Masai Mara Safari

9 Days | From £7769pp

Kenya ( Best airport: Nairobi)

This is the ultimate riding safari through some of the most prolific wildlife areas in Africa. Home to one of the greatest natural spectacles on earth; the wildebeest migration where more than a million hungry wildebeest travel from Tanzania to Kenya’s Mara National Reserve alongside a few hundred thousand zebras and half a million gazelles, these safaris are characterised by the relaxed pace, luxurious camps and interaction and collaboration with the indiginous Maasai people. On this mobile tented safari you’ll ride alongside an abundance of wildlife such as lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, giraffe and zebra, as well as huge numbers of plains game and birdlife.

The Riding

The riding is in some of the largest unfenced expanses in Africa. Far from civilization, the sense of space and freedom is liberating. These areas offer great diversity in wildlife species, birdlife and scenery and are also home to the Masai and Samburu people, who roam the plains with their herds of livestock. You’ll ride through rolling savannah, acacia woodlands and forests on the banks of the Mara and Olare Orok rivers. This is part of the Serengeti ecosystem and Kenya’s most impressive wildlife sanctuary. These rides are situated mainly in the private conservancies outside the game reserve, which tends to get very crowded, whereas the conservancies are exclusive. These are incredible areas that have been chosen by the Masai owners to protect the wildlife and their cattle. Much of the riding is at a walk due to the terrain but there are opportunities for trots, canters and some faster canters and gallops across the wide open plains. You’ll ride between 4 to 7 hours, covering 20 to 30 kilometres per day. Full days of riding when you move camp are alternated with days where you ride out of camp and return for lunch and a siesta in the afternoon.

You’ll see amazing game from horseback such as fighting giraffes, elephants wallowing in a mud bath, lions and cheetahs. One of the riding highlights is cantering along with the plains game; hundreds of wildebeest, zebra and antelope running alongside makes for a thrilling riding experience.

Level of Riding and Fitness

All riders need to be competent and confident at all paces; surprises in the bush cannot be predicted. You’ll need to be fit enough to enjoy between 4-7 hours in the saddle across varied terrain although in the event that any guests feel a little saddle sore, the safari is fully backed up by 4X4 safari vehicles which are on standby to take any weary riders on game drives instead. The weight limit is 90kg.

Guides and Group Size

This is probably the only riding safari in Africa where all trips are guided by the owners; Gordie and Felicia Church. Gordie is a third generation Kenyan and grew up on safari with his father Tony who pioneered the concept of riding safaris in the 1970’s. Two generations, with over 45 years experience, the Church’s offer exquisite and bespoke horseback riding safaris. The group size is between 2-12.

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The Horses

The horses on this safari are in beautiful condition; fit, forward-going, expertly schooled and well-mannered. There is a fantastic selection of breeds including Thoroughbreds, an Arab cross, a warmblood cross, a Friesian and Boerped cross, Friesian and Percheron cross and a Boerped, ranging between 14-17hh. Living at close quarters with wild animals, the 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 guests safely through the wilderness. There is a wide range of horses to suit each individual and every effort is made to match horse and rider. The horses are sure footed in their terrain and comfortable in their environment

The riding style is English using very comfortable French cavalry and English general–purpose saddles. Saddle bags are provided to carry small items required en-route such as sunscreen, cameras and film or a sweater. Bottled water is also provided.

Accommodation and Dining

Accommodation is in traditional mobile tented camps pitched in the most secluded and beautiful areas, chosen to fully immerse you in your surroundings. Each tent has a double or two twin beds luxuriously made up with Egyptian cotton sheets and warm feather duvets. Bedside tables and rugs on the floor complete the furnishings. Each bedroom tent has its own bathroom, a separate tent complete with hot shower and large towels. Bedside tables come equipped with solar lamps and at night, 1920s-style hurricane lamps sit in the covered area just outside the bedroom tent where there’s a mirror and dressing table. Fires burn around the perimeter of the camp overnight. The camp crew take care of everything and after you’re done, the camp is packed up leaving behind pristine wilderness.

Professional chefs provide delicious, impressive meals and tasty cocktails. The dining tent is furnished with table and chairs for elegant camp meals and these include a variety of fresh fruit, vegetables, meats and fish. All of the food is locally sourced with full cooked breakfasts, al fresco lunches and candlelit 3-course dinners. Bread is baked fresh each day and imported wines and spirits are available as well as a choice of local beers, sodas and bottled water.

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Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1 You will need to arrive in Nairobi the day before and pay for your accommodation in the city although your hosts will arrange a transfer for you from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to your hotel. On day one of the safari you will be transferred from your hotel to the domestic airstrip where there is a briefing followed by a morning flight to the Mara, departing at 10:30 and arriving at 11:15. You will be met on arrival at the airstrip and transferred to your mobile camp in time for lunch. In the afternoon you will meet the horses and enjoy your first ride.

Day 2 Set off from camp and spend the morning and afternoon exploring the riverine forest and open plains of Lemek on horseback. 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 top off a memorable first day on safari.

Day 3 Your first full day in the saddle takes you through spectacular wildlife country with impala, gazelle, elephant, buffalo and more. A picnic lunch is enjoyed in a patch of forest called Olomai. After a siesta ride down to the banks of the Mara River with its large pods of hippo and the odd crocodile. Camp has been moved whilst you are riding so you sleep in a new location this evening.

Day 4 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 there are plenty of opportunities to jump fallen trees knocked over by resident elephants. Waterbuck, eland, jackal, hyena and lion occur, as do many other species.

Day 5 After a full cooked breakfast you ride southerly across Maternity Plain offering stunning views in all directions and excellent going for the horses. 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 elephants. After lunch a short ride, followed by an ascent on foot to the top of the escarpment. Camp moves to a new location.

Day 6 Options to ride and drive in the Mara 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 can visit a small traditional homestead of your local Masai hosts.

Day 7 Descend the escarpment on foot and head due east, riding back over the Mara river and skirting the village of Rianta and onwards towards a lovely picnic lunch under scattered acacia trees. After a long siesta, ride over the Koiyaki Plain to your new camp by the Olare Orok stream which is used by the Masai to water their cattle.

Day 8 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 sensational big cat experiences. After supper you may head out in the vehicle with the spotlight to look for nocturnal wildlife

Day 9 A final morning ride or drive in this stunning country. After a hearty brunch, say goodbye to your horse and camp crew. Afternoon flight to Nairobi departing at 14:45. Upon arrival in Nairobi at 16:15 you will be met and transferred to JKIA for your international flight home. Dinner en-route to the airport is optional.