View some of the most spectacular game in Africa on the mobile safari stretching from the Tanzania border, across the Amboseli Park with its waterways and wetlands, over the vast Kenyan plains dotted with acacias and into the lava flows of the Chyulu hills. The variety and masses of game viewed are unequalled: from lion, some of the biggest tusking elephant in Africa, massive buffaloe herds, rare black rhino, through cheetahs, giraffe, zebra, all the antelope types, baboons, Syke's monkey, striped hyena and many rare and lesser viewed species. For bird lovers the diversity of eco systems and altitude means a huge variety is sighted.
Enjoy camping under canvas in a fully staffed classic mobile tented safari on this very personal luxury safari. Beautifully schooled boerperd and cross horses, long hours of fun but safe riding and two guides for a maximum of 8 guests make this one of the top safaris available today.
Extra nights can be spent before or after the ride in a luxurious eco lodge, sympathetically built from local stone, volcanic rock, olive wood and thatch, set at the base of the Chyulu hills with panoramic views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
No supplement if willing to share. Otherwise:
2010: £630/€699/$1,010
SAMPLE ITINERARY - AMBOSELI SAFARI
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 to arrive back at Wilson for around 09:40. It can then take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours to get across town to the international airport so please book your departure flight for mid afternoon at the earliest. Guests can also take a private charter anytime they wish from Ol Donyo Wuas.
* As with many horse riding holidays, this itinerary is given as an examle and for guidance only. All itineraries are very flexible to take account of game movements, weather and local conditions on the ground.
NOTES - AMBOSELI SAFARI
Arrival A night in Nairobi may be needed before the start of the safari. International flights do not arrive in time to allow a connection to the early morning scheduled flight to the start of the ride. Should you arrive in Nairobi in the morning we can organize some sightseeing and an overnight, should your flight arrive in the evening (BA) we can organise only the overnight and early transfers to Wilson Airport ofr the safari Link flight.
Should you arrive in the morning we can also organise a private charter flight to come into Chyulu on the same day. For groups the price is similar to the scheduled flight.
Extensions This itinerary for this riding holiday can be extended with days before or after at the Ol Donya Wuos lodge, including riding. £305 per night till June 09, Jul-Dec 09 £345 per night. Please contact us for details.
The weight limit for this ride is 15 st/209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All transfers from Nairobi to Chyulu and reserve, all meals, accommodation, drinks alcoholic or otherwise, riding, guiding, laundry, park/conservation fees.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, imported spirits and wine and gratuities, dinner on day 7, private charter flights and international flights.
Riders who enjoyed this trip also considered:
Madagascar Trail - Madagascar
This riding holiday gives riders the chance to appreciate the abundance of rare and exotic species many of which are only to be found in Madagascar and get very far off the beaten track.
What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.
17, Acorn Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 ORA, England
Tel: +44 (0)1767 600606 Fax: +44 (0)1767 312555
Office hours 9am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm Saturday
Email: enquiries@unicorntrails.com http://www.unicorntrails.com
This Website and all of its contents are copyright of Unicorn Trails.
Under no circumstances is any part of this site to be copied or used without written permission.