AFRICAN HORSE SAFARI OPTIONS
Intermediate and Above
We offer 2 to 4-hour African horse safari rides exploring the landscape surrounding ol Donyo Lodge for Intermediate riders and above. Enjoy exhilarating medium to fast-paced canters and encounters with our famous big Tuskers.
For this African Horse Safari riding option, you need to be riding fit, confident and competent, ride with an independent seat, and control an easy horse at all paces over uneven terrain.
Plains Ride
Novice riders can enjoy a gentle 60/90 minute African horse safari ride exploring the open plains.
GREAT PLAINS SAFARI EXPERIENCES
RIDING TIMES
THE HORSES
We have a herd of 20 horses from 15.1hh to 17.1hh
Our horses are well schooled and used to the environment we share with the wildlife.
The ol Donyo stables boast an impressive range of breeds, including Friesian and Shire crosses, Arabian breeds and the South African Boerperd. Our horses are chosen for their laid-back temperament, endurance and versatility, hand picking the perfect safari horses for your adventures in the Chyulu Hills.
The Tack
- Our horses are ridden with English bridles and bits;
- We offer a choice of English or Trail saddles.
Group Size
- All our rides will be a maximum of 6 guests accompanied by 2 experienced guides;
- However, the number of riders will be dependent on the group’s ability and rider’s weight;
- We will therefore only confirm a booking on receipt of our riding questionnaire which is available at the time of reservation confirmation or on request from your guide or lodge manager.
Riding Equipment
A selection of riding hats, riding boots, breeches and half chaps are available for guests with no additional charge.
Weight Limit
- We respectfully request no riders over 95 kilograms;
- We do have several big advanced level horses and are happy to advise if we can accommodate experienced riders over our weight limit on receipt of the riding questionnaire.
Horse Safari Age Restriction
- For safety reasons we have a minimum riding age of 12 years for our Africa horse safaris when at ol Donyo Lodge;
- All children between 12 and 15 must be accompanied by a riding parent or guardian;
-
While we do not offer riding to children under 12, kids are welcome to come and see the horses and feed them treats.
Other Activities at ol Donyo Lodge
- Guided bush walks;
- Mountain biking;
- Game viewing drives;
- Night game viewing drives;
- Lion tracking;
- Cultural villages visits (additional charge);
- Anti-poaching tracker dog experience (additional charge);
- Amboseli day trip (additional charge).
Equestrian Profiles
- Duma
- Empakai
- Kimbia
- Kerimasi
- Koroya
- Mahale
- Manchira
- Narok
- Rokare
- Samanche
- Selous
- Zulu
- Kalahari
- Mwezi
- Sabre
- Kalacha
- Xango
- Chui
- Cohiba
- Kibo
- Lebombo
Born |
15 November 2004 |
Sex |
Gelding |
Height |
15.2 hands high |
Colour |
Dark Bay |
Breed |
Boerperd |
Sire |
Lang Carel Rommel |
Dam |
Keeversfontein 43 |
Duma is a registered Boerperd from South Africa. He flaunts the classical Boerperd colouring, movements and temperament, making him a popular choice at ol Donyo.
His registered name is Keeversfontein Cheetah, so we called him Duma which means Cheetah in Swahili.
He is a solid, very gentle horse, making him suitable for any riding ability, but he is prized for taking such good care of novice riders.
Born |
3 December 2003 |
Sex |
Stallion |
Height |
15.3 hands high |
Colour |
Black |
Breed |
Boerperd |
Sire |
Cloeteggo Klinker 2nd |
Dam |
Lang Karel Ouma |
Empakai is a registered Boerperd from South Africa.
His looks and conformation meant he was used for Stud Work in South Africa, but he has taken Safari Life comfortably in his stride. He is named after the astonishing Empakai crater, near the active volcano ol Donyo Lengai.
He has a willing attitude to his work, and is a comfortable intermediate ride.
Born |
2004 |
Sex |
Gelding |
Height |
15.3 hands high |
Colour |
Dark Bay |
Breed |
Boerperd / Friesian Cross |
Sire |
Unknown |
Dam |
Unknown |
Kimbia is a Boerperd/Friesian cross. His breeding gives him the size and elegance of a Friesian and the durability of a Boerperd; the perfect Safari Horse.
He was previously used as a trail and cattle horse in South Africa, so knows all about other animals.
Kimbia is a true gentleman. He knows and loves his job and a very reliable novice ride.
