RIDE KENYA RIDING SAFARIS IN THE CHYULU HILLS
Fact sheet for Chyulu Hills riding safari in Kenya
Cash: There is a shop at the lodge and there are opportunities to buy curios from the Masai so do carry with you some small change in Kenyan shillings if possible, and otherwise US Dollars.
Children: We will accept children on riding safaris but they must be competent riders. There are no discounts for children.
Drinks: Are included except champagne. We carry ice and cold boxes to ensure that the drinks are cold throughout.
Game: We ride where there are elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and cheetah, as well as plains game that are plentiful at certain times of year when they are looking for grazing. There is a shortage of water in the Chyulu Hills resulting in a constant movement of animals between their water sources and the abundant grass found in the hills.
How to Get There: We recommend guests fly into Nairobi on day flights and overnight in a Nairobi hotel (which we can arrange on your behalf. The following morning guests transfer to Wilson Airport to connect with the Safarilink scheduled flight to Chyulu Hills departing everyday at 07.30hrs unless you would like a private charter. Wild and Exotic are licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority (license number 6445) to sell the international flights necessary for this itinerary. Please contact us for further details and our recommended airlines.
Length of Rides: The average is 4 - 6 hours in the saddle. Usually a morning ride with lunch in camp and a walk or game drives in the evening. However, some days we will be met by the land cruiser with a picnic lunch then ride to camp in the afternoon. This can vary according to the ability and wish of the rider. Some places may require us to get off and walk because of rough or steep terrain.
Meals: Full breakfasts that comprise fruit, cereal, bacon, sausages, eggs, tomatoes and fresh bread are served every morning. Lunch in camp is usually a three-course meal. If having a picnic it would be fresh salads and cold meats with cookies, fruit and hot and cold drinks. Dinner is a candlelit three-course meal at a set table.
Types of Safari: We operate mobile riding safaris from the Chyulu Hills. A Bedford or Canter Lorry carries your camp with a crew of 7 staff. There is a cook, waiter, camp 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 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. They have a night guard to watch out for inquisitive lions.
Riding Ability: You should be comfortable at all paces and be able to sit to a horse shying. We ride in big game country; however the game is quite shy and tends to move away. You should be fit enough to ride between 4 and 6 hours a day.
Single Supplement: Is only charged for those who are not prepared to share accommodation.
Size of the Rides: Maximum of 6 guests. Minimum 2 guests.
Tack: All the horses are ridden in English tack. There are 3 comfortable large cavalry type saddles and the rest are general-purpose English saddles. Seat savers can be provided if anyone wishes.
Visas: Visas can be purchased for $50 or £35 on arrival in Nairobi.
Weight Limit: Maximum weight is 200 lbs for a novice rider and 210 lbs for an advanced rider (15 stone or 95 kg).
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| Ol Donyo Wuas riding | Kilimanjaro | Elephant and cottage | Guides Nicola and Patrick | Camp accommodation |
DAY SAMPLE
Set departure Kenyan itinerary in the Chyulu Hills specially prepared by Wild and Exotic
Day 1 (Sunday): Nairobi to the Chyulu
Hills. Early morning transfer to Wilson airport
and connect with the Safarilink
scheduled flight to the Chyulus (or to a private charter if desired) at
07:30hrs. The flight will take approximately 50 minutes and
guests will be met on arrival by Patrick and Nicola, Ride
The
first ride will usually end with a cold drink in a picturesque location, after
which the guests will return to camp for a hot shower, drinks by the fire and a
three course dinner.
One
of the Ride Kenya guest tents on mobile safari.
Day 2 (Monday): Miti Moja. After a delicious breakfast at the camp, guests and their guides Patrick Stanton and Nicola Young, will set out on a five to six hour ride through spectacular volcanic landscape to an area known as Lenkiloriti with a picnic lunch to break up the riding. On the way, guests are likely to come across some of our spectacular bull elephant browsing in the forest before they emerge onto the plains where they are bound 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
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 leading of the horses may be necessary at times. During this ride, you will aim to arrive at our new camp for late afternoon tea.
Day 5 (Thursday): Mist Forest Camp. Today’s ride will involve 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 6 (Friday): Kopjes. This morning you 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 you 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, you 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 7 (Saturday): Airstrip.
After breakfast, guests will leave on the Safarilink schedule
departing at 0830hrs (or Private Charter) to
Notes:
3 night departure dates:
27 - 30 June
25 - 28 July
19 - 22 August
26 - 29 September
10 - 13 October
6 night departure dates:
8 - 13 June £1810 per person based on a minimum of 4 guests
13 - 18 July £1810 per person based on a minimum of 4 guests
10 - 16 August
14 - 20 September
19 - 25 October
Prices for 2008:
The cost of this itinerary in March, June and October (low season) in 2008 is £2270 per person based on shared accommodation. If guests are not willing to share same sex accommodation, the cost of a single supplement is £370.
The cost of this itinerary in July, August and September (peak season) in 2008 is £2650 per person based on shared accommodation. If guests are not willing to share same sex accommodation, the cost of a single supplement is £385.
See special offers for Ride Kenya safaris in June and July on the Special offers and late availability page.
The cost of the holiday includes full board and accommodation, drinks, laundry and all park fees, transfers within Nairobi as described in the itinerary, and Safarilink scheduled flights as described in the itinerary. If guests are not willing to share same sex accommodation, the cost of a single supplement is listed above (varies according to season).
Please note that on account of the early departure from Wilson airport on day 1 at 07.30hrs guests will need to arrive in Nairobi the previous day and stay overnight to be able to make the early departure. Wild and Exotic can arrange this accommodation in Nairobi for an additional charge.
The price does not include visa fees, international airfares, items of a personal nature, gratuities and any personal expenses in Nairobi. As ATOL licence holders 6445, Wild and Exotic can arrange your international flights at competitive rates. Please ask for further details.
All itineraries are subject to change on account of weather and the movements of game.
Please note that it is the responsibility of the client to ensure they obtain the correct visa prior to travel. Wild and Exotic will assist with visa applications if instructed but cannot be held responsible for a client’s failure to obtain a visa for whatever reason. A valid visa is required for this holiday, and information regarding visa applications to Kenya can be obtained by visiting the following website: www.kenyaembassy.co.uk
Neither Wild and Exotic nor the operators or suppliers can accept any responsibility for changes to itineraries or dates that may arise due to weather or unforeseen circumstances such as changes, disruptions or delays to airline flights for whatever reason. This holiday is subject to Wild and Exotic’s terms and conditions, a copy of which is enclosed with your booking form.
