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Ride World Wide, Staddon Farm, North Tawton, Devon, EX20 2BX - UK. |
| Africa | Kenya: Borana & Ol Donyo Wuas | ||
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General Description
Large estates, ranches where game and cattle co-exist and luxurious 'bush homes' are part of Kenya's colonial past and provide wonderful hospitality to the visitor, offering not only game viewing and the chance to enjoy Kenya's superb bush and wilderness, but also a wonderfully personal experience of Kenyan life. Borana and Ol Donyo Wuas lodges are two of our favourites, ideal for anyone wanting to ride, perfect for a group with mixed interests and easy to combine with a few nights on the Kenyan coast, for a holiday that includes some of the best Kenya has to offer.
Borana
Borana Lodge is on the edge of the Samangua valley in Laikipia, about 4 hours drive north of Nairobi. Owned and run by
the Dyer family, the stone and thatch lodge is a supremely comfortable, stylish, yet also relaxed and unaffected bush home, with swimming pool, verandas and
panoramic views over the wilderness towards Mount Kenya. Herds of elephant often come to drink at the waterhole below the lodge, buffalo hide in the thick,
shady bush, lion rest under acacia trees and many different antelope graze on the open plains. A good selection of horses, from polo ponies and thoroughbreds
for experienced riders, to tough cross-breds for families with children, tailor-made riding that can include morning, evening or full day picnic rides,
overnight stays in other lodges and friendly polo chukkas, not to mention game drives, guided walks and visits to local masai or samburu villages make Borana a
fantastic holiday choice.
Ol Donyo Wuas
Ol Donyo Wuas is on the slopes of the Chyulu Hills in Southern Kenya, between Amboseli and Tsavo National
Parks. Built by Richard Bonham, originally as his private house, it has exclusive access to quarter of a million acres of pristine wilderness, yet is small and
personal, sleeping a maximum of 18 guests. Morning, evening and picnic rides are a lovely way to explore the rocky topped hills and open, acacia studded plains
with their numerous species of game that surround the lodge, and for the adventurous who wish to do more riding, tailor-made mobile safari of 2 to 7 nights
using a luxury tented camp are organised on request. As well as this, there are game drives and walks with an expert guide, day trips to Amboseli, a swimming
pool and time, of course, to relax by the waterhole, where frequent visitors include elephant, oryx and eland, and soak up the peace of this idyllic
retreat.
Summary
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Riding: 4-6 hours a day. | ||
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Horses: polo ponies, TB crosses (some children's ponies available) | ||
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Pace: moderate and varied. | ||
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Riding ability: confident novice to experienced riders; families welcome. | ||
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Weight limit: approx 95 kgs (15 stone) but please contact us just to check that a suitable horse / horses are available if you are close to this. | ||
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Accommodation: private lodge. 5* camping optional | ||
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Group size: Borana sleeps 16; Ol Donyo Wuas sleeps 14. Riding at both is in small groups, usually maximum 8. |
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Dates 2008:  |
Lodge stays and mobile safaris on request Ol Donyo Wuas - set date mobile safaris (please enquire for itinerary) Low Season High Season 3rd to 10th February - 7 night accompanied by international 3 day event rider, Daisy Dick (please enquire) |
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Season: |
all months except some of April, May & November. |
Note: Ol Donyo Wuas Lodge will be closed for 6 months in early 2008 (from January to June) for upgrade works – Ride Kenya mobile safaris will still operate |
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Horses and Riding
The horses include a mixture of breeds with several thoroughbred and Arab crosses, polo ponies, some local cross bred ponies and some South African Boerpede. They are between about 14hh and 16.2hh, are responsive, forward going and thoroughly enjoyable to ride. Many at Borana are polo schooled. They are also sensible to handle, used to game and at home in the bush. Tack is English style with some Maclellan saddles also available at ODW. Riding groups are generally small, but the lodges sleep a maximum of 12/18 guests.
Hours: The riding can be varied to suit, with morning and evening rides out from the lodges for a couple of hours each, or full day rides with a picnic when there might be about 6 hours riding. When fly camping at Ol Donyo Wuas, or moving from lodge to lodge at Borana, there is generally about 4 to 6 hours riding a day.
