Horseback Riding and Equestrian Vacations

KENYA

AFRICA/KENYA

Our horseback safaris are the most unique and exciting adventures in East
Africa. These safaris that journey through the game-lands of Kenya on
Somali-Arab crossbred horses, provide an exceptional opportunity to
experience wildlife and habitats off the beaten track. Our vendor  pioneered
horseback safaris across Masai land among the big game and remains the most
experienced riding outfitter.

In the saddle our trek will take you through mountains and forest, across
vast open savannah, into rivers and water-holes and up huge escarpments all
filled with a variety of animals. There are no fences, telegraph poles or
tarmac roads and the sense of space and freedom is quite overwhelming.
Imagine riding across the open plains surrounded by zebra and wildebeest or
watching a herd of elephant feed, or imagine a gallop alongside the neck of a
giraffe.

Our rides either start in the Loita or Chyulu Hills, some 150 kms from
Nairobi. After having spent a night in a comfortable Nairobi hotel you will
be driven out to our first camp set up by a spring or in a glade of acacia
trees. Each day, with your saddlebags packed with a picnic, hip flask, camera
and sunscreen, we head into the wild blue yonder, riding for about 6 to 7
hours. Meanwhile, our skilled African staff have broken camp, driven round on
bush tracks and re-erected the whole camp in time for our arrival. We arrive
at our new camp in time for tea, cocktails and a hot shower followed by a
sumptuous supper cooked over a camp fire.

Deep in the heart of the Great Rift Valley lies a dormant volcano, Mt
Longonot (9,lll ft above sea level) derived from the Masai word O-Loo-Nong'ot
meaning 'of the valleys'. Straddling the slopes of Longonot and bordering
Hell's Gate National Park to the west, (which a million years ago formed the
dramatic outflow of fresh water from Lake Naivasha) lies a private ranch,
Kedong, of 80,000 acres only 65 miles from the teeming metropolis of Nairobi,
the capital city of Kenya. Longonot Ranch House, with stunning views of
Hell's Gate gorge and the Aberdare mountain range, is situated at 7,000ft
above sea level and looks out over rolling plains to Lake Naivasha where
approximately 475 different species of birds make their home. Amongst the
many species of game which roam freely over the open plains and rocky lava
flows are eland, giraffe, zebra, impala, Thomson's and Grant's gazel,
warthog, hyena jackal, bat, eared fox and spring hare. Occasionally cheetah,
leopard and Cape buffalo are seen. Escorted walks and rides are offered from
our stables at the Ranch House. This colonial style ranch house is managed
and operated as a guest house by Safaris Unlimited (Africa) Ltd. Longonot
Ranch House is ideally situated for day trips to Lake Nakuru National Park,
Mt Suswa caves, the Aberdare Range and Lake Naivasha, well-known for its bird
life, black bass fishing and water sports. The Ranch House has 6 double
en-suite bedrooms (comprising 4 twin bedded and 2 double bedded), a honeymoon
suite and a bedroom for children, all with spectacular views of the Rift
Valley and surrounding mountains. Tents can be erected by prior arrangement
for any overflow. The House is fully furnished with a full complement of
house staff including a chef, stewards, gardeners and a night watchman.

Those wishing to fly in privately should use the Naivasha airstrip which is about 15 kms from the Ranch House.  Previous arrangement only.

RIDES:

Chyulu Trail to Kilimanjaro--An 8 day luxury ride in the shadows of Mt. Kimimanjaro.

Each of 10 in group:  $2655.00 pp; Each of 8 $2895.00 pp;  Each of 6 $$3290.00;    Each of 4 $3335.00 pp;  Each of 2 $4970.00 pp

The Aloe Blossom Ride--A nine day exploration safari on horseback.

Each of 10 in group:  $3435.00 pp; Each of 8 $3755.00;  Each of 6 $4290.00 pp;       Each of 4 $4305.00 pp;  Each of 2 $6465.00 pp;  Each of 2 $6465.00 pp

Mara Mounted Patrol--A thirteen day riding expedition across Masailand and into the Masai Mara

Each of 10 $4700.00 pp; Each of 8 $5090.00 pp;  Each of 6 $

A 5 day equestrian experience in spectacular scenery.
Departures by private arrangement.
Driven from Nairobi to Longonot Ranch House in the shadow of Mt Longonot, an
extinct volcano in the floor of the Great Rift Valley, near Lake Naivasha.
Next day ride 12 miles across 80,000 acre Kedong Ranch, teeming with plains
game. Camp at Fig Tree Hill. Another full day on horseback exploring Akira
plains and Mt Suswa. Fourth day ride up the spectacular Hell's Gate Gorge and
back to the Ranch House for your last night. Next morning enjoy a launch
cruise on beautiful Lake Naivasha before returning to Nairobi - a distance of  65 miles.

Price Guide:
Each of 2 persons US$2,790
Each of 4 persons US$1,890
Each of 6 persons US$1,730
Each of 8 persons US$1,545

THE ALOE BLOSSOM RIDE

A 10 day exploration on horseback in the Masai Mara. Departures by private
arrangement or join our fixed departures on 4 January and 30 June (minimum 4
persons).

The safari starts from Nairobi where you are collected from your hotel and
driven 150 miles across the Great Rift Valley into the beautiful and secluded
Loita Hills where the camp is set up. Then follows 8 days of fabulous cross
country riding in Masailand covering about 160 miles 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 bend. Return to Nairobi by road.

