Kenya - Chyulu Trail to Kilimanjaro - 8 days ..
An eight-day ride in the shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro
CHYULU HILLS
Altitude 3000-7000 ft. ~ Gazetted in 1983.

At less than five hundred years old, the Chyulu Hills are said to be one of the youngest mountain ranges in the world. Near-perfect bosom hills and rounded volcanic cones layered with a carpet of green grass and strands of lava forest rise up above vast rolling plains. The Cave Exploration Group of East Africa found Leviathan Cave here - the longest and deepest lava tube in the world. These hills are still relatively unexplored and except for the Masai, it is an uninhabited area. This Garden of Eden landscape, with its long dreamy panoramas of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and variety of wild animals extending from the huge Tsavo National Park, has a genuine sensation of raw wilderness.
AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
Altitude 3,900-4,500 ft. ~ Area 392 sq. km ~ Gazetted in 1948.
Amboseli, meaning ‘a place of water’ in Masai, is an international biosphere reserve with unrivalled views of Mt. Kilimanjaro.  Despite its sometimes dry and dusty appearance, it has an endless water supply filtered through thousands of feet of volcanic rock from Kilimanjaro snowmelt. The swamps and streams attract large herds of game, in particular elephant, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and impala. Birdlife is equally abundant, especially around water, and the birds of prey are particularly well represented. Years ago this was the locale around which such famous writers as Ernest Hemingway and Robert Ruark spun their stories of big game hunting in the African bush.

IT-KYRT08
8 Days/ 7 Nights from $ 4,080  based on 6 riders
Single (if requested) $800   

2008 Safari Season:
Each of 12      $ 3,495 per person
Each of 11      $ 3,635
Each of 10      $ 3,580
Each of   9      $ 3,760
Each of   8      $ 3,550
Each of   7      $ 3,780
Each of   6      $ 4,080
Each of   5      $ 4,060
Each of   4      $ 4,580
Each of   3      $ 5,480
Each of   2      $ 7,195

... all rates are subject to a
·         Game Reserve entry fee of $200 pp
·         Flying Doctors’ Membership: $ 15 pp

THE CHYULU TRAIL TO KILIMANJARO
An eight-day ride in the shadows of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

THE ITINERARY

DAY 1 ~ On arrival in Nairobi you will be met by Safaris Unlimited at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and transferred to our small home and farm near the Ngong Hills.  Alternatively we will meet you at your hotel at about 8.30 am.  Over a cup of Kenyan tea or coffee your professional guide, Gordon or Tony Church, will give you a briefing on your safari. We then drive for approximately 4 hours down the Mombasa Road and over the hills at Kilima Kiu to Emali where we branch off towards the beautiful Chyulu Hills. We will find our private camp set up under shady acacia trees at Muereshi, on the Kiboko Sand lugga (dry river bed). The afternoon is spent settling-in, followed by a short ride to familiarise yourselves with the horses. We may see Grant’s gazelle, lesser kudu, Masai giraffe, Burchell’s zebra and Kirk’s dik dik.
Meal Plan : Lunch and dinner in camp.
Overnight : Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Muereshi, Southern Masailand.

DAY 2 ~ We saddle up after breakfast and ride south-east across the semi-arid Muereshi Plains. After a picnic lunch on the slopes of Ol Doinyo Sambu Hill, we continue to Ol Doinyo Enkiroriti at the northern end of the Chyulu Hills. We can expect to see a variety of plains game, as well as the rare gerenuk and the fringe eared oryx. The nomadic Masai tribesmen with their herds of cattle have wandered these vast and varied landscapes, co-existing with the game, for many generations. During the safari we will have the opportunity to enjoy the company and wisdom of these wonderful people.
Meal Plan : Breakfast and dinner in camp. Picnic lunch in the bush.
Overnight : Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Enkiroriti, Southern Masailand.

DAY 3 ~ Morning and evening game rides on horseback exploring the stunningly scenic landscape of the Mbirikani Steppe in search of game; white-bearded wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelle, lion, cheetah and striped hyena. Those feeling energetic may like to climb an impressive large cinder cone close to camp. Ornithologists will find the birdlife a constant source of fascination.
Meal Plan : All meals in camp.
Overnight : Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Enkiroriti, Southern Masailand.

DAY 4 ~ After breakfast we ride across the savanna plains leaving El Mau Hill to the west. Here the lava flows reach the low country and provide ideal cover for lion, elephant and Cape buffalo. Herds of antelope can be spotted against the backdrop of Mt. Kilimanjaro. After a picnic lunch, our trail takes us up into the wooded Chyulu Hills, to an altitude of about 5,000 ft.  Camp is near a small yet impressive caldera with breathtaking views across the plains to ‘Kili’.
Meal Plan : Breakfast and dinner in camp. Picnic lunch in the bush.
Overnight : Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Crater Camp, Chyulu Hills.  

DAY 5 ~ We ride along the crest of the volcanic mountains, covered in red oat grass and copses of indigenous forest. The mornings can be misty with the cloud moisture feeding a variety of orchids and ‘old-mans-beard’ (Spanish moss), which is found draped over the African cedar and red-hot poker trees. We hope to see Coke’s hartebeest, East African eland, and Chanler’s mountain reedbuck.  Lunch is a picnic at an altitude of over 6,000 ft. before the trail descends to Oltiasika and our camp, situated below the rock cliffs of Leyangati Hill, which is a haven for a large troop of olive baboon.
Meal Plan : Breakfast and dinner in camp. Picnic lunch in the bush.
Overnight : Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Leyangati, Southern Masailand.

DAY 6 ~ A full and hot day in the saddle passing the Lolterish stream with panoramic views dominated by Mawenzi (16,900 ft.) and Kibo (19,320 ft.), the twin peaks of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. Elephants often pass through this low arid country to drink from the Lolterish. We ride past several Masai manyatta’s (villages), whose colourful semi-nomadic inhabitants are often seen tending their livestock on the lower slopes of the Chyulu Range.
Meal Plan : Breakfast and dinner in camp. Picnic lunch in the bush.
Overnight : Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Engiyaa Kopje, Southern Masailand. 

DAY 7 ~ A full day of game driving in our customised 4x4 safari vehicles in the world famous Amboseli National Park to photograph wildlife at close quarters. The park boasts a large and well-protected elephant population, which feed in the swamps scattered throughout the wilderness. Birdlife along the different watercourses is phenomenal.
Meal Plan : Breakfast and dinner in camp. Picnic lunch in the bush.
Overnight : Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Engiyaa Kopje, Southern Masailand. 

DAY 8 ~ After saying “goodbye” to the horses and camp staff, we return by vehicle, approximately 5 hours, to your Nairobi hotel. Day rooms are booked so that one may shower and relax before international flights home. For those interested in shopping, a trip to find East African gemstones, bronze sculptures, Africana jewellery and other curios can be arranged.
Meal Plan : Breakfast in camp.  SAFARI ENDS.