A great riding holiday where you will spend a week on a coffee farm set at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Stay in a chalet with beautiful views of the snow capped Mount Kilimanjaro from private balconies. All rooms have en suite hot showers, basin and toilet. Meals at the farm are taken on a large netted veranda with views of Kilimanjaro. There is a large living room with fire lit every night in the colder months. There is riding on the slopes of the coffee farm and plains below. Plains game is encountered on your rides. Here you are free to relax between your twice daily rides or you can take part in many activities. See below for a suggested itinerary. Your hosts are both veterinarians and ensure the condition of the horses even in the challenging conditions in the bush, are superb. They are very welcoming and are helpful with requests for unusual items. This is a farm environment with many dogs, cats, geese, chickens, peacocks, and a little further stables for horses, a donkey, some pigs and cattle. All the animals are very friendly and welcome a pat or scratch behind the ear!
2010: 1, 9, 16 Jan; 6, 13 Feb; 5 Mar; 8, 15 May; 5, 12 Jun; 3, 10, 31 Jul; 28 Aug; 4 Sep; 2, 30 Oct; 20 Nov; 20 Dec.
Please note - these dates are shared with the Hot Springs ride but only one ride will operate on each date. Please contact us for latest information.
Approximate riding time per day
4 to 6 hours.
Riding ability required
Confident, fit and experienced riders.
Novice riders by arrangement.
No supplement if willing to share. Otherwise:
2010 7 nights: £329/€375/$489
SAMPLE ITINERARY - COFFEE FARM STAY
Kilimanjaro looks on as you discover an area of Tanzania far off the beaten path. On this horse riding holiday, you will experience the African landscape from horseback - a refreshing change from being enclosed in a safari vehicle. We ride through wilderness and farmland, enjoying stunning scenery with opportunities for viewing Kilimanjaro up close.
Day 1: Arrive Coffee Farm
Arrive at the farm, nestled into the southern slope of Mount Kilimanjaro. If you arrive early enough, you can meet the horses, choose one for your safari and begin an introductory ride, exploring the plantation and getting to know your horse.
Farming in Africa may be a little different from what you are used to. We ride through the coffee plantation and along natural grass and bush land. In addition to the expected farm animals like cattle, horses, pigs, chicken and geese, the area is also inhabited by a variety of wild creatures, most obvious the noisy ones such as Sykes monkeys, yellow baboons, and vervet monkeys.
Day 2: Coffee Farm – Experience
The day begins with tea or coffee served on the farmhouse veranda with a breathtaking view of Kilimanjaro. Then we head out on horseback for a half day’s exploration of the area. The 358-acre farm consists of coffee, crops and also natural bush and grasslands. In addition to traditional farm animals, we share the farm with many others: There is small, mostly nocturnal game like duiker, bush pig, jackal, serval, genet and civet cat, aardvark, even striped and occasionally spotted hyena and leopard. However, these animals are rather shy and very difficult to spot. During the day you have a good chance of seeing Sykes or Vervet monkeys, savannah baboons and a seemingly endless variety of birds.
In the distance we will see small homesteads of the local Chagga people and later we will stop at a scenic spot for some refreshments. From here you can choose to descend on foot to a waterfall and caves that are home to a big colony of mountain fruit bats. Although you might think they should be sleeping, they seem to enjoy frolicking in the spray of the waterfall. If you are lucky we may also catch sight of Freddie, the two meter long monitor lizard. Lunch will be taken at the farmhouse.
In the afternoon we will introduce you to the numerous farm residents: our farm is heaven for many domesticated and wild animals, some of which where brought to our veterinary clinic when injured or orphaned. Those who could not be re-introduced into the wild, due to injuries, live with us and play an important role of animal ambassadors to enable local children a “hands-on”-experience on animals for a deeper understanding of nature and conservation. See how animals interact with each other and humans, take the chance to accompany bush pigs or banded mongooses on a walk, observe the perfect beauty of a 3-legged serval cat or feed our wild bush babies in the evening. Most of the animals are very close to humans and they believe that all the visitors are here to give them a scratch behind their ears...
