General Info

Kenya Horse Safari with one of Africa's top mobile riding safari companies in the Maasai Mara game reserve, one of the best game reserves in the world.

On this horseback safari in Kenya, look out for wildebeest and zebra in their thousands and topi, gazelles and giraffe as well as the giants of Africa - the elephant. The famous Maasai Mara migration usually means vast quantities of plains game, particularly between June and September and this means predators too. The scenery is stunning as you ride the wide open grassy plains and onto the escarpments. The safaris tend to start in the Loita Hills and head onto the Mara plains. The only other people you are likely to see are the local Maasai and you can ride for 200 miles without seeing a fencepost.

Most of the rides in Masai land and the Northern ranches are on fairly open plains interspersed with bush. They are short grass plains ideal for riding. Care must be taken for holes but canters and gallops are taken on open plains. The riding safaris always have Land Rovers along for game drives.

With over 25 years of experience organizing riding safaris throughout Kenya, there are few companies that have guides with this level of knowledge and experience. One of the key factors of any safari in Africa, but in particular a riding safari, is your guide. 

Tristan Voorspuy has led safaris in Africa since the early 1980's, so it is no surprise that he has been recognized as one of the top safari guides in Africa. His knowledge of Africa and its wildlife has led to him being chosen as one Kenya's honorary Game Wardens. Tristan has a deep understanding of the interaction between wildlife and man on horseback. After a glorious day on safari and around a bush fire at night there are few better storytellers in Africa.

Tristan's wife Cindy Voorspuy is one of Africa's top ranked women polo players. There isn't much she doesn't know about rearing, stabling, managing and riding horses in Kenya. At Deloraine, she looks after over 80 horses in stables and paddocks around the farm, preparing them for Offbeat's mobile riding safaris. Guests staying at Deloraine are always made to feel 'at home' by Cindy and her family.

There are several different riding safari options to choose from while vacationing with on this Kenya Horse Safari. 7 night to 10 night horseback safaris are available, as well as custom safari tours designed to fit your needs.

Awards & Accolades

Featured in Herald Scotland, Horse & Hound, Private Air, Telegraph Magazine and Architectural Digest. 

Packing

Packing for African Horse Safaris

Being so close to the equator, there is no winter or summer in Kenya, so you can enjoy this vacation year round. There are two rainy seasons, one in November and then again beginning in April. The hottest months are February/March, September/October. The rides are at an average of 5,500 feet. This makes for a cool climate and also means there are very few mosquitoes. 

Please see Equitrekking Travel’s General Packing List. Please ask our preferred agents who have taken this trip about packing upon booking to get first-hand insight.

About the Horses

The horses are well-schooled Thoroughbred and Thoroughbred crosses for this Kenya horse safari. Many are home bred from a selection of the stables' best mares. All of them are responsive, tough and fit. Many are trained for polo and the best ones are handpicked for each guest on their riding safari. Over the duration of a full riding safari, guests often become highly attached to their own personal mounts.

 

Activities/Events

There are no lack of activities on these horseback safaris! Various activities are available at each of the different camps. Game is plentiful everywhere that the riding safaris are conducted. The rides are through habitats where dangerous game abounds but your guide is knowledgeable of their habits and likely reactions of the game. In any situation, you should do as he or she says. Game drives, night game drives, and game walks are undertaken on every safari whether riding or not.

Accommodations/Food

On these horseback safaris in Kenya you camp in the African wilderness supported by four-wheel drive vehicles. The campsites are remote and secluded and you leave the area as you found it, making this an eco-friendly adventure vacation. The spacious tents are all furnished with large beds, 24-hour solar lighting and the finest linen. Towels, soap and torches are provided. Hot bucket showers wash away the dust of the day and long drop loos are provided.

Informal dining is hosted in the mess tent or around the campfire. Delicious English breakfasts, light lunches and four course dinners are served each evening. Guests can relax in the bar and 'mess' tent, furnished with comfortable sofas, a writing desk and library with wildlife guide books.

Deloraine is an elegant double-storey colonial home built in the 1920's by one of Kenya's most prominent early settlers, Lord Francis Scott. The house is set in the middle of a 5,000 acre farm and the gardens themselves are worth a visit. Many people find their stay at Deloraine to be a highlight of their safari.

Sosian was originally built in the 1940s by Italian artisans and the newly renovated ranch house sits at the heart of the ranch. Fourteen people can be accommodated in seven double, ensuite cottages. A comfortable sitting and dining area overlooks the garden with views of the wide Ewaso Narok River basin. There is a billiard room, tennis court and swimming pool.

