Horse Riding
As the Tanzania Riding Specialist we have three Choices of Horse Riding Safaris in Northern Circuit
Galloping Horse Safaris.
Galloping Horse Safaris is a privately guided horseback operation in
Northern Tanzania. Our focus lies with horses and Safaris off the beaten path. Due to the owner’s many years of experience within the Safari industry, Signature designs unforgettable safaris all over Africa, with focus in Tanzania.
Each safari is led by qualified and professionally trained guides, always pushing for a new and exhilarating adventure. Whether you would like to unfold Africa’s beauty by horseback or by foot, Signature will share its enthusiasm and tell stories that will travel generations. The routes are off the beaten track and with a vast knowledge about the countries fauna and flora, we go deep into the bush and together enjoy the wonders that Africa has to offer, the magnificent wildlife, the scenery and the magical interaction with the local tribes who inhabit these areas. All this viewed from what back in the days also used to roam wild, the horse.
Horses & Riding
The horse, with beauty unsurpassed, strength immeasurable and grace unlike any other, still remains humble enough to carry a man upon his back. Your journey with us will bring essential joy of being in contact with rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit and freedom, the horse and its nature.
Horses.
The horses are all purpose trained safari horses, with a mix of local breeds and thoroughbreds. Close to all of them are ridden in western style, with one hand. This allows you to take photos and dig into your saddlebag while out on safari. Only some of them are ridden English style, if this is the case the guide will tell you before you mount your horse. All horses are given lots of love, care and attention, therefore resulting in their nice characters and strong personalities. They all have their own heads with different temperaments, which allows us to find a perfect fit for each rider.
Tack.
All the horses come with their own tack, some in Australian stock saddles and some in Wintec and English (all-‐‑ round) saddles. All horses go on snaffle bridles. Also each rider will carry a saddlebag with essentials out on safari.
Riding ability.
Different routes require different riding skills. For beginners the rider must be able to walk and trot with the horse under control. Intermediate riders must be able to post the trot for a longer distance, be comfortable at all paces and able to gallop out of trouble. Experienced riders must be confident and comfortable at all paces over any terrain, ability to gallop for a longer distance and if needed out of trouble. A fit and proficient rider is of big advantage out on safari.
Weight limit.
Maximum weight is 85 kg (13.5 stones). Other arrangements could be organized subject to availability and would have to be requested well in advance.
Safety.
Out on safari the lead guide is armed and we communicate over radios and cell phones, with a mobile station in each vehicle.
Guiding.
All guides are qualified and professionally trained, with good knowledge about Tanzania’s fauna and flora. A keen interest is taken in the smaller creatures as well as bigger game. The cultural visits bring in knowledge of medicinal and traditional beliefs about Tanzania’s trees and plants.
Groups.
Fly camp horse safaris, a maximum of 8 guests with exceptions for private bookings, where we can accommodate 10 riders.
Time spent in the saddle.
We aim to do between 4–6 hours in the saddle a day. During the rides we will stop for drinks and refreshments and a three-‐‑hour lunch break, with time for a siesta. The terrain will vary and some legs will have to be done by foot, which is also a good opportunity to rest the horse’s backs and loosen up the rider’s muscles.
Routes and the terrain
The terrain varies from place to place, everything from open savannah, acacia woodland, and Doum Palm forests to really thick vegetation. Open savannah caters for long, adrenaline thrilling gallops while in thick bush all ears and eyes must be alert for any game we might encounter. Depending on climate and rainfall we will cross-‐‑ riverbeds and ride along the shores of beautiful lakes. Apart from game
Game viewing
Each ride is different to one another. The great thing about Tanzania is the fact that there are very few fences around. Due to this fact it is very hard to pin what there is to be seen and what isn’t to be seen. The areas that we have choose for strong beginners are places where the game isn’t as high and dence in numbers, more opened which allows us a better view of our surroundings, an area where big game is very rarely seen. However as mentioned before there is no fences thereof animals can travel and move as they like. Areas where we require each and every rider to be strong intermediate is trough areas where the bigger game are more abundant. Saying this, everyone needs to bear in mind that any wildlife seen is a bonus and never a guarantee. Even though Tanzania is world famous for its wildlife which is best viewed from what back in the days also used to roam wild, the horse. You will never forget the feeling of galloping alongside a herd of giraffes out on the African savannah; it is a memory that will last you a lifetime.
On Horse Safari with Galloping.
Day one, you will be exhausted and full of amazement. Day two, you will arrive in camp unable to walk and nearly too exhausted to eat. A good night’s rest and you will wake up and the horse will lend you his strength, speed and grace to continue, you will give him guidance, intelligence and understanding greater than his and together you can achieve a richness that neither can alone. Day four, as companions you have the strength to carry on the day with triumph. The days go by and suddenly the sad day comes when the companionship come to an end.
Singita Grumeti Explorer Safari
Overview:
Tanzania – Singita Grumeti Safari
The Singita Grumeti Reserve offers an unparalleled horseback safari teeming with magnificent wildlife encounters on the western corridor of the Serengeti. On this vast private concession you stay in exclusive luxury lodges ideally positioned on the epic migratory route traversed annually by two million wildebeest.
In addition to the herds of plains game in this area there are large populations of elephant, many carnivores inclu
ding lion and primates such as the rare Patas and Colobus monkeys.
There is the possibility of seeing the outbound migration in the Serengeti from mid-June to the end of July with exciting riding, canters with big herds, good cat sightings and elephant herds.
From mid-September to mid-November, there is a high probability of seeing the migration returning south with excellent riding, canters with big mixed herds and giraffe, lots of cats (lion, leopard, cheetah) and big herds of elephants.
The first night of the riding safaris is generally at Sasakwa Lodge offering pure luxury, where exquisite views of the Serengeti dominate every setting. This is where the stables are situated and therefore ideally located for the start of your riding safari. All riding safaris are private and tailor-made for groups of two or more.
You could choose a lodge based safari and ride from Sasakwa to Faru Faru Lodge. Here, open-style suites, each with an outdoor shower or bath, allow you to view game without even leaving your suite, and a Swahili-inspired ‘beach’ offers the opportunity for some serious rest and relaxation. Or travel westwards and stay at the beautiful Sabora Tented Camp, an exclusive camp reminiscent of the style of the 1920’s.
Or, if you really wish to get away from it all, then you could have two or more nights at a totally private and intimate mobile tented camp which will be set up just for you, as well as staying some nights at Sasakwa, Faru Faru or Sabora Tented Camp.
You should be a confident and fit rider, capable of staying in control of a horse at all paces over variable terrain. You should expect 4 to 5 hours riding in the morning with a short break mid way to check the horses and allow guests to stretch their legs, with an additional optional short ride in the afternoon.
The tailor-made exclusive riding safaris, moving on horseback between the different lodges and camps, can be arranged any time between June and the first week of November. You can arrive any day and stay as long as you like (minimum three nights).
Location.
These safaris are in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in northern Tanzania. If you are already in Tanzania the nearest airport is Arusha or Kilimanjaro and you transfer by light aircraft from there to Sasakwa. Alternatively fly to Nairobi and then onto Kilimanjaro to clear customs and transfer onto the scheduled light aircraft flight to Sasakwa airstrip.
Weather
Being close to the equator the temperature is relatively consistent throughout the year. Midday temperatures range from 26˚C in July/August to 35˚C in December/January. Overnight temperatures drop to between 13˚C and 18˚C. The altitude is around 1,400m so mornings and evenings are cool in winter. There are two wet seasons – the long rains between February and May and the short rains between October and December.
The riding safaris do not operate during the time of heaviest rains in April – May and November.
