Africa > Tanzania

Kilimanjaro Elephant Safari

A mobile riding safari in a big game area of Tanzania, surrounded by four giants - Nount Longido, Namanga, Mt Meru, and the greatest of them all, Mount Kilimanjaro. Ride through Maasai villages and interact with the locals, before cantering across the pans of Lake Amboseli. A unique chance to experience the life of the Masai whilst on a horseback safari.
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Horseback Safari
9 days / 6 days riding
From £5,078
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Itinerary

Highlights

- Mobile safari staying in dome tents with bucket showers and bush toilets
- Big game area offering the chance to ride with elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra etc
- Opportunties for fast riding on the dried out pans of Lake Amboseli (weather permitting)
- There may be options for jumping, particularly around the cattle bomas
- Ride through traditional Maasai villages
- Experience the wonder of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mt Meru, Longido and Namanga
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  • Day 1 1: ARRIVE IN ARUSHA - No riding

    Depart on a day flight to Kilimanjaro airport. Please note that, depending on flight schedules it may be necessary to depart a day earlier and spend a night either in Kenya or Tanzania.

    You will be met on arrival at Kilimanjaro airport (Arusha) and transferred c. 30 minutes to your accommodation for the night at the Lodge. Depending on your arrival time, you will have the chance to rest before dinner with your group. We generally use the Wildife residence but other lodges may be used depending on availability.

    NB. Please note that this itinerary is a guide - the actual route will depend on game movements and local conditions but always with your best interests at heart.

  • Day 2 2: MOUNT MERU - 1-2 hours riding

    Safari camp Tanzania
    After breakfast you are driven for about thirty minutes to Arusha National park gate. After being shown to your tent, time for refreshments before a short introductory ride to get to know your horse. The vegetation will change dramatically from open grassland to rain forest, with the possibility of seeing elephants, buffaloes, leopards and plains games. The big canopy forests are stunning and the atmosphere is quite eerie. After lunch you will also ride by Margarete Trappe's old house.

    Camp is set at the foot of Mt Meru. The day ends around the campfire with a drink in your hand, and before dinner the safari briefing takes place to prepare everyone for the next day’s adventure.

  • Day 3 3: NGAREJANI - MOMELLA LAKES - 4-6 hours

    Safari camp Tanzania
    After an early wake up call (perhaps from the very talkative Colobus monkeys...) and breakfast, mount your horse and head towards the area where the movie Hatari was filmed.
    Half way into the morning ride, you will start the climb with the horses, aiming to reach the “Fig Tree Arch”, a massive fig tree arch, big enough to fit five horses underneath it!

    The ride continues until you reach lunch, beautifully located in the rain forest next to a waterfall. You are now on about 2000 meters above sea level. After lunch you head back towards camp, passing by another waterfall on the way back.

    After returning to camp, there will be an option to jump into the vehicles and go visit the Momella lakes, hoping to see some hippos and beautiful water birds. Sundowners at the lakes before heading back to camp for showers and dinner.

  • Day 4 4: MOMELLA LAKES - AMBOSELI - 4-6 hours riding

    Safari camp Tanzania
    This morning you will hop into the vehicles and drive out of Arusha National Park, the drive will take about 2 1⁄2 hours and is eastbound heading towards Mount Kilimanjaro and leaving Mount Meru behind us like a shadow. Later this morning you will find the horses waiting for you in the bush (they would have been trucked here the evening before). The ride is amongst Tanzanian farmland and the Massai steppe, its scenic with many cultural interactions as the rides goes along. We will try to cover as much ground as possible. The lunch is served under a big acacia, sometimes near to a dam where the Massai’s water their cattle and we our horses. You will have a good 3-hour stop for lunch, with time for a siesta to regain some strength. The afternoon ride continues across opened plains, making sure to reach our night stop before the sun hits the horizon at a new camp location.

  • Day 5 5: AMBOSELI PANS - 4-6 hours riding

    Safari camp Tanzania
    The safari starts heading towards the so-called Seven Sisters. After crossing the seven hills (Seven Sisters) you ride through Sinya Village and continue towards lunch, served under a shady tree. The terrain varies from opened grassland to beautiful canopy forests. The day offers good chance of seeing plains game such as zebras, giraffes and wildebeests but most important is the presence of the shy antelope - the Gerenuk.

