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Horseback riding vacations in
Kenya
 Kenya is a country of breathtaking beauty and contrast, from palm fringed coral beaches through open savannahs, lakes and deserts to the lush highlands, forests and snow covered volcanic mountains astride the Equator. Kenya is split by earth’s greatest chasm, the Rift Valley, offering some of the most fantastic views on earth. Hidden Trails have some pioneering horse riding safaris available in Kenya. These fantastic holidays combine excellent horse riding with some amazing safari and wildlife experiences, in the Masai Mara and Mount Kenya.
Horse Riding Safaris in Kenya
On horseback you are on even terms with the wild game – what a thrill! These are the most unique and exciting safaris in East Africa. Our Aloe Blossom Ride pioneered saddle safaris in Masailand and remains the most experienced riding outfitter in the Masai Mara. You are driven out to the base camp and set off on horseback over some of the most dramatic wildlife and scenic country in Africa. The main party rides each day for 6 or 7 hours across country uninterrupted by fences, tarmac roads or even telegraph poles. You will be spellbound by the sense of space and freedom.
Your sturdy surefooted Anglo-Arab and Somali ponies are tacked up with comfortable specially designed trekking saddles with saddlebags attached. The camp moves by truck along bush roads while you follow game trails across Masailand. Each afternoon you find your new camp set up beside a spring or waterhole beneath spreading acacia trees, in time for tea and hot showers before evening sundowners around the campfire. The ‘syces’ (grooms) attend to your horses on the picket line and provide special protection against predators. These safaris are only for the experienced horseman.
Kenya Culture and Landscape
Famous for its abundant wildlife and 1200 species of tropical and migratory birds, Kenya's game reserves are situated in some of the finest scenic country in Africa with Mt Kilimanjaro, Mt Kenya and Lake Turkana in the fabled Northern Frontier District forming the focal points of great fascination.
Kenya's peoples are as varied and intriguing as its climate and terrain. There are more than 40 tribes most of whom retain their ancient traditions with their distinctive culture and authentic handicrafts. The nomadic pastoral tribes well away from cosmopolitan Nairobi are amongst the most colorful in Africa. These warrior tribes defied the Arab traders who journeyed the Indian Ocean in their ancient dhows to plunder the 'land of Zinj'.
The climate in the highlands is exhilarating. The humid coastal lands give way to the dry desert heat before reaching the highlands at about 4000 ft above sea level where the crisp morning air, huge skies and cool breezes give the whole environment an ever more hypnotic atmosphere.
Camps and Guides
We provide large heavy-duty canvas tents (100 sq ft floor space) with flysheets, camp furniture, beds, bedding, gas lights, showers and canvas ‘loos’ in traditional style. The dining tent or canvas awning is supplied with tables and chairs for gracious meals in camp. Meals are prepared by qualified African chefs and served up by well-trained stewards. Each safari is accompanied and managed by a professional ‘hunter’ guide.
Explore more East Africa Horse Riding Vacations
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Holidays on horseback in Kenya
See Mini Country Guide
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Below is a list of our trips in this area with video clips.
 Click on the 'watch video' icon
to view a video clip,
Kenya
Travel restrictions
International flights resumed on August 1st 2020 under Ministry of Health and Transport guidelines.
Please be advised that effective January 1st, 2021, all passengers are required to apply and obtain an e-visa before boarding an aircraft. The e-visa can be obtained through http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html
All travelers above the age of 12 years arriving into the country through any point of entry will be required to show proof of either COVID-19 vaccination or a negative PCR test conducted not more than 72 hours before departure. Vaccination means having received the prescribed doses of specific vaccine with the latest shot at least fourteen (14) days before arrival (not including the day of vaccination).
All arriving passengers into the country above the age of 12 years are required to have a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or COVID test result documents uploaded on the panabios system (https://login.panabios.org/cas/login?service=https%3A%2F%2Ftrustedtravel.globalhaven.org%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252F ) before boarding their flight to generate QR codes..
Effective September 1st 2022, only travelers arriving at any port of entry into Kenya with flu-like symptoms will be expected to fill the passenger locator form on the ‘jitenge’ platform .
They will also be required to take a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival at their own cost.
Measures taken by the government
Domestic air travel resumed on July 15th, 2020 under Ministry of Health and Transport guidelines.