Day 3: Dayride into Masailand
This horseback trail leads through farmland and bush deep into Masasiland. We pass a historical bridge and move far down inside a fertile valley. Our crew prepared a delicious lunch at a scenic point.
Later on we return on another way to the farm, crossing the steep gorge of the Kikafu river. When we reach the Kikafu River Gorge, we’ll dismount and lead the horses into this enchanting area to explore.
After a small break or some exploring of the riverbanks on foot we make our way further through bush- and farmland, passing flower and coffee plantations.
Day 4: Excursions to the Hot Springs
Wake up early in the morning for an early morning ride. The ride leads you through our land and you have a good chance to meet some of the wildlife who shares the farm with us.
We come back for breakfast and depart by 4xvehicle to the Hot Springs to see more of this unusual ecosystem. We retrace the footsteps of Dr. Livingstone on a guided walking tour through numerous springs and small streams. Keep alert for exotic birds, different types of monkeys, and for crocodiles! We return to the springs for lunch and for a refreshing plunge into the spring, followed by an afternoon for leisure.
Late afternoon we drive back to the farm, arriving there just after sunset.
Day 5: Kilimanjaro-Flight, Masaimarket and Masailand
This morning we suggest a flight around Mt. Kilimanjaro inside 4-seater Cessna (This is not included in the rate, booking on extra charge). Depending on the weather this might be arranged for another day. Enjoy a fabulous view of the glaciers of Mt. Kilimanjaro and see from here which places you will visit during the next days.
We will be back for breakfast and afterwards you have the chance to visit a local Masai market. You will be surprised what items Masai trade in and what they will take home, often multiple day-journeys away, carried on their donkeys back.
After lunch we depart for another ride towards the Masailand. We will find another place to reach the deep Kikafu river gorge and anyone who wants to join the horses for refreshing splashes or a plunge in the water is welcome. On our way back for sure you will experience one more of the unforgettable sunsets of Africa.
Day 6: Day trip north-east through lush plantations…
… Chagga villages and small coffee farms, passing through scenic river valleys to reach a beautiful spot on a flower farm with an incredible view over the Masaisteppe. Our picnic lunch will be prepared under old trees.
The non-riders will be transferred by vehicle to this spot and have a look around the flower farm until the riders arrive for lunch. They also may choose to do a long hike to reach the flower farm; in this case they will be accompanied by a local guide.
Later in the afternoon we will make our way back, taking a slightly different route. What will not change is the permanent good mood of all local people we meet.
Day 7: Coffee Plantation and Giant Tortoise
Day trip on horseback over an historic bridge to the Kibo-Kikafu-Coffee Plantation, where we pay a visit to Tom, the 170 year old giant tortoise. During lunch we enjoy a breathtaking view of the plains.
After a break we saddle our horses again and ride back home to the farm. The day ends with sunset on horseback and, weather permitting, the breathtaking scenery of Mt. Kilimanjaro in the evening sun.
For non-riders we will offer an exciting hike, crossing the deep gorge of the Kikafu River. Be prepared to get wet feet and there is always lots of enjoyment during the river crossing as there is no bridge! Your guide will show you many plants on the way which are used to produce local medicines.
With a moderate pace it will take you about 2 1/2 hours to get to the picnic spot where you meet the riders. After a well-earned picnic and the visit of Tom you will be driven back by 4x4.
Day 8: Experience the Coffee Farm and surroundings
In the morning a hike through the smallholder farms of the Chagga tribal people. See people’s daily life, admire their permanent good mood and learn about their interesting farming methods.
Later on we will transfer you back to Kilimanjaro International Airport in time for your departure flight home.
Please note: This itinerary is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
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
Transfers to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport or Moshi, accommodation in rooms with view, all meals, snacks, tea, coffee and other beverages, wine/beer and alcoholic drinks in the evening, activities and rides as described in the itinerary, horses incl tack, luggage transfers where necc, English speaking guide
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International flights, tips and gratuities, laundry and phone calls, other items of a personal nature.
Not included are following activities (but can be booked on extra charge): Kilimanjaro flight in the morning and canoe trips in Arusha Park or at the Lake Nyumba ya Mungu.
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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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