Migration Riding Safari

Introduction
Tanzania Tanzania

The Experience of your Lifetime – watch the Great Wildebeest Migration from horseback. This migration in East Africa comprises the largest movement of land animals on the planet.
Tanzania's oldest and most popular national park, the Serengeti is famed for its annual migration, when some six million hooves pound the open plains, as more than 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson's gazelle join the 1.2 million wildebeest - in search of quality pastures, some of which pass through our riding area. You may see herds of some hundreds or a thousand at a time- as part of the migratory herd wanders through this private concession area.
Live your dream – join us in this extraordinary experience.

Depending on the movement of the animals our Migration Ride takes place in  private concession areas, Wildlife Management Areas or reserves near to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara or Amboseli, which are all popular national parks and reserves. We either ride in the area of Lake Manyara, inside the WMA (Wildlife Management Area) adjacent to the national park (this is for TARANGIRE Migration) or in Longido WMA (which is for AMBOSELI/Meru/Kilimanjaro Migration).
Let’s go and track them!
The wildebeest migration is a tale of life and death on the African plains. The migration is all about food; the wildebeest migrate to follow the seasonal rains and thus the supply of fresh nutrient rich savannah grass. The migration begins in Tanzania in March with the birth of the new calves; once they are strong enough the long trek north begins. Then they move into the Masai Mara. October to November is when the short rains begin to fall in the south and east Serengeti, so the herds start to leave the Masai Mara, crossing the Mara River yet again, bringing all the same perils as before. They head slowly back to the Serengeti's eastern plains.

Accomodation

The riding safari is possible with two different accommodation options:
1. Overnights are in permanent tented camps
    -- luxurious lodgings in various landscapes and good diversity of game
2. Overnights in our mobile tent camp
    -- comfortable tent camps and more flexibility to move to where the migration is
 
Our Camps:
1. The permanent luxury camps are equipped with beds and an en suite bathroom with shower.
Meals are taken in the mess tent. In the Mountain-Forest Camp (1 night) you stay in small dome tents with mattresses on the ground. There is also a mess tent and a separate tent with bathroom facilities.
For the fly-camp (1 night) you sleep under the stars (mosquito net), or for those who prefer we will set up a dome tent.
2. The mobile tent camp has individual spacious tents with sleeping mattress, community solar shower, and portable outhouse.

The Food: All meals are always prepared fresh and most of the ingredients are produced on the farm. This includes most vegetables, meat, milk and milk products. There will be fresh home-baked bread on your table every morning. There will also be home-made confectionary available in the afternoon. Depending on the schedule, lunch will be served in camp or under a shady tree as a picnic.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding
Weight Limit: 200 lbs
Note:  Riders must be able to post to the trot for extended periods and able to use leg aids to control a horse. Good balance & state of fitness is required. 

The rides will take place in private concession areas, Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) or private reserves. The entirety of the migration in this private concession area is dependant upon the coming of the rains. We will not be able to ride into the national park, as horses are not permitted here.

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary
Please note that all scenarios are dependant on the movement of the game which will be influenced by the rains. Therefore there is not one but different itineraries of the Migration Rides. We are always trying to foresee the seasons in order to assess the migration schedules.

Option 1: Lake Manyara

The migratory scheme provides usually good herds in the Lake Manyara area between beginning December to June although as everywhere the migrations are mostly depending on rains in the surrounding areas.
Different to the Serengeti-Migration this is not ONE huge migratory herd with thousands of animals, as this is the dispersed game from Tarangire and Manyara National Parks that are migrating through in good numbers. During previous rides at Lake Manyara area we encountered plain animals, zebra, elands and wildebeest (in herds of 100 to 300 animals), Thompson gazelles (herds up to 100 animals), further giraffe, ostrich, some small predators and loads of birds.
There is no big game like elephant or buffalo. Basically most of the game is here when it is wetter than the surrounding areas.

