What is a private riding safari?

A private horseback safari in the Masai Mara and Laikipia, Kenya, for a minimum of 5 nights, with a traditional mobile tented camp that moves with the journey. Return domestic flights from Nairobi to the safari are included. Private rides have no fixed day plan: tell us your dates, your group and your riding experience, and ask us for an itinerary in the Masai Mara, in Laikipia or both, for a minimum of 5 nights.

Can children come on a private riding safari?

Yes. Teenagers and children are welcome on private safaris; the minimum age of 14 applies to set departures.

Who can ride on a private riding safari?

Experienced riders only: these are advanced riding safaris in big game country. Riding weight limit: 95 kg (210 lb / 15 stone), strictly applied. Fitness: Fit enough to ride 4-7 hours a day.

When do private riding safaris run?

Riding safaris run December to March and June to October. They do not run in the two rainy seasons, April/May and November.

Can I combine a private ride with a Kenya safari?

Yes. Speak to us about combining your ride with the rest of your Kenya safari.

Are park fees included on a private riding safari?

Yes: all conservation, park and camping fees are included.

What is included in Private Riding Safaris?

Full board accommodation and laundry; All house drinks (wines, beers and spirits, except champagne) and food; All activities: riding, game drives, walks, night drives; All conservation, park and camping fees; Return domestic flights from Nairobi to the safari; Transfers associated with the safari (pick-up and drop-off in Nairobi); Day room in Nairobi on the last day if required; Flying Doctors membership (air-evac to Nairobi); Full safari team: guide, groom, cook and camp crew.

How many hours a day do you ride?

4-7 hours per day with 1½-2 hour lunch stops; on the longest moving day guests stop for breakfast en route.

How do I book a private riding safari?

Send your dates and number of travellers on WhatsApp on +254 739 299 799 or by phone on +254 707 969 268, or email tours@safariseekersafrica.com. Our Nairobi team replies with availability and a quote.

Private Riding Safaris: Mara & Laikipia

Private Riding Safaris with Safari Seekers Africa of Nairobi, Kenya, are private horseback safaris in the Masai Mara and Laikipia, Kenya, for a minimum of 5 nights, starting and ending at Nairobi. They are for experienced riders; teenagers and children are welcome on private safaris, and non-riders are catered for by vehicle. Price on request. Closed in April, May and November. To book, WhatsApp +254 739 299 799 or call +254 707 969 268, or email tours@safariseekersafrica.com.

Key facts

Duration: Minimum 5 nights
Countries: Kenya
Starts: Nairobi
Ends: Nairobi
Route: Masai Mara · Laikipia
Wildlife areas: Masai Mara · Laikipia
Where you stay: A traditional mobile tented camp that moves with the ride
Style: Private mobile horseback safari
Group & vehicle: Private rides: minimum 5 nights.
Departures: Private rides, minimum 5 nights · closed April, May and November
Price: Price on request

The quest

Private riding safaris in the Masai Mara and Laikipia, for a minimum of 5 nights. Teenagers and children are welcome on private safaris, non-riders join by vehicle for meals, picnics and sundowners, and a traditional mobile tented camp moves with the journey.

Private rides in the Masai Mara and Laikipia, minimum 5 nights
Teenagers and children are welcome on private safaris
Non-riders join by vehicle, meeting the riders for meals, picnics and sundowners
Combine your ride with the rest of your Kenya safari

A canvas safari tent with towels, a washstand and a hurricane lamp under a stormy evening sky — A sleeping tent at dusk.

How it works

Your ride, planned with you.

Private rides have no fixed day plan: tell us your dates, your group and your riding experience, and ask us for an itinerary in the Masai Mara, in Laikipia or both, for a minimum of 5 nights.

Private rides: minimum 5 nights.
Teenagers and children are welcome on private safaris; the minimum age of 14 applies to set departures.
Non-riders are warmly catered for when a spouse or friend rides.
Speak to us about combining your ride with the rest of your Kenya safari.