Price Guide:
Each of 4 people US$4,215
Each of 6 people US$3,440
Each of 8 people US$3,300
Each of 10 people US$3,150

CHYULU TRAIL TO KILIMANJARO

An 8 day luxury ride in the shadows of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Departures by private
arrangement or join our fixed departures on 15 June and 2 December (minimum 4
people).

This fabulous new ride takes us along the world's youngest mountain range the
Chyulu Hills smoothly shaped, grass covered rolling hills rising to 7,000ft
above sea level. Between the Chyulus and Mt Kilimanjaro (19,340ft) are vast
plains occupied by a wide variety of wild animals co-existing with the
nomadic Masai. Seven nights under canvas. It is Hemingway's 'Green Hills of
Africa' and 'The Snows of Kilimanjaro' at one sitting. This will be an
African dream.

Price Guide:
Each of 4 people US$3,486 pp
Each of 6 people US$2,815 pp
Each of 8 people US$2,640 pp
Each of 10 people US$2,400 pp

NOWHERE LEFT TO HIDE

A 16 day odyssey in Masailand and the Great Rift Valley. Departures by
private arrangement.

This spectacular riding safari is our most popular trek for the true
equestrian who wants an uninterrupted horseback adventure across the forested
Loita Hills and the open plains of Kenya's Masailand. The safari starts with
a night at a Nairobi hotel before driving out to the Loita Hills near the
Tanzanian border, where we find our base camp. Then follows 12 days of
progressive riding through a wildlife kingdom unsurpassed anywhere else in
Africa. We mingle with the nomadic Masai tribe and wander among huge herds of
plains game - a thrilling experience especially during the period of the
wildebeeste migration up from the Serengeti between July and October. After
our last camp, set up on the banks of the Mara River, with its heavy
population of hippo and crocodile, we drive to Longonot Ranch House on 80,000
acre Kedong Ranch near Lake Naivasha in the Rift Valley for two days of
boating, birding, some riding and relaxation before returning to Nairobi for
your final departure.

Price details supplied on request.

MARA MOUNTED PATROL

A 13 day riding expedition across Masailand. Departures by private
arrangement or join our fixed departure ride on 13 September.

Driven from Nairobi into the forested Loita Hills which rise up to nearly
9,000ft above sea level. Some of the finest indigenous forest in Kenya can be
found here and is inhabited by a variety of wildlife and bird species. We
ride for 12 days through hills and across plains to the Masai Mara. We are
accompanied by 4x4 vehicles for game drives and close-up photography when we
reach the game reserve. Outstanding exposure to an abundance of wildlife as
well as contact with the nomadic Masai.

Price Guide:
Each of 4 people US$5,585 pp
Each of 6 people US$4,560 pp
Each of 8 people US$4,375 pp
Each of 10 people US$4,205 pp

THE DRUMBEAT OF AFRICA

A 15 day combination saddle and photographic safari. Departures by private
arrangement.

This safari combines a luxury camping and photographic safari in north
eastern Kenya visiting Samburu/Shaba Game Reserve, Aberdare National Park and
the Great Rift Valley by 4x4 safari vehicles, followed by a week on horseback
in the Masai Mara. 11 nights under canvas and 4 nights in lodges/private
ranches.

Price Guide:
Each of 4 people US$6,415 pp
Each of 6 people US$5,355 pp
Each of 8 people US$5,245 pp
Each of 10 people US$4,860 pp
This itinerary is ideal if your partner or members of the group are
non-riders.

WHISTLING THORN & WHISPERING PALMS

A 15 day riding expedition and relaxation at the coast. Departures by private
arrangement.

A luxury safari of 10 days on horseback under canvas accomplishing about a
200 kms circuit in the vicinity of the Masai Mara - another wildlife
extravaganza overnight 1st class sleeper train to the Indian Ocean, finishing
off with 3 nights at our private villa on the beach south of Mombasa. You
finally fly back to Nairobi to connect with your international flight home.

Price Guide:
Each of 4 people US$6,250 pp
Each of 6 people US$5,170 pp
Each of 8 people US$4,900 pp
Each of 10 people S$4,625 pp

THE GENTLEMAN'S RIDE

An 11 day luxury ride gambolling around the Mara. Departures by private
arrangement.

After collection from your Nairobi hotel we aircharter you deep into
Masailand for a leisurely equestrian adventure on horseback in luxury under
canvas at each of four lovely campsites. The riding days start with a stirrup
cup followed by some fabulous riding and end with hot showers, sundowners and
a candlelit gourmet dinner. After eight nights in our four bush camps, we fly
you to Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley for two nights at our charming
Longonot Ranch House. This beautiful colonial home is situated on Kedong
Ranch (80,000 acres), which teems in wildlife. Here we enjoy more riding and
walking, as well as boating or simply 'chilling-out' in some of the grandest
scenery in Africa.

Price Guide:
Each of 4 people US$8,480 pp
Each of 6 people US$5,470 pp
Each of 8 people US$4,645 pp
Each of 10 people US$4,475 pp

These safaris offer a wonderful variety of activities.
Prices start at US$550  per person per day.

SPECIAL RIDING TRIPS

We can tailor make a riding itinerary to suit any special requirements. There
are some fascinating trails in the shadows of Mt Kenya, northwards across the
Laikipia and down to the Uaso Nyiro river which flows through Samburu
country. Please contact us for more information.

CONTACT US

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Eastern Trekking Associates

http://www.horsevacations.com
Shelly and Albert Morris
PO Box 357
Thomson, Georgia 30824
phone Outside Georgia 1-888-836-6152
In Georgia: 1-706-541-2450
Email: rides@horsevacations.com

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