Laikipia Riding Safari

Duration
8 Days
Price from
£6,922 pp.
Location
Laikipia, Kenya
Sosian riding sunset

Trip Highlights

  • Scenic horseback safaris
  • Diverse wildlife encounters
  • Guided bush walks

What's Included

  • Guided horseback rides
  • Bush walks
  • 7 nights accommodation

Pioneering the Northern Frontier

An adventurous horseback journey across Laikipia’s wide skies and wild spaces, combining the thrill of the ride with time to slow down and savour the wilderness.

This is not your average safari. It’s a fully immersive riding experience through northern Kenya’s remote Laikipia Plateau – a place where the wildlife is plentiful, the landscapes are vast, and you’re unlikely to see another soul. From Sosian Lodge, you’ll ride out across the conservancy and beyond, staying at fly camps and remote eco-lodges along the way. The rhythm of the journey flows with the land – fast-paced in parts, unhurried in others – with just the right balance of comfort and adventure.

Our Kenya specialist, Otti, says:
“As someone who is passionate about horses and riding, I think this is one of the most special trips we offer. It’s rare to feel this connected to the land and wildlife – you’re part of the environment, not just passing through. I’d recommend it to experienced riders looking for something seriously off-grid. It’s challenging in all the right ways, but also incredibly peaceful, and you'll end each day with an unapparelled sense of freedom and calm.”


The Ride
Each day brings a new perspective – from fast canters across the plains to quiet moments by the river. You’ll explore deep into the wilderness, staying in three distinct locations. Nights in the fly camp are simple and atmospheric, with bush showers, campfire dinners, and your horse tethered nearby under the stars. Other nights offer more comfort, like the eco-chic Suyian Soul and the welcoming Laikipia Wilderness Camp, with its excellent wildlife-viewing and a chance to track wild dogs on foot.

The route itself crosses private land, which means the experience is entirely exclusive. From open grasslands and rocky outcrops to river valleys and seasonal marshes, the terrain is varied and often dramatic. You’ll stop for bush breakfasts, enjoy siestas after long rides, and have the option to explore by vehicle or on foot in the afternoons.


The Horses
Sosian’s stable yard is home to around 30 horses, ranging from well-schooled thoroughbreds to sturdy native ponies. These are confident, responsive horses who are comfortable in open country and calm around wildlife – a testament to the natural way they’re kept, roaming as a herd during the day and stabled at night for safety.

Rides are tailored to ability, but this trip is best suited to experienced riders comfortable at all paces. Expect a true partnership with your horse as you cover challenging ground together, from river crossings to open canters. For those staying longer at the lodge, there’s the option to ride cross-country courses, take lessons in the sand arena, or even swim with the horses when conditions allow.


From start to finish, this is a rare and rewarding way to experience Kenya – not just seeing it, but riding deep into its heart.


Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Travel to Laikipia

Staying at Sosian Lodge

Head to Nairobi Wilson for your flight up to Nanyuki. You will be met on arrival and transferred to Sosian in time for lunch.

After lunch by the pool and some time to relax and refresh yourselves, you will head to the stable yard to meet your horses and have an evening ride with your guide. 6pm return to the lodge, in time for a drink and dinner.

Spend the night at Sosian Lodge.

Hours in the saddle = 2 hours riding

Day 2 Explore Sosian

Elephant and horse, sosian, Laikipia, kenya

Your days are tailored to you, but an early morning ride to a bush brunch will not disappoint.

Whilst the horses cool off under an Acacia tree you can enjoy delicious home cooked food to fuel you until your next meal! In the evening after a siesta, explore the ranch by car in order to get a different experience of the wildlife and property.

Sosian is blessed with large numbers of elephant, as well as buffalo, hippo, giraffe, zebra, many antelope, plus all of the big cats. Leopard and lion sightings are regular and Sosian has also become known for its healthy populations of the endangered wild dog with excellent viewing opportunities - riding with wild dog is a rare and exciting privilege for those lucky enough to experience it. There are no guarantees, but if the dogs are in the area they will do their best to find them!

Spend the night at Sosian Lodge.

Hours in the saddle = 4.5hrs riding


Day 3 Begin the adventure

Fly camp and horses, sosian, kenya

After a morning of any activities that you choose, from the lodge, we will head off on the horses, whom you have now become familiar with, heading north towards our basic fly camp for the night. You will traverse a varied cross-section of landscapes and habitats of Sosian, ending up on the vast open plains so characteristic of East Africa.

Your camp will be ready for you with cold drinks and hot bush showers, and a 3-course dinner under the stars, whilst the horses are secured for the night on the picket line close to camp. This will be your most basic accommodation over the week and a truly magical experience of simple comforts under canvas, reminiscent of a bygone era.

Spend the night at Sosian Fly Camp.

