Masai Mara Ride

Introduction
Masai Mara Kenya

A nine-day exploration safari on horseback in the Masai Mara wilderness area.

The Masai Mara Game Reserve and Greater Mara Conservancies represent most people’s idea of East Africa. The landscape is one of rolling savanna, intersected by dark green veins of riverine woodland on the banks of the Mara and Talek rivers. This wilderness 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 some of the many species to be found. The annual migration of up to one million wildebeest is most dramatic and considered to be one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in the world. Needless to say, both wildlife and bird viewing are phenomenal. The Mara is also home to the colorful and handsome Masai people who, with their herds of livestock, are synonymous with the region. 

THE MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE & GREATER MARA CONSERVANCIES
Altitude 5,000-6,000 ft. ~ Area 5,000 sq. km ~ Gazetted in 1961. 

Accomodation

Specialized traditional mobile safaris under canvas with the inclusion of small luxury lodges. Our private camps are pitched in the most beautiful areas. We prepare delicious food, fix the best cocktails and provide large and comfortably furnished tents. Steaming showers under the stars, big towels, warm duvets and hot water bottles, are just a few of the features in camp. Our friendly and skilled camp crew takes care of everything.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Over twenty-five Somali-Arab crossbred horses, the majority of which have been bred and raised at home.  They are familiar with being amongst big game, have great endurance and are very evenly tempered.  Each young horse spends nearly a year on safari acclimatising with the wilderness environment before being ridden by a guest. We ride English, using French cavalry trekking saddles. They are extremely comfortable.

Itinerary
On arrival in Nairobi we will meet you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and transfer you to your hotel.

DAY 1 ~ The following morning over a cup of Kenyan tea or coffee your professional guide, Gordie Church, will give you a briefing on your safari. We then transfer to Wilson airport to catch the Airkenya scheduled flight departing at 12.15 p.m. and arriving at Siana airstrip at 1.00 p.m. We will be met and transferred to our private mobile tented camp arriving in time for a late lunch. In the afternoon we settle in and familiarise ourselves with the horses.
Meal Plan: Lunch and dinner in camp. Overnight : Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Oloiburmurt, Ol Kinyei Conservancy.

DAY 2 ~ After an early light breakfast we saddle up and trek across the open savannah, interspersed with acacia, wait-a-bit brush and leleshwa (wild sage) woodland. We ride along the streams of Ol Litole and Olare Lamun to a sumptuous bush brunch at Marteo Rocks. 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 the land belongs. Those who are interested may visit a small, 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 Gordie’s, he loves to serenade guests with stories of Masai tradition and lore.
Meal Plan: All meals in camp. Overnight : Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Oloiburmurt, Ol Kinyei Conservancy.

DAY 3 ~ A pre-dawn wake-up call prepares us for a long ride over the vast rolling plains of Olare Sambu and across the Ol Sabukiai and Olesere streams. We canter over the Naibosho Plain to a picnic spot on a small escarpment overlooking the Masai Mara. Riding within the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, the abundance of wildlife is quite overwhelming. We reach camp located on the Ngaiyanai Spring in the late afternoon. Meal Plan : Breakfast and dinner in camp. Picnic lunch in the bush. Overnight : Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Ngaiyanai, Olare Orok Conservancy.

DAY 4 ~ While the horses rest, we set off in our exclusive 4x4 safari vehicles to photograph the wildlife at close-quarters. This is a great wilderness area for the big cats. An afternoon ride or walk with the Masai morran (warriors).
Meal Plan: All meals in camp. Overnight : Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Ngaiyanai, Olare Orok Conservancy.

DAY 5 ~ Today we ride over the magical Koiyaki Plains full of wildlife and explore the river valleys of Motorogi and Jagiatiek. We then head north up through a small gorge filled with large fruiting fig trees to reach our camp located in a glade of riverine forest on the upper reaches of the Olare Orok river.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and dinner in camp. Picnic lunch in the bush. Overnight: Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Oloturoto, Mara North Conservancy.

DAY 6 ~ Morning and afternoon rides or game drives enjoying this magical corner of the Mara, famous for its lions.
Meal Plan: All meals in camp. Overnight: Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Oloturoto, Mara North Conservancy.

DAY 7 ~ We ride in a northerly direction across the plains of Enkikwai and then wind our way along the Mara river, looking out for crocodiles and large pods of hippo. The riverine forest is home to a variety of tropical birds. Our camp is located on the banks of the river. The concentration of game is breath-taking.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and dinner in camp. Picnic lunch in the bush.
Overnight: Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Mara River, Mara North Conservancy.

DAY 8 ~ Following a ‘full-monty’ breakfast, we explore by horse or vehicle to photograph the wildlife. If water levels permit, we may cross the Mara river and ride underneath the spectacular Oloolol escarpment:- a small wilderness area rarely visited.
Meal Plan: All meals in camp. Overnight: Private Mobile Tented Camp ~ Mara River, Mara North Conservancy.

DAY 9 ~ After an early morning ride and a hearty brunch we say kwaheri to the horses and camp staff. We later transfer to Mara North airstrip to catch the scheduled Airkenya flight departing for Nairobi at 4.15 p.m. Upon arrival in Nairobi at 5.45 p.m. you will be met and transferred to JKIA for your international flight home. Dinner en-route to the airport is optional.
Meal Plan: Brunch in camp.
End of safari.

-Subject to changes-

Rates and Dates for Masai Mara Ride

Dates Note:
Additional dates are available on request - Book early - space is very limited in the Mara.

Other Info
Meeting: Nairobi Hotel
Airport: Nairobi
Transfer: Nairobi hotel

Climate:

All these personal effects should be packed into a duffle bag or soft bag. Clothing should be in safari khaki / neutral colours.