    The night is spent between the four powerful mountains, Mt Meru, Namanga, Longido and the most legendary of all, Mt Kilimanjaro.

  • Day 6 6: AMBOSELI PANS - 4-6 hours riding

    Safari camp Tanzania
    Early wake up with coffee and tea before a bush breakfast is served. The day will be spent tracking the biggest land living mammal: the elephants. The terrain differs from thick scrublands to acacia woodland. You will return to camp for lunch and head out for another ride in the afternoon. Before sunset, you return to camp to enjoy another night in this remote and remarkable place on earth.

  • Day 7 7: AMBOSELI - 4-6 hours riding

    Safari camp Tanzania
    Wake up with the sun, then ride towards the Kenyan border. This day will be spent tracking the footsteps of the elephants. The night will be spent overlooking the pans with its plains game on constant alert for predators.

  • Day 8 8: AMBOSELI - ARUSHA - No riding

    The last morning has arisen, and the safari has come to its end, enjoy a big breakfast before directions are taken towards civilization, depending on road conditions about 3 hours journey back to the airport. If anyone flies out late and wish to book a day room, please let us know in advance so we can book it for you.

  • Day 9 9: EUROPE

    Arrive back in Europe

Dates & prices

Price details

- Flights to your destination are not included, but can be booked on request - please contact us for rates.     

- The above rates are per person, based on sharing a twin or double room and tent.

- There is no single supplement if you are willing to share a room/tent with another guest of the same sex. To guarantee your own room/tent there is a single supplement of $490/€440/£400 for the duration of the safari.

- Groups are usually a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 10 riders, plus guides

- Wildlife Management Area (Park) fees are included. Although we try to keep this website updated to reflect recent changes on taxes and levies, they are subject to change without prior notice.

Road transfers are included to/from Kilimanjaro airport or Arusha town. On the way back, your flight must depart after 2:00pm to allow time for the transfer. Private transfers can be organised at the cost of around $70/£60 per car if arriving a day early.

- Other departures are possible and can be planned on request throughout the year, except during April and May which correspond with the long rainy season in Tanzania.

- If guests are travelling with an extra bag that is not needed on the riding portion of their trip (as space is limited in the tents). Arrangements can be made to store extra bags for a fee of $20 per person.

- Please note that there is a rider weight limit of 85kgs/187lbs/13st3

- For those who are not keen horseriders or not confident enough, options for vehicle safaris and walking safariscan be arranged. Their itinerary will be tailored to individual needs andsample itineraries are available upon request  
Please Note
The itinerary may be modified at anytime for security reasons, meteorological or events beyond our control such as blocked roads, rivers in flood, drought, strikes and local holidays. Equus Journeys, our local partners and their local guides will always strive to find the best solution and will alter the itinerary as needed.
The names of the hotels and accommodation are given for information only and depending on availability, they may be modified without notice and replaced by another of a similar standard.

Price includes

Support Team

Safari guide and back up guide
1 additional guide for groups of 6+ riders

Logistic

1 cook
1 support vehicle
1 assistant cook
1 horse equipped with saddle and bridle

Inland transports

Private 4X4 vehicle
Airport transfers at set times

Accommodation

2 person deluxe safari tents
Bedding

Meals

Full board from first dinner to last lunch

Additional equipment

Flying Doctor membership (fly out insurance)

Extras

Wildlife Department fees; Wildlife Management Area fees

Price doesn't include

Meals

Beverage and personal extra

Transports

Visa fees
International flights

Extra

Tips to local team

Insurance

Cancellation and travel insurance are not included in the above listed price. Please note that insurance is mandatory. We recommend taking out an insurance policy as soon as your trip is booked to cover you in case of cancellation