On October 20th 2021, the Government of Kenya announced the end to Kenya’s nationwide curfew, even as other COVID-19 mitigation measures remain in effect.
Wearing masks in outdoor public spaces is optional, however, one is required to wear a mask with other people in closed/confined spaces such as personal service vehicles, aircraft, offices (government/private), supermarkets, markets, and places of worship.
All in-person indoor meetings can continue at full capacity as long as participants are fully vaccinated. All attendees are required to wear face masks at the venue.
Testing
Turnaround times vary outside of major metropolitan cities, and it will be important to confirm the turnaround time with each lab.
Testing is available at the country’s major hospitals (Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital) and private laboratories (Lancet laboratories, Meditest diagnostics). The charge for the test is approximately USD 100 (KES 10,000) at private health facilities and USD 50 (KES 5,000) at government hospitals.
Test results are typically available within 24 – 96 hours depending on laboratory and location.
Results are usually obtained by physical copy or email.
All travelers departing Kenya en route to countries requiring rapid antigen testing hours before travel will be required to undertake a pre-travel rapid antigen test at the MOH Port Health facility at the airport and the results uploaded to the Trusted Traveler platform.
At JKIA, travelers do not need to make appointments, and payment is made via M-PESA.
The test itself takes 15 minutes, though travelers should budget ample time as there may be a long queue.
Emergency number (related to COVID-19) while visiting the country
Report any suspected cases to the Kenya Ministry of Health hotline numbers: 0800721316, 0732353535, 0729471414
Source:
US Embassy in Kenya https://ke.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
Published on October 7th 2022 (checked on April 5th 2023)
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx
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Kenya
At A glance
Capital City: Nairobi
Land size: 569,140 sq km
Population: 55,864,655 (2022 est.)
Official languages: English & Kiswahili
Currency: Kenyan Shilling (Ksh / KES)
UNESCO properties and sites:
- Fort Jesus in Mombasa
- Lamu Old Town
- Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests
- Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site
- Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley
- Lake Turkana National Parks
- Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest
Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/kenya/
Kenya's breathtaking natural beauty and rich wildlife provide a unique and thrilling adventure for every traveler. Begin your journey in Nairobi, the bustling capital city, where modernity meets African traditions, and experience the vibrant energy that flows through its streets. Immerse yourself in the warm hospitality of the Kenyan people, savoring flavorful cuisine, and embracing the rhythmic beats of traditional music and dance.
Get ready to be captivated by the allure of Kenya, a country that will leave you with cherished memories and a profound connection to the wild beauty of Africa.
Kenya’s vast expanses and incredible nature make it a fantastic horse-riding holiday destination. Discover the world-famous Maasai Mara, where you canter alongside herds of wildebeest and zebras, and witness the raw power and beauty of Africa's wildlife. Forge unforgettable connections with the soul of Africa as you ride through the wild beauty of Kenya.
Brief History
Trade centers such as Mombasa have existed along the Kenyan and Tanzanian coastlines, known as the Land of Zanj, since at least the 2nd century. These centers traded with the outside world, including China, India, Indonesia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Persia. By around the 9th century, the mix of Africans, Arabs, and Persians who lived and traded there became known as Swahili ("people of the coast") with a distinct language (KiSwahili) and culture. The Portuguese arrived in the 1490s and, using Mombasa as a base, sought to monopolize trade in the Indian Ocean. The Portuguese were pushed out in the late 1600s by the combined forces of Oman and Pate, an island off the coast. In 1890, Germany and the UK divided up the region, with the UK taking the north and the Germans the south, including present-day Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda. The British established the East Africa Protectorate in 1895, which in 1920 was converted into a colony and named Kenya after its highest mountain. Numerous political disputes between the colony and the UK subsequently led to the violent Mau Mau Uprising, which began in 1952, and the eventual declaration of independence in 1963.
Jomo KENYATTA, the founding president and an icon of the liberation struggle, led Kenya from independence in 1963 until his death in 1978, when Vice President Daniel Arap MOI took power in a constitutional succession. The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969 until 1982, after which time the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) changed the constitution to make itself the sole legal political party in Kenya. MOI acceded to internal and external pressure for political liberalization in late 1991. The ethnically fractured opposition failed to dislodge KANU from power in elections in 1992 and 1997, which were marred by violence and fraud. President MOI stepped down in December 2002 following fair and peaceful elections. Mwai KIBAKI, running as the candidate of the multiethnic, united opposition group, the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), defeated KANU candidate Uhuru KENYATTA, the son of founding president Jomo KENYATTA, and assumed the presidency following a campaign centered on an anticorruption platform.
KIBAKI's reelection in 2007 resulted in two months of post-election ethnic violence that caused the death of more than 1,100 people and the dislocation of hundreds of thousands. Opposition candidate, Raila ODINGA, accused the government of widespread vote rigging. African Union-sponsored mediation led by former UN Secretary General Kofi ANNAN resulted in a power-sharing accord that brought ODINGA into the government in the restored position of prime minister. The power sharing accord included a broad reform agenda, the centerpiece of which was constitutional reform.
In 2010, Kenyans overwhelmingly adopted a new constitution in a national referendum. The new constitution introduced additional checks and balances to executive power and devolved power and resources to 47 newly created counties. It also eliminated the position of prime minister. Uhuru KENYATTA won the first presidential election under the new constitution in March 2013. KENYATTA won a second and final term in office in November 2017 following a contentious, repeat election. In August 2022, William RUTO won a close presidential election; he assumed the office the following month after the Kenyan Supreme Court upheld the victory.
Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/kenya/
Cultural Insights
Kenyans are generally friendly and hospitable. Greetings are an important social interaction, and often include inquiries about health and family members.
Visitors to a home are usually offered food or tea, and it is considered impolite to decline.
Elderly people are treated with a great deal of respect and deference.
Source: https://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Kenya.html
Transportation
By Air
Most major European and African airlines—including Kenya Airways—fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, which is Kenya’s main airport.
The fastest routes to Nairobi are usually two nonstop legs routed through London or another European city such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Paris. Other possible connections are available through the Middle East, Qatar and Dubai; and via Asia.
Source: http://www.magicalkenya.com/transportation-options/
Money
ATMs are widely available in Nairobi and the main towns and credit cards are widely accepted.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya
Health
For emergency services in Kenya, dial 999, 112, or 911.
Ambulance services are not present throughout the country or are unreliable in most areas except Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Eldoret.
In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in or near the major cities of Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu.
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, first deal with the emergency with first aid skills if possible and then move onto the nearest, largest Accident and Emergency department. In Nairobi this is either Nairobi Hospital or the Aga Khan University Hospital.
Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the Government of Kenya to ensure the medication is legal in Kenya.
Cholera, malaria, dengue fever and other insect-borne infections occur in Kenya. You should take precautions to avoid being bitten by insects.
You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. Don’t eat food prepared by unlicensed vendors.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Kenya.html
Electricity
Kenya operates on a 240V supply voltage and uses type G plugs.
The Type G electrical plug has three rectangular blades in a triangular pattern and has an incorporated fuse (usually a 3 amps fuse for smaller appliances such as a computer and a 13 amps one for heavy duty appliances such as heaters). British sockets have shutters on the live and neutral contacts so that foreign objects can’t be introduced into them.
Source: https://www.iec.ch/world-plugs
Communication
Time zone in Kenya: East Africa Time (GMT+3)
International country code – 254
Kenya’s telecom market continues to undergo considerable changes in the wake of increased competition, improved international connectivity, and rapid developments in the mobile market.
Much of the progress in the broadband segment is due to the government’s revised national broadband strategy, which has been updated with goals through to 2030, and which are largely dependent on mobile broadband platforms based on LTE and 5G. (2022)
Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/kenya/
Phrasebook
| English |
Swahili |
| Hello! |
Jambo |
| Goodbye |
Jwa heri |
| Good morning |
Habari za asubuhi |
| Good evening |
Habari za jioni |
| Good night |
Lala salama |
| Please |
Tafadhali |
| Thank you |
Asante |
| Yes |
Ndiyo |
| No |
Hapana |
Source: https://www.tripsavvy.com/swahili-or-kiswahili-for-travelers-1454482
Entry Requirements
If you are visiting Kenya, your passport should be valid for 6 months from the date you arrive.
You should have at least two blank pages in your passport on arrival.
You need a visa to enter Kenya. Kenyan entry visas are exclusively issued electronically, with passengers required to obtain their e-visas before departure. You can apply for single entry and transit visas on the e-visas website: http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html
Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya/entry-requirements
Embassies and Consulates
U.S. Embassy in Nairobi
United Nations Avenue Nairobi
P. O. Box 606 Village Market
00621 Nairobi
Phone: 254 20 363-6000
High Commission of Canada in Nairobi
Limuru Road, Gigiri
Nairobi
Phone: 254 20 366-3000
Source: for USA https://www.usembassy.gov/
For Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates
UNESCO Sites
Fort Jesus in Mombasa
The Fort, built by the Portuguese in 1593-1596 to the designs of Giovanni Battista Cairati to protect the port of Mombasa, is one of the most outstanding and well preserved examples of 16th Portuguese military fortification and a landmark in the history of this type of construction. The Fort's layout and form reflected the Renaissance ideal that perfect proportions and geometric harmony are to be found in the human body. The property covers an area of 2.36 hectares and includes the fort's moat and immediate surroundings.
Lamu Old Town
Lamu Old Town is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa, retaining its traditional functions. Built in coral stone and mangrove timber, the town is characterized by the simplicity of structural forms enriched by such features as inner courtyards, verandas, and elaborately carved wooden doors. Lamu has hosted major Muslim religious festivals since the 19th century, and has become a significant centre for the study of Islamic and Swahili cultures.
Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests
The Mijikenda Kaya Forests consist of 10 separate forest sites spread over some 200 km along the coast containing the remains of numerous fortified villages, known as kayas, of the Mijikenda people. The kayas, created as of the 16th century but abandoned by the 1940s, are now regarded as the abodes of ancestors and are revered as sacred sites and, as such, are maintained as by councils of elders. The site is inscribed as bearing unique testimony to a cultural tradition and for its direct link to a living tradition.
Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site
Situated north-west of the town of Migori, in the Lake Victoria region, this dry-stone walled settlement was probably built in the 16th century CE. The Ohinga (i.e. settlement) seems to have served as a fort for communities and livestock, but also defined social entities and relationships linked to lineage. Thimlich Ohinga is the largest and best preserved of these traditional enclosures. It is an exceptional example of the tradition of massive dry-stone walled enclosures, typical of the first pastoral communities in the Lake Victoria Basin, which persisted from the 16th to the mid-20th century.
Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley
The Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley , a natural property of outstanding beauty, comprises three inter-linked relatively shallow lakes (Lake Bogoria, Lake Nakuru and Lake Elementaita) in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya and covers a total area of 32,034 hectares. The property is home to 13 globally threatened bird species and some of the highest bird diversities in the world. It is the single most important foraging site for the lesser flamingo anywhere, and a major nesting and breeding ground for great white pelicans. The property features sizeable mammal populations, including black rhino, Rothschild's giraffe, greater kudu, lion, cheetah and wild dogs and is valuable for the study of ecological processes of major importance.
Lake Turkana National Parks
The most saline of Africa's large lakes, Turkana is an outstanding laboratory for the study of plant and animal communities. The three National Parks serve as a stopover for migrant waterfowl and are major breeding grounds for the Nile crocodile, hippopotamus and a variety of venomous snakes. The Koobi Fora deposits, rich in mammalian, molluscan and other fossil remains, have contributed more to the understanding of paleo-environments than any other site on the continent.
Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest
At 5,199 m, Mount Kenya is the second highest peak in Africa. It is an ancient extinct volcano, which during its period of activity (3.1-2.6 million years ago) is thought to have risen to 6,500 m. There are 12 remnant glaciers on the mountain, all receding rapidly, and four secondary peaks that sit at the head of the U-shaped glacial valleys. With its rugged glacier-clad summits and forested middle slopes, Mount Kenya is one of the most impressive landscapes in East Africa. The evolution and ecology of its afro-alpine flora provide an outstanding example of ecological and biological processes. Through the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve, the property also incorporates lower lying scenic foothills and arid habitats of high biodiversity, situated in the ecological transition zone between the mountain ecosystem and the semi-arid savanna grasslands. The area also lies within the traditional migrating route of the African elephant population.
Source: https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/ke
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