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Offbeat Safaris
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Click here to go to the Offbeat Masai Mara Riding Safari Itinerary, or read below for information on all of Offbeat's properties...
Offbeat Safaris operate riding and landrover safaris from luxury mobile tented camps in remote areas of Kenya – recently Offbeat have acquired camps near Meru National Park, the Masai Mara and a ranch in Laikipia. Mobile riding safaris are a popular choice with expert horseman Tristan Voorspuy to guide you across the plains, with assured knowledge of the game and its whereabouts. Game is plentiful and landrovers always accompany the riding game drives. Game walks conducted with a knowledgeable armed guide conversant with the habits and likely reactions of the game are also a popular option. "...the honeymoon lions...the giant forest hog, the bateleur eagle, the Ross' Turaco,
of the Masai boys who wore our hats...a drink in our hands and a rock hyrax peeping
at us while the sun sent long shadows over the Masai Mara, ...if you can you must go there and see for yourself and if you do you should try to get Tristan Voorspuy
(Offbeat Safaris) to take you." - Joanna Lumley  Riding with Offbeat
The horses are well schooled thoroughbred and thoroughbred cross. Many are home bred out of Tristan’s best polo pony mares. All are tried for polo and the best polo ponies all go on safari. Therefore these quality horses are responsive, tough and fit. An intermediate level of riding is required as the riding is fast and thrilling galloping alongside zebra and coming face to face with the big five – the horses are precious and Tristan goes to every effort to match horse and rider ensuring he keeps the horse and rider equally satisfied. The rides are between 4 and 6 hours a day and the weight limit is 15 stone. Most of the rides in Masailand and the Northern ranches are on fairly open plains (black cotton soil) interspersed with bush. They are short grass plains ideal for riding.
Offbeat accommodation
Deloraine
At Deloraine there are 3 double rooms with their own bathrooms in the main house with 2 extra rooms for families. There are 3 double rooms with their own bathrooms in the cottage adjacent to the house. All meals are taken in the dining room and guests are expected to be part of the family in a house party atmosphere. The house has a charming and comfortable atmosphere with small children and dogs making up the family. On Safari Tents are 10ft x 9ft traditional safari style green canvas with wash stands and a short drop loo adjacent. Showers are readily available. Bedding, sheets, and towels are provided and twin safari cots are the norm though there are 2 double beds available on request and of course for honeymoon couples. There is no electricity in camp and lighting is by gas and hurricaine lamps. If people need to re charge video batteries this may be done with a cigarette lighter adapter off the car battery Sosian Ranch
'Sosian', the Samburu word for "Wild Date Palm", combines the Tame with the Wild; ideal for those looking for a unique and intimate bush experience. Recently Sosian joined Offbeat and has been marketed by them ever since. Set amid stunning scenery and overlooked by snowcapped Mount Kenya, the old ranch house sits within 24,000-acre of working ranch on the Laikipia plateau. The accommodation comprises seven double cottages. The house has a swimming pool, billard room and tennis court. Guests are encouraged to participate in ranch life, such as dipping cattle. Other activities include horse riding through the game filled ranch, camel safaris, day and night game drives, guided bird watching and fishing. Spectacular waterfalls offer alternative swimming along the Euaso Narok river. More than 250 species of birdlife and an abundance of game species including four of the big five can be found on Sosian Ranch, including rare species such as Jackson's hartebeest, Grevy's zebra and reticulated giraffe. Riding at Sosian
The horses here are Sosian’s private herd but are similar in quality and breed to Offbeat’s horses. They are well schooled and are ridden in English and western tack.
Offbeat Masai Mara Riding Safari Itineraries - Offbeat also offer riding safaris in Laikipia and Amboseli.
| Area: |
Masai Mara, Kenya |
| Length: |
11 days / 10 nights |
| Level: |
Experienced |
| Price: |
From £3,550 per person sharing |
| Highlights: |
Wildebeest migration |
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Day 1
You will be collected from your Nairobi Hotel or directly from the airport and transferred to Wilson Airport for a 10.30 charter or 10am schedule flight to Siana Springs.
It is a beautiful flight passing over the fertile Kikuyu Highlands before reaching the Great Rift Valley. You will fly across the volcano studded floor of the Rift before reaching the Loita Hills and Siana Springs Air strip. You will be met by your guide and there will be an hour’s drive to camp. We reach our camp in a grove of acacia trees by a small stream at the southern edge of the Loita Plains at Olare Lamun (the rhino salt lick) in time for lunch. There will be an evening ride. Overnight Olare Lamun
Day 2
A full day to explore this remote area with abundant game. Drives, rides and walks may be taken from camp. Overnight Olare Lamun.
Day 3
Your first moving day and you break camp in good time as it is the longest ride of the trip covering nearly 50kms. You ride across rolling open plains and the game generally becomes more plentiful as you approach the Mara ecosystem. You should see herds of zebra, topi, giraffe, wildebeest, gazelle and there is a good chance of seeing elephant and buffalo as well. You reach your camp on the edge of the Masai Game Reserve on the Olare Orok lugga late afternoon. From camp you are likely to hear lion and hyena at night and the abundance of game is apparent everywhere. Overnight Olare Orok.
Day 4 & 5
Two full days of morning and evening rides from camp with the option of driving into the game park for some good photographic opportunities. From the landrovers you can get much closer to lion, elephant and buffalo than you are able to do from the horses. Overnight Olare Orok.
Day 6
Another moving day. You head west across the Mara plains and reach the Mara River on the Park boundary. You hopefully ford the river (unless in complete flood) at one of the famous wildebeest crossings and then head south west across the Mara Triangle where you have your picnic lunch before ascending the Soit Olololol Escarpment to reach your camp in a forest glade overlooking the whole Mara ecosystem. Overnight Soit Olololol.
Day 7
You ride South West along the top of the escarpment enjoying glorious views to the east on excellent going for the horses. You hopefully see the beautiful Mrs Ross’ and Schalows Turaco as well as much plains game. You descend the escarpment on foot along a rocky cattle track and have a picnic lunch under some acacias at the foot of the escarpment.
After lunch you ride back through the Mara Triangle at the foot of the escarpment before ascending on a game trail. Many bachelor buffalo herds are a feature of the afternoon. Overnight Soit Olololol.
Day 8
You descend the escarpment again and ride across to the same wildebeest crossing on the river. You head in a North Western direction and after lunch, you find your final campsite set up on the banks of the Mara River. Close by there are some hippo pools and their grunting at night is a special feature of this camp. Overnight Mara River.
Day 9
Leaving camp after breakfast with a picnic lunch you drive to Deloraine via the impressive tea growing area of Kericho. You arrive in time for tea and an evening walk around the beautiful garden. Overnight Deloraine.
Day 10
An early morning ride before breakfast is optional. Also day trips to either Lake Nakuru or Bogoria famous for their flamingos can be arranged with a picnic lunch. Overnight Deloraine.
Day 11
Transfer by private charter to Nairobi. Leaving after lunch, we will then collect you from Nairobi and transfer you to your next destination (either homeward bound, or to the beach!)
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Intermediate