Optional

Accommodation

Single tent supplement
  • Departure Return Price without flights Status
    04/06/2025 12/06/2025 £5,078 €6,043 $6,550
    Full
    18/06/2025 26/06/2025 £5,078 €6,043 $6,550
    Full
  • Departure Return Price without flights Status
    02/07/2025 10/07/2025 £5,078 €6,043 $6,550
    Full
    16/07/2025 24/07/2025 £5,078 €6,043 $6,550
    Full
    30/07/2025 07/08/2025 £5,078 €6,043 $6,550
    Full
    13/08/2025 21/08/2025 £5,078 €6,043 $6,550
    Full
    23/08/2025 31/08/2025 £5,078 €6,043 $6,550
    Full
  • Departure Return Price without flights Status
    01/09/2025 09/09/2025 £5,078 €6,043 $6,550
    Open
    		Book now
    13/09/2025 21/09/2025 £5,078 €6,043 $6,550
    Full
    20/09/2025 28/09/2025 £5,078 €6,043 $6,550
    Full

Equestrian info

Horses

Jo has a good selection of horses and polo ponies, a mixture of Thoroughbreds and local breeds. The horses are all purpose trained safari horses. Close to all of them play polo so are western or neck-rein trained (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 Jo and her team to find a perfect fit for each rider.

Guide & local team

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.

Out on safari the lead guide is either armed or carries a bullwhip and communicate over radios and cellphones, with a mobile station in each vehicle.


Minimum riding ability

Minimum riding ability

As this is an area of potentially dangerous game you need to be an experienced rider, competent and confident at all paces in open spaces. There may be requirements to gallop out of danger and opportunities to jump (although these are optional).

Please note that there is a rider weight limit of 85kgs/187lbs/13st3

Pace

There will be long spells of walking whilst viewing game, but there are plenty of opportunities for long trots and canters across open grasslands. Weather permitting there may also be good gallops across the pans of Lake Amboseli.

Tacking ability and participation

Your horse will be groomed and tacked up for you but you may be asked to assist with untacking at lunch spots and on arrival into camp in the evenings.

Trip conditions and Requested experience

You need to be physically fit for the long hours in the saddle in the African sun. The terrain can be varied to include holes, branches and ascents/descents of river banks so you need to be balanced and secure in the saddle. Sometimes, you may be asked to dismount and lead your horse on foot. 

Riders who do not ride regularly must get riding fit before joining this safari.

You will meet different cultures and mentalities which requires acceptance of these differences and respect for others.

Equestrian equipment

Saddle bags are provided so that you can keep essentials with you during the day.

We recommend our riders to wear a helmet to the correct standard and you should bring your own to ensure a proper fit. Helmets are not available to borrow. 

Travel info

Comfort

Permanent Camp/Lodge (1 night): The first night is spent at a lodge situated on a golf, polo, and wildlife estate (availability dependent), only 40 minutes’ drive from Kilimanjaro international airport. Each room has its own on suite bathroom, flush toilet, and white fluffy towels. There is WIFI, a swimming pool to be enjoyed and SPA treatments, yoga, golf, polo can be arranged prior to arrival.

Mobile camp (6 nights): Each site is carefully chosen. The tents are spacious and each has a bush toilet and a bucket shower. Comfortable bedding and bath towels are provided.

Meals

Meals are prepared by a professionally trained bush chef.
Breakfast is traditional and includes fresh fruit juice
Lunch is either sandwiches from the saddle bags or a selection of light dishes produced from the support vehicle in a shady spot.
Dinner is three courses and a mixture of local and international dishes with fresh salads and freshly baked bread.

Drinks are included whilst on safari but payable locally at lodges added on at the beginning/end.

Climate

Tanzania has two main seasons - the dry season and the wet season. The dry season is from May to October, when it is unlikely to rain and the daytime temperatures are warm.
There are two rainy seasons: the long rains extend from mid-March to early May, with the majority of the rain in April. Evenings can be cool or even cold.
The short rains are from early November to mid December - during this period the rain is not constant but falls in heavy showers during the day.

The hottest months are December to February.

Around Mount Kilimanjaro there is often snowfall overnight in January and February, and freezing cold nights in July and August.

Tips

Tipping in Tanzania is common and well received when you are happy with the service. We recommend $25-35 per day per guest (for the whole team), but it is left at your discretion.

Packing list

Please don't take a hard sided suitcase. Your luggage should be soft sided. There is a strict weight limit of 15 KG per person and 7KG hand luggage, per person, on this ride.