Where you sleep

A camp that moves with you.

A mobile tented camp

The mobile tented camp

The mobile tented camp includes a mess tent for meals and spacious 9ft x 10ft sleeping tents with camp beds, mattresses, sheets and blankets. Towels, soap and torches are provided, with a solar lamp in each tent and hurricane lamps outside at night. There is a long drop loo tent for every tent, and hot safari bucket showers are always available.

All food is fresh. English breakfasts, light lunches and three-course dinners are provided, with picnics and dining in the open air when the weather is good. The team carries ice cubes and is self-sufficient for the whole safari. Bread is baked daily on open fires and the chefs are excellent. All house wines, beers and spirits are included, except champagne. Please advise any dietary requirements or preferences ahead of time so we can cater for you.

Laundry is washed by hand on non-moving days and dried in the sun. Laundry powder is provided for hand washing; ladies are asked to handwash their own underwear for cultural reasons.

Riders and non-riders

Who comes along

Non-riders are warmly catered for when a spouse or friend rides. An excellent team of guides and spotters takes non-riders out by vehicle, meeting up with the rest of the group for meals, picnics and sundowners. All guests enjoy game drives, night drives and walking as well as riding, so non-riders are very much part of the group. Game drives are always available, even for riders who prefer a break from the saddle.

Before you ride

The riding, plainly put.

Riding ability: Experienced riders only – these are advanced riding safaris. Riders must be comfortable and in control at all paces (walk, trot, canter, gallop) and able to get out of trouble calmly and at the necessary speed; balanced with an independent seat and able to stand up out of the saddle in the canter in a ’two-point’ position. All riders must be able to gallop out of trouble and keep up with the group at all times.
Fitness: Fit enough to ride 4-7 hours a day.
Weight limit: Strict maximum 210 lbs / 15 stone / 95 kg
Children and teenagers: Teenagers and children are welcome on private safaris. (On set departures the minimum age is 14.)
Saddles and tack: Only English saddles are used, so riders must be comfortable and experienced with them. English General Purpose Wintec saddles and leather saddles; seat savers available; mainly snaffle bridles.
The horses: Thoroughbred and thoroughbred-cross, giving excellent stamina. Well schooled, some play polo and event: responsive, tough and fit. Trucked to each safari destination ahead of the guests.
Hours in the saddle: 4-7 hours per day with 1½-2 hour lunch stops; on the longest moving day guests stop for breakfast en route.
Terrain: Big game country, on open plains interspersed with bush. Short grass plains are ideal for riding (look out for holes) and long canters are taken. Walking on foot is sometimes necessary over rough terrain.
Altitude and climate: Average of 5,500 ft: warm days (up to 28°C), cool nights (down to 11°C), very few mosquitoes.
Riding hats: Strongly recommended to wear a hard riding hat. Hard hats and chaps are not provided – bring your own. Not wearing a hard riding hat is at your own risk; check whether your holiday / medical insurance covers you if not wearing one.
If the riding is too much: If a guest finds they are not up to the level of riding, vehicles and driver-guides are always available and the guest will be asked to take this option for the safety of themselves, the horses and the other guests.

The fine print

What is included, and what is not.

Included

Full board accommodation and laundry
All house drinks (wines, beers and spirits, except champagne) and food
All activities: riding, game drives, walks, night drives
All conservation, park and camping fees
Return domestic flights from Nairobi to the safari
Transfers associated with the safari (pick-up and drop-off in Nairobi)
Day room in Nairobi on the last day if required
Flying Doctors membership (air-evac to Nairobi)
Full safari team: guide, groom, cook and camp crew

Not included

Gratuities, other services, personal items, travel insurance

Before you book

Booking notes, plainly put.

