Luxury Horse Safari at House in the Wild

You’ll book your flights to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where you’ll be met at the airport for a short drive to Wilson Airport. If you arrive the day before, we can book you a hotel in Nairobi, and even arrange some activities like a visist to the Giraffe Centre of Sheldricks Wildlife Trust. From Wilson, you’ll take a scenic light aircraft flight, giving you incredible views of the landscape below. Landing in the Mara is something special, you’ll be met at the airstrip by a game drive vehicle (and possibly a few herds of zebra and curioug giraffes) and whisked away to your private retreat.

Once you’ve settled in, you’ll have a safety briefing and the manager will chat to you about what to expect over the next few days of your adventure. They’ll help tailor your trip and ensure you get to tick off everything on your bucket list. Tuck in to a decadent lunch or high tea, trying not to pinch yourself.

Then it’s time to head out on your first first ride, an introduction to the horses and the reserve. These rides are deliberately taken at a slower pace to let you enjoy the sunsets and make the most of those Kodak moments provided by the extensive bird- and wildlife. You’ll arrive back at came in the evening light. After a hot shower, drinks and snacks are served in the riverside viewing deck before sitting down to a delicious alfresco dinner. Fall asleep to the sound of the hippos playing in the river below.

Wake up to the sounds of the Mara River and the dawn chorus drifting through the riverine forest. As the sky softens with first light, enjoy a light breakfast before heading out to meet your horse. The morning ride takes you deep into the conservancy, following ancient wildlife pathways and moving quietly through
open plains, acacia woodland and along the riverbanks. Riding among giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and antelope is a magical experience, and with luck you may encounter elephant, buffalo or even big cats as they move through their territories. From horseback, you travel far beyond where vehicles can go, feeling
truly immersed in the landscape and its wildlife.

After a rewarding morning in the saddle, return to the lodge for a relaxed lunch and time to rest. The middle of the day is perfect for a swim in the pool, a quiet moment in the gardens overlooking the river, or simply watching hippos wallow in the water below. As the afternoon light begins to soften, you head out once more, either for a gentle evening ride or a scenic game drive through the conservancy. This is one of the most beautiful times of day, when the Mara glows gold and the wildlife becomes more active.

Sundowners are often enjoyed in a peaceful spot overlooking the plains or beside the river as the sun slips below the horizon. Back at the lodge, freshen up before gathering for dinner in the main lounge or beneath the stars. Share stories from the day, relive close encounters and enjoy delicious food paired with the sounds of the African night around you.

For non-riders, there is a wide range of activities to enjoy, from game drives, guided nature walks, photography lessons and cultural visits, to a memorable trip to the nearby rhino sanctuary. Those seeking a slower pace can savour bush picnics and sundowners, unwind by the pool or spa, or simply watch wildlife
gather along the river. No two days are ever the same, with each bringing a fresh perspective and a new adventure in this beautiful corner of the Mara.

On your last day, enjoy a tranquil morning at the lodge, followed by a last game drive to the airstrip. Then you’ll board your light aircraft flight back to Nairobi, or onwards to Laikipia, the Kenyan Coast or Zanzibar. We can great an incredible safari combining various destinations in East Africa. 

Horse riding is one of the most unique ways to experience the Masai Mara, allowing guests to move quietly through the landscape alongside wildlife. The herd of well-schooled horses is based at the nearby Mara Training Centre, around 15 minutes from the lodge, with rides available for all experience levels. Gentle rides through the Naretoi sanctuary are perfect for beginners and families, often passing giraffe and zebra along the way, while stronger riders can enjoy longer rides and fast canters across the Enonkishu Conservancy. Early mornings are particularly magical, ending with a bush breakfast surrounded by the sounds of the African bush.

Please note there is a rider weight limit of 85kg. Riding hats and chaps are provided for those who don’t have their own. There is a maximum of 8 guests per ride, keeping it intimate and personal. Riding in the conservancy is suitable for riders aged 12 years and older with good riding competence, while younger children can enjoy shorter rides around the lodge. This is a perfect place for a safe and enjoyable introduction to riding in Africa, or for experienced riders seeking an adventure.

House in the Wild is wonderfully suited to families, with activities designed to engage children of all ages both on and off safari. Young guests can learn traditional Maasai skills and games, from jumping competitions and beadwork to trying a bow and arrow or learning how to milk cows. Around the lodge, there are lawns for badminton, volleyball and ping pong, as well as a swimming pool perfect for warm afternoons between activities. On safari, guides encourage curiosity and exploration, helping children connect with wildlife, nature and conservation in a fun and memorable way.

The conservancies surrounding House in the Wild offer exceptional wildlife viewing with very few other safari vehicles. Experienced guides know the Enonkishu, Lemek and Ol Chorro Oiruwa conservancies intimately, with big cats, elephants and plains game regularly seen just minutes from the lodge. More than 350 bird species have also been recorded in the area. Wildlife always takes priority here, with strict conservancy rules ensuring quiet, respectful sightings and no more than five vehicles at any encounter. Game drives take place in open-sided safari vehicles and can be tailored around guest interests and pace.

Exploring the Mara on foot offers a completely different perspective on the landscape. Guided walks focus on the smaller details often missed from a vehicle, from animal tracks and bird calls to medicinal plants and the signs wildlife leaves behind. Walking through the conservancy with an experienced guide is a wonderfully immersive way to slow down, tune into the bush and experience the sights, sounds and scents of the African wilderness more intimately.

E-bike rides offer a fun and active way to explore the conservancy and surrounding communities. Cycle alongside giraffe and zebra through the Naretoi sanctuary, visit the Mara Training Centre to see local women creating beadwork, soaps and candles, or ride through nearby villages and farmland where children often run alongside with huge smiles and enthusiastic waves. The electric bikes make it easy to cover ground while still enjoying the slower pace and atmosphere of life in the Mara.

Cultural visits offer an authentic insight into everyday Maasai life and the communities surrounding the conservancy. Local Maasai guides may invite guests to visit their family homes or nearby Emarti Primary and Secondary Schools, where visitors are always warmly welcomed by the students and teachers. Evenings at the lodge are sometimes accompanied by traditional Maasai singing and dancing around the lawn at sunset, creating a lively and memorable atmosphere before dinner.

Founded by Tarquin and Lippa Wood, the Mara Training Centre is a creative and educational hub focused on conservation, sustainability and community empowerment. Guests can learn about sustainable rangeland management and ongoing efforts to restore and protect the natural environment alongside local Maasai communities. Visits may include meeting the women behind Women in the Wild, where traditional beadwork, soap making, candle making and seed planting all take place. There is also the one-acre Wild Shamba vegetable garden, supplying fresh produce for the lodge kitchen and showcasing sustainable farming practices in the Mara.

On the slopes of Kileleoni Hill in Ol Chorro Conservancy, guests have the rare opportunity to walk with white rhinos accompanied by experienced armed rangers. The sanctuary is home to two habituated but wild rhinos, Queen Elizabeth and Kofi Annan, who are protected and monitored around the clock. This is an extraordinary chance to experience these remarkable animals on foot while learning more about rhino conservation and the work being done to protect them.