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Last Update: 15 Jun 2010

Riding Safaris | Kenya

Horseback safaris in Kenya were pioneered by Tony Church in the 1970’s and his son, Gordon “Gordie” now does most of the guiding of the company he established Safaris Unlimited. Tristan Vourspuy worked for the Church’s before going on to set up his own mobile riding safaris and he is now probably the best known of the riding guides in  Kenya. Tristan’s operation is based at   Deloraine on the edge of the Great Rift Valley but his mobile horse safaris take place mainly in and around the Maasai Mara (sometimes spelt Masai Mara).

Cattle grazing and tourism are starting to encroach on the Mara but a Kenya horse riding holiday or Kenya riding safari is still regarded by many as the ultimate riding experience where you can encounter large herds of game on horseback. Some Kenyan horseback safaris, where you stay in luxury mobile tented camps with bucket showers are timed to coincide with the great migration of wildebeest between Tanzania and Kenya.

The number of riders on these mobile riding safaris in Kenya or equestrian safari in Kenya can be quite large for riding holidays, up to 14, but the open plains lend themselves to this size of group where you can spread out and take your own line. You do need to be a confident rider. It is demanding riding and you need to keep clear of the aardvark holes which can be a challenge, especially when the grass is high. Lion and elephant are potentially the most dangerous animals when on a Kenya horseback safaris so confidence in your guide is essential. These are not managed reserves like South Africa so game sightings are more unpredictable. There is also the added bonus of interacting with Maasai tribespeople.

In more recent years, other riding safari operations have grown up. Mark Laurence who guided for Tristan for a number of years set up his own Kenya riding safari outfit, Siruai Safaris. Further north on the slopes of Mount Kenya is Borana managed by the Dyer family. Although it can’t rival the huge herds of the Mara, Borana Lodge offers some of the finest accommodation/service in Africa and great Kenyan riding holidays with exciting wildlife sightings. In the south east, near the Tanzanian border Ol Donyo Wuas provides centre based and trail rides in the Chyulu Hills. The guides here are a dynamic couple, Nicola Young and Patrick Stanton, and their horses and guiding are superb.

As it’s on the equator the temperatures in Kenya don’t vary much over the year. Days are hot but it is likely to be cool in the mornings and evenings, especially at altitude The main climatic factor to take into account is the rains. The long rains are from April to May and the short rains in November. When it rains the dirt roads often become impassable for the support crew and for this reason the mobile safaris don’t operate in these months. Just prior to the rains it can feel hotter and sometimes windy.

Another great attraction of the riding safaris in Kenya are the fabulous beach lodges on the coast. Places like Manda Bay and Kiwayu make great add-ons and are wonderful places to chill out after a riding safari.

Do go to Kenya if you want luxury riding safaris and the ultimate thrill of riding with big game.

Don’t go to Kenya if you are looking for a budget riding holiday!

	Borana A beautiful lodge on the slopes of Mt Kenya.
	Chyulu Hills Safari Luxury, tented safaris near Mt Kilimanjaro.
	Deloraine Mobile safaris with great game viewing, operated by Tristan Vourspuy.
	Ol Donyo Wuas Luxury lodge near Mt Kilimanjaro.