Day 1 Transfer/trying out
Arrival at Uto Farm, 30km north of Arusha in Tanzania. Introduction to your guides and support crew. Try out and select your horse and tack. Afternoon tea and sun-downer drink on the veranda, followed by dinner in the pretty Cape Dutch style farmhouse. Overnight Uto Farm.
Day 2 Ride west to Lion CampSet off in the morning, passing local village settlements of the mwa-arush tribe with their well built mud and thatch huts. Late morning, we emerge onto the open plains. Once on the open plains, head for the top of the Matissiwi escarpment with fantastic views. Pace is varied due allow for changes in the terrain. Lunch in the shade of a tree on the summit of the escarpment. After lunch, continue westwards making our way to Lion camp with views of the surrounding valley and mountains. Equestrian Safaris Camp.
Day 3 Bush ride to Twin Hills camp
After breakfast, head northwards towards our twin hills camp. Thecountry changes and becomes mores covered with bush. Good prospects for encountering gerenuk, giraffe, oryx and of course the more common game such as Zebra, Grants and Thompson's gazelle. Arrival in camp late afternoon. Pace relatively slow due to uneven terrain. Equestrian Safaris Camp.
Day 4 Head east to Ngasurai Plains
Set off from Twin Hills camp towards poachers hill where lunch will be served. We pass numerous rocky outcrops where we might find Lesser Kudu and Hyrax. We follow a flood plain to the east directly towards Mt. Kilimanjaro. On a clear day, the mountain will be directly in front of us. After lunch, head north-east to our camp at the edge of Ngasurai Plains. Equestrian Safaris Camp.
Day 5 Elephant country
Cross the Ngasurai plains heading late morning into the edge of dense woodland frequented by elephant. Lunch at the edge of the dense woodland under an acacia tree. Afternoon, ride through nearly impenetrable bush with the small on elephant in our nostrils. During the afternoon, ride up the lower slopes on Mt, Kilimanjaro to Ndaragwai Ranch - an old cattle ranch which now exists purely as a wildlife protection area. Here we are most likely to meet our first elephant and numerous other species of game. Camp at the edge of a hill with views over the area covered so far. Equestrian Safaris Camp.
Day 6 Rest day
On this day, camp remains on location on Ndaragwai Ranch. Riding is optional. We schedule a 1/2 day of riding for the afternoon. The area lends itself to walks for those who do not wish to remain in camp. For those choosing not to ride, game viewing by Land Rover will be offered. Equestrian Safaris Camp.
Day 7 Head back
Start heading back to Uto Farm. Camp will be mid way between Ndaragwai on West Kilimanjaro and Uto Farm on West Meru. The ride takes us through some village lands, but most of it is open country. Camp near Ngarenanyuki River. Equestrian Safaris Camp.
Day 8 Market day
Ride back to Uto Farm arriving late afternoon. The ride passes by people going to market, mostly on foot with donkeys, cows, sheep and goats in tow, All manner of goods are sold, bought and bartered and makes for an interesting afternoon ride before arriving back at the farm. Uto Farm.
Day 9
After breakfast transfer to airport/Arusha/Nairobi/National Parks.