Head
- Equus Journeys strongly recommend that you wear a riding helmet and that you take your own to ensure a correct fit.
-Sunhat for when not riding
- Sunglasses - with a cord attached so they don't fly off when riding
- Buff or bandana

Upper body
- Long sleeved shirts provide protection from the sun and thorns
- T-shirts
- Fleece, jumper or jacket - the evenings can be cold
- Waterproof jacket - the rains can be difficult to foresee and it's better to be prepared
- Casual clothes for the evening

Legs
- Lightweight, comfortable riding trousers or jodhpurs - we recommend riding in them at home before taking them on holiday to ensure they don't rub
- Shorts for lazy lunchtimes
- Casual clothes for the evening

Hands and Feet
- Comfortable riding boots. We recommend short boots with half chaps but you may wish to take long chaps to protect against thorns. We don't recommend taking your favourite long leather boots in case they get damaged
- Sandals, flip-flops or trainers for moving around the lodge and camp
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the sun whilst riding

Nightwear

Our Recommendations
- Please don't take a hard sided suitcase. Your luggage should be soft sided for easy transportation between camps.
- Wherever possible you should wear neutral colours, such as beige, brown or natural bush colours for riding as bright colours, such as red, yellow or white can startle the wildlife and they will see you long before you've seen them
- We recommend travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes in your hand luggage - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!

Other useful items
- Waterbottle to keep in the saddlebags
- Swimsuit - for the Lake Natron ride
- Towel. A camping towel will both dry quicker and pack lighter
- Binoculars for viewing game
- Camera and high capacity memory card. Spare battery
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items whilst riding
- Headtorch or small torch for moving around camp at night

In your luggage
- Any liquids, such as shampoo, moisturiser, deodorant unless they are less than 100ml and all bottles can fit in a small, clear, plastic ziplock bag

In your hand luggage
- Any valuables, such as your camera, ipod, ipad etc.
- Your riding hat

Medical kit
- Sunscreen and lip balm - must be high factor
- Insect repellent, preferably containing deet
- Any medication you regularly take
- Blister plasters in case of any rubs
- Antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc...
- Spare prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Ear plugs, particularly if you are a light sleeper
- Anti malarial tablets and Yellow Fever Certificate (check with your doctor)

Sustainable tourism

  1. Travel light. It's a little known fact, but the lighter you pack, the better for the environment as heavy bags will produce higher emissions (when flying a plane or driving a car!).
  2. Reduce plastic waste. Take your favorite reusable bottle with you. Avoid single-use bags, cups, or straws.
  3. Preserve nature. Always take your rubbish with you during the ride and recycle them. Leave all the flowers or plants as you found them, and never get too close when observing wildlife. Make sure to use eco-friendly products such as body wash or laundry detergent (if camping) to protect both your skin and the environment.
  4. Choose your experiences carefully. Respect animal life by not participating in any activities that abuse wild animals (shows, elephant rides, etc.).
  5. Support local populations. Buy local handicrafts, be respectful of customs, and learn about the culture of local communities.
  6. Share! Raise awareness among your family and friends about sustainable tourism.

For more information please see this page.

Did you know?

Did you know?

On this horseback safari you ride through the Enduimet Wildlife Management Area (EWMA) which lies in the Longido district of Tanzania, near the border with Kenya. Situated between the national parks of Amboseli and Kilimanjaro, the EWMA serves as an important trans-national migratory route and dispersal area for many species of wildlife, in particular the elephant. It remains the only corridor that connects to the Kilimanjaro ecosystem. The Enduimet area is also home to 17,000 people with the dominant ethnic group being Ilkisongo Masai, who cultivate the land for agriculture and cattle.

The EWMA has rangers which frequently patrol the corridor to provide access for wildlife to move from Kilimanjaro to Amboseli. These rangers help to prevent poaching, and the Enduimet corridor lost no elephant to poachers in 2013 - proof that community based conservation can work.


On the blog

A riding safari in Africa is an unforgettable experience. Really, nothing quite compares to watching giraffe on horseback, race with a herd of zebra or coming face to face with elephant. Horseback safaris are amongst our most exciting riding holidays and we are pleased to have a fantastic selection of options to suit novice and experienced riders alike. We have written the following guide to help you select your safari based on what wildlife you want to see. Read more on the blog.