Kenya - The Drumbeat of Africa
A combination saddle and photo safari
A twelve-day combination saddle and photographic safari

LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
Altitude 5700-6300 ft. ~ Area 188 sq. km ~ Gazetted in 1968.

Lake Nakuru is one of a series of shallow alkaline lakes that formed on the floor of the Great Rift Valley. The park is renowned for its birdlife (over 400 species) and in particular for its huge concentration of up to one million lesser flamingo, which literally turn the lake shore pink. The lake has been termed “the greatest bird spectacle on earth” by Roger Peterson, one of the world’s leading ornithologists. The landscape is picturesque, with areas of sedge, marsh and grasslands alternating with rocky cliffs and outcrops, stretches of yellow-barked acacia woodland and an amazing forest of candelabra euphorbia trees. There are a good variety of mammals to be seen too - Rothschild giraffe, black and white rhino, leopard, lion, impala, warthog, waterbuck, zebra and buffalo.

IT-KYRT03
13 days/ 12 nights: $ 5,885   based on 6 riders
Single Room Supplement (if requested) $ 1,200 per person
Hotel in Nairobi extra. 
Dates upon request with 2+ riders

2007 Safari Season : 

Each of 15       $   4,550
each of 14       $   4,680   
Each of 13       $   4,830
Each of 12       $   5,000
Each of 11       $   5,205
Each of 10       $   5,110
Each of   9       $   5,370
Each of   8       $   5,105
Each of   7       $   5,440
Each of   6       $   5,885
Each of   5       $   5,830
Each of   4       $   6,600
Each of   3       $   7,880
Each of   2       $ 10,435

... all rates are subject to a
·         Game Reserve entry fee of $600 pp
·         Flying Doctors’ Membership: $ 15 pp

Rates Include ~ Full board accommodation, all drinks in camp, a Kenya Professional Safari Guide in each vehicle, National Park - Game Reserve - Wilderness Concession fees, private camping fees, full compliment of safari crew (cooks, waiters, mechanics, drivers, grooms, porters and tent stewards), camp & safari equipment, horses & tack, support vehicles & trucks, 4x4 game viewing vehicles, day & night drives, cultural visits, boat trips, Serena hotel day rooms and flying doctor membership.

Rates Exclude ~ International & local flights, bar bills outside of my camps, extra activities, visas, hotel and meals outside of the safari itinerary, insurances and gratuities.

Level:   Strong Intermediate   C-D
Tack:    English using handmade pigskin trekking saddles
Horses:   Anglo Arab, Anglo Somali
Pace: 5-71/2 hrs per day
Minimum Age:  8 years
Maximum Weight:  250 lbs

Itinerary

THE DRUMBEAT OF AFRICA
A thirteen-day combination saddle and photographic safari.

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 drive for approximately 3 hours, north through the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park, arriving at our private camp in time for a late lunch. The afternoon is spent settling-in, followed by a small siesta and a late evening game drive. We return to camp for hot showers and evening ‘sundowners’.
Meal Plan : Lunch and dinner in camp.
Overnight : Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Lake Nakuru National Park.

DAY 2 ~ In our customised 4x4 safari vehicles we will spend the day exploring this stunning wildlife sanctuary and photographing a multitude of animal and bird species.
Meal Plan : All meals in camp.
Overnight : Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Lake Nakuru National Park.

DAY 3 ~ After a dawn wake-up call we drive down to the lake shore to witness hundreds, and possibly thousands, of lesser flamingo feeding. The early start to the day means there is a good chance of locating rhino and maybe even the elusive leopard. Game drives continue throughout the day.
Meal Plan : All meals in camp.
Overnight : Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Lake Nakuru National Park.

DAY 4 ~ After breakfast we drive for approximately 2 hours to the family home of Tony and Susie Church on Kedong Game Ranch. The afternoon activities include walking, riding, game drives or simply relaxing at their beautiful home.
Meal plan : Breakfast in camp. Lunch and dinner at Longonot Ranch House.
Overnight : Longonot Ranch House ~ Kedong Game Ranch. 

DAY 5 ~ A leisurely start to the day, followed by a morning horseback ride or the option of a sese canoe trip on Lake Naivasha.  In the late afternoon we set off for a ‘sundowner’ spot and afterwards a night game drive in search of nocturnal species.
Meal Plan : All meals at Longonot Ranch House.
Overnight : Longonot Ranch House ~ Kedong Game Ranch. 

DAY 6 ~ We drive for approximately 5 hours beyond the Great Rift Valley, westwards over the Mau Escarpment and through the Masai trading town of Narok. We enter the Olare Lamun valley and find our camp situated near a spring used by the Masai to water their cattle, a favourite haunt for both lion and leopard. Herds of impala, white-bearded wildebeest, Coke’s hartebeest and topi inhabit the neighbouring scrubland. Late lunch in camp is followed by a short ride to familiarise ourselves with the horses. The occasional rasp of a leopard and other sounds of the African night may interrupt our dinner under the stars.
Meal Plan : Breakfast at the Ranch House. Lunch and dinner in camp.
Overnight : Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Olare Lamun, Masailand. 
 

