Patty

We're considering a short horseback safari/farm stay through Makoa Farm. The horseback safari portion would take place on nearby Ndarakwai Ranch with overnight fly camping. We'd then stay a couple of extra nights at the farm. The owner of the farm, Elisabeth, has been very responsive and helpful and is willing to do a private trip just for the 2 of us. The cost is very reasonable. She's also provided me with email contacts for references and so far, the two that I've heard back from have been very positive. The pictures she sent of the farm cottages look nice too.

Just wondering if anyone here has any input about the farm or ranch. Or any general comments (weather, scenery, etc.) about the area we'll be riding in. From what I could gather, the farm is located on the southern slope of Kilimanjaro about 40 minutes from JRO airport and near Machame(?) and the ranch is another 90 minutes from the farm on the western slope. This would be for sometime in November.

Has anyone gone on a horseback safari in Tanzania? Anything we should be particularly aware of other than making sure we don't piss off any elephants? Thanks!

tulip44

I'm also researching some horseback riding at the beginning or end of a scheduled safari. I've been talking with www.africa-adventure.com who is suggesting I could ride at Ndarakwai Ranch. I don't have any information on this ranch or the cost of lodging and riding. My goal is to ride amongst some giraffes and other wildlife. I've been told this possible. I'd like to hear about what you've learned about the Ndarakwai Ranch.

climbhighsleeplow

Patty & Tulip

I am staying at Ndarakwai Ranch in 2 weeks.

Will report back here once I'm back in Arusha a few days later. Is there anything specific you want me to look at? I am an inexperienced rider so I will certainly give you an opinion from a "beginners" point of view!
Eben

atravelynn

Will they let inexperienced riders go? Somehow I thought you had to be fairly proficient on horseback for these rides amongst the game.

Looking forward to your report.

Patty

Eben,
Did you organize this directly through Ndarakwai Ranch or another outfitter? I know a few different outfitters offer horseback safaris on Ndarakwai Ranch, so I'm curious which one you selected. I'm also surprised to hear your comment about being an inexperienced rider as Makoa Farm was rather adamant about taking only experienced riders on game viewing rides. I guess it depends on who you book through and what their policy is.

Will you be staying at the tented camp? How many nights and how much riding do you plan to do? I'd love to hear more details of your trip and of a course, a report when you return. I'd be interested to know what game you were able to see and what the temperatures were like. I'm a bit concerned that it might be very hot where the ranch is located.

Thanks very much for your help!

tulip44,
Here's the website for Ndarakwai Ranch - www.ndarakwai.com - although it doesn't mention anything specifically about riding. But you can see some pictures of what the area looks like. I've only been in contact with Makoa Farm - www.makoa-farm.com - there are prices for sample trips on their website. They offer overnight or multiple night fly camping/riding safaris on the ranch (there's also the option to stay at the tented camp for additional cost). They move their horses from the farm to the ranch the day before the start of your safari.

tulip44

Eben,
I'll look forward to hearing your report. I'd be interesting in the amount of riding you got to do in one day, what type of riding, (all walking or some faster speeds, what game you saw, what was was like staying at the ranch. I'm mainly interested in seeing giraffe and everything else will be a great bonus. I'm told the horses will have to be brought into the ranch because they are not kept there. My trip is over a year away but I'm ready to go now!

Patty,
Thanks for the website. I'll take a look and see what additional questions I might have.