CLASSIC AMBOSELI SAFARI - KENYA

 

Sample Itinerary

Day 1
Depart Wilson Airport at 07:30 for a 60 minute schedule flight from Nairobi to Amboseli National Park. Guests will be met by their guides Patrick Stanton and Nicola Young at the airstrip. Upon leaving the strip, guests will enjoy a game drive through the park as they make their way to Tall Tree Camp. As we pass through the park, there is a great chance to see elephant, buffalo, hyena, hippo, lion, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest and much more.
This first camp is located within metres of the Kenya-Tanzania border and it boasts fantastic views of Kilimanjaro to the south and the vast Amboseli lake-bed to the north.
Following lunch at Tall Tree, there will be a two to three hour horse ride around the pockets of forest which surround us. There is a lot of wildlife around this campsite and we will be sure to have many fantastic sightings. After the ride we will arrive back at camp for sunset.

Day 2 Full-day ride to Kopjes.
After breakfast in camp, we will set off for a four hour horse ride to a stunning granite rock formation on the distant horizon. Upon arrival, we will have a picnic under the shade of a huge overhanging bolder and enjoy the views of Amboseli, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and Namanga.
After lunch, we will ride back to Tall Tree Camp. We expect the ride home to take two-three hours. The riding today will cover about 20 miles during which we will ride through the Acacia woodlands at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro where sleeping lion, and browsing elephant abound.


Day 3 - Dawn ride and afternoon game drive
Today we will get up at dawn and set off very early on the horses, to enjoy some cool riding and great game viewing. This morning we might ride for about three-four hours. The ride will explore an area north of our camp where we are likely to encounter bands of nomadic Maasai herdsmen.
After a breakfast in the bush, we will return to camp for a lazy lunch and chance to rest. We will then head out for an afternoon game drive, during which we are likely to encounter a wide variety of wildlife. With Kilimanjaro as the backdrop and Amboseli’s world famous wildlife in the foreground, guests should be prepared for the ultimate in photographic opportunities.
After the drive, we will arrive back into camp in the evening, for a delicious three course dinner, in preparation for the long ride we will face the following day.


Day 4 - Ride through Amboseli to Patrick’s Camp.
Today we will enter Amboseli National Park on horseback. We will do about 30 miles and we will traverse the secluded and game dense Enkongo Narok swamp. We expect to ride with large numbers of elephant, buffalo and plains game and perhaps even predators as we navigate our way through and around the swamps.
At one stage, we will be crossing a vast dry lake bed so there will be plenty of chances for galloping and even jumping some of the trees that have been pushed over by elephant.
After 6-7 hours riding, we will camp on Olgulului Ranch, in an oasis of tall trees set in the midst of vast open country, with deep red soil and endless views. 


Day 5 - Ride from Olgulului Ranch, to Mbirikani. Longeriti Camp.
This day’s ride is to Mbirikani Ranch where we will find Longeriti Camp. This ride will be about 25-30 miles and we will take a packed lunch with us. We will set off early, and aim for the north end of the Chyulu Hills. We are crossing huge areas of Acacia scrubland, so hope to see eland, kudu, oryx, gerenuk, hartebeest, giraffe and even cheetah.
In the evening, we can all enjoy a sunset game drive or walk.


Day 6 - Day Trip to Mist Forest
This morning we will give our horses some rest, and set off in the car for the top of the Chyulu Hills. A noticeable change in climate and temperature occurs as we reach over 7,000 feet above sea level. The journey is dominated by incredible views of the vast wilderness of Tsavo East National Park to the east and Mount Kilimanjaro and Amboseli National Park to the west.
We are heading for the mist forest, which is a wonderful and vast montane forest that we can walk through while we track the buffalo, giant forest hog, leopard and Sykes’ monkeys that reside within. We will enjoy a picnic lunch outside the forest, with amazing views of our entire journey so far.
After lunch, we will drive back to Longeriti camp for an afternoon horse ride, a walk or a game drive. Tonight we will enjoy the last safari night at Longeriti Camp and we can end the day with a night game drive in search of the leopard and black rhino that emerge from the dense bush after dark.


Day 7 - Departure
One last breakfast in the bush and guests will depart camp to meet their plane at the Ol Donyo Wuas airstrip. Scheduled flight departs at 0830 otherwise guests can take a private charter anytime they wish.

* As with many horse riding holidays, all itineraries are subject to change on account of weather and the movements of game.

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