The Ideal Traveler

These equestrian vacations are for advanced riders only. You should be comfortable at all paces and able to gallop out of trouble. The horseback safaris are through big game country. You should be fit enough to ride between 3 and 6 hours a day. Some walking may be necessary over rough terrain. 
 

Kenya 10 night Mara Deloraine Safari

The Maasai Mara is perhaps the most outstanding game reserve in the world. On your Kenya horse safari, you may spot wildebeast and zebra in their thousands and also, topi, gazelles and giraffe as well as the giants of Africa - the elephant.

Dates & Rate 2013

Feb 16-26, March 9-19, June 21- July 1, July 12-22, Aug 2-9, Aug 9-16 SOLD OUT, Aug 23-Sept 2, Sept 3-13, Sept 20-27, Oct 15-25, Dec 3-13, 

8 nights on safari and 2 nights at Deloraine
$7,873 USD* (£4,900) pp double occupancy

No single supplement if you are willing to share, otherwise $96 USD* (£60) a night.

* Prices shown are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations. Prices are indicative only; the price of your chosen holiday will be reconfirmed by your travel consultant, prior to your making a booking.

Included
Accommodation; full board; drinks; camp and safari equipment; all riding and game drives; concession fees. (7 night Mara safari only also includes a Day room in Nairobi on final day as morning departure from the Mara). Transfers included from Nairobi.

Not Included
Tips. Scheduled air transfers or road transfers to the start of the ride will be arranged to suit the itinerary. International flights to Nairobi.

Sample Kenya Horse Safari Itinerary:

Day One

You will be met either Jomo Kenyatta Airport or your Nairobi hotel and transferred to Wilson airport for your flight to the Mara. On arrival in the Mara you are met by your guide and there will be an hour's drive to camp. Camp is located in a grove of acacia trees by a small stream at the southern edge of the Loita Plains at Olare Lamun (the rhino salt lick), you arrive in time for lunch. There will be an evening ride. Overnight Olare Lamun.

Day Two

A full day to explore this remote area with abundant game. Drives, rides and walks may be taken from camp. Overnight Olare Lamun.

Day Three

Your first moving day of your Kenya horseback safari and you break camp in good time as it is the longest ride of the trip. You ride across rolling open plains and the game generally becomes more plentiful as you approach the Mara ecosystem. You should see herds of zebra, topi, giraffe, wildebeest, gazelle and there is a good chance of seeing elephant and buffalo as well. Reach your camp on the edge of the Masai Game Reserve on the Olare Orok lugga in the late afternoon. From camp you can sometimes hear lion and hyena at night and the abundance of game is apparent everywhere. Overnight Olare Orok.

Days Four and Five

Two full days of morning and evening rides from camp with the option of driving into the game park for some good photographic opportunities. From the landrovers you can get much closer to lion, elephant and buffalo than you are able to from the horses. Overnight Olare Orok.

Day Six

Another moving day. You head west across the Mara Plains and reach the Mara river on the park boundary. Hopefully you ford the river (unless in complete flood) at one of the famous wildebeest crossings and then head south west across the Mara Triangle where you have a picnic lunch before ascending the Soit Olololol Escarpment to reach camp in a forest glade overlooking the whole Mara ecosystem. Overnight Soit Olololol.

Day Seven

You ride south west along the top of the escarpment enjoying glorious views to the east on excellent going for the horses. Hopefully you will get to see the beautiful Mrs Ross and Schalows Turaco as well as much plains game. You descend the escarpment on foot along a rocky cattle track and have a picnic lunch under some acacias at the foot of the escarpment. After lunch ride back through the Mara triangle at the foot of the escarpment before ascending on a game trail. Overnight Soit Olololol.

Day Eight

Descend the escarpment again and ride across to the same wildebeest crossing on the river. Head in a north western direction and after lunch find your final campsite set up on the banks of the Mara River. Close by there are some hippo pools and their grunting at night can be a special feature of this camp when the hippos are present. Overnight Mara River.

Day Nine

Leaving camp after breakfast with a picnic lunch you drive to Deloraine via the impressive tea growing area of Kericho. Arrive in time for tea and an evening walk around the beautiful gardens. Overnight Deloraine.

Day Ten

An early morning ride before breakfast is optional. Day trips to either Lake Nakuru or Bogoria, both famous for flamingos can be arranged with a picnic lunch. Overnight Deloraine.