Born |
8 November 2002 |
Sex |
Gelding |
Height |
16 hands high |
Colour |
Bay |
Breed |
Boerperd / Arab cross |
Sire |
Unknown |
Dam |
Unknown |
Kerimasi is a Boerperd/Arabian horse from South Africa.
He is a steady horse who enjoys longer rides through the bush. Even though he has recently lost his sight in one eye, Kerimasi remains a brave lead horse, and popular intermediate ride.
At night, from the stables you can hear all sorts of wildlife; lions roaring, elephants moving through the bush… but loudest of all is Kerimasi sound asleep and snoring!
Born |
2004 |
Sex |
Stallion |
Height |
15.3 hands high |
Colour |
Black with white markings |
Breed |
Shire / Boerperd cross |
Sire |
Unknown |
Dam |
Unknown |
Koroya is our beautiful Shire/Boerperd stallion, who also came from South Africa.
He is bold and is always keen to be at the front of the ride! He carries himself very well, and his beauty makes him real favourite with our riders who enjoy their photography! Koroya is as brave as they come, so makes to be a very valued lead horse at ol Donyo.
Born |
20 January 2010 |
Sex |
Gelding |
Height |
15.2 hands high |
Colour |
Bay |
Breed |
Boerperd |
Sire |
Mahashi Bastiaan |
Dam |
Uitblinker Adel |
Mahale is a Boerperd from South Africa.
He has a stunning canter, making him popular with adrenaline seeking riders, but he can sometimes be a little skittish of sudden movements in the bush!
He has a big goofy character and the kindest heart; he is a real favourite at ol Donyo!
Born |
23 September 2005 |
Sex |
Gelding |
Height |
16.3 hands high |
Colour |
Chestnut |
Breed |
Thoroughbred |
Sire |
Portrush (USA) |
Dam |
Joyous Dancer |
Manchira is a big, sensible thoroughbred.
He came up from South Africa, where he was somewhat of a celebrity! He has a Hunting and Eventing background, and has been used in several movies, where he was used as a stunt horse because of his calm nature.
This, combined with his endurance, makes him a valuable safari horse.
His experience in the bush has earned him an impressive scar, from where he was gored by a buffalo in 2018!
Born |
16 November 2003 |
Sex |
Gelding |
Height |
15.2 hands high |
Colour |
Chestnut |
Breed |
Boerperd |
Sire |
Paardekop Lekker |
Dam |
Frederick Gina |
Narok is a Boerperd from South Africa
Before he came to Kenya, Narok was used in many movies and advertisements! See if you can spot him in the movie ‘The Salvation’!
When he wasn’t on film shoots, he was a trail horse, which set him up perfectly for life in the bush.
He is kind and reliable, making him a wonderful choice for all abilities.
Born |
1 October 2010 |
Sex |
Stallion |
Height |
16 hands high |
Colour |
Black |
Breed |
Thoroughbred cross Shire |
Sire |
Greystoke |
Dam |
Grace the Turf |
Rokare is a striking Shire/Thoroughbred cross from South Africa.
For a stallion he is remarkably laid back, taking everything in his stride and really suits Safari life. He is fairly bomb-proof and takes excellent care of his riders in the bush.
He is a powerful horse and a popular experienced ride.
Born |
12 June 2001 |
Sex |
Gelding |
Height |
15.1 hands high |
Colour |
Grey |
Breed |
Crabbet Arabian |
Sire |
Unknown |
Dam |
Unknown |
Samanche is a Crabbet Arabian from South Africa.
His breed is the perfect endurance horse, and indeed this was the life he led before he arrived in the Chyulus. He competed in endurance races across South Africa and Namibia, in distances up to 160km!
As a result he is quite a fast horse that is always gunning to be at the front – despite his age! Because of this he is more suited to lightweight intermediate riders.
Born |
18 November 2002 |
Sex |
Gelding |
Height |
17 hands high |
Colour |
Black |
Breed |
Friesian cross |
Sire |
Unknown |
Dam |
Unknown |
Selous is a gentle giant Friesian cross.
He is quite something to behold, with the most divine temperament.
He has a slow and sure footed gait that is ideal for novice riders, and has become a real gentleman in his old age.
Born |
2002 |
Sex |
Gelding |
Height |
15.1 hands high |
Colour |
White |
Breed |
Boerperd |
Sire |
Unknown |
Dam |
Unknown |
Zulu is a Boerperd from South Africa.
Zulu arrived in the Chyulu Hills in 2006, where he quickly became a yard favourite. He loves people, has exquisite manners and the right brain for Safari. He has a very soft mouth, so goes the best when ridden in a loose contact. His energetic trot means he is a good fit for young and fit riders with suitable experience.
