Safaris Unlimited

per person

Introduction & Quick Snapshot

Picture yourself cantering alongside a thundering herd of zebras while elephants graze on the horizon and a thousand wildebeest kick up dust beneath an endless African sky. That’s an ordinary morning with Safaris Unlimited, Kenya’s pioneering horseback-safari outfitter. Established in 1971 and still steered by the Church family, the company blends half a century of guiding expertise with luxurious, fully mobile camps to create journeys that feel both wildly adventurous and effortlessly comfortable.

In-Depth: A Two-Generation Legacy of Guiding

Tony Church introduced the concept of multi-day riding safaris to East Africa more than five decades ago. Today his son, Gordie, and daughter-in-law, Felicia, uphold that tradition—personally guiding every departure, sharing bushcraft lore, and ensuring every guest feels like extended family. Their hand-picked crew of horse masters, camp chefs, spotters and stewards travels as a seamless unit, erecting elegant canvas camps beneath acacia trees and serving three-course meals under starlit skies. The result is an experience that marries the romance of Hemingway-era expeditions with modern safety protocols and creature comforts.

Where You Ride: Masai Mara, Laikipia & Beyond

Most itineraries traverse the world-famous Masai Mara ecosystem, a 580-square-mile extension of Tanzania’s Serengeti and home to the Great Migration. Open, unfenced conservancies let riders move freely across rolling savannah, riverine forest and rocky escarpments—terrain perfect for long, exhilarating gallops. For guests craving wilder country, Safaris Unlimited also operates private departures through Laikipia’s highland plateaus, where volcanic hills and cedar forests cloak the foothills of Mount Kenya. Seasonal expeditions reach Tanzania, Botswana and even Zambia’s Victoria Falls, ensuring fresh horizons for repeat travellers.

Horses & Tack: 30-Strong Stable Built for the Bush

Between 25 and 30 home-bred or carefully sourced horses form the backbone of every safari. The herd—predominantly Thoroughbred and Thoroughbred-cross types—ranges from forward, athletic campaigners for experienced riders to steady, level-headed schoolmasters ideal for intermediates. All mounts live outdoors on ample pasture, ensuring soundness and fitness for multi-hour days. English GP saddles with sheepskin seats provide comfort, while traditional leather breastplates and cruppers keep tack secure on steep riverbanks or during splashy crossings of the Mara River.

Safari Styles, Rider Ability & Safety Briefing

Required Ability: Confident trot, secure at controlled canter, able to rise in two-point for 5–10 minutes.
Weight Limit: 95 kg / 210 lb (accommodations possible with advance notice).
Group Size: Averaging 6–10 saddles, capped at 12 for an intimate, low-impact experience.
Guide Ratio: 1 lead guide + 1 back-up guide with armed ranger support; satellite phone & medical kit accompany every ride.
Helmets & Vests: Certified helmets supplied; inflating air vests available for rent.
Non-Riders: Parallel 4 × 4 game-drive vehicle and walking guide keep mixed groups together.

Mobile Camp Luxury: Accommodations & Dining

Every two nights the team strikes camp and leap-frogs ahead, so you arrive to hot showers and feather-down duvets already waiting. Twin or king-size canvas tents boast Persian rugs, bedside lamps and flush-style chemical loos. Hearty bush breakfasts fuel morning rides, while picnic lunches mix farm-fresh salads with barbecued meats. Evenings feature sundowners on a kopje followed by three-course dinners: perhaps roast lamb with rosemary, sweet-potato mash and a mango-pavlova finale—all paired with South African wines.

Upcoming Trips & Safari Options

“A Short Ride in the Mara” – 6 Nights

Cover roughly 150 km of classic savannah, spending nights in three distinct camps that overlook hippo-filled rivers or giraffe-dotted plains. Ideal for time-pressed travellers, this itinerary still packs lion sightings, optional hot-air-balloon flights and sundowners atop Lookout Hill.

Classic Masai Mara Ride – 8 Nights

The flagship adventure follows ancient elephant corridors and crosses the Mara River at sunrise. Expect daily herds of wildebeest during migration months (July–September), adrenaline-pumping canters alongside Thompson’s gazelle, and cultural visits to Maasai bomas where elders explain age-old pastoral traditions.

Lollboran Ride – Northern Kenya (Private)

A bespoke 6-night expedition through Laikipia’s highlands: think basalt hills, cedar forest and views of snow-capped Mount Kenya. Perfect for private groups of six or more seeking exclusivity, elephant encounters and cool high-altitude evenings.

Wildlife Encounters: Big Five, Migration & Birds

Riding silent among wild animals offers perspective no game-drive vehicle can match. Plains game barely flicks an ear as horses draw near; meanwhile, sharp-eyed guides scan for elephants shading in acacia groves or sleepy lions lounging after a night’s hunt. Birders tick off martial eagles, lilac-breasted rollers and even rare secretary birds striding through the grass.

Cultural Connection: Meet the Maasai

Safaris Unlimited partners with neighbouring communities, routing camps onto conservancy land leased directly from Maasai families. Many askaris (night guards) and camp staff hail from local villages and eagerly share customs—beadwork, spear-throwing demonstrations, warrior songs—fostering mutual respect and crucial conservation buy-in.

Sustainability & Conservation Ethos

Low-impact travel defines the operation: mobile camps leave no permanent footprint; waste is packed out for recycling; biodegradable soaps and solar lighting prevail. Safari fees support anti-poaching patrols and fund scholarships for Maasai children. Each ride also purchases carbon offsets through a Kenya-based reforestation programme.

Planning Your Trip: Visas, Seasons & Packing List

Visas: Most nationalities can obtain Kenya’s eVisa online; apply at least 7 days pre-departure.
Best Time to Ride: January–March (warm, dry), June–October (migration), November–December (short green season).
Health: Yellow-fever certificate required; malaria prophylaxis recommended.
What to Pack: Lightweight jodhpurs, riding tights, breathable shirts, neck gaiter, fleece for evenings, waterproof jacket, half-chaps, sunblock, binoculars, and a 50 L soft-duffel (strict 15 kg charter-flight limit).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need to be an expert rider?
You should be balanced at all paces and comfortable cantering in open country, but you don’t need jumping experience. Confident, fit intermediates thrive.

2. Are helmets provided?
Yes—CE-approved helmets are supplied free of charge; bringing your own is welcome.

3. What is the typical daily distance?
Expect 20–30 km in the saddle, split between morning and afternoon rides with siesta and game-drive options in between.

4. Can non-riding partners join?
Absolutely. A dedicated vehicle follows the route, offering game drives, guided walks and photography sessions.

5. How safe is horseback riding among big game?
Professional guides carry radios, GPS and emergency medical kits; an armed ranger shadows larger groups. Horses are seasoned with wildlife, reducing spook factor.

6. Is Wi-Fi available?
Mobile signal is patchy; a satellite modem in camp lets you send essential emails, but most guests embrace an offline week.

Conclusion & Next Steps

From sunrise gallops across golden plains to evenings swapping stories beside a crackling fire, Safaris Unlimited delivers an African adventure that feels simultaneously raw and refined. Small groups, luxury mobile camps, legendary guiding and wildlife up-close create memories that linger long after the dust settles on your boots. Secure early-bird 2025 dates now to guarantee a saddle and start counting down to the ride of your life.