback
2025 Dates:
February 8-16
Duration:
9 days / 8 nights
Riding Level:
Intermediate-Advanced
Unrivalled mobile horseback safaris across the Kenyan landscape, beginning in Borana, a cattle ranch turned conservation area in pristine countryside on the northern slopes of Mount Kenya, offering views of the snow-capped peaks of the Mathews Range, Bodich, and Marsabit. Ride up close to elephant, lion and buffalo, or gallop with wildebeest and zebra - truly remarkable and life-changing experiences. There is simply no better way to see Kenya than from the back of a horse.
Traditional mobile tented safari camp that moves with the riders, supported by a lorry and Land Rovers, this is the epitome of what a true 'safari' is all about. Wildlife is plentiful in all the areas that we ride and your guide is highly knowledgeable and conversant with the habits and likely reactions of the wildlife.
Horses
The horses are a mixture of breeds suitable for the terrain, ridden English-style in general-purpose and cavalry saddles. They are used to living at close quarters with wild animals and are familiar with being amongst big game. Each horse is schooled for the sole purpose of carrying guests safely through the African wilderness.
Riding Level
Intermediate - Advanced
All riders must be confident at all paces, of intermediate level of fitness and riding ability, and have with them a sense of adventure.
Tack and Terrain
English tack (general purpose saddles) or French cavalry saddles.
Terrain consists of open, grassy plains, hills, rocky outcrops, rivers, and mountains. Enjoy exploring the differing topography of the area: open bush, wooded riverine areas, wetlands, and strange rock formations home to large baobabs.
Accommodation
Tented Camp Mobile Safari
Riders will ride from camp to camp across the landscape, spending 1-2 nights in each place. Camps feature canvas tents and are furnished in a traditional safari style, with two single or one double bed. Specific details of each camp vary by itinerary.
Single supplement available for those who would prefer not to share a rent.
Dining
Meals are provided by the camp chef, cooked over an open fire. Enjoy alfresco, candlelit dining to the sounds of the savannah, picnic lunches while on safari, and full-Monty breakfasts before each day’s ride.
Itinerary
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Arrive at Borana either by private charter flight or 3 1/2 hr drive from Nairobi. Borana is a cattle ranch turned conservation area in pristine countryside on the Northern slopes of Mount Kenya with beautiful views to the snow-capped peaks of the Mountain in the south and the rugged mountains of the Mathews Range, Bodich and even Marsabit on the way to the Ethiopian border. It is home to the big five and a host of other species such as Grevy's Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Reticulated Giraffe and other rare species. We will have lunch in Camp in a grove of euphorbia trees.
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A full day exploring Borana by horseback and vehicle, and a picnic lunch on the Ngare Ndare River. Borana is on top of an escarpment and the scenery is spectacular. A great variety of species is to be seen. Borana is home to our hosts Nicky and Michael Dyer, who own and run Borana Lodge.
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Our first moving day takes us with a picnic lunch (in our saddle bags) to the west. We cross from Borana onto Ole Naishu ranch and climb the first ridge of the spectacular Loldaiga Hills. These form a northern extension of the Mt Kenya Massive and consist of large rocky Kopje's interspersed with Cedar forest. We cross Ole Naishu onto Loldaiga Hills a 55,000-acre ranch owned by Robert Wells and probably one of the most beautiful farms in Africa. We reach camp at the head of a beautiful valley surrounded by cedar forest where we stay again for 2 nights.
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Some spectacular rides and a picnic lunch by land rover to the northern areas of the ranch will fill today's programme amply. At one point we shall be on the western edge of the Loldaiga Hills with spectacular views of the Laikipia Plateau below, which we will be crossing over the next four days.
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We leave Loldaiga Hills and today cross four ranches on our way to El Karama home of the Grant Family. We drop down a hidden valley on elephant and buffalo tracks with little dams before crossing Enasoit ranch and then onto the specialist cattle ranch of Mogwooni, home of the Kenyan family. This is one of the few days we see some cattle fencing and we will have a picnic lunch here on the banks of the Nanyuki River. After lunch we cross onto El Karama ranch 13,000 acres of pristine game country and find our camp on the banks of the Ewaso Ngiro River.
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A full day exploring this ranch by horse and vehicle and a good chance of a game walk along the river, before lunch. There is a host of game including Grevy's Zebra, the rare endemic Jackson's Hartebeest, elephant, giraffe and hippo in the river.
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A long day's ride to Sosian. We cross the Ewaso Narok River and traverse Segera ranch to the Northwest. Our route takes us up the spectacular Sugoroi river valley before crossing rather monotonous black cotton plains, covered in whistling thorn (acacia Drepanolobium) which is home to the Patas monkey, a chestnut coloured long limbed primate which is widespread but rare among the northern savannahs of Africa. We reach the Mutara River and follow this pretty valley down before crossing onto Sosian ranch for a late lunch at the edge of the lovely Suguta Swamp. A short ride after lunch brings us to our camp by the Ewaso Narok River, below Sosian’s waterfalls.
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A full day riding, driving and enjoying this re-habilitated cattle ranch which boasts a wide variety of game including, Jackson's hartebeest, Grevy's Zebra, Elephant, Hippo, Buffalo, Lion, Giraffe and all the other species. From certain points we can look back at the Loldaiga Hills over which we passed and Mt Kenya now appears a good distance away.
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A last ride followed before breakfast at Sosian and our transfer back to Nairobi in time for the International return flights.
Dates
February 8-16 2025
Rates
2025 Rates
Price per rider sharing:
Single Supplement:
2024 Rates
Price per rider sharing:
Single Supplement:
Price Includes:
Transfers and flights within Kenya
All accommodations
All meals
All riding activities, including tack and equipment
Amref Flying Doctors Membership (Air evacuation to Nairobi if needed)
Does not include:
Airfare to and from Kenya
Conservation and park fees (~$155/person/night)
Additional travel costs such as riding apparel and insurance
Visas and travel costs
Guide gratuities
Book Now
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