Offbeat Safari
Offbeat Safaris have been running these safaris since 1990, riders stay in a traditional tented safari camp which moves through the wilderness, fully supported by a knowledgeable and experienced team. Riding up close to elephants, lions and buffalo, or galloping with wildebeest and zebra are exhilarating experiences if you are an experienced rider and this safari takes you across the Masai Mara over 7 nights; the epitome of what a true wildlife safari is all about. Game drives, night drives and bush walks are all available for non-riding companions or riders who would like a break from the saddle and each day ends with a three-course meal and sundowners in the wilderness.
The riding style is relaxed with loose reins and neck reining. All paces are used where the terrain permits including gallop. The terrain varies from thick bush, gullies and rocky hillsides but encompasses many wide open plains filled with game, ideal for faster riding. Riders are all given a full safety briefing and strongly encouraged to wear riding helmets. There are some long days in the saddle - up to seven hours, but equally a few days where you have the option to have the morning or day off and ride in the jeeps.
- Luxury adventure safari
- Outstanding game viewing on horseback
- Cover 250km crossing the Masai Mara
- Over 35 years experience guiding safaris in the Masai Mara
- Wilf includes lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, giraffe and zebra
- Game drives
- Four different camp locations
- Includes conservation and park fees
itinerary
Day 1
This morning you will either be collected from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or if you have arrived earlier, from your Nairobi hotel, and transferred to Wilson Airport for your 10am flight to Mara North in the Masai Mara. Your guides will meet you and drive you to your first camp, set up on the banks of the Mara River adjacent to a teeming hippo pool. Lunch will be served and you will have a little time to relax before meeting your horses and setting off on your first gentle evening ride (about 2 hours).
Overnight Mara River Hippo Camp.
2 Nights
Day 2
This morning you will begin the day with an early morning ride, crossing the Mara River for the first time and returning to camp for a light breakfast. After breakfast a game drive will be on offer. Driving provides better photographic opportunities than from a horse and exploring more of this northern part of the Mara has much to offer. We will return in time for lunch and a siesta before setting off on an afternoon ride. We return to camp in good time to shower and maybe set off in the vehicles once more for a sun downer and a short night game drive before supper.
Overnight Mara River Hippo Camp.
Day 3
This morning we will leave camp after breakfast at about 9am, heading south towards the park boundary where we meet the river again at one of the famous wildebeest crossings. We will cross the river and head southwest across the Mara Triangle, meeting the car with our picnic lunch at around 12:30. After lunch and a siesta we set off at about 4pm and ascend the Soit Olololol Escarpment. We reach our camp at about 5.30pm on the edge of the escarpment and spend the night overlooking the whole Mara ecosystem.
Overnight Escarpment Soit Olololo Camp.
1 Night
Day 4
We descend the escarpment after breakfast at about 9am and ride across to the same wildebeest crossing on the river. We head in a westerly direction and descend into the enchanting Olare Orok Valley with a picnic lunch and siesta between 12:30 - 3.30pm. Reaching our camp that afternoon, in time for tea. There should also be time to do an evening game drive and sundowners, before supper under the stars.
Overnight Olare Orok Camp
2 Nights
Day 5
Here we will have a full day of exploring this glorious area on horseback, car and possibly on foot. You will have excellent photo opportunities, getting close to buffalo, elephant, lion and maybe cheetah or leopard.
Overnight Olare Orok Camp
Day 6
Our third moving day and we break camp in good time as it the longest ride of the trip covering nearly 50kms. Setting off at 7am, we ride through the morning, stopping for a picnic breakfast along the way. We continue to cover ground with long canters before we break again for lunch and a siesta after reaching the Ol Kinyei Conservancy. That afternoon we will reach our last camp at Olare Lamun (the rhino salt lick), nestled in a grove of acacia trees by a small stream at the southern edge of the Loita Plains.
Overnight Olare Lamun Camp
2 Nights
Day 7
After an early wake up we will set off for a morning ride before returning to camp for a light breakfast. We will then set out for a game drive and beautiful walk up the nearby hill called Oloiburmut, returning to camp for a lunch and a siesta. At around 4pm we will drive or ride to visit the local Masai village.
Overnight Olare Lamun Camp
Day 8
This is our last morning ride before saying goodbye to your horses. After a final breakfast you will drive to the airstrip and fly back to Nairobi at around 11am, landing into Wilson at 12noon. We will organise for a taxi to pick you up and take you to a hotel day room (included), before taking you on to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in time for your evening flight home, or your onward destination.