The itinerary will be arranged as follows:
Day 1: Arrival the farm
Pick-up from Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer to thge farm. Here you will meet the horses and we will help you to choose one to fit your requirements. Every effort is made to join you with the horse most suitable for your requirements. Afterwards we start for a ride  to test horses and tack. Return for a sun-set drink on the veranda and enjoy the view of the magnificent mountain in front or our doorstep – Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Day 2: Lake Manyara
The horses will be transferred to Lake Manyara early morning and we will follow by vehicle after a relaxed breakfast. We will meet the horses on the way and start our adventure – the ride starts close to Tarangire National Park and we will arrive at our camp at Lake Manyara late afternoon.
Day 3 to Day 6:
For the next 4 nights we will use a mix of permanent tented camps (probably 2 nights) and fly-camps (another 2 nights) – however, the exact program will depend mostly on the rains and expected movement of the game. We will ride over the plains with Rift Valley in sight, often along the lake shores of Lake Manyara. By day 6 we will reach the boundary of Lake Manyara National Park.
We will spend the night at a permanent camp with great view over the plains, Lake Manyara and into the National Park. As this is outside of the park the scenery is very varied – herds of zebra, wildebeest and giraffe mix with Masai and their herds.
Day 7: Lake Manyara National Park
After a morning ride you will visit Lake Manyara National Park on a game drive. This is where you will see species we have not met on horseback – buffalo, elephant and hippo. In the afternoon you will drive back to the farm.
After the morning ride horses will be transferred back. In the evening you will arrive at Makoa where you spend your last night. We celebrate the adventures of your ride and later you will be surprised by the lush environment and the sounds of the gallery forest close to your cottage.
Day 8: Farm and departure
Depending on your ongoing schedule there might be time for an extended ride through the coffee plantation. Others may decide to visit the smallholder farms of the tribe that populates Mt. Kilimanjaro to get some insight in life of Chagga village. Or, you may take the chance for a visit of Moshi town to get some souvenirs.
Later transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport or start your ongoing journey.


Option 2: South-Amboseli Trail

This option is a trail with longer routes and therefore offers most of the riding, but also change of landscapes und usually really good game. We will ride along the Ngasurai Plains where the migratory herds from Amboseli pass through on their way to Kilimanjaro and Arusha National Park. The area is famous for the herds of elephants and many old bulls can be met here amongst other game. During previous rides we encountered elephant herds of up to 60 animals (last December there even gathered about 250 elephants in a really small area), also lots of zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, eland and other antelopes in small herds.

Part of this route we ride during our Big Game Trail but the South Amboseli Trail will reach much further which means that we will meet more and a wider variety of game. This route is only done for the migration program as it requires motivated riders that do not get tired easily. For the migration rides the requirements on the riders ability is higher than for other rides and for this reason most groups consist of motivated riders that thoroughly enjoy it!

The itinerary may be arranged as follows:
Day 1: Arrival at the farm
Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer. Meet the horses and start your introductory ride on the farm. Overnight.
Day 2: Ndarakwai Ranch
After breakfast you will be transferred to West Kilimanjaro. We will find the horses at the meeting point and start the ride from here. A part leads over the Narco Plains where we will encounter the first plain animals. Later afternoon we will arrive at Ndarakwai Camp, a permanent tented camp where we will stay for the next two nights.
Day 3: Game Rides at Ndarakwai Ranch
A whole day of riding in this private game reserve. We are likely to encounter elephant, zebra, wildebeest and many other antelopes (Elands, Thomson, Grant and Impala), occasionally buffalo. We will return for a lunch break, in the afternoon there is the option to watch animals from the elevated tree house next to the water hole. Those interested in local culture may join the visit of a Masai Boma, this is how a settlement of a Masai Clan is called.
Day 4: Sinya/Ngasurai Plains
Today we leave Ndarakwai and continue to the Ngasurai Plains. After the first rains of the rainy season this vast plain all of a sudden gets very populated and there are big migratory herds wandering through feeding on the fresh short grasses. The area is perfect for canters with wildebeest or zebra herds – or what about a gallop with giraffe…
You will be awaited with a camp fire in our mobile camp and have a Gin &Tonic to enjoy the warm sunset colors.
Day 5: Kambi ya Tembo (Kisw.: Elephant Camp)
We continue north towards the Kenyan border. After the plains we will climb onto a rift with a permanent camp set up perfectly with a view over the plains towards the Rift Valley. This area is popular for the population of elephants and old bulls can be found here. Often we can watch a herd of elephants or giraffe passing next to the camp. After a delicious meal you might go to bed with the roaring of a lion in the distance.
Day 6: Sinya Mines
A day ride will lead us up to the Kenyan border close to Amboseli National Park. By now the landscape changed completely and you will be surprised how many animals populate the area which seems to consist out of chalk – this is where the “Meerschaum” has been mined many years ago. Depending on the weather we will choose a place close to the numerous springs or ponds to have picnic, or if it is hot we will stay a bit further away under a shady tree. By late afternoon we reach Kambi ya Tembo again, just in time for a sunset drink in the warm colors over the plains.
Day 7: Out of Africa
After breakfast we leave for a long route for today. Carefully we will wind our way through Acacia bush and over savannah. This area is not accessible by vehicle so we will carry some snacks in our saddle bags. We will arrive for a late lunch at our Mgunga Fly Camp, you will feel yourself brought into “Out of Africa”. The view over rolling grass fields and bush, with Mt. Meru at one side, Mt. Kilimanjaro behind you and the mountains Longido and Namanga to the other side will make you feel that this is the place where you’d like to stay…
The afternoon is for leisure and relaxation; the more active might climb Mgunga Hill to enjoy the wonderful sunset from there.
Day 8: Back to the Farm
You will feel it difficult to leave, however this will be a last exiting day on horseback. First we head towards Mt. Meru, when we reached Narco there will be some last exhilarating canters over the plains. We will meet the vehicle for a picnic, afterwards load the horses and drive back to the farm.
The last sunset drink will be on the veranda of our farm house, with a hopefully clear view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Later depart for your ongoing journey or opt to stay for another night for a more relaxed pace.

