KENYA 2010

EXCLUSIVE RIDING SAFARI
(8 riders)

AUGUST 20-29, 2010

After the huge success of the Kenya rides of 2005 and 2007 and the repeated request for this destination, I have mapped out a new itinerary with the invaluable assistance of my good friend David Bromham, one of East Africa’s leading 'private label' guides, and a keen horseman and polo player who will be our guide during the trip.

This time, as an introduction to this magnificent country, we shall spend the first couple of days on the slopes of Mount Kenya at the beautiful colonial home of Sara and Charlie Dyer, third generation to the pioneering Dyer family who settled on the Laikipia plateau at the turn of the 20th century. After riding Charlie's well trained polo ponies in this splendid environment, we shall fly south to the Maasai Mara, widely considered to be Africa’s greatest wildlife reserve, to continue experiencing on horseback the thrill of one of nature’s significant dramas, the impressive annual wildebeest migration.

ITINERARY

20 August - Friday
Upon arrival in Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport you are met by our representative outside Customs and transferred to the Norfolk Hotel. Dinner today is on your own arrangement. Overnight: Norfolk Hotel (bed & breakfast)

21 August - Saturday
Fly via scheduled flight to Nanyuki. Upon arrival, we are met by David Bromham and transferred to Kisima Farm a private home situated at 7,500 feet, on the slopes of Mt. Kenya, arriving in time for lunch. This is a wonderful colonial era farmhouse and home of Sara and Charlie Dyer and their extensive menagerie. After lunch an afternoon ride on their thoroughbred polo ponies will be followed by drinks around a roaring fireplace before dinner. Overnight Kisima Farm

22 August - Sunday
After a hearty breakfast a three to four hour ride up through a ‘hobbit’ forest to the moorland of Mt. Kenya and forest edges of the farm with a picnic lunch, returning early afternoon for a walk around the farm and export flower business or relax on the sloping lawns. Overnight Kisima Farm

23 August - Monday
Transfer to Nanyuki airstrip from where we will fly to the Masai Mara arriving in time for lunch at the horse safari Camp established beneath giant yellow-fever acacia trees and is a popular roost for olive baboons and vervet monkeys. The afternoon is spent settling-in, followed by a short ride to familiarize ourselves with the horses.
Lunch & Dinner in camp. Overnight Private Mobile Tented Camp

24 August - Tuesday
The morning and afternoon is spent on horseback exploring the beautiful Loita Hills and the surrounding countryside. We ride through acacia thickets and open plains in search of Burchell’s zebra, East African eland, warthog, Cape buffalo, Grant’s & Thomson’s gazelle and Masai giraffe. There is a variety of birdlife to enjoy, including the African Scops owl, superb starling, secretary bird and the white-backed vulture. All meals in camp. Overnight Private Mobile Tented Camp

25 August - Wednesday
Our first full day in the saddle takes us across the Loita Plains, past Kaitapini Hill and down onto the Shangalara lugga (dry river bed) for a picnic lunch. We enter the Olare Lamun valley and find our camp situated near a spring used by the Masai to water their cattle, a favourite haunt for both lion and leopard. Herds of impala, white-bearded wildebeest, Coke’s hartebeest and topi inhabit the neighbouring scrubland. After dinner we may go out by safari vehicle with a spotlight, to search for elusive nocturnal animals.
Breakfast and dinner in camp. Picnic lunch in the bush. Overnight Private Mobile Tented Camp

26 August - Thursday
A pre-dawn wake-up call prepares us for a long ride over vast rolling plains skirting the southern end of the Bardamat Hills. We canter across the Koiyaki Plains to a picnic site on a small escarpment overlooking the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Now riding within the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, the increase in the abundance of wildlife is immediately apparent. We reach camp located in a glade of riverine forest on the Olare Orok river. A large campfire and extra vigilant syces (grooms) keep watch at night to make sure that nocturnal predators remain at a safe distance!
Breakfast and dinner in camp. Picnic lunch in the bush. Overnight Private Mobile Tented Camp

27 August - Friday
A day of rest for the horses, we set off in our customised 4x4 safari vehicles to photograph the wildlife at close quarters. We can expect to see spotted hyena, cheetah and elephant. An afternoon walk with the Masai morran (warriors) is also an option. Meal Plan :
All meals in camp. Overnight Private Mobile Tented Camp

28 August - Saturday
We ride in a northerly direction through a spectacular secret valley, gently winding our way along the southern bank of the Mara River, looking out for the crocodiles and large pods of hippo that frequent this area. The riverine forest is home to a variety of tropical birds including the rare Ross's turaco. The concentration of game, especially during the wildebeest migration (July to October) is breathtaking. We arrive in camp in the middle of the afternoon.
Overnight Private Mobile Tented Camp

29 August - Sunday
Today we say goodbye to our horses, fly back to Nairobi for some shopping and if time pay a visit to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. After dinner transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in time for your departure flight later that night.

End of services

COST
Per Person sharing

Land $ 8,850.00
Scheduled domestic flights: p/p $ 580.00

Wilson/Nanyuki $120
Nanyuki/Mara $295
Mara/Wilson $165

Above costs include

• Full board accommodation on safari, bed & breakfast at the Norfolk Hotel.
• All park entrance fees
• Transfers as specified
• Bottled water in the safari vehicles
• Horse-riding/game drives as specified
• Laundry, beer, house wine and soft drinks (except champagne, liquors, cellar wine & spirits)
• Scheduled flights as specified in the itinerary
• Porterage of 2 pieces of luggage per person
• Government taxes and levies
• Services of private label guide David Bromham
  Tour leader
• Flying Doctors service for the duration of the safari
  

Above costs exclude

• International Air fare
• All expenses of a personal nature such as, telephone calls, tips & gratuities, etc, not indicated on the itinerary.
• Entry visa fees
• Travel and medical insurance
• Meals at the Norfolk

IMPORTANT
All members of the safari must be confident riders at all paces. NO beginners.

The weight limit is 90 kg.

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