GAME TRACKING IN THE CHYULUS - KENYA
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This beautiful part of Kenya, featured in the "Out of Africa" and the site of Ernest Hemmingway's classic safaris is set in the south west of Kenya near Mount Kilimanjaro. Off the beaten tourist track and on the doorstep of Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks, this area is home to some of the biggest tusking elephant alive in Africa today. This is suited to people interested in acquiring an indepth knowledge of African mammals, who are fit and adventurous. Extra nights may be spent in a luxurious eco lodge, sympathetically built from local stone, volcanic rock, olive wood and thatch, set at the base of the Chyulu hills with panoramic views of Mount Kilimanjaro. The game tracking is while staying under canvas in a fully staffed classic mobile tented safari in the style of Hemmingway.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - GAME TRACKING IN THE CHYULUS
Day 1 - Sunday; Nairobi - Chyulu Hills
Transfer to the Safarilink scheduled flight to the Chyulus departing at 07:30hrs (or to a private charter if desired). The flight takes about 50 minutes and guests are met on arrival by Patrick and Nicola the guides and hosts, and transferred to the first camp site.
After lunch in camp, guests have a chance to catch up on sleep before heading out for an afternoon ride. The horses will already be in the camp waiting for the guests upon arrival. Having received detailed information on each guest, Patrick and Nicola will have chosen a horse for everyone. This afternoon ride is designed to give guests a taste of the week ahead and to ensure a perfect match between horse and rider before the safari departs. Anyone who is not happily paired with a horse has a chance to change horses on the first day.
The first ride will usually end with a cold drink in a picturesque location, after which the guests will return to camp for a hot shower, drinks by the fire and a three course dinner.
Day 2 - Monday; Miti Moja
After a delicious breakfast at the camp, guests and their guides will set out on a five-six hour ride to a spectacular volcanic landscape known as Lenkiloriti, with a picnic lunch to break up the riding. On the way, guests are likely to come across some of our exceptionally large bull elephants browsing in the forest before emerging onto the vast Mbirikani plains where they are likely to meet zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, oryx, gazelle, cheetah and even lion. This ride skirts the now dormant lava flows that once spilled out from the volcanoes above. It is within these lava flows that herds of buffalo and Kenya’s last population of wild black rhino reside. Guests will be met by a vehicle for lunch. Under the shade of a sprawling acacia tree, guests enjoy cool drinks and a picnic lunch before continuing with the ride.
After lunch, the ride will meander amongst the some of the youngest hills in Africa. This magical landscape could be mistaken for another planet. The flat ground is dotted with massive golden volcanoes which have only been dormant for a few thousand years. In this area there is a chance to see klipspringer, baboon, coke’s hartebeest, rock hyrax and gerenuk.
The ride usually ends at around 5pm back at the Miti Moja campsite. Guests often opt for a night game drive from this camp as there are often lion, leopard, and cheetah out on the prowl after dark.
Day 3 - Tuesday; Crater Camp
Tuesday’s ride leaves camp after breakfast and proceeds through the acacia forest up towards Chyulu East National Park. En route, the ride will trek through seemingly endless stands of whistling thorn acacia as we begin our ascent into the Chyulu Hills. As we make our way, there are ample opportunities to canter, gallop and jump.
Over the course of the day, the ride ascends about 2,000 feet above the plains with stunning views stretching for 90 miles on a clear day. The ride arrives in camp for a late lunch. The camp is nestled into a forest next to a large volcanic crater. It is situated over looking the quintessential East African plains that lead up to Mt. Kilimanjaro.
After lunch guests are invited to climb the volcanic crater in pursuit of the very rare verreaux’s eagle which nests in the nearly inaccessible rocky outcrops that line the rim of the crater.
As an alternative, guests can opt to explore the lava tubes that lie within walking distance of the camp. These jagged caves stretch for miles as they lead away from the crater and have been used by hunter gatherers for generations as shelter.
Guests return to camp before sun-down for a shower, drinks and dinner.
Day 4 - Wednesday; Mist Forest camp
Today’s ride ascends another 2,000 feet higher into the Chyulu Hills. A noticeable change in climate and temperature occurs as you reach over 7,000 feet above sea level. The ride is dominated by incredible views of the vast wildernesses of Tsavo East National park to the east and Mount Kilimanjaro and Amboseli national park to the west. Lunch will be had on the trail. This day’s riding traverses steep slopes and valleys and the leading of our horses may be necessary at times. During this ride, we will aim to arrive at our new camp for late afternoon tea.
Day 4 - Thursday; Mist Forest Camp
Thursday’s ride consists of further exploration of the hills. Due to the altitude, the clouds often sit on the top of the Chyulu Hills. This consistent moisture has given rise to miniature jungles that dot the summits of the hills. Today’s ride focuses on the exploration of these mist forests.
After returning for lunch in camp guests can either sit back and enjoy the views, or head into the forests in pursuit of the buffalo, leopard, syke’s monkey and giant forest hog that reside within.
Day 5 - Friday; Kopjes
This morning we will descend out of the hills and ride to the Kopjes. The Kopjes are huge granite outcrops in the middle of the savannah plains. This is about a 5 hour ride so we will begin early and get there for a late lunch. The day’s terrain will be mostly the classic, quintessential, short grass plains dotted with thorn trees. This country allows you plenty of opportunity for long canters amongst the zebra and wildebeest. After a ride, walk or game drive in the afternoon, we will climb up on top of the kopjes for a magnificent sunset which will include a 360 degree panoramic view, dominated by Mount Kilimanjaro.
Day 6 - Saturday; Airstrip
After breakfast, guests will leave on the Safarilink schedule departing at 0830hrs (or Private Charter) to Nairobi. They can enjoy a day in Nairobi, visiting museums, shopping or enjoying local animal sanctuaries (or get a dayroom at a hotel) before leaving on an evening flight to their International destination.
* All itineraries are subject to change on account of weather and the movements of game.
NOTES - GAME TRACKING IN THE CHYULUS
Arrival
Only guests arriving with Kenya Airways can be sure of making the Safari Link scheduled flight to the Chyulus at 7:30 am due to the need for a transfer from the international airport to the domestic one at peak traffic time.
If you are arriving with another airline or wish to start your holiday in a more relaxed manner we recommend arriving in Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport one day before the start of the itinerary and overnighting in the beautiful and relaxing Ngong House Hotel, with exquisite cuisine and a chance to feed the giraffe or see the orphan elephants, before transferring to Wilson Airport for your 50 minute light aircraft flight to the Chyulus the following morning. We can arrange this; please enquire for more details.
Of course private light aircraft charters are available at any time of the day no matter when you arrive. We also arrange international flights on request.
Extension
This itinerary for this riding holiday can be extended with days before or after at the Ol Donya Wuos lodge, including riding. Please contact us for details.
The weight limit for this ride is 15 st/209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Full board accommodation, drinks, laundry, Safarilink schedule flights between Wilson Airport (Nairobi’s domestic airport) and Ol Donyo Wuas return, transfers between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi’s international airport) and Wilson Airport on arrival and departure, Conservation Fees to Mbirikani Group Ranch and temporary membership of the Flying Doctor’s Society of Africa.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Personal, medical or accident insurance, staff/guide gratuities and items of a personal nature.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
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