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Offbeat Safari
Mini-brochure PDF
know before you go
As you are riding with big game, competent riders with a secure seat and fit enough to enjoy up to seven hours in the saddle are required. There is no specific age limit and children who are fit and competent riders are welcome with their parents. The riding is at all paces and over uneven terrain so experience of riding out is required. The safari is fully supported by grooms and horse handlers as well as two guides and help is always on hand for mounting, stirrups etc. A back up jeep can be called by radio at any time and the guides are experienced and armed for your safety. There have been no serious incidents giving rise to injury with mounted riders and game in the history of this horseback safari due to all the precautions taken.
You’ll be guided by experienced and qualified guides who will escort you through this big game country. The group size is between 2-12. Guides include:
Simon Kenyon - Riding Guide
Simon has been guiding Offbeat Riding Safaris in Kenya over the past 15 years, recently taking the reins when, together with his wife Rosy, he bought the company, along with Jakob Von Plessen and Daisy Soames, from the Voorspuy family.
Simon grew up on a farm in Laikipia near Mount Kenya and has a degree in Zoology. His extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for the natural world provide a unique experience for his guests. Simon's sense of fun is infectious, and his safaris are a trip of a lifetime.
Daisy Soames - Riding Guide
Daisy began her career in riding safaris with Offbeat in 2012. After graduating university, she came to Kenya to work full time on safari. She has guiding qualifications in both South Africa and Kenya, and has worked extensively throughout the country, as well as having worked on riding safaris in Botswana and Argentina. She spends half of the year in Kenya and the other half guiding safaris in Patagonia. She is passionate about wildlife and wild places and adores introducing people to both. Daisy is a highly knowledgeable horse woman and safari guide as well as being wonderfully entertaining!
Netty - Spotter
A Mara safari would not be complete without its Maasai spotter/guide. Netty epitomises a young man brought up in the bush. His eyesight and spotting ability is second to none and he is an inspiration whilst walking in the bush. He has an uncanny perception for danger in thick bush and can always tell where the buffalo or elephant have passed or may be lurking. Maasai with their tradition of hunting lion are not particularly frightened when encountering them on foot. However, he has a very healthy respect for the larger mammals, especially buffalo, elephant and hippo. He also acts as a vital liaison between our guests and our Masai hosts in the Mara.
All the safari horses at this destination are thoroughbred and thoroughbred cross and have excellent stamina as a result. The standard of horses on this safari is well above average for Kenya and is a key point of this safari. The horses are all kind natured and very bush wise, sure footed, experienced safari horses. There is an excellent selection with 70 horses being available for the 12 riders, varying in size from 14.3hh to 16hh. All the horses are responsive and fit, great care is taken to match horses and riders and riders are welcome to swap horses throughout the week.
You will ride in English General Purpose Wintec saddles and leather saddles. Some Australian stock saddles are available on request. Seat savers are available and bridles are mainly fitted with snaffle bits. 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.
Price includes
- 7 nights tented accommodation
- All meals and drinks (except champagne/premium spirits)
- Riding on 8 days (including short arrival and departure day rides)
- Game drives
- Conservation and park fees
- Internal light aircraft flights and all transfers associated with the safari
- A day room in Nairobi on last day is available if required
- Flying doctor membership
Price Excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Extra transfers or hotel nights in Nairobi
- Premium spirits/champagne, tips & other personal expenses
Accommodation
You’ll be staying in light mobile safari tented camps that move through the wilderness fully supported by an experienced back up team. The camp includes a tent for meals and spacious 9ft x 10ft sleeping tents with twin camp beds, mattresses, good quality linens, duvets and blankets. Towels, soap and torches are all provided. There is a solar lamp in each tent, with hurricane lamps outside at night time. There is a laundry service, so you can pack light!
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. Bread is baked daily on open fires and your chefs are extremely good. All house wines, beers and spirits are included, except champagne. Vegetarian or other dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
Offbeat Safari
Booking Conditions
See the full booking conditions specific to this trail here.Do not book flights until you have received the Booking Confirmation email from saddletravel.com
Flight and transfer information
- Arrival airport: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
- Arrival time: Before 7.00 on Day 1 or the night before
- Departure time: After 19.00 on Day 8
- Transfer arrangements: Transfers are included from Nairobi