Horseback safaris
Kenya from the saddle
Tailor-made riding safaris across Kenya, planned and guided by John Ekalale.
Why ride
A horse gets you closer
Zebra, giraffe and antelope see a horse as one more animal on the plain. They look up, then go back to grazing. On horseback you can come quietly alongside a herd, follow a dry riverbed no vehicle could take, and hear the bush instead of an engine.
John grew up in Laikipia and has been guiding riders through Kenya’s wild places for more than seventeen years. Out on a ride he is watching the animals, the ground and your horse all at once, so you can get close to wildlife safely and simply enjoy it.
A typical day
Out early, back for the fire
Morning
Coffee as the sun comes up over the savannah, binoculars within reach. Elephant and antelope often walk out of the mist before anyone has saddled up.
In the saddle
A few hours of riding through grassland, acacia and river valleys, with breakfast in the bush or a picnic by the water.
Evening
Back at the camp or lodge for a sundowner by the fire. If you’d like, John will show you how to make chapatis or a Kenyan stew.
Where to ride
Where you can ride
John plans each ride around the country that suits you. A few of the places he can take you:
Maasai Mara
Rolling grassland, big herds and the conservancies on the northern edge of the reserve. John is based here, in Enonkishu.
Laikipia
Where John grew up. Open plains, private conservancies and plenty of wildlife.
Chyulu Hills
Green volcanic hills and long views. On a clear day you can see Kilimanjaro.
Somewhere else in mind? Ask John.
How it works
Your ride, planned by John
Every riding safari starts with a conversation. John asks how much you’ve ridden, what you’d love to see and how many days you have.
Then he builds the trip around you: the area, the stables with the right horses for your level, the camps or lodges, and the route. He knows the riding stables and conservancies across Kenya personally, so first-time riders and lifelong riders both end up on the right horse, in the right country. And then he saddles up and rides with you.
Out riding
Mix and match
Other ways to explore
Because John builds every trip from scratch, one safari can mix riding, walking and game drives in different places.
Walking safaris
Leave the vehicle behind and learn to read the bush on foot.
Plan your safari
Tell John how you ride
Send your dates, how many of you there are and how much riding you’ve done. John will come back to you with a plan.
