Highlights
- Watch wildlife grazing around your luxury lodge
- Explore Tarangire National Park by horseback
- Spot giraffes, zebras & wildebeest on the Tanzanian plains
- Spend evenings stargazing around the campfire
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Arusha, Meet the Horses & Polo Lesson | Arusha |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Lolkisale Ranch, Afternoon Ride on the Plains | Tarangire National Park |
| Day 3 | Full-Day Ride in Lolkisale | Tarangire National Park |
| Day 4 | Sunrise Ride, Return to Arusha & Departure |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Arusha, Meet the Horses & Polo Lesson
Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival, you'll transfer to tonight's accommodation at the Giraffe Residence on the Dolly Estate, a boutique wildlife lodge in a peaceful, leafy area of Arusha. Get settled in and enjoy lunch by the pool, watching herds of wildlife grazing nearby. In the afternoon, you’ll meet your horses and try your hand at polo with one of the instructors, learning some of the basics of stick and ball. Alternatively, if you time your visit right, you can catch one of the regular polo matches in the late afternoon/early evening (normally on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays).
An optional extra is a scenic helicopter ride over Mount Meru (at an additional cost). As evening falls, gather for cocktails at the polo club before returning to the residence in time for dinner.Day 2: Transfer to Lolkisale Ranch, Afternoon Ride on the Plains
Early today, the horses will be trailered to the Lolkisale Ranch to the east of Tarangire National Park, where you will ride over the next couple of days. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the Giraffe Residence, then depart for the ranch in style in vintage Series 1 Land Rovers with your guides. Once you leave Arusha, you’ll be driving off-road and journeying south for around three to four hours through rural Maasai land until you reach camp.
Arrive in time for lunch and spend time relaxing before going on an afternoon ride. Explore the open plains, home to a variety of wildlife including zebra, giraffe, lesser kudu, and gerenuk. Predators are rarely seen but do cross through the area occasionally, so you need to be a competent and confident enough rider to follow your riding guide’s instructions. Return to camp for sundowners and a shower before dinner around the campfire.Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Full-Day Ride in Lolkisale
You’ll spend a full day riding today, exploring the vast ranch area, riding alongside herds of wildebeest, and enjoying a fun mixture of walking, trotting, and cantering. Enjoy a bush lunch in a remote location, with time to rest in the shade before continuing your adventures in the afternoon.
There are various villages and Maasai settlements nearby that you can visit, offering a truly genuine experience, as tourists rarely reach these villages. Return to camp for an afternoon siesta, followed by drinks, dinner, and another evening of storytelling around the fire, stargazing and resting your tired limbs after an exhilarating day.Day 4: Sunrise Ride, Return to Arusha & Departure
Enjoy a short sunrise ride this morning before returning to camp for a hearty brunch. Then you’ll set off in the Series 1 Land Rovers back to Arusha, where you'll be transferred to the airport to catch your departing flight. Safe travels!
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