Ride Kenya

Game viewing Ol Donyo Wuas riding safaris Kenya

Ride Kenya, nestled in the foothills of the Chyulu Hills in southern Kenya, and close to Ol Donyo Wuas Lodge, has access to 1.4 million acres of idyllic riding country with Mount Kilimanjaro providing a stunning back drop. The terrain ranges from to sloping wooded hills to large open plains, with the occasional need to cross old lava flows. The climate is ideal for riding with warm sunny days and cool evenings.

There are 20 well-schooled horses (Boerperds, thoroughbreds, and Somali ponies) that are used to the Big 5 and all other wildlife. The four to six hour rides are guided by either Patrick or Nicola and are split into morning and late afternoon rides, combined with a guided bush walk or game drive in the evening. On other days, guests will ride between camps, being met with lunch from the land rover half way through the day. The pace is set by guests’ ability although there is plenty of opportunity for close encounters with game, long canters, galloping and some jumping. Guests need to be comfortable at all paces and fit enough to ride for between four and six hours each day.

The accommodation on the riding safaris is mobile tents, which are large and spacious, complete with ensuite bathrooms with shower and short drop loo. Lanterns and torches provide the light at night and all linen, soap and towels are provided. A separate dining tent is used for all meals in camp. There is a cook, waiter, general staff and a groom for the horses. They take care of all the domestic chores like heating water for showers and cooking all meals as well as putting up and striking the camp, feeding, grooming and tacking up the horses. The horses are tethered at night on a picket line strung between two or four trees and a night guard keeps watch for inquisitive lions.

Any rider(s) who prefers the option of a riding holiday which is lodge based can spend their entire holiday at Ol Donyo Wuas Lodge and then ride out each day.

Ride Kenya - Fact Box

Horse type	SA boerpeds, thoroughbred and cross, Somali ponies
Saddles used	English tack (general and trail rides)
Maximum number of riders	8
Hours in the saddle per day	Between 4 and 6
Standard of riding required	Competent
Children accepted?	Yes, but must be competent
When to go?	All year except April, May and November
Non-riders welcome?	Yes - staying at Ol Donyo Wuas Lodge
Activities other than riding	Day and night game drives and guided walks