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Letter Randocheval

Why travelling with Randocheval ?

KENYA : HORSE TREKKING SAFARI IN A RANCH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WILD BUSH...

Itinerary - Extensions - Horses and required riding level
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking

Where the Cattle sleep with one eye open... A breeding Ranch set in the middle of the bush : experience this exceptional adventure !! Breeding cattle in one of the wildest area of Kenya is a everyday challenge in order to keep up the natural balance between african predators, herbivores - especially elephants - and cattle! You will ride close to the most amazing wild animals of Africa : The Big Five are there ! You will be hosted in our luxurious lodge, and have the priviliege of being only a maximum of 16 people welcomed in an area of 40 000 hectares. You will also discover how the owners of the Ranch work towards protecting nature and help native population, mainly Maasaï people. Remark : This trip is especially well adapted if you travel with non riders. They will enjoy a stay as exciting as the riders with a wide range of activities to choose from.

SPECIAL OFFER : -420 € on all departures !!

ITINERARY

This trip is more than a simple Safari!

Breeding 2000 cattles in a country as wild as Kenya, is a real challenge.

The clash is ongoing, the elephants are in the crop and the lions in the cattle's paddocks. Some new ideas are tried to cut down losses, such as lion-proof fences, night lighting, spicy oil spread on fences to repell elephants, the transfer of calves in a safer ranch, the study of lions behaviour...

Despite this, 50 to 100 heads of cattle are taken by lions, leopards and cheetahs each year !

Nevertheless, these losses do not wind up the enthusiasm and the will of Michael, the owner of the Ranch. He is a respected man for his commitment to protect the environment and his help for the surrounding population.

Michael created the natural reserve called Laikipia, it has been successful and so unbelievable... it's one of the most large protected area of Africa with more than 800 000 hectares.

These lands are owned by farmers and communities Maasaï joined without any help from the government. This big area shelters is now the richest fauna after the famous Maasai Mara (which shelters gnu's migration) and it's the only one which has its fauna growing up whereas the fauna is going down everywhere else.

Also, Michael (picture on the left) organised a breeding-ground for trees to reforest all the eroded area, a mobile assistance to help the poor population of the surrounding little village and to protect the young girls against abuses, sets up an assitance to the schools in order to further the children's education,and a tannery which employed only blind or disabled people. He also helps to build and create lodges owned by the Maasai to welcome the visitors. Thus, they can improve their way of living thanks to the funds provided by tourism and they can consider the wild animal like an asset to develop an economic activity instead of think about a threat for their flocks.. As you can see,in addition to the strongh emotion of a horse trekking safari, you will enjoy every moment and discover different people who have known how living together in harmony with the nature...

Day 1 : Nairobi - Ranch
Arrival at Nairobi international Airport. Transfer to Wilson airport, domestic flight to Lewa Downs : scheduled flights carried out by 12-13 seats aircrafts.
At your arrival, our 4x4 pick you up from the airport to the Lodge (1 hour transfer).
Settling in your bungalow, lunch and first activities.
Dinner and night in the Lodge.

Day 2 to 7 : Full days Safaris
Whole days at the Ranch in full board basis including drinks.
All are tailored made, you choose whatever you want to do during the day because the Ranch can welcome only few people in meantime (8 bungalows).

• 4wd safaris

• Safari with mountain-bike

1 night in "fly camp" is included, settled in a favourable place (several places are available depending on your activities's choice).

Let's try, this unforgettable experience under a tent and in a wild environment.

However, it is not an obligation you can decide to stay at the Lodge for your whole trip.

Day 8 : Ranch - Nairobi
Last morning with a safari, then taking off on the middle of the day to Nairobi to arrive around 2.30pm.
In 2008, we include transfer to the Ngong House for an afternoon rest or Nairobi visits as flights leaves late evening. Meals will be provided at Lodge. Transfert to the international airport for your return flight.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses
The horses for the advanced riders are from Polo horses or interbreeded with English pure-blood. So they are slimmer and more "tonic", but they still respond to the order in any case. This is relly important when you will go to "tease" the elephants...
The horses for the beginners are interbreeded with Ethiopian ponies, they are smaller, robust and cool.

Tack
The sadleries are very comfortable, english type with thick sheep's skins which make sure you will be well for the whole day!

Required riding level
Two stables are at your disposal, one for the advanced riders, the other one for the beginners riders.

