SAFARIS UNLIMITED

8 NIGHTS |From $9,995pp | NAIROBI, KENYA

WILDLIFE UNDER THE AFRICAN SKY

Every day will see a plethora of wildlife: impala trotting alongside us, wildebeest whirling away, giraffe lolloping off in any direction and zebras calmly cantering into the distance. Vistas are always enormous, the wide African sky impossibly huge, and the horizon distant and hovering in the midday heat. It's a feeling of utter freedom and a return to existing as a human in harmony with the environment.

Safari on the back of a horse is unlike any other kind of safari. With their steady, well loved and expertly schooled horses you will feel both secure and at one with the landscape. On their horseback safaris in Kenya, they require all their riders to be competent and confident at all paces; surprises in the bush cannot be predicted.

Let’s ride!

Overview

FAST FACTS

8 nights / 9 days

Cost: From $9,995pp

Operator: Safaris Unlimited

Where: Nairobi, Kenya

Riding level: Intermediate to experienced. You must be comfortable at all paces in open country.

Weight limit: Maximum of 95kg/210lbs

Time in the saddle: 4 to 7 hours a day

HORSES

The horses at Safari’s Unlimited are a mixture of Percheron-Boerperd, Friesian-Boerperd, Arab-French-Somali crossbreds, Appaloosas and thoroughbreds and range between 14hh - 17hh. Living at close quarters with wild animals, their safari horses are familiar with being amongst big game, have great endurance and are evenly tempered. Each horse is carefully loved, schooled and responsive to carry their guests safely through the wilderness.

Tack: You will ride English-style, using extremely comfortable general-purpose saddles. Most horses are tacked-up in a snaffle bridle and double-sided saddlebags are provided for each member to carry water bottles, cameras and rain gear.

ACCOMMODATION

As you move around the Mara this is a light mobile safari with accommodation in elegantly appointed tents. Their private camps are positioned in the most beautiful areas usually under a canopy of trees or overlooking a stream.

The mosquito-proof tents are simply furnished in traditional safari camping style with double or single beds, carpets and bedside tables. Egyptian cotton sheets and warm feather duvets adorn the beds and hot water bottles are provided for the cool nights. Separate canvas shower and loo units are placed behind each tent.

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HOW TO BOOK

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WHAT'S INCLUDED

All conservation and park fees, full board accommodation, all drinks, professional Riding Guide, Kenya Professional Safari Guide, full compliment of safari crew, camp and safari equipment, horses and tack, support vehicles and trucks, 4x4 game viewing vehicles, game drives, flying Doctors' membership, return flight Nairobi-Mara-Nairobi, airport transfers, laundry and government taxes.

WHAT’S EXCLUDED

International flights & visas, accommodation & meals outside the safari itinerary, insurances and gratuities (suggested $25 per day per guest - guides are tipped separately).

TRANSFERS

On arrival in Nairobi at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be greeted by a representative of Safaris Unlimited and transferred to your hotel.

All inland transport and flights are included.

MEALS

All meals are freshly prepared and you will enjoy English breakfasts, light lunches and 3-course dinners. You’ll often have picnics and eat in the open air if the weather is good. Ice cubes are always on hand.

Please let us know in the booking form if you have any dietary requirements or preferences ahead of time so that Safaris Unlimited can try to cater for you

WHAT TO PACK

Refer to our FA Q for what to pack on a horse riding holiday.

Domestic flights have a weight allowance of maximum 15 kilos including hand luggage. A soft bag is preferable to a hard case on safari.

Helmets are not provided. Please bring your own if you choose to wear one.

LAUNDRY

Laundry is done daily, except on ‘move' days.

INTERNET

There is good mobile phone coverage in many parts of Kenya. You will probably be able to use your roaming facility. Do check with your service provider before you leave. Most lodges have wireless internet access.

In Kenya the power system is 240 volts AC with British square-pin plugs. Personal items may be charged in their mobile camp using either the car or solar inverter systems. The lodges have generators and solar inverter systems for charging.

AVAILABILITY

Departures dates 2023:

12-20 July
22-30 July
1-9 August
11-19 September
1-9 October

KENYA

Currency is Kenyan Shillings. Most shops in Nairobi will take a credit card. Offbeat Safaris T shirts and caps are available as well as local Masai goods which can be paid for on a cash only basis in US Dollars or Kenyan shillings (small denominations are advisable).

Time Zone: Eastern African Time/GMT +3

Climate: You ride at an average of 5500ft, which makes for warm days (up to 28°C and cool nights (down to 11°C) and very few mosquitoes. August/September/October are the best months for seeing the wildebeest and zebra migration from the Serengeti, but these animals can be seen in good numbers all year round.