DAY 7 ~ After an early breakfast we saddle up and trek across the open savanna, interspersed with acacia, wait-a-bit brush and leleshwa (wild sage) woodland. We ride along the base of Oloiburmut Hill, before returning to camp for lunch. This area is home to a number of Masai manyattas (villages).  Throughout the safari we have several opportunities to learn about and, most importantly, enjoy the company of the Masai, a tribe of semi-nomadic people to whom this land belongs. Those who are interested may visit a small and remote primary school for the Masai children and in the late afternoon we visit a nearby manyatta of the local Masai “chief”. His constant company is a highlight of the stay here - a great friend of Gordon’s, he loves to serenade guests with stories of Masai tradition and lore.
Meal Plan : All meals in camp.
Overnight : Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Olare Lamun, Masailand. 

DAY 8 ~ A pre-dawn wake-up call prepares us for a long ride over vast rolling plains skirting the southern end of the Bardamat Hills.  We canter across the Koiyaki Plains to a picnic site on a small escarpment overlooking the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Now riding within the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, the increase in the abundance of wildlife is immediately apparent. We reach camp located in a glade of riverine forest on the Olare Orok river. A large campfire and extra vigilant syces (grooms) keep watch at night to make sure that nocturnal predators remain at a safe distance!
Meal Plan : Breakfast and dinner in camp. Picnic lunch in the bush.
Overnight : Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Olare Orok, Masai Mara. 

DAY 9 ~ A day of rest for the horses, we set off in our customised 4x4 safari vehicles to photograph the wildlife at close quarters. We can expect to see spotted hyena, cheetah and elephant. An afternoon walk with the Masai morran (warriors) is also an option. After dinner we may go out by safari vehicle with a spotlight, to search for illusive nocturnal animals.
Meal Plan : All meals in camp.
Overnight : Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Olare Orok, Masai Mara. 

DAY 10 ~ We ride in a northerly direction through a spectacular secret valley, gently winding our way along the southern bank of the Mara River, looking out for the crocodiles and large pods of hippo that frequent this area. The riverine forest is home to a variety of tropical birds including the rare Ross's turaco. The concentration of game, especially during the wildebeest migration (July to October) is breathtaking. We arrive in camp in the middle of the afternoon. There may be time for a short game drive or walk after tea.
Meal Plan : Breakfast and dinner in camp. Picnic lunch in the bush.
Overnight : Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Kiboko Bend, Mara River, Masai Mara. 

DAY 11 ~ We explore the Masai Mara by horse or vehicle to photograph wildlife including lion, leopard, silver-backed jackal, impala and waterbuck. Another sensational day amongst the game.
Meal Plan : All meals in camp.  
Overnight : Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Kiboko Bend, Mara River, Masai Mara. 

DAY 12 ~ After saying “goodbye” to the horses and camp staff, we return by vehicle, approximately 6 hours, to your Nairobi hotel. Day rooms are booked so that one may shower and relax before international flights home (as an optional extra you may like to fly back to Nairobi on the scheduled charter). 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.

LONGONOT RANCH HOUSE
Altitude 7000 ft. ~ Area 80000 acres.

 Deep in the heart of the Rift Valley lies a dormant volcano. ‘Longonot’ is 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 lies Kedong, a private ranch of 80,000 acres. Amongst the many species of game roaming freely over the open plains of this cattle and game ranch, are eland, giraffe, zebra, impala, gazelle, Coke’s Hartebeest, hyena and bat-eared fox. Horseback riding and walking are wonderful activities to be enjoyed on the ranch. The option of a night game drive is a must, for there are good opportunities to find several nocturnal species such as the African springhare, white tailed mongoose, zorilla and the aardvark. Our ‘legendary’ hosts in this colonial-style ranch house are Tony and Susie Church.

MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE
Altitude 5000 ft. ~ Area 1510 sq. km ~ Gazetted in 1961.

The Mara is an area that epitomizes most people’s idea of Africa. The landscape rolls away in endless savanna, streaked by dark green veins of riverine woodland on the banks of the Mara and Talek rivers. This game reserve is an extension of the Serengeti (Tanzania) ecosystem and is considered by many to be Kenya's best wildlife sanctuary, where animals can still be seen in vast numbers. Lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, hippo, crocodile, antelope and gazelle are but some of the many species to be found. The annual migration of up to one million wildebeest is most dramatic and is considered one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in the world. Needless to say, both wildlife and bird viewing are phenomenal. It is a safari feast of quite overwhelming proportions. The Greater Mara ecosystem is also home to the colourful and handsome Masai people and their herds of livestock, who are synonymous with the region.