Follow in the Footsteps of Lady Margarete Trappe
When to Travel:
Year-Round
See below for dates
Duration:
4 days / 3 nights
Riding Level:
Intermediate-Advanced
On the ride we follow Lady Margarete Trappe's old hidden pathways through the bush where this legendary lady rode on her two loyal thoroughbred mounts, always accompanied by her two Alsatians.
The entrance gate to Arusha National Park leads into shadowy montane forest inhabited by inquisitive blue monkeys and colourful turacos and trogons. In the midst of the forest stands the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater, whose steep, rocky cliffs enclose a wide marshy floor dotted with herds of buffalo and warthog. Further north, rolling grassy hills enclose the tranquil beauty of the Momela Lakes, each one a different hue of green or blue. Their shallows sometimes tinged pink with thousands of flamingos, the lakes support a rich selection of resident and migrant waterfowl and shaggy waterbuck. Giraffes glide across the grassy hills, between grazing zebra herds, while pairs of wide-eyed dik-dik dart into scrubby bush like overgrown hares on spindly legs. Although elephants are shy in Arusha National Park, and lions absent altogether, leopards and spotted hyenas may be seen slinking around in the early morning and late afternoon. Mount Meru - the fifth highest in Africa at 4,566 metres (14,990 feet) dominates the park’s horizon.
Horses
The horses are a mixture of breeds suitable for the tough terrain, ridden English-style in general-purpose 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)
Terrain consists of open, grassy plains, hills, rocky outcrops, rivers, and mountains. The wide-open terrain is great for long gallops, and even sometimes a little jumping, in addition to the excitement of riding on safari.
Accommodation
One night in the lodge and 2 nights on mobile tented safari.
Dining
The food is of great standard with professional bush chefs, trained by a gourmet chef from South Africa. He or his trained chefs create delicious and highly entertaining dishes. Breakfast is of traditional cowboy style, served with homemade juice and exotic African fruits. Lunch is alfresco, enjoyed somewhere out in the wild under a nice shady tree, it may either be vehicle supported or we may carry it in our saddlebags. Dinner is a three-course affair, with a mix of local and international cuisine, always served with newly baked bread and fresh salads and herbs.
Itinerary
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Arrive to the lodge for lunch, settle into the new surroundings and meet the other participants on the safari (unless private safari).
Over lunch a briefing will take place and shortly thereafter an afternoon introduction ride takes place. This is a good opportunity for everyone to get to know their mount before heading into the National Park the following day. The afternoon ride takes place on a wildlife estate (fenced), home to plenty of plains game like zebras, wildebeests, elands and if lucky there is a good chance of seeing one of the shyest and rarest antelopes in Africa, the Gerenuk (also know as giraffe antelope). Back to the lodge in time for showers and sundowners before dinner is served.
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Wake up calls with tea and coffee, breakfast is served anytime from early hours. After breakfast the drive is about thirty minutes to Arusha National Park gate. Here the horses will be waiting, ready to be mounted and shortly after you ride into one of the most beautiful parks in East Africa. Here the vegetation will change dramatically, from open grassland to rainforest. With good chances of seeing, buffaloes, giraffes, all your plains game, elephants and leopards are present however harder to spot along with rare species such as Suni, Red Duiker, the magnificent Hartlaub's turaco, colobus monkey and the endless bird life.
The feeling is magical as you enter into the big canopy forests. Lunch will be set on route, with time for a small siesta. After lunch the ride continues through leopard country and as we head towards our night stop, we will pass by Margarete Trappe’s old house. The legendary lady known and remembered as the Iron lady from the first world war. “If, as children, we were thrilled by Buffalo Bill we should have been still more spellbound by Mrs. Trappe’s adventures, the adventures of the fearless woman with her two legendary horses, Comet and Diamond, and her two inseparable Alsatians. Like a phantom she would suddenly appear, like a phantom she would vanish; as intimate with wild beasts as though they were tame.”
These are some of the tales about Margarete who’s old riding paths this horse safari follows through the holy forests of the park. Arrive to camp, based on the foot of Mt Meru in time for showers and sundowners then dinner under the stars.
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This morning you will hopefully wake up to the very talkative Colobus monkeys. Breakfast is served and shortly thereafter we mount and directions are taken towards the area where the film Hatari was filmed, starring John Wayne. Thereafter halfway into the morning ride we start the climb (on horseback), some will be done on the horse and some on foot, aiming to reach a viewpoint, that if clear has one of the best views of Mt Kilimanjaro, here we will dismount our horses and instead mount a car and drive the last, steepest part in the vehicle. You drive passed the “Fig Tree Arch”, a massive fig tree arch, big enough to fit five horses underneath it. The drive continues until we reach lunch, beautifully located next to a waterfall. We are now on about 2000 meters above sea level.
After lunch we start heading back towards the horses, we then ride back down to camp and after returning to camp, there will be an option to jump into the vehicles (or relax in camp) and go visit the Momella lakes, hoping to see some hippos and beautiful water birds. Sundowners at the lakes before heading back to camp for showers and dinner.
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Wake up to Colobus monkeys chatting in the early hours of the morning. Breakfast is served and everyone mounts and start heading back towards civilization. Enjoy the last morning with your mount in this magical place on earth, full of wildlife, stories and tales.
Late morning, we will get back to the Arusha National park gate where we dismount and say farewell to our four legged friends. From here there are a few options, some will continue onto other safaris or stay another night or two at the lodge and practice and play polo for a few days.
Dates
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Price Includes:
All accommodations
All meals
National Park fees
All riding activities, including tack and equipment
Transportation in-country (including to and from airport)
Does not include:
Airfare to and from Tanzania
Additional travel costs such as riding apparel and insurance