The itinerary for South Amboseli 8 days horse riding tour package
South Amboseli 8 days horse riding tour offers most of the riding due to its very long trail and changes of the landscpe along Amboseli way.
Be aware
Please be aware that the ride below is for strong intermediate riders only and that each itinerary is subject to change due to the movement of the game and weather conditions.
The routes are designed for the best possibilities of viewing wildlife and follow suitable terrain for horses.
If the itinerary would change prior to the safari, this would only be for the safety and for the benefit of the journey on horseback.
Day 1: Arrival at Makoa farm and first ride on foothill of mt. Kilimanjaro
Our driver-guide will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport and drive (about 40 minutes) you to the farm, our base and starting point for the safari.
The 358-acre coffee and horse farm is nestled into the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro.
The house and rooms are situated to take in spectacular views of these impressive mountains’ Africa’s highest peak.
Depending on your arrival time you will meet the horses and we will help you choose one for your safari.
Thereafter head out for an introductory ride, exploring the plantation and getting to know your horse.
Return for a sunset drink on the veranda and enjoy the view of the magnificent mountain in front of our doorstep Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Day 2: The Narco plains
After breakfast, you will be transferred to West Kilimanjaro. You will find the horses at our mobile camp and start the ride from here.
Soon we will ride over the Narco Plains where you will encounter the first plain animals.
Our private mobile camp is erected next to an Acacia forest and our friendly staff will be waiting for you.
The horses are always next to the camp and visible from your tent
Day 3: Arrival at 'out of Africa'
You will have a very long ride on this day in this wilderness area, through Euphorbia and acacia forest and the savanna, tracking amongst others elephant, zebra, wildebeest and many other antelopes such as Eland, Thomson, Grant, and Impala, occasionally buffalo.
Lunch will be prepared on a treehouse overviewing a waterhole, the most enjoyable entertainment with all sorts of wild animals coming, drinking, bathing, and moving further.
Later afternoon we will arrive at a place called "Mgunga", which is the Swahili name for Acacia trees.
The view over rolling grass fields and bush with Mt. Meru at one side, Mt. Kilimanjaro behind you, and the mountains Longido and Namanga to the other side will make you feel that this is the place where you want to stay.
After a break, you will depart with the 4×4 vehicle for an interesting journey into another world, to the homestead of a Masai family.
Get to know cheerful women and children and learn about their daily life.
It will be dark when will return to camp, for sure you will meet some nocturnal animals usually not seen during the day.
Day 4: Acacia forest and Ngasurai plains
On the fourth day, you will start to ride passing rocky hills and winding your way through bush and acacia forests.
This is the elephant and giraffe land and you will often find tracks and other signs of the giants.
Wildlife is variable but often animals are seen only last second before they take off.
Although this is Maasai land, too, there might be predators present in this area and we will be constantly alert.
By the evening we will reach our next private campsite, beautifully set under Acacia trees on the Ngasurai Plains.
Sometimes we can hear the Maasai herding their animals to the water hole during the night.
They move in the darkness and use their voices to keep predators away, a magical night with ongoing Maasai songs coming and moving far away.
Day 5: Plains and Maasai lands
You will start to ride early today in order to cover some ground. If there was a good rain season then these vast plains can get very populated and there are migratory herds wandering while feeding on the fresh short grasses.
The area is perfect for canters with wildebeest or zebra herds or what about a gallop with the giraffe.
You will a lunch stop under a shady big acacia tree next to a dam where Maasai frequently water their herds
There is quite some coming and going of animals, along with lots of friendly chatting, whereas the wildlife prefers to watch this from a safe distance away.
After the hottest hours passed we will continue our way, a good terrain invites again for faster paces.
You will be awaited with a campfire in our mobile Sinya camp, with a Gin &Tonic to enjoy the warm sunset colors
Day 6: Tracking elephant and more
After morning breakfast you will have a long ride which leads you up to the Kenyan border close to Amboseli Reserve in Kenya.
The landscape changes completely and you will ride over Lake Amboseli and salt pans that allow for great canters often with herds of zebra or giraffe.
Although the area seems to consist of chalk it is hosting a surprisingly good number of wild animals.
We will carefully scan the forests along with the salt pans as these are favorite browsing sites for elephants.
This is also cat country and we will be constantly aware in order to spot any predators well in advance
After returning to camp we will change horses against a Land Cruiser vehicle.
You will visit the Sinya Mines that were mined for “Meerschaum” many years ago.
With some stops for wildlife viewing on the way, you will finally arrive on “the rock”, huge kopjes with a stunning view just in time for the sunset drink.
It will be almost dark by the time we will make our way back, and most probably encounter some nocturnal species on the way.
Day 7: Turning South
Wake up with the sun for the last exciting day in the bush. First, we turn west, towards Mt. Longido. You will pass the plains and follow the bush line on the other side.
Later, you will meet the vehicle for a lunch picnic, afterward load the horses and drive back to the farm.
For the guests there is another interesting activity: Join a Maasai warrior on a bushwalk and learn about the daily life of tribal people in nature.
You will arrive just in time for nocturnal animals stretching their legs after a long day of sleep.
This is the time to meet our resident bushbabies, passing by to check if there is anything interesting for them.
Day 8: Farm and Departure
After a relaxed breakfast, there may be enough time to have look around our farm and learn more about our educational projects.
Maybe you like to join our rescue monkey troop on a bushwalk. Or, visit the small rescue station with an ever-changing number of animals, which often arrived because they became orphaned injured or have unwillingly lost their habitat.
Some will stay, often due to injuries, and will be ambassadors for the education of local school kids, teaching them about the environment and conservation.
Alternatively, you may decide to take another ride along the boundaries of the farm or visit Moshi for some souvenir shopping, a small town right at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
There will be a day room available for you, so you can shower and relax before your departure. This is where your safari comes to an end and you will feel it difficult to leave new friends and horses so plans for the next trip evolve.