YOUR GUIDES

The horse trekking safaris are managed by 2 guides, one is in front and the other is on the back and closes the trekking, for a group of 3 or 4 riders in addition to the guides.
These guides were born in Africa, they used to live in these lands for ages. They perfectly know the wild animal's behaviour to go with you near the animal as close as you want, either with horses or on foot, you are in safe conditions.

ACCOMMODATION

A good mark of this trip!

The Lodge
You will be in a luxurious and comfortable lodge of only 8 bungalows of at least 80 m2 each.
Each bungalow includes a big room with little lounge, a box fire and a double bed or two single beds.
You will be well surprised by the bathroom with a panoramic view on a fontain for the room n°7, bathromm on 3 levels with a "cave-shower" for the room n°8!
Each bungalow offers a private terrace.

The lodge is built on the hillside overlooking a dam, where the animals come to drink.The Lodge is built primarily for privacy; each cottage is exclusively sited with its own special view, totally secluded from its neighbour. This ensures guests have a chance to appreciate the wilderness and loneliness of Africa.

One night fly camp is included in the package.

The private house

For a minmum of 4 people and a maximum of 16 people, it is possible to book a private house of several hundreds m2 with a swimming pool which has stunning views to the west over the Ranch.

You could have the house at your disposal. The house has a full staff, all of whom are attentive yet discreet. It is not an hotel that you book for one room only.

The house is set at 300m of the road of the Lodge, this luxurious house is usually booked by Royal English family or Danish family, or some celebrities of pop music...
A wonderful experience at the same price of the lodge if you are minimum 4 people!!

DATES AND RATES

Because of the limited number of places in the bungalows, please book this trip quite in advance to make sure to get availabilities.

The ranch is closed during April / May and November months.

Special offer : -420 € on all departures, limited spaces !

2008
- single supplement for room or tent: 640 € / person
(applies if you travel alone and we do not find another rider to share your room)
- extra night including accomodation,full board and horse riding activities and "conservation fee" : contact us

RATE INCLUDING

- Return transfers from Nairobi international airport to Wilson airport.
- Domestic flights with small aircraft,
- Return transfer from the airport to the Lodge,
- 7 nights at the Lodge in luxurious bungalows (it's possible to spend 1 night in a "fly-camp" if you want),
- Full board basis, with drinks and alcohol included,
- Horses and their equipment, guides,
- Activities of your choice: horse trekking safari, safari on foot, by mountain bike or 4x4, visits, discovery of the different activities of the ranch and environmental and humanitarian projects.
- the financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval.

RATE NOT INCLUDING

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Dorothee, the specialist for this destination !

PRATICAL INFORMATIONS

COUNTRY

Kenya

LENGTH

LANGUAGE

GROUP SIZE

ACCESS

CLIMATE

With pleasant overall conditions all year round (25-30°C during the day and 10-15°C during the night), Kenya's southern highlands and coastal lowlands see little variation in conditions; each has a wet season between March and May and a second one in November and December. Temperatures are consistent throughout the year and cool for an equatorial region, ranging mostly in the high 20°Cs to low 30°Cs (80°Fs to low 90°Fs) on the coast, dropping slightly inland and then raising again closer to Lake Victoria.

The Ranch is situated at an altitude of 2000m, so the temperature are cool for going horse riding. There are box fire in each room, each lounge and living room to keep warm.

Formalities
Visas are now required by almost all visitors to Kenya, including Europeans, Australians, New Zealanders, Americans and Canadians.

To get your visas, french people must give the followong information:
- valid passport for 6 months after the return date with one empty page for the visa stamps
- 1 Identity picture
- Official paper of the trip (we will deliver the paper)
- Visa application form (provided by Randocheval)

No formalities for children under 15 years old registred in the parent's passport.

You have to wait 3 working days to get the visas
Add 1 or 2 days more if you send your request by post (no cheque only cash). Do no forget to join a stamped envelop to send back the passport.

Visa Price:
- simple entrance: 40 €
- Double entrance or more (for example in case of extension outside of Kenya) 80 €

Visas are valid for three months from the date of entry.

Vaccines - Health
We advice you to update your vaccinations, especially the the tetanus.
You should take tablets to prevent the Malaria (even if the altitude stop the mosquito around the ranch, you can be bit in Nairobi), and even the vaccine against yellow fever.

REFERENCE :CH137-kenya