Important: This is a demanding ride and the riding experience of the clients is an important consideration for planning an itinerary and to mix a group well. Please find the information sheet for riding safaris attached, this includes a questionnaire for the rider details. For any reservation we will require these details so that we can make sure to arrange a suitable program for them and to pre-book suitable horses.


The main considerations for a decision between the two options:

- Amount of riding required:
Long riding routes in South Amboseli might be tiring for riders not used to long hours in the saddle. Shorter riding routes and time in Lake Manyara make it easier to chill out if required, e.g. afternoon at the pool. South Amboseli is a much more demanding ride.

- Amount of game:
Difficult to say, on previous rides the biodiversity was higher on the South Amboseli route whereas the numbers of animals counted within one herd was higher at Lake Manyara. However, on any of the programs we encountered herds of giraffe to up to 20 animals (important as by mail from the clients).

- Landscapes:
Fascinating but not changing landscape during the whole ride at Lake Manyara along the Rift Valley. Beautiful and changing landscapes during the South Amboseli Route.

- Additional activities: For both options we will arrange a night game drive and a visit of a Masai Boma. To meet tribal people is an experience everyone enjoys!

Rates and Dates for Migration Riding Safari

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Moshi
Airport: Kilimanjaro
Transfer: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

Climate:

…  this list is only a guideline for you
	X = Necessary	Check List
Travel documents and Voucher	X
Flight tickets	X
Passport	X
Visa (check with your consulate)
RIDING GEAR
Riding pants or Jodhpurs - cotton	X
Important: FULL chaps, leather or synthetic to protect you from thorns	X
Light-weight riding shoes which are comfortable for walking. We will dismount every hour for 10 minutes and walk, sometimes the horses will be led over difficult terrain.	X
Riding helmet- light-weight and breathable, wearing one is your responsibility	X
Riding gloves	X
Wide-brim hat with strap & scarf for sun protection	X
Bush color riding clothes (not white or bright colors)	X
PERSONAL CLOTHING
A jersey, fleece or multi pocketed waistcoat	X
Long sleeve cotton shirts	X
Jeans	X
Shorts	X
Underwear and socks	X
Pyjama	X
A lightweight, waterproof windbreaker jacket	X
Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes	X
Swimsuit	X
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING
Personal Toiletries	X
Insect repellent which prevents ticks *	X
Personal medications	X
Sore cream (for an emergency)	X
Sewing kit	X
Handkerchiefs	X
Rehydration salts	X
Torch or head lamp	X
Camera, binoculars on a strong shoulder strap, preferably in a waterproof pouch to be secured to belt- extra film and batteries	X
Malaria pills	X
Biodegradable soap and shampoo	X
Sun glasses with strap	X
Sun tan lotion and lip balm	X

* Some tick sprays can be used for clothes and shoes only. You can treat your clothes at home and the tick prevention will last for the whole safari period.

Please note: don't bring your newest or favourite clothes as they can get very dirty or damaged.

 Safety: Every ride will be accompanied by one of the owners as guide and a back-up rider and will be equipped with a GPS, first aid kit, mobile phone and radiocall.