Kilimanjaro Classic Ride - Tanzania

Tanzania is a country famous for its wildlife and scenery - and for good reason. Here you find the greatest concentrations of wild animals left anywhere in the world, you see extremes of climate unknown in the western world, and you meet people with cultural backgrounds so distinct from your own that you are forced to question all your previous beliefs and  way of life. This is wild Africa - this is true exploration, and on horseback!

An exciting and beautiful riding safari covering some 200 km aimed at intermediate to experienced riders.
Passing through Masailand at the very base of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the area has some of East Africa's most spectacular scenery, surrounded by 5895m high Kilimanjaro to the east, 4660m high Meru to the South, the rugged but beautiful Longido to the North and the Rift Valley volcanoes, Kitumbeine and Gelai to the west.
A relatively fast pace makes this an exciting safari for riders interested in a mixture of game viewing, beautiful semi-arid African bushscapes, a wide variety of birds and good quality horses. The ride passes through unfenced communal pastoral lands and some deserted cattle ranches dating back to colonial days. Areas include, Lake Natron Game Controlled Area, Longido Game Controlled Area and Ngasurai Open Area as well as Ndarakwai Ranch on West Kilimanjaro.
Game encounters are varied, with good numbers of Zebra, Grant's and Thompson's gazelle and Giraffe throughout the ride. Seen in lesser numbers is a large variety of game including the elusive Lesser Kudu and Oryx antelopes, only found in this semi-arid area as well as the elegant Gerenuk or Girafe-neck gazelle which lives off browsing the leaves of bushes and trees.
In the portion of the ride that passes closest to Kilimanjaro, encounters with elephant are common as are sizeable herds of Eland, wildebeest and other game including baboon, vervet monkey, waterbuck, warthog and impala - often all visible at the same moment.
During the months of July through November, riders should expect to get dusty as this is the dry period, with most of the trees without leaves - but also spectacularly beautiful. Riders during December to June can expect some rain, but also a landscape transformed to brilliant green, teaming with life - a very different ride from that during the dry season.

IT-TZRT01
Rates include all meals, shared accommodation in double 3.5m x 2m A-frame canvas tents with mattress and bedding, soft and alcoholic drinks, horses and tack, guiding and good company, 7 riding days 
9 days/ 8 nights $ 3,200
2007 Dates:
09/29-10/07    10/20-10/28 
12/01-12/09    12/29-01/06
2008 Dates:
01/26-02/03    02/23-03/02    03/22-03/30
04/19-04/27    05/17-05/25    06/14-06/22
07/12-07/20    08/09-08/17    09/06-09/14
10/04-10/12    11/29-12/07    12/27-01/04
  availability & reservation

Meeting:   Uto Farm
Airport:     Arusha Kilimanjaro
Transfer:   from Arusha $50 or 
                  Kilimanjaro Airport  $80 rt.
                   ... to pay locally
Level:        Good intermediate+
Horses:     mostly thoroughbred with some cross thoroughbred / Arab or thoroughbred / Australian Brumbee
Tack:         English
Pace:        Riders should expect to spend on average 6 hours per day in the saddle and be capable of controlling their horse at a trot and a canter.
Min/Max Riders:  5-12
Weight Limit: 220 lbs (95 kg)
Note:  Riders must be able to post to the trot for extended periods and able to use leg aids to control a horse. Good balance & state of fitness is required. Physically demanding ride.

Camps are very comfortable with daily showers, tents with mattresses, etc.
Showers: outdoors
Toilets: none
Physical rating: demanding
During the months of July through November, riders should expect to get dusty as this is the dry period, with most of the trees without leaves - but also spectacularly beautiful. Riders during December to June can expect some rain, but also a landscape transformed to brilliant green, teaming with life - a very different ride from that during the dry season.
 

Itinerary

Day 1   Transfer/trying out
Arrival at Uto Farm, 30km north of Arusha in Tanzania. Introduction to your guides and support crew. Try out and select your horse and tack. Afternoon tea and sun-downer drink on the veranda, followed by dinner in the pretty Cape Dutch style farmhouse. Overnight Uto Farm.

Day 2  Ride west to Lion Camp
Set off in the morning, passing local village settlements of the mwa-arush tribe with their well built mud and thatch huts. Late morning, we emerge onto the open plains. Once on the open plains, head for the top of the Matissiwi escarpment with fantastic views. Pace is varied due allow for changes in the terrain. Lunch in the shade of a tree on the summit of the escarpment. After lunch, continue westwards making our way to Lion camp with views of the surrounding valley and mountains. Camp.

