Explore the Masai Mara on Horseback
Destination: Kenya
Activity: Horseback Riding, Nature Observation, Riding Safaris
Duration: 10 days
How Tough? Moderate
When? June, December
For Kids? For Teenagers And Adults
Enjoy a riding safari in Kenya on this 10-day adventure.
The ride starts from Nairobi where you driven 150 miles/241 km across the Rift Valley into the beautiful and secluded Loita Hills where your camp is set up.
Then, enjoy eight days of fabulous cross country riding in Masailand covering about 160 miles/257 km until your reach the Masai Mara — perhaps the most outstanding game reserve in the world. Ride in the periphery and less visited areas teeming with wildlife.
The camp moves by truck almost every day with your final camp set up on the banks of the Mara River at Kiboko bench.
Tour Plan
Aloe Blossom Ride Itinerary
Day 1: You will be collected from your Nairobi Hotel at 0900 hrs and we drive out to the edge of the Great Rift Valley. We then descend 2,000 feet/610 m to the valley below studded with volcanic mountains. Picnic lunch en route. Our route takes us through the small trading town of Narok before winding up into the forested Loita Hills. We reach camp set up on the edge of the Morijo Swamp in the Morijo Valley. Overnight: Tented Camp Morijo.
Day 2: A full day ride with picnic lunch exploring the beautiful Loita Hills which rise up to 8,600 feet/2,621 m above the Nguruman escarpment. We ride through forests and glades in search of the game. Picnic lunch and dinner in camp. Overnight: Tented Camp Morijo.
Day 3: Today we ride up to Subugo, the highest point on the Loita Hills before descending to Leshuta Lugga where our camp is set beneath yellow acacia trees. Picnic lunch and dinner in camp. Overnight: Tented Camp Leshuta.
Day 4: After an early breakfast we saddle up and trek across open plains, reaching Barkitabu in the late afternoon. There are a number of Masai manyattas in this area so we shall come into close contact with these fine nomadic people. Picnic lunch and dinner in camp. Overnight: Tented Camp Barkitabu.
Day 5: Ride across the Loita Plains, picnic lunch on Shangalara lugga. We enter the Olare Lamun (rhino salt lick) lugga where our camp is situated. Picnic lunch and dinner in camp. Overnight: Tented Camp Olare Lamun.
Day 6: Our ride today skirts the southern end of the Bardamat Hills where we have a picnic lunch looking out over the Mara plains. We reach camp set up in a glade of riverine forest of the Olare Orok lugga. Picnic lunch and dinner in camp. Overnight: Tented Camp Olare Orok.
Day 7: Today we ride in a westerly direction across the Mara plain. After a picnic lunch on the Mara River, we ford the river and climb the Soit Oloolol escarpment. From our campsite set on the top of the escarpment, we have superb views of the rolling Masai Mara Game Reserve, perhaps the most densely populated game sanctuary in Africa. On arrival we picket our horses and enjoy dinner round the camp fire. Overnight: Tented Camp Soit Oloolol.
Day 8: We ride down the Soit Oloolol escarpment and then along the south bank of the Mara River inhabited by the occasional crocodile and some large pods of hippo. The riverine forest harbours a variety of tropical birds including the rare Ross’s Turaco. We arrive in camp in the middle of the afternoon. There may be time for a short game drive in the late afternoon. Picnic lunch and dinner in camp. Overnight: Tented Camp Mara River.
Day 9: The horses have a rest day and we go by landcruiser into the Masai Mara Game Reserve to photograph wildlife including lion, cheetah, hyena, elephant and rhino at close quarters from the safety of a vehicle. This is your best chance of seeing the Big Five. There is also a great abundance of bird life here. Optional game rides on horseback in the late afternoon. Other options are a hot air balloon safari or a winged excursion to Lake Victoria to fish for the giant Nile Perch. All meals in camp. Overnight: Tented Camp Mara River.
Day 10: Today we leave our horses and return via Narok to Nairobi, where you are delivered to your hotel in the early afternoon.
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