Offbeat ride summary
Offbeat riding safaris are perhaps the most exciting in all of Africa, and participants need to be competent riders to maximise their enjoyment. Safaris can be tailored to the requirements of a small group, however the normal format is for guests to join a set departure safari on itineraries that extend to 7 days through either the Mara plains or the Laikipia platuea in northern Kenya. You can extend your safarai with an optional extension staying at Deloraine, the owner’s sumptuous colonial mansion near Rongai. The Mara offers wide open plains and quantities of plains game unrivalled anywhere else in the world – rides normally begin from a delightful campsite beneath the Loita Hills and finish on the banks of the Mara River over one hundred miles distant. Some days call for early starts and long rides, on others guests use the campsite as a base from which to explore the surrounding landscape. Nights are spent under canvas in comfortable tents, and guests are served exceptionally good food by uniformed waiters. Although riding with Offbeat is both challenging and strenuous, every concession to guest’s comfort is made at camp, including hot water bottles, piping hot bush showers, ice cold cocktails, and an efficient laundry and shoe cleaning service.
Please click on the play button below to watch the stunning film clip to get a feel for the amazing experience of an Offbeat riding safari:
Offbeat also organise rides of a similar nature through the vast and remote Laikipia plateau in the north, where the wildlife is equally diverse, if not evident in such numbers as the plains further south. In 2004 Offbeat Safaris and Wild and Exotic collaborated to pioneer a third and equally exciting destination through Amboseli National Park close to the border with Tanzania. All safaris are lead by an experienced and charismatic guide.
We offer four riding itineraries with Offbeat Safaris. The Mara ride is our most popular itinerary however there is also a Laikipia (Northern) ride and an exciting safari in the Amboseli National Park. We also offer a new seven or five day ride from and returning to Sosian Lodge in Laikpia. Please see the four separture itinerary tabs for more information including prices and departure dates.
Also, do contact us to discuss the detail of either Offbeat programme – we will be delighted to assist in the planning of your adventure, and having done several riding safaris in both locations, are eminently qualified to advise and help.
Sosian ride
Our Sosian rides are all lodge type accommodation and especially suitable for families or guests who don’t wish to spend all day riding. These rides are very flexible and need only 2 guests to run at the published price. We ride well-schooled horses from Sosian on a journey through a stunning landscape out to Suyian Soul and the fabulous Loisaba Star beds, on to Laikipia Wilderness and then back to Sosian, guided by manager, Simon Kenyon. Guests ride for the morning only with bush breakfasts each day and lodge arrival in time for lunch. Afternoons are available for walks, game drives or simply for rest and relaxation. Every unique property offers different experiences; at Suyian the owner , who is one of Kenya’s leading botanists, offers fascination bush walks. At Loisaba we tend to go out for an evening game drive and sun downer; at Laikipia Wilderness the speciality is tracking wild dogs with Steve Carey. The shorter 5 night itinerary does not include Loisaba star beds.
Rather than just imagining what it’s like, click on the following link to view a video of the ride https://vimeo.com/151931548
Please contact us for the current itineraries, fact sheet, price and availability for this ride