THIS SAFARI IS NOW OFFERED ONLY TO GROUPS FROM 6 RIDERS
SEE OUR OFFER OF HORSEBACK SAFARIS FOR INDIVIDUAL RIDERS:
Ride over the 35,000 acre Borana ranch near to Mount Kenya, see a wide diversity of wildlife and stay in a truly luxurious lodge. When the Dyer family first came here, horses were the only means of transport. On morning, afternoon and all day rides, you can explore the length and breadth of the ranch and experience the excitement of viewing game from horseback.There is a good selection of horses to suit a wide range of riding abilities including children. Guest numbers are small and the guides will tailor the riding to suit everyone. There is plenty of faster riding for experienced riders.If you wish to take a break from riding then you might opt for a game drive, guided bush walk, mountain biking, perhaps a tandem paragliding experience (weather dependent) or simply relax by the pool and pamper yourself with a massage or beauty treatment.
Night game drives will introduce you to nocturnal birds and animals found on the reserve. Borana is an ideal holiday for mixed groups of riders and non-riders.
The Riding Wild mobile safari is for experienced riders. Starting from Borana Lodge you ride over the Borana Conservancy to Il Ngwesi Group Ranch. Both are home to black and white rhino and offer opportunities for great game viewing and challenging riding. This mobile safari is available to private groups on request. Occasionally there are set date departures.
HORSE RIDING SAFARI IN KENYA
Guests usually arrive at Borana in time for lunch following which there may be time for an introductory ride, walk or game drive and sundowners. Each evening there will be the opportunity to discuss and plan the following day’s activities with the guides over dinner. The typical daily itinerary includes a morning ride after an early breakfast returning to the lodge for lunch followed by a late afternoon ride. The precise itinerary for your stay at Borana will be agreed once you have arrived. Most people spend their whole time at the main lodge enjoying the accommodation and having half or full day rides on the horses at Borana and Ngare Ndare. If you would like even more variety in your itinerary, then for groups of two or more a night (or more) under canvas at a flycamp may be arranged (weather permitting and at an extra cost).
SAMPLE ITINERARY *
Day 1: Transfer either by road or air charter from Nairobi to Borana. If transferring by air charter, you will arrive at Lewa airstrip. From there the drive to Borana is a game drive in itself, hopefully with the chance to see rhino and Grevy zebra. In the afternoon relax at the lodge or go for your first ride on Borana.
Day 2: Early morning game ride from Borana followed by a long leisurely lunch break and either another ride or a game drive in the late afternoon.
Day 3: This morning drive the short distance to Ngare Ndare and ride out in the early morning followed by breakfast. After returning to Borana for lunch, in the afternoon you may like to ride again or go on a game drive or walk.
Day 4: If you have pre-arranged this, then today you might drive to Kisima to ride the polo ponies. The air is cooler as you climb higher into the foothills of Mount Kenya. After your ride there may be time to have a tour of the fascinating rose farm before returning to Borana. This evening you might choose to ride Rose’s horses at Ngare Ndare again.
Day 5: Ride up the escarpment to a flycamp at Sanga The camp is on the Ngare Ndare river under the shade of Acacia Tortilus trees. Afternoon spent unwinding by or in the many pools and falls on the river. An evening game drive to look at both black and white rhino on the adjacent Lewa wildlife conservancy. Dinner under the stars and a night under canvas.
Day 6: Early morning ride back to Borana. Relax in the afternoon with another ride or game walk.
Day 7: Your last full day and the opportunity to ride your favourite horse either at Borana or Ngare Ndare.
Day 8: If on the scheduled flight from Lewa, you will depart after breakfast and transfer to Lewa airstrip for the flight to Nairobi. If you have a private charter from Borana airstrip or a road transfer, there will be time for a final morning ride and lunch before you depart for Nairobi.
* This is an example of how a seven night stay might be made up for those wanting to experience as much as possible.
MEETING:
Nairobi Airport. Transfer either by road to the lodge, or by charter plane to Lewa aerodrome, then International flights should arrive into Nairobi by 07:00 to allow you to connect onto the internal flight to Lewa, otherwise you will need to overnight in Nairobi. Return flights should depart in the evening after 18:00.
DEPARTURE:
Transfer by car to Lewa, air charter to Nairobi or transfer by road to Nairobi. Return flights should depart in the evening after 18:00.
TRANSFERS:
It is possible to transfer by road (4.5 hrs from Nairobi to Borana) c. 425 € per vehicle one way. Or you could take a scheduled flight from Wilson airport to Lewa (c. 570 € per person return - minimum two passengers, single supplements apply). The scheduled flight arrives back to Nairobi around midday and international flights usually depart late evening. If you prefer to have longer at the lodge on your last day and less time in Nairobi there is the option to return mid afternoon by private air charter to Wilson (c. 1500 € per plane based on two sharing and late departure fees would apply at Borana). Road transfers between the airports in Nairobi are an extra cost.
RIDING LEVEL: 
There are horses to suit all preferences and abilities. Novice riders who are happy at walk and trot will have fabulous game viewing from horseback on the open savannah surrounding the Lodge, whilst competent riders can have more challenging riding.
RYTHM:
You ride 4 to 6 hours on average per day. Each evening, you chat with the team and plan the activities for the next day. The typical daily itinerary includes a morning horseback ride after an early breakfast, return to the lodge for lunch, followed by a ride in the late afternoon.
GUIDE:
English speaking local guide + English speaking support staff.
HORSES:
mainly Thoroughbred or Throughbred-crosses, many of them former polo ponies of the Dyers.
TACK:
The tack and riding style is English.
ACCOMMODATION:
Guest accommodation is in spacious and secluded cottages. The rooms all have their own fireplaces which are lit every evening. Everyone comes together in the lodge for meals and cocktails, but it is also possible to have dinner brought to your room if you wish. There is an infinity pool with views across the valley and pretty gardens to enjoy a leisurely afternoon. The accommodation is built on quite a steep incline and some of the rooms further away from the main lodge may not suit all guests. Please let us know if you would prefer a room closer to the main lodge. If you can bear to leave your wonderful room, you might choose to have an exciting night or two under canvas at a fly camp.
THIS SAFARI IS NOW OFFERED ONLY TO GROUPS FROM 6 RIDERS
SEE OUR OFFER OF HORSEBACK SAFARIS FOR INDIVIDUAL RIDERS:
THIS SAFARI IS NOW OFFERED ONLY TO GROUPS FROM 6 RIDERS
SEE OUR OFFER OF HORSEBACK SAFARIS FOR INDIVIDUAL RIDERS: