Riding Safari & Gorilla Trek & Tour Operators
 

I'm looking into a horseback riding safari (Name: Eco-Safari in Kenya) with "HiddenTrails." Has anyone been on this horseback safari or used the company HiddenTrails for travel?

Also, has anyone used the tour operator Travelust for an Uganda gorilla trek?

I'd like anyone's thoughts or comments on the above if you've had experiences with them. I just wanted to gather some info on the tour operators before making any committed decisions.

Thanks for your help out there!!

Lambiris

Sounds interesting, do you know who the local operator of the horseback safari is?

Patty,

I don't know the name of the local operator. I do know they use the Sandai & Olea Africana lodge. I can't seem to gather information anywhere.

I've stayed at Olea Africana and Petra is a great host. Now that I think about it she did mention that she had some riders who were doing a lodge to lodge ride stay there after we left, but I don't think that this is something she organized. Well at the very least, you can find some info on Olea Africana in my trip report - http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34719569

And photos here (starts with #34)- http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-r5e7ji

When are you thinking of going? I'd love to hear how it went if you decide to do it.

llambiris you might want to try Safaris Unlimited in Kenya they have been operating horseback safaris for 40 years and Gordy church is a great guy to do a trip with. http://www.safarisunlimited.com/

Thanks guys. I'm looking into both places. Patty, could you tell me what it was like at Olea Africana? I've been to the website....or, do you have any photos. What do you do there? Any good views of game animals?

I stayed at Olea Africana for 2 nights as part of a longer safari (starts on Day 4 of my trip report). You can access my photos through the Kodakgallery link I posted above. There are two guest cottages that can sleep 3 each and meals are taken in the dining room of Petra's home (owner and host). I thought the food was very good.

We used it as a base for exploring Solio reserve and Aberdare NP nearby. You're unlikely to see big game at Olea Africana as it's located in a small farming community, not a wilderness area. We didn't go riding from there so I'm not sure where the riding would take place and what you would see.

If you want game viewing rides, you can also look into www.horsebackinkenya.com on El Karama Ranch. The game viewing is very good on the ranch and although we didn't do any riding there, I think it would be a great location for riding.

We enjoyed our riding safari organized through Makoa Farm www.makoa-farm.com last year, though this is in northern Tanzania and not Kenya (details are also in my trip report, scroll down to the last few days).

Here are my photos from the riding safari in Tanzania - http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-dle0fg

Patty,

Fab pics! I'd love to talk to you if you have any time and if it's okay with you. You seem to really have a great feel for what you accomplished! I live in Ohio. Thanks again for your replies!

Thanks, llambris. Sure, send an email to pchang1972 at yahoo dot com.