Pace and experience required: As the riding is tailored to suit, different experience levels can be catered for. However as you are riding in an area where there is big game, you should have some previous riding experience and as a minimum should be happy at a walk, trot and canter in open country on a well-schooled horse. You will enjoy the riding all the more if you are riding fit so if you are not riding regularly we recommend you put in a few hours a week riding in the months before your trip.
Accommodation
Borana and Ol Donyo Wuas are extremely comfortable family run lodges with excellent personal service. Accommodation is in individual cottages built of thatch and stone, using local materials, all simply but beautifully decorated. Cottages have either double beds or twin queen size beds and private bathroom and most have a private veranda. There is a main dining room in each lodge where meals are generally eaten. Borana sleeps a maximum of 16 guests in 8 cottages and Ol Donyo Wuas sleeps a maximum of 14 in 7 cottages. Both lodges have swimming pools. When fly camping from Ol Donyo Wuas twin walk in safari style tents are used with stretcher beds and linen provided. There is a dining tent and camps are fully supported with back up staff. There are long drop loos and traditional bucket and pulley showers.
Rates & Travel
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Rates 2008: |
Ol Donyo Wuas & Borana |
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Rates include - all riding, guiding and equipment, accommodation (based on two sharing), all meals and some drinks (and also collection from & return to Nairobi by for combined safari package). | |
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Rates exclude - flights to Nairobi, transfers from / to Nairobi (except for combined safari), personal medical insurance (compulsory), visa fees, some alcohol and personal items such as tips. | |
6 night mobile safari 4 night mobile safari 7 night safari with Daisy Dick Safaris will be confirmed for a minimum of 2 people. Maximum group size is 8 riders (plus guides) |
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Rates include - Transfers from / to Nairobi by scheduled Safarilink flights, all riding and other available activities, guiding and equipment, twin accommodation (single rooms only if paying supplement or if otherwise available), Conservancy fees, meals, drinks (except champagne, premium spirits and cellar wines) and laundry service. |
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Rates exclude - flights to Nairobi, personal medical insurance (compulsory)staff gratuities and items of a personal nature |
Travel
The meeting place for the safaris is Nairobi, Kenya's capital. There are several
flights from London to Nairobi each day - British Airways and Air Kenya have direct, overnight flights. Several other airlines such as Air France and KLM have
flights via Europe. For an economy return flight from London budget around £450 to £650.
Itinerary in Brief
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(Ol Donyo Wuas and Borana, 10 night combined stay) | |
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Day 1 |
Arrive Nairobi and transfer to Wilson airport for a private charter flight to the Chyulu Hills. Settle in, meet the horses and a first ride to see the area. Dinner and overnight Ol Donyo Wuas. |
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Day 2 |
A full day at Ol Donyo Wuas lodge, with morning and evening rides, game drives or guided walks to view game and explore. Dinner and night Ol Donyo Wuas. |
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Days 3-5 |
Set off on a 3 night mobile safari riding from camp to camp. Cross open plains, then head up into the Chyulus, watching game that grazes on the open plains and hides amongst rocky kopies, with Kilimanjaro a stunning backdrop. 3 nights spent in mobile safari camps. |
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Day 6 |
Ride back to Ol Donyo Wuas lodge. Lunch at the lodge, time to relax by the pool and an afternoon ride, game drive or walk. Dinner and night Ol Donyo Wuas. |
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Day 7 |
Scheduled safari link flight via Wilson Nairobi to Lewa Downs. Transfer by jeep through Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to Borana Lodge. Dinner and night Borana. |
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Days 8-10 |
Three days with morning, evening and picnic rides, drives or walks for game viewing on Borana perhaps visiting the main farm on the slopes of Mount Kenya. After riding, relax and enjoy Borana's wonderful setting, views and swimming pool. 3 nights Borana Lodge. |
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Day 11 |
Early morning game activity, then transfer back to Lewa Downs for a safarilink flight to Nairobi. |
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Contact us on 01837-82544 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and answers to questions |
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