Private rides: minimum 5 nights.
Teenagers and children are welcome on private safaris; the minimum age of 14 applies to set departures.
Experienced riders only: these are advanced riding safaris in big game country.
Riding weight limit: 95 kg (210 lb / 15 stone), strictly applied.
Riding safaris run December to March and June to October. They do not run in the two rainy seasons, April/May and November.
All guests must hold appropriate travel and medical insurance, and will be asked to sign indemnity forms.
Speak to us about combining your ride with the rest of your Kenya safari.

Deposit and cancellation terms

Provisional bookings expire automatically (normally 2 weeks) unless confirmed; extensions are available on request. A booking is confirmed on receipt of a 20% deposit, with the balance payable in full 45 days before arrival.

More than 120 days before arrival: deposit refunded less bank charges. 120 to 46 days: deposit forfeited. 45 to 31 days: 50% of the full amount forfeited. 30 to 0 days: 100% forfeited.

Rates and terms may be reviewed for currency changes or increases in taxes, levies and charges beyond our control. Bookings are governed by Kenyan law.

Price on request: ask us for a quote for your dates and group.

The photographs

Seen along the way.

Riding safari photography courtesy of Offbeat Safaris.

Questions, answered

Before you ask, the short answers.

What is a private riding safari?: A private horseback safari in the Masai Mara and Laikipia, Kenya, for a minimum of 5 nights, with a traditional mobile tented camp that moves with the journey. Return domestic flights from Nairobi to the safari are included. Private rides have no fixed day plan: tell us your dates, your group and your riding experience, and ask us for an itinerary in the Masai Mara, in Laikipia or both, for a minimum of 5 nights.
How much does a private riding safari cost?: Price on request: ask us for a quote for your dates and group.
Can children come on a private riding safari?: Yes. Teenagers and children are welcome on private safaris; the minimum age of 14 applies to set departures.
Who can ride on a private riding safari?: Experienced riders only: these are advanced riding safaris in big game country. Riding weight limit: 95 kg (210 lb / 15 stone), strictly applied. Fitness: Fit enough to ride 4-7 hours a day.
Can non-riders come on a private riding safari?: Non-riders are warmly catered for when a spouse or friend rides. An excellent team of guides and spotters takes non-riders out by vehicle, meeting up with the rest of the group for meals, picnics and sundowners. All guests enjoy game drives, night drives and walking as well as riding, so non-riders are very much part of the group. Game drives are always available, even for riders who prefer a break from the saddle.
When do private riding safaris run?: Riding safaris run December to March and June to October. They do not run in the two rainy seasons, April/May and November.
Where do you stay on a private riding safari?: The mobile tented camp includes a mess tent for meals and spacious 9ft x 10ft sleeping tents with camp beds, mattresses, sheets and blankets. Towels, soap and torches are provided, with a solar lamp in each tent and hurricane lamps outside at night. There is a long drop loo tent for every tent, and hot safari bucket showers are always available.
Can I combine a private ride with a Kenya safari?: Yes. Speak to us about combining your ride with the rest of your Kenya safari.
Are park fees included on a private riding safari?: Yes: all conservation, park and camping fees are included.
What is included in Private Riding Safaris?: Full board accommodation and laundry; All house drinks (wines, beers and spirits, except champagne) and food; All activities: riding, game drives, walks, night drives; All conservation, park and camping fees; Return domestic flights from Nairobi to the safari; Transfers associated with the safari (pick-up and drop-off in Nairobi); Day room in Nairobi on the last day if required; Flying Doctors membership (air-evac to Nairobi); Full safari team: guide, groom, cook and camp crew.
How many hours a day do you ride?: 4-7 hours per day with 1½-2 hour lunch stops; on the longest moving day guests stop for breakfast en route.
What deposit is needed for a private riding safari?: Provisional bookings expire automatically (normally 2 weeks) unless confirmed; extensions are available on request. A booking is confirmed on receipt of a 20% deposit, with the balance payable in full 45 days before arrival.
How do I book a private riding safari?: Send your dates and number of travellers on WhatsApp on +254 739 299 799 or by phone on +254 707 969 268, or email tours@safariseekersafrica.com. Our Nairobi team replies with availability and a quote.