Day Eleven

Transfer by private charter to Nairobi leaving after lunch.

* Please note this itinerary can sometimes run in reverse with the nights at Deloraine at the beginning. This itinerary is a sample itinerary. Itineraries are subject to changes due to the weather, the trip guide's discretion and other factors.
 

Kenya 7 night Mara Safari

An amazing horse safari in Kenya on one of the best game reserves in the world, the Maasai Mara. The only other people you are likely to see are the local Maasai and you can ride for 200 miles without seeing a fencepost. You should be an experienced rider, fit and secure in the saddle at all paces. Much of the riding is at a walk due to the terrain, but there are fast gallops.

2013 Dates & Rates

7 nights on safari
$5,704 USD* (£3,550) pp double occupancy
No single supplement if you are willing to share, otherwise $96 USD* (£60) a night.

* Prices shown are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations. Prices are indicative only; the price of your chosen holiday will be reconfirmed by your travel consultant, prior to your making a booking.

Included
Accommodation; full board; drinks; camp and safari equipment; all riding and game drives; concession fees. (7 night Mara safari only also includes a Day room in Nairobi on final day as morning departure from the Mara). Transfers included from Nairobi.

Not Included
Tips. Scheduled air transfers or road transfers to the start of the ride will be arranged to suit the itinerary. International flights to Nairobi.

Sample Kenya Horse Safari Itinerary:

Day One

You met at your Nairobi hotel or directly from the airport and transferred to Wilson Airport for a 10.30 charter or 10am schedule flight to Siana Springs. It is a beautiful flight passing over the fertile Kikuyu Highlands before reaching the Great Rift Valley. You fly across the volcano studded floor of the Rift before reaching the Loita Hills and Siana Springs Airstrip. You will be met by your guide and there will be an hour's drive to camp. Reach your camp in a grove of acacia trees by a small stream at the southern edge of the Loita Plains at Olare Lamun (the rhino salt lick) in time for lunch. There will be an evening ride. Overnight Olare Lamun

Day Two

A full day to explore this remote area with abundant game. Drives, rides and walks may be taken from camp. Overnight Olare Lamun.

Day Three

Your first moving day and you break camp in good time as it is the longest ride of the trip covering nearly 50kms. Ride across rolling open plains and the game generally becomes more plentiful as you approach the Mara ecosystem. You should see herds of zebra, topi, giraffe, wildebeest, gazelle and there is a good chance of seeing elephant and buffalo as well. Reach your camp on the edge of the Masai Game Reserve on the Olare Orok lugga late afternoon. From camp you are likely to hear lion and hyena at night. The abundance of game is apparent everywhere. Overnight Olare Orok.

Days Four & Five

Two full days of morning and evening rides from camp with the option of driving into the game park for some good photographic opportunities. From the landrovers you can get much closer to lion, elephant and buffalo than you are able to do from the horses. Overnight Olare Orok.

Day Six

Another moving day. You head west across the Mara plains and reach the Mara River on the Park boundary. Hopefully you will be able to ford the river (unless in complete flood) at one of the famous wildebeest crossings and then head south west across the Mara Triangle where we have our picnic lunch before ascending the Soit Olololol Escarpment to reach our camp in a forest glade overlooking the whole Mara ecosystem. Overnight Soit Olololol

Day Seven

You ride south west along the top of the escarpment enjoying glorious views to the east on excellent going for the horses. Hopefully you will see the beautiful Mrs Ross and Schalows Turaco as well as much plains game. You descend the escarpment on foot along a rocky cattle track and have a picnic lunch under some acacias at the foot of the escarpment. After lunch ride back through the Mara Triangle at the foot of the escarpment before ascending on a game trail. Many bachelor buffalo herds are a feature of the afternoon. Overnight Soit Olololol

Day Eight

Transfer back to Nairobi by scheduled flight and then on to the International airport in the evening (dinner is to your own account).

Please contact us for the AMBOSELI safari itinerary which runs once year.

* This itinerary is a sample itinerary. Itineraries are subject to changes due to the weather, the trip guide's discretion and other factors. 

Related Travel Articles

Traveler Reviews

"We are back from our wonderful, amazing, exciting, fabulous safari - I can't believe it's over. I just want to do the whole thing again and again and again. We had the GREATEST time, Jakob and George looked after us beautifully. We just wanted to say how much we loved it all. Your team is so well organized, everything ran like clockwork and the food, night game drives, etc. all added to the richness of the experience. It is TRULY the best holiday we have ever taken in our lives, and trust me, we've had some good ones!"

