Nicest places for riding in Kenya
Some of the lodges even have very distinctive horses. At Sosian, all the horses are thoroughbred or Ethiopian breeds, whilst at Ol Donyo Lodge you can find tough boerperds from South Africa.
Excursions on horseback enable you to ride among plains wildlife and approach animals such as giraffe and zebra quite closely. Horses tend to be skittish around big cats and most stables actively try to avoid such encounters. Riding in Kenya gives you the opportunity to really experience the landscape around you and the contrasts between savannah, mountains, forests and river valleys are experienced from an altered perspective when you're on a horse.
Best camps & lodges for Riding holidays in Kenya
Lewa Wilderness
Ride through the rolling hills of the Kenya's Lewa Conservancy on your holiday, or take a camel trek from Lewa Wilderness. Guided horse rides here can take from a couple of hours to the whole day, and allow you to get close to various antelope, giraffe and zebra.
Ol Donyo Lodge
Ol Donyo Lodge is probably the best place for riding holidays in Kenya, and is a working stud. Its 20 horses offer superb riding for almost all aboility levels. Discover this fascinating landscape on horseback, with the impressive Kilimanjaro as your backdrop.
Solio Lodge
Solio is home to an impressive population of white and black rhinos, and rides take place outside their sanctuary. Explore the woods and rolling plains and keep watch for a diversity of species, including the northern varieties of plains wildlife.
Sarara
While northern Kenya is generally arid, the bushy landscapes around Sarara attract good wildlife and riding excursions offer a new perspective. Most of the plains grazers are relaxed around the horses. Gentle hacks or faster rides can be arranged.
Borana
Borana’s two stables house around 50 horses. The one located near the Ngare Ndare River has horses suitable for novice riders, while the other has beautiful, ex-polo mounts to cater for experienced riders as well as to offer longer guided trips.
Sosian
Sosian owns large stables and breeds horses; it has 32 available for riding. More experienced riders will enjoy guided full-day bush rides across open plains, while beginners on holiday can go on gentler walks closer to the ranch house.
Lewa Safari Camp
Horseback and camel safaris are arranged with nearby Lewa Wilderness Camp, whose 40 horses are available to experience riders as well as beginners. The plain grazers are relaxed around horses, making it a great way to get up close.
Sirikoi
Located in an exclusive 30km2 area of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Sirikoi offers riding opportunities with horses suited to beginners or experienced riders, accompanied by experienced guides on horseback to ensure safety.
Campi ya Kanzi
There are stables at Campi ya Kanzi, looked after by two horse professionals. Riding is only for experienced riders, however, and the rides go out without armed guides. It’s also possible to ride out and drive back.
Loisaba Tented Camp
Loisaba's excellent, well-run stable of 20 horses is one of the lodge's principal appeals. Riding here is a great option for reasonably experienced riders who can ride among the wildlife accompanied by a guide.
Riding holidays elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Riding holidays in other countries.
Where to see wildlife species in Kenya
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.
Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
81% SUCCESS
3,664 sightings from 4,527 observations
Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
47% SUCCESS
2,366 sightings from 5,027 observations
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.
33% SUCCESS
1,286 sightings from 3,847 observations
Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
83% SUCCESS
3,093 sightings from 3,729 observations
Wild dog
Lycaon pictus
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.
32% SUCCESS
1,048 sightings from 3,313 observations
Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
55% SUCCESS
2,624 sightings from 4,787 observations
Striped Hyena
Hyaena hyaena
The striped hyena is the most widespread of the world’s hyenas, but absent from southern Africa. A rarely-seen nocturnal scavenger, it is shyer and more solitary than its spotted cousin.
13% SUCCESS
141 sightings from 1,094 observations
Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
91% SUCCESS
4,419 sightings from 4,857 observations
Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
30% SUCCESS
755 sightings from 2,494 observations
White Rhino
Ceratotherium simum
The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.
44% SUCCESS
614 sightings from 1,411 observations
Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
49% SUCCESS
1,763 sightings from 3,562 observations
Gerenuk
Litocranius walleri
With its slender frame and extraordinarily long neck, this unmistakable East African antelope resembles an attenuated impala and often stands on its back legs browse high shrubs.
73% SUCCESS
113 sightings from 155 observations
Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
86% SUCCESS
4,273 sightings from 4,981 observations
Oryx
Oryx sp.
Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.
69% SUCCESS
1,608 sightings from 2,326 observations
Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
89% SUCCESS
3,217 sightings from 3,610 observations
Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
24% SUCCESS
577 sightings from 2,435 observations
Wildebeest
Connochaetes sp.
Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.
68% SUCCESS
2,996 sightings from 4,438 observations
Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
4,642 sightings from 5,521 observations
Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
82 sightings from 3,978 observations
Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
69 sightings from 4,020 observations
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