Day 3   Bush ride to Twin Hills camp
After breakfast, head northwards towards our twin hills camp. Thecountry changes and becomes mores covered with bush. Good prospects for encountering gerenuk, giraffe, oryx and of course the more common game such as Zebra, Grants and Thompson's gazelle. Arrival in camp late afternoon. Pace relatively slow due to uneven terrain. Camp.

Day 4   Head east to Ngasurai Plains
Set off from Twin Hills camp towards poachers hill where lunch will be served. We pass numerous rocky outcrops where we might find Lesser Kudu and Hyrax. We follow a flood plain to the east directly towards Mt. Kilimanjaro. On a clear day, the mountain will be directly in front of us. After lunch, head north-east to our camp at the edge of Ngasurai Plains. Camp.

Day 5   Elephant country
Cross the Ngasurai plains heading late morning into the edge of dense woodland frequented by elephant. Lunch at the edge of the dense woodland under an acacia tree. Afternoon, ride through nearly impenetrable bush with the small on elephant in our nostrils. During the afternoon, ride up the lower slopes on Mt, Kilimanjaro to Ndaragwai Ranch - an old cattle ranch which now exists purely as a wildlife protection area. Here we are most likely to meet our first elephant and numerous other species of game. Camp at the edge of a hill with views over the area covered so far. Camp.

Day 6   Rest day
On this day, camp remains on location on Ndaragwai Ranch. Riding is optional. We schedule a 1/2 day of riding for the afternoon. The area lends itself to walks for those who do not wish to remain in camp. For those choosing not to ride, game viewing by Land Rover will be offered. Camp.

Day 7   Head back
Start heading back to Uto Farm. Camp will be mid way between Ndaragwai on West Kilimanjaro and Uto Farm on West Meru. The ride takes us through some village lands, but most of it is open country. Camp near Ngarenanyuki River. Camp.

Day 8  Market day
Ride back to Uto Farm arriving late afternoon. The ride passes by people going to market, mostly on foot with donkeys, cows, sheep and goats in tow, All manner of goods are sold, bought and bartered and makes for an interesting afternoon ride before arriving back at the farm. Uto Farm.

Day 9
After breakfast transfer to airport/Arusha/Nairobi/National Parks.

About this ride
* Our itineraries are subject to change without notice if necessary
* 9 days in total; 2 nights at the farm in a shared guest rondavel, 6 nights safari camping at various locations in mobile tented camps
* 7 days riding (approximately 225km) and game viewing.
* Comfortable mobile fly camp with shared accommodation in double 3.5m x 2m A-frame canvas tents with mattress and bedding
* Meeting point: Arusha or airport
* Tack: English
* Pace: Moderate to fast with trots and canters
* Level:  Strong intermediate
* Weight Limit: 220 lb./95kg.
* Full board, trained horses, guiding, safari staff, and vehicle support
* Includes, top quality cuisine and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks).
Please note
* Meals are based on a meat diet, but we cater to vegetarians when given due notification.
* A minimum of 5 riders must be confirmed or scheduled dates may be cancelled one month prior to departure due to under-booking.
* Transfers are not included to/from Arusha town or Kilimanjaro Airport.
* It may be dry and dusty on the ride and you should be prepared to get dirty.
* Water is limited to the 4,500l carried for all purposes for the entire trip by our camp lorry.

Exclusions
* Laundry service and gratuities.
* Airfare is NOT included with this ride.
* INSURANCE is not included, but is strongly recommended in respect of riding injuries and medical cover. For the account of the client. We operate on a responsibility waiver basis and participation is at your own risk.
Travel documentation
* Tourist visas are required for both Tanzania and Kenya. These are obtainable at entry points. Depending on nationality visa fees range from $20 - $50 per person.

Uto Farm
Located on the slopes of Mt. Meru at an altitude of 2000 meters (6000 ft), Uto Farm is a 500 acre working dairy farm. A number of simple but comfortable rooms have been converted from various farm outhouses. Uto farm caters only to clients participating in our riding excursions.
With clear cool days and nights, the farm has excellent views over the rift valley and surrounding mountains. Guests should expect farm work to go on around them. Meals are prepared and served in the main farm house.

The Camps
We operate a light-weight mobile camp which is moved on a daily basis. All equipment is transported in a 4x4 Bedford truck and support landrovers which also carry food and water for the horses. As space is at a premium, unnecessary luxuries are dispensed with and the focus is on comfort, good food and plenty of drinks.
The canvas tents are comfortable 2 man A-frame tents with foam mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows and towels. Breakfast and dinner are usually served under a large acacia tree around the open fire. Each tent has a wash basin filled with warm water each morning. Bush toilets and showers are simple. Traditional safari chairs around the fireside or in the shade of a large acacia tree. Meals are of ecellent quality and freshly prepared by skilled safari cooks.

Highlights