"It was a real pleasure to meet Cindy and Tristan and to enjoy your hospitality at Deloraine. We had a truly memorable safari. Jakob looked after us really well. Jack was a Rolls-Royce, out-jumping everyone & gave me tremendous fun. Nettie did a great job with John. All in all it was an unforgettable experience, especially the long canters with game which were very special. I suspect that we will be back!"

"Only two weeks ago, we came back from our holiday with Kenya Horse Safaris. We wanted to thank you for the good organization of the trip. We really could relax and didn't have to worry about anything. It was a very impressing trip for the two of us. We enjoyed riding through the open plains and discovering all the savage animals. It was a truly unforgettable holiday. We want to thank everyone, who was involved!!"
 

Reading List

Kenya (Eyewitness Travel Guides) [Paperback]
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Kenya will lead you straight to the best attractions Kenya has to offer. Packed with photographs, illustrations and maps of Kenya, this guide explores every facet that makes Kenya dynamic and irresistible; from the spectacular wildlife and breathtaking National Parks, to the lively nightlife and cultural attractions of Nairobi. Features include a comprehensive illustrated guide to Kenya's habitats and wildlife, detailed information on game reserves and safaris and all the best highlights and detailed maps of Kenya's National Parks. DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Kenya provides all the insider tips every visitor to Kenya needs, with dozens of reviews for the best hotels in Kenya for all budgets, recommendations for restaurants and bars in Kenya, tips for shopping in Kenya and all the entertainment, beaches, markets and festivals options listed town by town.

The Safari Companion by Richard Estes
An invaluable encyclopedic guide to Africa's mammals by a noted scientist. Written with the typical safari-goer in mind, it includes black-and-white drawings, an overview of each group and in-depth information on the behavior, habits and diet of 100 large African mammals.

West with the Night by Beryl Markham
A direct, stylish, and engrossing story of a marvelous life well-lived. Markham describes her childhood in Kenya and her experiences as a bush pilot in the 1930s, evoking the landscapes, people, and wildlife of East Africa in rich detail.

Equitrekking Coffee Table Companion Book & DVD

Equitrekking Travel Adventures on Horseback by Darley Newman with Photographs by Chip Ward available at Amazon.com
This companion to the PBS TV series, Equitrekking, proves that the world's most beautiful views are often best seen from atop a horse. This gorgeous book features dozens of scenic rides in the U.S. and around the globe. Denver Post review: For horse folk and dreamers, as well as fans of the show, it's a beautiful trip through stunning equestrian-friendly possibilities.



Equitrekking DVD's featuring Emmy winning PBS episodes, available in the Shop section of Equitrekking.com 

Get off the beaten path to see some of the world's most beautiful horses and classic riding destinations with host and equestrian travel expert Darley Newman with Emmy Award-winning Equitrekking, the horseback riding travel series on PBS. 

Season One: Vermont, the Carolinas, Georgia Coast, Wyoming, Colorado and Spain.

Season Two: Iceland, Coastal Ireland, Hawaii's Big Island, Irish Countryside, Maui, Virginia Hunt Country and California Wine Country.

Season Three: Arizona, Belize, Costa Rica, Kentucky, Quebec, Texas and Utah.

Season Four: Southern Spain, Alaska, Central Turkey, Quebec City and Beyond, Scotland and Wales.

    

Good Books for Horse Lovers and Equestrians

Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior (Paperback) by Temple Grandin
Philosophers and scientists have long wondered what goes on in the minds of animals, and this fascinating study gives a wealth of illuminating insights into that mystery. ---Publishers Weekly

The Horse: A Miscellany of Equine Knowledge (Hardcover) by Julie Whitaker with Ian Whitelaw
The Horse is an informative gallop through everything to do with the horse:  evolution, history, biology, breeds, behavior, training, competition, health, and care—all gathered into an accessible gallery of solid information, essential facts, and fascinating trivia.                                                           

Hunter Seat Equitation (Hardcover) by George H. Morris
A classic by a world-renowned teacher and master equestrian--the definitive work on the art of teaching and riding the hunter seat, now updated to include refinements in Morris's insightful program of riding instruction.

The New Encyclopedia of the Horse (Hardcover) by Elwyn Hartley Edwards
Chronicling the history of the horse, this guide encompasses the early domestication of the horse, classical riding styles, as well as a survey of the great stud farms and current international sporting events.