Horse Riding Safari in Kenya: Which Ride Suits You
By Daisy, founder of Leopard Paw Safaris and a former safari guide.
A horse riding safari in Kenya is one of the most thrilling ways to see the bush. You ride in among the herds, closer to the plains game than a vehicle ever gets, with the African sky above you and no engine in earshot. One question decides your whole trip: how well can you ride? The answer sends you towards two very different experiences, and this guide covers both.
Why horseback is magic
Wildlife doesn’t flee a horse the way it bolts from a vehicle or a person on foot. On horseback you ride quietly in among zebra, giraffe and antelope, close and unhurried. You reach country a vehicle can’t, you move at the pace of the land, and there’s a freedom to it that nothing else on safari matches. Kenya effectively invented the horseback safari back in the 1970s, and it’s still where the best ones happen.
The catch: it’s not a close big-game experience
Operators tend to gloss over this. For the big, dangerous animals, meaning lion, elephant and buffalo, and for close-up photographs, a vehicle gets you closer and keeps you safer than a horse. On horseback you keep a sensible distance from anything that could hurt you or spook your horse. So set your expectations: a riding safari is about the plains game, the immersion and the joy of the ride, not close big-cat encounters. That’s why many riding safaris pair the horses with game drives, so you get both.
Two kinds of horseback safari
This is the decision that matters, so be honest with yourself about your riding.
The mobile riding safari is the classic bucket-list version, mainly in the Masai Mara. You ride point to point between mobile tented camps, covering real distances across the plains, and in migration season you can gallop among herds of wildebeest and zebra. It’s exhilarating, and it’s for competent, confident riders only. You need a secure, independent seat at all paces (walk, trot, canter and gallop) and enough riding fitness for four to seven hours in the saddle a day, because when the bush throws up a surprise you may need to move quickly. This is not the place to learn to ride. The minimum age is usually around twelve to fourteen, and these safaris often pause during the rains.
The lodge-based ride is mainly in Laikipia and the Chyulu Hills. You ride out from a fixed luxury lodge, such as Borana, Sosian, Ol Malo or Lewa in the Laikipia highlands, or Ol Donyo with Kilimanjaro as its backdrop. The rides are graded for all abilities, from gentle beginner hacks to longer rides for the experienced. Non-riders in your group are welcome too, and can go out on game drives and other activities. This is the one for families, novices and mixed groups. (For where to base yourself, see our best safari lodges in Kenya.)
The short version: an experienced rider chasing adventure wants the mobile Mara safari. A beginner, a family or a mixed group wants a lodge-based ride.
Where to go for a horse riding safari in Kenya
The Masai Mara is the home of the mobile riding safari and the migration gallops, with big-sky plains and huge herds, for confident riders.
Laikipia is the lodge-based heartland, in the foothills of Mount Kenya. Conservancies like Borana, Sosian, Ol Malo and Lewa offer rides for every level, with strong conservation credentials.
The Chyulu Hills put you at Ol Donyo, riding with Kilimanjaro on the horizon and the region’s famous big tuskers nearby.
Practical points
Be honest about your riding. If a safari calls for competence at all paces, it means exactly that. Overstating your ability in big-game country is dangerous. If you’re unsure, choose a lodge-based ride and start gently.
Fitness. Hours in the saddle add up, and the mobile safaris in particular are physically demanding.
Weight and age. Most riding outfits set a weight limit of around 90kg (14 stone) for the horses’ welfare, so ask ahead if that’s a concern. Minimum ages run to around twelve to fourteen for the mobile safaris, though lodge rides can suit younger children on gentle hacks.
Safety. The horses are well schooled and used to game, and your guide’s word is law around wildlife. Listen, and it’s very safe.
Timing. The dry season is best. Mobile riding safaris often don’t run in the wettest months, around April, May and November. (For the fuller picture, see the best time to visit the Maasai Mara.)
Who it’s for
Experienced, adventurous riders should look at the mobile Mara safari, which is one of the great riding experiences anywhere. Beginners, families and mixed groups, including non-riders, should look at a lodge-based ride in Laikipia or the Chyulus. And couples will find it a romantic, adventurous addition to a trip. (There’s more in our romantic safari ideas in East Africa.)
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to be an experienced rider for a horseback safari in Kenya? For the mobile big-game safaris, yes. You need to be competent and confident at all paces. Lodge-based rides cater to all abilities, including complete beginners.
Where’s the best place for a horse riding safari in Kenya? The Masai Mara for mobile migration safaris. Laikipia and the Chyulu Hills for lodge-based rides that suit all levels.
Can beginners do a horseback safari? Yes, through lodge-based rides with gentle, graded hacks. Not the mobile big-game safaris, which need real competence.
Is it safe to ride among wild animals? Yes, when it’s done properly. The horses are well schooled, the guides are experienced, and you keep a respectful distance from dangerous game.
Can you see the Big Five on horseback? You’ll see plains game beautifully and may glimpse big game. For close lion and elephant encounters a vehicle is better and safer, which is why many riding safaris combine both.
When is the best time to go? The dry season. Mobile riding safaris often pause during the wettest months.
Is there a weight limit? Usually around 90kg (14 stone), for the horses’ welfare. Check with the operator when you book.
Choosing your horse riding safari in Kenya
A great riding safari comes down to matching the ride to the rider, and being honest about which you are. At Leopard Paw Safaris we put you on the right horses in the right place and build a safari that suits everyone in your party, riders and non-riders alike. If you’d like help planning yours, get in touch. If it’s your first safari, start with our Kenya safari tips for first-timers.
Daisy is a former safari guide and the founder of Leopard Paw Safaris. You can reach her at info@leopardpawsafaris.co.ke or on +254 715 138325.