Visit this uncannily accurate weather website

You need a visa to enter Kenya. Kenyan entry visas are exclusively issued electronically, with passengers required to obtain their e-visas before departure. You can apply for single entry and transit visas on the e-visas website.

ITINERARY

Please know your guides Gordie and Felicia may change the itinerary but only ever to keep you even more entertained, safe, dry and happy.

You will be met and transferred from your hotel to Wilson Airport for a safari briefing. Our morning flight departs approximately at 10.30 a.m. and arrives in the Mara at 11.15 a.m. Your professional safari guide, Gordie Church, will meet you in the bush for a game drive to our private-canvas mobile camp arriving in time for lunch. The afternoon is spent settling in, followed by a short ride or game drive.
Meal Plan: Lunch and dinner in camp.
Overnight: Nkilenya, Lemek Conservancy.
Riding distance: 5-10 kms.
Morning and afternoon exploring the riverine forests and open plains of Lemek. There is an abundance of wildlife here including giraffe, warthog, zebra, hartebeest, topi, wildebeest and with a little luck, cheetah and leopard too. Bloody Marys in the morning and Pink Gins for 'sundowners' in the evening. All-in-all, a heavenly first day on safari.
Meal Plan: All meals in camp.
Overnight: Nkilenya, Lemek Conservancy.
Riding distance: 10-15 kms
Your first full day in the saddle takes us through spectacular wildlife country with impala, gazelle, elephant, buffalo, ostrich and more. Picnic lunch is enjoyed in a patch of forest called Olomai.
After a siesta you will ride down to the banks of the Mara River with its' large pods of hippo and the odd monster crocodile.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and dinner in camp. Picnic lunch in the bush.
Overnight: Mara River, Mara North Conservancy.
Riding distance: 20-25 kms.
A stunning area to traverse by horse or vehicle. You may ford the Mara River and ride under the iconic Siria Escarpment.
The concentration of game is breathtaking and with plenty of opportunity to jump fallen trees created by the resident elephant. Waterbuck, eland, jackal, hyena and lion occur, as do many other wildlife species.
Meal Plan: All meals in camp.
Overnight: Mara River, Mara North Conservancy.
Riding distance: 10-15 kms
After a 'full-monty' breakfast you will ride in a southerly direction across Maternity Plain. Stunning views in every direction and excellent going for the horses.
You will cross the Mara River on horseback and enter the famous Mara Triangle. Picnic lunch is enjoyed in a patch of thick forest often occupied by elephant. After lunch, a short ride, followed by an ascent on foot, to the top of the escarpment.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and dinner in camp. Picnic lunch in the bush.
Overnight: Out Of Africa Camp, Mara Triangle.
Riding distance: 20-25 kms.
Options to ride and drive in the triangle with magical views looking down towards the Serengeti in the distance. This corner of the ecosystem is blessed with croton thickets, forest and endless tall grasslands, the perfect environment for rhino, elephant, buffalo and lion. In the late afternoon you may visit a small traditional homestead of Safaris Unlimited’s local Masai hosts.
Meal Plan: All meals in camp.
Overnight: Out Of Africa Camp, Mara Triangle.
Riding distance: 10-15 kms
Today you will descend the escarpment on foot and head due east, riding back over the Mara River, skirting the large village of Rianta and onwards, to a lovely picnic lunch under scattered acacia trees.
After a long siesta you will ride over the Koiyaki Plain and to Safaris Unlimited’s new camp on the Olare Orok Stream, used by the Masai to water their cattle.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and dinner in camp. Picnic lunch in the bush.
Overnight: Kampi Ya Simba KO 8, Mara North Conservancy.
Riding distance: 20-25 kms
Morning and afternoon ride, drive or walk in this magical corner of the Mara. Exceptional riding country, where two large prides of lion make this area their home, allowing for a sensational big-cat experience.
You may go out after supper by vehicle, with a spotlight, to discover the nocturnal creatures.
Meal Plan: All meals in camp.
Overnight: Kampi Ya Simba KO8, Mara North Conservancy.
Riding distance: 15-20 kms.
Your last morning ride in this stunning country. After a hearty brunch we say our "goodbyes" to the horses and camp crew.
Your afternoon flight to Nairobi departs approximately at 2.45 p.m. Upon arrival at 4.15 p.m., you will be transferred to your Nairobi hotel or JKIA for your international flight home.
Meal Plan: Brunch in camp.
Riding distance: 10-15 kms.