Tanzania

Safaris in Tanzania explore the remote wilderness country just south of the Kenyan border between Amboseli National Park to the north east and the Serengeti to the far west. They cross vast open plains that are home to giraffe, gazelle, elephant and zebra and the magnificent peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Longido and Mount Meru are visible on the horizon as you ride. These are adventurous mobile safaris run in true safari style. A private safari camp is set up and moved ahead of you, a welcome drink and hot shower await as the sun sets and evenings are spent listening to the night sounds of the bush around a glowing camp fire. The 8 night Kilimanjaro Ride follows a circular route along the edge of Amboseli and towards Mount Kilimanjaro. The longer Lake Natron Expedition, available for groups on request, follows a little used route towards the northern shores of Lake Natron, the biggest soda lake in East Africa and an important breeding ground for flamingo. Both start and end with a night at the farm base, close to Arusha.

Safaris are run from fixed dates throughout the year. A minimum of 5 riders are required for each safari. Other dates can be arranged on request for 5 or more riders.

Summary

Horses and Riding

Riding: 5-7 hours a day.

Horses: TB cross, Arab crosses.

Pace: moderate to fast with plenty of long canters in open country.

Riding ability: suitable for confident intermediate to experienced riders.

Weight limit: about 95kg (15 stone) but please call to discuss if you are close to this.

Accommodation: 4∆ camping.

Group size: max 12 (min 5).

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The horses are mostly part thoroughbred or part Arab with some Australian Brumbys. They average between about 15hh and 16.2hh and are generally of a fairly lively temperament although they are also sensible, used to game and at home in the bush. All are forward going and responsive to ride making long riding hours on safari a real pleasure. Grooms look after the horses and prepare them for rides. Tack is English style. Groups are a maximum of 12 guests.

Hours: There is usually 5 to 7 hours riding a day, riding from camp to camp. Rides are broken up with rests, for lunch and game viewing.

Pace and experience required. To join a safari you must be a fairly experienced rider who is comfortable on a horse at all paces from a walk to fast canter in open country. You will be riding in a varied, open area where there is big game including elephant and lion. The going on these safaris is good and the pace is often fast, with long canters across open plains and riders encouraged to spread out. You are expected to cope, keep up and stop when required, so you need to be confident and fit. If in doubt about ability please contact us.

Accommodation on these safaris is in private tented camps set up ahead of you by staff. Camp sites are carefully chosen for their different views and aspects. Twin A-frame safari tents are used with comfortable mattresses to sleep on supplied. You will need a sleeping bag. Water on safari is limited but each tent has a canvas basin set up outside with hot water for washing provided morning and evening, and enough water available for a hot shower at night. There are chairs in camp and at lunch stops. Meals are eaten around the campfire. At the farm where the first and last nights are usually spent, accommodation is in simple rustic farm buildings, either double thatched rondavel rooms with en-suite shower and loo, triple or single bedrooms with shared bathroom. Occasionally the first or last night may be spent at a hotel in Arusha in twin bedded rooms with a private bathroom.

Rates 2012	8 night Kilimanjaro Safari - USD 3850 per person (assuming a minimum of 5 participants) Single supplements - none charged but you must be prepared to share a twin tent / room if numbers require.
	Rates include - all riding, 8 nights twin accommodation, all meals, drinks, equipment and back up on safari and new Government tourist fees.
	Rates exclude - flights to Tanzania, transfers from / to Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport, personal medical insurance (compulsory), visa fees and personal items such as tips. Prices are quoted in US dollars. Payments to us can of course be made in pounds sterling if you wish and we can give you a sterling rate at the time of booking.
Dates 2012	Kilimanjaro Ride 21st to 29th January 10th to 18th March 7th to 15th April 16th to 24th June 14th to 22nd July 11th to 19th August 24th November to 2nd December 29th December to 6th January 2013 Private rides can be arranged on request for groups - please call to discuss.
Season:	year round

The closest airports to Uto Farm, where the ride begins are Arusha and Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania. There are flights to Kilimanjaro International from London with KLM and also with British Airways to Dar-es Salaam then an internal connection from there to Arusha, although these are not daily and flight schedules normally mean Nairobi is the more convenient airport to use. There are daily flights to Nairobi from London with British Airways and Air Kenya (direct overnight, arriving Nairobi early the next morning). From Nairobi you can either fly to Kilimanjaro or take a shuttle bus transfer to Arusha in Tanzania - there are two departures a day on a reliable shuttle from Nairobi (cost approx USD30). For an economy return flight from London to Nairobi budget around £500 to £700 (fares are seasonal).

Transfers from Kilimanjaro airport to Uto Farm cost USD 120 per car each way, and from Arusha to Uto the cost is USD 75 per car each way. The shuttle bus from Nairobi passes the farm gates so there is no extra transfer charge.

Day 1	Arrive Arusha or Kilimanjaro and transfer to Uto Farm. Lunch then meet and try the horses. Dinner and overnight at the farm or occasionally at a hotel in Arusha.
Day 2	Set off on safari, riding out into the plains below and heading towards the far off mountains. Pass mud hut settlements of the Wa-Arush tribe, before riding into acacia woodland and to camp at the base of the impressive Matissiwi escarpment.
Day 3	Climb the escarpment heading north across open plains and stopping for lunch by a seasonal waterhole.
Day 4	Today's ride takes you east through dry 'sansevieria' bush, along sandy river beds, around small hills and out onto the extensive Ngasurai plains with views of Mount Longido to the west. Camp for the night.
Day 5	Heading east, cross the plains and ride into more dense, thorny bush where there is a good chance of encountering some of the massive tusked elephants for which Amboseli is known. Ride past a Masai village to reach camp with views of the snowy summit of Kilimanjaro.
Day 6	A day exploring the area around Ndarakwai with morning and afternoon rides to look for elephant and perhaps a ride or walk up one of the nearby hills for a view of the summit of Kilimanjaro in the sunset. Dinner and second night in the Ndarakwai camp.
Day 7	Ride west towards the centre of a large government ranch close to Mount Meru. It can be very dry and dusty but there are wonderful places for some long canters. Dinner and overnight in the final camp.
Day 8	The last riding day takes you back to the farm along the northern base of Mount Meru, stopping for lunch en route and passing a colourful Masai market. Dinner and final night at the farm or occasionally at a hotel in Arusha.
Day 9	Breakfast and transfer to Arusha or Kilimanjaro.
	Contact us on 01837-82544 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and answers to questions