In the Masai lands in the southwest of Kenya, near the border with Tanzania we find the beautiful remote area of the Chyulus Hills, long an insider secret for safari afficionados. Featured in the "Out of Africa" film this area offer a remote private wilderness safari with versatile riding tailored to guests wishes. On the doorstep of Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks, this area is home to a huge diversity of game and exosystems as well as some of the biggest tusking elephant alive in Africa today.
This safari is a point to point luxury riding holiday under canvas for riders interested in acquiring an in depth knowledge of African mammals. Non riders can be catered for with their own parallel jeep safari itineraries. The riding is fun, safe and secure on beautifully schooled boerperd and cross horses. These are very personal full service safaris with no more than 8 guests and 2 guides on each departure.
Additional nights before or after the safari may be spent 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. A lodge safari can also be organised if preferred
No supplement if willing to share. Otherwise:
2010: £569/€699/$947
SAMPLE ITINERARY - CHYULU MOBILE SAFARI
Day 1 - Sunday: Nairobi - Chyulu Hills Transfer to the Safarilink scheduled flight to the Chyulus departing at 07:30hrs (or to a private charter departing anytime by arrangment). The flight takes about 50 minutes and guests are met on arrival by Patrick and Nicola, your two very friendly and personable guides. Transfer to the first camp site in a 4WD - in reality this is a 1-2 hr game drive to the northern end of the Chyulu Hills near the Chyulu East National Park where the last wild black rhino in East Africa survive. The camp site is perfectly located on the edge of the lava flows of the northern hills with views of 3 extinct volcanoes.
After a light lunch in camp, guests have a chance to catch up on sleep, rest or walk before heading out for an afternoon ride. The horses will already be in the camp waiting for the guests upon arrival (including some spares). Having received detailed information on each guest, Patrick and Nicola will have chosen a horse for everyone. There is an opportunity to change horses if wished, although in reality the horses are all beautifully schooled and 99% of riders love their first horse! On the afternoon ride we head north into the sunset between the volcanoes and up onto a ridge (an ideal place for a first canter) with panoramic views in all directions. Expect to see plenty of plains game such as giraffe, zebra, kudu and many more. They are drawn to the area by a large seasonal lake which forms after good rains and can remain for up to a year. We ride back into camp, the horses are attended to while we enjoy a drink, hot showers and dinner. The dinners area beautifully prepared, at least 3 course and served by waiters in the dining tent. Afterwards retire to the campfire to admire the stars and sounds of the African bush before retiring.
Day 2 - Monday: Miti Moja After breakfast we ride into a spectacular volcanic landscape known as Lenkiloriti, with a picnic lunch to break up the riding. On the way, we are likely to come across some of our exceptionally large bull elephants browsing in the forest before emerging onto the vast Mbirikani plains where they are likely to meet zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, oryx, gazelle, cheetah and even lion. This ride skirts the now dormant lava flows that once spilled out from the volcanoes above. It is within these lava flows that herds of buffalo and Kenya’s last population of wild black rhino reside. Guests will be met by a vehicle for lunch. Under the shade of a sprawling acacia tree, guests enjoy cool drinks and a picnic lunch before continuing with the ride.
After lunch, the ride will meander amongst the some of the youngest hills in Africa. This magical landscape could be mistaken for another planet. The flat ground is dotted with massive golden volcanoes which have only been dormant for a few thousand years. In this area there is a chance to see klipspringer, baboon, coke’s hartebeest, rock hyrax and gerenuk.
The ride usually ends at around 5pm back at the Miti Moja campsite. Guests often opt for a night game drive from this camp as there are often lion, leopard, and cheetah out on the prowl after dark.
Day 3 - Tuesday; Crater Camp Tuesday’s ride leaves camp after breakfast and proceeds through the acacia forest up towards Chyulu East National Park. En route, the ride will trek through seemingly endless stands of whistling thorn acacia as we begin our ascent into the Chyulu Hills. As we make our way, there are ample opportunities to canter, gallop and jump.
Over the course of the day, the ride ascends about 2,000 feet above the plains with stunning views stretching for 90 miles on a clear day. The ride arrives in camp for a late lunch. The camp is nestled into a forest next to a large volcanic crater. It is situated over looking the quintessential East African plains that lead up to Mt. Kilimanjaro.
After lunch guests are invited to climb the volcanic crater in pursuit of the very rare verreaux’s eagle which nests in the nearly inaccessible rocky outcrops that line the rim of the crater.
As an alternative, guests can opt to explore the lava tubes that lie within walking distance of the camp. These jagged caves stretch for miles as they lead away from the crater and have been used by hunter gatherers for generations as shelter.
Guests return to camp before sun-down for a shower, drinks and dinner.
Day 4 - Wednesday; Mist Forest camp Today’s ride ascends another 2,000 feet higher into the Chyulu Hills. A noticeable change in climate and temperature occurs as you reach over 7,000 feet above sea level. The ride is dominated by incredible views of the vast wildernesses of Tsavo East National park to the east and Mount Kilimanjaro and Amboseli national park to the west. Lunch will be had on the trail. This day’s riding traverses steep slopes and valleys and the leading of our horses may be necessary at times. During this ride, we will aim to arrive at our new camp for late afternoon tea.
Day 5 - Thursday; Mist Forest Camp After an early wake up call featuring cookies and coffee in your tent we ride out at sunrise to experience the amazing quiet dawn of a day in the bush. Thursday’s ride consists of further exploration of the hills. Due to the altitude, the clouds often sit on the top of the Chyulu Hills. This consistent moisture has given rise to miniature jungles that dot the summits of the hills. Today’s ride focuses on the exploration of these mist forests.
After returning for lunch in camp guests can either sit back and enjoy the views, or head into the forests in pursuit of the buffalo, leopard, syke’s monkey and giant forest hog that reside within.
Day 5 - Friday; Kopjes This morning we will descend out of the hills and ride to the Kopjes. The Kopjes are huge granite outcrops in the middle of the savannah plains. This is about a 5 hour ride so we will begin early and get there for a late lunch. The day’s terrain will be mostly the classic, quintessential, short grass plains dotted with thorn trees. This country allows you plenty of opportunity for long canters amongst the zebra and wildebeest. After a ride, walk or game drive in the afternoon, we will climb up on top of the kopjes for a magnificent sunset which will include a 360 degree panoramic view, dominated by Mount Kilimanjaro.
Day 6 - Saturday; Airstrip After breakfast, guests will leave on the Safarilink schedule departing at 0830hrs (or Private Charter) to Nairobi. They can enjoy a day in Nairobi, visiting museums, shopping or enjoying local animal sanctuaries (or get a dayroom at a hotel) before leaving on an evening flight to their International destination.
* All itineraries are subject to change on account of weather and the movements of game.
NOTES - CHYULU MOBILE 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.
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WHAT IS INCLUDED
Full board accommodation, drinks, laundry, Safarilink schedule flights between Wilson Airport (Nairobi’s domestic airport) and Ol Donyo Wuas return, transfers between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi’s international airport) and Wilson Airport on arrival and departure, Conservation Fees to Mbirikani Group Ranch and temporary membership of the Flying Doctor’s Society of Africa.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Personal, medical or accident insurance, staff/guide gratuities and items of a personal nature.
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.
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