Born |
2006 |
Sex |
Gelding |
Height |
17 hands high |
Colour |
Bay |
Breed |
Thoroughbred cross Shire |
Sire |
Unknown |
Dam |
Unknown |
Kalahari is a Thoroughbred/Shire horse from South Africa.
His size and stature mean he is ideal for our taller and heavier guests! He has a big, powerful stride so covers the plains effortlessly, not batting an eyelid at the Chyulu Hills Wildlife.
He is such a sweet boy and a real favourite with Intermediate riders.
Born |
2002 |
Sex |
Gelding |
Height |
15.1 hands high |
Colour |
White |
Breed |
Boerperd |
Sire |
Unknown |
Dam |
Unknown |
Mwezi is a Boerperd from South Africa.
He is the perfect allrounder – he responds to voice commands, so is an ideal novice horse, but also a really easy intermediate ride.
He is one of our hardest working horses at ol Donyo, and everyone’s favourite!
Born |
2006 |
Sex |
Gelding |
Height |
17.1 hands high |
Colour |
Grey |
Breed |
Thoroughbred cross Percheron cross Shire |
Sire |
Unknown |
Dam |
Unknown |
Sabre has Thoroughbred, Shire and Percheron in his breeding.
Sabre is our weight carrier, and is mostly used for novice rides because of his gentle personality.
Whilst he isn’t particularly athletic, he is happiest when he gets to go out with an experienced rider and have a canter on the plains.
Born |
2011 |
Sex |
Gelding |
Height |
15.3 hands high |
Colour |
Bay |
Breed |
Thoroughbred |
Sire |
Sound whisper |
Dam |
Sarafina by Rana Pratap |
Kalacha is one of our only Kenyan bred horses! He is an ex-racehorse, so needs a light and experienced rider. He is very forward going and not a lot phases him, so he is often leading the herd out on rides!
He has beautiful paces and a lovely big canter to take riders across the plains.
Born |
2010 |
Sex |
Gelding |
Height |
15.2 hands high |
Colour |
Bay |
Breed |
Anglo Arab |
Sire |
Congo |
Dam |
Zelda by a Zim polo mare |
Xango is an Anglo Arab from Zimbabwe.
He has a big personality and loves cantering, but can be a bit of a wimp! Whilst he is happy to stare down an elephant, he is easily frightened by stones and butterflies.
He makes for a very enjoyable intermediate ride for a jockey with lots of confidence.
Born |
2012 |
Sex |
Gelding |
Height |
15.1 hands high |
Colour |
Skewbald |
Breed |
Thoroughbred cross |
Sire |
Crazy Horse |
Dam |
Kesho Kutwa |
Chui is one of our Kenyan-bred superstars.
His good looks make him a very popular horse at ol Donyo, and his personality is the cherry on top! He is small but compact, and great fun to ride on the plains.
Chui only arrived with us in 2022, but has already won the hearts of a number of intermediate riders
Born |
2019 |
Sex |
Gelding |
Height |
16.1 hands high |
Colour |
Chestnut |
Breed |
Belgian Warmblood x Boerperd x Friesian |
Sire |
Ramiro B |
Dam |
Lalibela |
Cohiba is a rising star in the ol Donyo stables.
He is very young so we are taking it slowly with him but has all the promise to be a fantastic safari horse. He is brave and has incredible paces – likely down to his sire being one of the UKs top eventing stallions!
He is just learning about life on safari at the moment, but will be an exhilarating intermediate ride in the future
Born |
2018 |
Sex |
Gelding |
Height |
15 hands high |
Colour |
Dark Bay |
Breed |
Boerperd x Thoroughbred |
Sire |
Mount Magic’s Charlie |
Dam |
Mount Magic’s Midnight |
Kibo is a Boerperd cross and is one of our 2023 arrivals! He came from Mount Magic stud in Cape Town.
He is a lovely quiet boy who loves people and is always keen for a cuddle.
He is still getting used to life in the bush but he has the right attitude to be the perfect safari horse!
Born |
2018 |
Sex |
Gelding |
Height |
16 hands high |
Colour |
Dapple Grey |
Breed |
Percheron x Boerperd |
Sire |
Percheron Stallion |
Dam |
Boerperd Mare |
Lebombo is our new chunky boy at the stables. He is a true Percheron – his appetite is almost as big as his bum and he loves hanging out in the yard, making sure we are all doing our jobs! At the moment all he wants to do is sunbathe but we have high hopes for him as he matures – his build and breeding means he will be an epic safari horse that will carry weight over longer distances.