Our Destinations

Why travelling with Randocheval ?

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

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. Light aircraft transfers to join the Lodge from Nairobi. 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.

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 possible during your stay for a minimum a 2 people (150 € supplement per person - to book prior to departure). Settled in a favourable place (several places are available depending on your activities's choice), it's an unforgettable experience under a tent and in a wild environment we suggest you.

Shower and toilettes are available during this night under tent.

In 2012, we include one night flycamp in our rates.

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. As the international flights usually leave in the evening, we provide a car and a driven for the all afternoon in order to visit the Capital : Karen Blixen, Giraffe Center, Snake Park, National Museum. Entrances and meals are not included.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

Extend your trip to Zanzibar after your horseback safari. Laze and visit the historic district of Stone Town in Zanzibar. We suggest you a 3 nights stay in 2 different 5* hotels with swimming and beach...

3 nights extra stay in Zanzibar

Zanzibar is located to the East part of Tanzania, in the middle of the Indian Ocean. it's composed of 3 major islands: Unguja, Pemba and Mafia. Unguja is bad called Zanzibar, it's the main island of the archipelago. Located in its center, Unguja is separed from Tanzania by the Zanzibar canal and is the home of the biggest city : Zanzibar city. It's on this island we suggest you to extend your stay with 3 nights in two luxurious 5* hotels. The highest point of the islands is located on Unguja Island with Koani chain and its 130m altitude. The islands are surrounded by coral reefs forming lagoons. Its shore-line is sometimes extremely indented, forming natural harbours and bays. The landscape is absolutely magnificient...

Program

Day 8 Flight from Nairobi to Zanzibar. Arrival late afternoon. Welcome and transfer to the Dhow palace hotel 5* located in the historic district of Zanzibar called Stone Town. Dinner and night at the hotel. Dhow Palace Hotel 5* : The Dhow Palace, with its Arabian archways, authentic Zanzibari antiques and ornate ornaments, was originally an Omani mansion dating back to the 1870s. It is certainly one of the best hotels in Stone Town. A swimming pool is available. The rooms are spacious, luxuriously appointed and the service is impressively friendly. The 17 bedrooms are tastefully furnished with Zanzibari antiques and Persian carpets. Some rooms have traditional four-poster beds with painted headboards, others have brass beds. Balconies in the rooms overlook an attractive courtyard with palms and creepers. You have the convenience of an air conditioner, television, telephone, mini-bar and hairdryer.

Day 9
Breakfast. Then, you can visit the city during all the day. Lunch at your own charge.
Late afternoon, transfert to the East coast of the island and the Karafuu Hotel 5*. Dinner and night at the hotel.

Karafuu Hotel 5* : This hotel received several awards to reward the excellent quality of provided facilities and services. A swimming pool is available. Built under “makuti” thatch and furnished with traditional Zanzibar furniture, these 35 cottages comprise: entrance through private garden, breathtaking view veranda, mosquito net, ample bedroom, dressing room, bathroom in Carrara marble, ceiling fan, independent air conditioning, hot & cold running water, hair-dryer, telephone and minibar.

 

Day 10
Full day to discover the hotel and its activities : full board + aquagym, beach volley, table tennis, darts and indoor games, tennis court (equipment and course lighting not included), pool table, evening animation, petanque.

Day 11
Morning to make the most of activities. After lunch, transfer to Zanzibar airport for your return flight.

The package includes : - return flights to Zanzibar, - airport taxes (85 €), - transfers from and to Zanzibar, - 1 night to the au Dhow palace Hotel 5* or similar in half board basis based on two people sharing room (drinks and lobster are not included). Dhow Palace follows the Muslim code of not serving alcohol. - 2 nights to Karafuu Hotel 5* or similar in all inclusive basis based on two people sharing room (included drinks from 10am to 24pm and in details : american coffee, tea, water, soft drink, juice, all non alcoholic cocktails, one bottled of wine house, beer, alcoholic cocktails with Konyagi, non branded spirits), - Activities as describe in the program.

To add : - optional activities,, - drinks at Dhow Palace Hotel, - all non included drinks at Karafuu Hotel, - personal expenses, - visa fees (average 50 € depending to your nationality), - tips, - insurances. Consult rates.

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.

Approximatively 4 hours on horseback a day.

Tack
The sadleries are very comfortable, english type with thick sheep's skins which make sure you will be well for the whole day! Some Australian stock saddles are also available if preferred.

Recommended riding level
Two stables are at your disposal, one for the advanced riders, the other one for the beginners riders.
We can provide helmets but we recommand to take your own for more comfort.
The helmet is mandatory for people under 22 years old.
Maximum height : 95kg

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.

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

- 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 (or 6 nights Lodge + 1 night flycamp in 2012 for a minimum of 2 people),
- Full board basis, with drinks and alcohol included (house wines and beers),
- Horses and their equipment, guides,
- A full afternoon on day 8 with car and driver to visit the Capital (meals and entrance fees not included),
- Activities of your choice: horse trekking safari, safari on foot, by mountain bike or 4x4, discovery of the different activities of the ranch and environmental and humanitarian projects.
- the financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval.

OPTION : 3 nights extra stay in Zanzibar

Single room supplement : 235 €

The single supplement will have to be paid at the booking time if you travel alone.
It is also possible to modify the accommodation for upgrade accommodation or cheapest ones.

Consult the detailed program.

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Chloe for any enquiry!

PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS

Kenya

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
Please check with your local ambassy.

Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.

We recommand to be update of usual vaccination, and especially tetanus..

The yellow fever vaccination isn't compulsory but recommended.
A treatment against Malaria is also recommended. Please contact a doctor before departure.