Hours in the saddle = 4hrs riding

Day 4 Head for Suyian

Day 5 Across to Laikipia Wilderness

Day 6 Return to Sosian

Day 7 Enjoy Sosian

Riding, zebra, sosian, kenya

Today is entirely flexible to do as you wish. For those who wish to ride again, a morning out riding around the cross-country course is a lot of fun or if the dams are full enough, swimming with the horses is also a great experience. Jumping off waterfalls, kayaking, mountain biking, cattle ranching, or simply taking it all in and relaxing by the pool, you can fill your day as much or as little as you want!

Stay overnight at Sosian Lodge.

Hours in the saddle = 4hrs

Day 8 Time to say Kwaheri (goodbye)!

Riding at Sosian

Today is your last day and after breakfast at the lodge, you will head back to Nairobi in time for your international flight home.

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When to go to Kenya

Find out the best time to visit Kenya with our month by month guide.

  • Best
  • Good
  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

January

January is a great time for wildlife viewing. The landscapes are lush and green after the 'short rains' and newborn animals can been seen. It is hot, but brief afternoon or evening showers cool things down, without compromising your safari. Over on the coast the sea is clear, making it ideal for diving and snorkelling, and the days are warm and bright.

February

February is an ideal time to visit Kenya, and great for game viewing. The landscapes are green and thriving thanks to the short rains, and newborn animals will be hopping around the plains. There maybe a few afternoon showers which are welcome in the heat, and don't impact on wildlife viewing. Water clarify is excellent at the moment, which is good news for watersports enthusiasts. And if you want to spot a whale shark, now is the time to try.

March

Still a good option for wildlife viewing and diving, although with the 'long rains' just around the corner, expect wetter and hotter weather.

April

April brings the start of the 'long rains' which means game reserves and national parks become muddy and harder to drive around. Over on the coast it's hot and wet, so it isn't the best time of year to travel. Some camps and lodges close during this period.

May

The 'long rains' continue into May, making park tracks difficult to navigate in the mud, and the coast very warm and wet. There will be less accommodation choice at this time as several lodges and camps during this period.

June

June is a beautiful time of year to visit Kenya, with the rains receding to just light showers, and the long dry season not far ahead. The high grasses can sometimes make it more of a challenge to spot game, but the landscapes are lush and some animals may begin arriving early for the migration. At altitude nights can be cool, but elsewhere the temperature is pleasant.

July

July marks the beginning of the great migration into the Masai Mara, and with warm and generally dry weather, this is a great time of year to visit. Days are sunny, skies are blue and there isn't too much dust around, so it's a great time for photography.

August

The migration is now in full swing in the Masai Mara, with lots of river crossing action, so if you want to see those massive herds of wildebeest and zebra, now is the time to come. Game viewing in general is excellent and it's one of the most popular times of year to visit, so some of the main parks do become crowded. Temperatures are warm and dry.

September

Game viewing continues to be excellent, and the weather is generally dry so this is another ideal month to visit Kenya's parks. The bush is less dense and as animals gather around waterholes and rivers it makes wildlife spotting much easier.

October

October is a great time if you want to avoid the crowds and don't mind the temperature slowly starting to rise. There may be a few short showers, but game viewing remains excellent with the end of the migration, and it's a good time to holiday anywhere in Kenya.

November

November heralds the start of the 'short rains' and with hotter temperatures some camps are closed. The Mara however is still open, and despite sometimes stormy skies, game viewing is still good. Fewer crowds and lower prices make this an attractive month to visit. Over on the coast water clarify is good for snorkelling and diving.

December

The 'short rains' are bringing the landscapes back to life, and as the plains start to become green again, wildlife viewing remains good, and it's a great time for birding. Some camps are closed (mainly in the north of Kenya) but many others remain open. The showers tend to fall in the afternoons and don't impact greatly on a safari. Take advantage of reduced visitor numbers and lower prices.

Shirley Newman

What can I say….my son and myself had the most wonderful time in Kenya thanks to the first-class itinerary that Ben and Louise put together for us. We spoke with Ben many times to ensure he ‘got it right’. This was our 2nd visit to Kenya, and it certainly lived up to our expectations and memories. We stayed in four locations, firstly at the wonderful El Karama Lodge, Laikipia Wildlife Conservancy, where we even had a visit from Ruth from Far and Wild! Then, for a return visit, to Saruni Samburu, which is absolutely stunning and still one of our favourite places in the world. Next came Basecamp Mara Camp, where we saw our first Cheetah, the only animal we didn’t see on our first visit. After that, onto the wonderful Leopards Hill in the Naiboisho Conservancy, what a way to spend the last four days of this trip. Here we finally spent many hours with a beautiful leopard. Throughout our time in Kenya, we saw many lions, giraffes, elephants, ostriches, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards, to name just a few. Nothing was too much trouble for all the staff; we cannot have been looked after any better. Since our return again Ben phoned to see how it went in addition to emails. I would highly recommend Far and Wild; they are so knowledgeable and have personally visited the lodges and areas. We are already planning another visit, and we cannot wait.

16 Aug 2025
Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

17 Sept 2025
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

31 Jul 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

3 Jul 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

28 Jun 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

5 Jun 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

5 Jun 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

5 Jun 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

5 Jun 2024

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