DELORAINE LODGE - Open year round, this lodge is one of the finest examples of colonial architecture in the country. Located in the Great Rift Valley, the commercial farm is set inside a 5,000 acre plot at the foot of Londiani Mountain. The lodge facilities and accommodations include electricity, complimentary laundry services, 8 rooms 6 of which have en-suite bathrooms while the other two family rooms share, and a dining room where meals are prepared in a house-party atmosphere. Activities include roaming the gardens, croquet, tennis, swimming in the pool, riding on the farm or the nearby mountain, riding the cross country course, playing polo, or a full day game drive with a picnic lunch at the nearby Lake Nakuru National Park.

RIDING SAFARIS - With a a minimum of 4, maximum of 12 guests in a riding party, the set departures send guests into big game country. Good riding ability is important and you should be comfortable at all paces and able to gallop out of trouble. You should also be fit enough to ride between 4 and 6 hours a day. The maximum weight is 210 lbs / 95kgs

Horses are well schooled, thoroughbred and thoroughbred cross. All are tried for polo and the best polo ponies go on safari as they are responsive, tough and fit.

Amenities include complimentary laundry which will be done on non-moving days so that luggage can be kept to a minimum. Weather permitting, all meals are taken outside, however the mess tent doubles as a bar and dinning tent. All food is freshly made and any dietary requirements should be stipulated as you book your safari. All alcohol is provided except Champagne. Guests are accomodated in true bush style mobile safari tents, erected in the wild of the Kenyan bush.

LAIKIPIA ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

Spend your first day at The Lewa Conservancy - a World famous Nature Conservancy on 40,000 acres of pristine country on the Northern slopes of Mount Kenya.  It is home to the big five and a host of other species such as Grevy's Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Reticulated Giraffe and other rare species. This area has beautiful views to the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya in the south and the rugged mountains of the Mathews Range, Bodich and even Marsabit on the way to the Ethiopian border.

Ride across Lewa to the west crossing the Ngare Ndare River and onto Borana Ranch, another cattle ranch turned conservation area.  You might meet a variety of game including black rhino and elephant and a host of other species including the reticulated giraffe.

Cross from Borana onto Ole Naishi ranch and climb the first ridge of the spectacular Loldaiga Hills. These form a northern extension of the Mt Kenya Massive and consist of large rocky Kopje's interspersed with Cedar forest. Cross Ole Naishi onto Loldaiga Hills a 55,000-acre ranch and probably one of the most beautiful farms in Africa. Camp at the head of a beautiful valley surrounded by cedar forest. The next day is spent on spectacular rides and a picnic lunch by land rover to the northern areas of the ranch.

Drop down a hidden valley on elephant and buffalo tracks before crossing Enasoit ranch and then onto the specialist cattle ranch of Mogwooni.  Enjoy a picnic lunch here on the banks of the Nanyuki River.  After lunch El Karama ranch awaits - 13,000 acres of pristine game country where you camp on the banks of the Ewaso Ngiro River. There is a host of game including Grevy's Zebra, the rare endemic Jackson's Hartebeest, elephant, giraffe and hippo in the river.

Cross the Ewaso Narok River and traverse Segera ranch to the Northwest. Head up the Sugoroi river valley before crossing rather monotonous black cotton plains, covered in whistling thorn (acacia Drepanolobium) which is home to the Patas monkey -- rare among the northern savannahs of Africa. You reach the Mutara River and follow this pretty valley down before crossing onto Sosian ranch for a late lunch at the edge of the lovely Suguta Swamp. A short ride after lunch ends at Sosian Ranch House where tents are exchanged for the comfort of the lodge.

MASAI MARA AND DELORAINE ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

Drive with a picnic lunch through the fertile Kikuyu Highlands before dropping down 2000 ft into the Great Rift Valley. Cross the volcano studded floor of the Rift before ascending the Mau Escarpment on the far side and thence to the Masai capital of Narok. 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 tea and possibly an evening ride. 

The first moving day is the longest ride of the trip covering nearly 50kms. Across rolling open plains, the game generally becomes more plentiful including herds of zebra, topi, giraffe, wildebeest, gazelle and there is a good chance of seeing elephant and buffalo as well.  You camp on the edge of the Masai Game Reserve on the Olare Orok lugga where you are likely to hear lion and hyena at night.

Enjoy a full day of rides and game drives before heading west across the Mara plains. Ford the Mara River (unless in complete flood) at one of the famous wildebeest crossings and then head south west across the Mara Triangle before ascending the Soit Olololol Escarpment to reach camp in a forest glade overlooking the whole Mara ecosystem. 

Descend the escarpment again and ride across to the same wildebeest crossing on the river towards the final campsite set up on the banks of the Mara River. Close by there are some hippo pools and their grunting at night is a special feature of this camp.

The final two nights are spent at Deloraine. Leaving camp after breakfast with a picnic lunch we drive to Deloraine via the impressive tea growing area of Kericho. We arrive in time for tea and an evening walk around the beautiful garden. 

An early morning ride before breakfast is optional.  Also day trips to either Lake Nakuru or Bogoria famous for their flamingoes can be arranged with a picnic lunch on the final full day.

For more information on any of our Great Horseback Riding Adventures & Riding Vacations, contact us today!

Photos courtesy of Offbeat Safaris