Ride with the Wild: The Ultimate Safari in the Maasai Mara
Riding right alongside Africa’s legendary wildlife is truly an adventure of a lifetime. Sharing this incredible experience with Amber Marshall? Now THAT is a one-in-a-million safari! Join Amber, star of Heartland, and discover Kenya’s vast savannah wilderness from the best possible vantage point: on horseback!
“Riding alongside Amber Marshall was a dream come true. She was so kind, lovely and down to earth.”
– Jill from Canada
“Riding alongside Amber, her husband, and Katie was incredibly special, and from the very beginning, our group just clicked. There was an ease and connection that made it feel as though we’d known each other far longer than a week, sharing laughter, stories, and unforgettable moments both in and out of the saddle.”
– Tamera from Australia
Globetrotting with the Stars
Explore the globe with your equestrian heroes
Meet your host
Amber Marshall is a Canadian actress best known for her portrayal of Amy Fleming on the beloved family drama series ‘Heartland.’ Born and raised in Ontario, Amber’s passion for acting and animals blossomed at an early age.
Learn moreTrip Highlights
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Swimming your horse across the murky Mara River while hippos blow bubbles upstream
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Cantering along sandy riverbeds fringed with acacias
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Weaving through a herd of curious giraffes
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Galloping beside wildebeest and zebra under a bruised African sky
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Being hypnotised by Maasai warriors dancing at sunset
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Pinching yourself as you fulfill two dreams at once: riding with Amber Marshall AND seeing Africa’s big game!
Details
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Riding levels
Strong intermediate to advanced. In order to enjoy the safari and for the safety of all the riders and horses, guests should be capable and experienced riders, comfortable at all paces (walk, trot, canter, gallop) and able to get out of trouble calmly and at the necessary speed. You should be balanced, with an independent seat and fit enough to ride 4 – 7 hours per day.
Not sure what your riding ability is? See the definitions below.
- Type of tack
English general purpose Wintec saddles and leather saddles. Seat savers are available.
- Horse breed
Thoroughbred and Thoroughbred cross.
- Accommodation
Spacious 10ft x 9ft sleeping tents with camp bed, linen, bedside table, hurricane lamp. There is a toilet tent for each double tent and hot showers are always available.
- Pace
Moderate to fast. On days when you move camp, there will be long stretches of trotting and cantering for minutes at a time.
- Weight limit
A maximum of 95kg / 210lbs.
It is VERY important that you provide your current weight accurately when booking. If your weight is not accurate, we cannot guarantee that your hosts will have a horse for you to ride.
- Group size
A maximum of 10 riding guests and 4 non-riders.
- Minimum age
14 years of age
- Time in Saddle
On average, 4 to 7 hours in the saddle each day. A picnic lunch is carried in saddle bags on moving days with 1 to 2 hour lunch stops. Some walking on foot is necessary over the rough terrain.
- When to go
There is no winter or summer due to the proximity of the equator. There are two rainy seasons: November and April/May. The hottest months are February/March and September/October.
- Languages
Instructions spoken in English.
Guides speak English and Swahili.
What’s included (and what’s not)
Included
- All conservation and park fees
- Full board accommodation
- All food and drinks including alcohol (except champagne)
- All riding activities
- Game drives (day & night) and game walks
- Private return charter flight from Nairobi to/from the Maasai Mara
- Transfers associated with the safari (pick up/drop off in Nairobi on first and last days)
- Dayroom in Nairobi on the last day (if required)
- Flying Doctors Membership (Air-Evac to Nairobi)
Excluded
- International flights
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Single supplement at $100 USD per night (if not willing to share)
- Champagne
- Staff gratuities
- Any accommodation/activities outside the itinerary
- Accommodation in Nairobi 2 nights pre-ride
- Meals in Nairobi pre-ride
- Entrance fees to attractions in Nairobi
- Transfers in Nairobi (airport transfer upon arrival, plus driver hire for city tour)
Departure dates and prices
Instalment plans available
Lock in your ride with a 10% deposit and pay the rest over time – interest-free in 10 easy payments. Learn more.
Per person
2027
Maasai Mara Ride with Amber Marshall
February 2027
As well as our usual booking terms and conditions, there are a few supplementary conditions for booking this ride which we will discuss with you upon receiving your booking request. Amber’s team will have the final say on all booking approvals.
Specific dates will be provided upon approval of your booking.
We'll email you — you'll be among the first to hear when new departure dates are released.
The fun bits
Payment details
- A fixed Booking Fee of $109 USD
- All bookings are charged in the local currency of the ride destination.
- Accepted payment method is by credit or debit card only.
Cancellation policy
We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel your ride, please let us know as soon as possible. Cancellation fees apply based on how close your departure date is, and deposits are non-refundable. We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect your booking. Read our full cancellation policy.
International fees
If you're paying in a currency different from your own, your bank may charge a conversion or international transaction fee.
Please note
Just a heads up, as well as our usual booking terms and conditions, there are a few supplementary conditions for booking this ride, which you’ll need to read before submitting your booking request. Additionally, Amber and her team have the final say on all booking approvals.
Itinerary
Please note, this is a suggested itinerary only and subject to change at the discretion of your guides due to weather and other influencing factors. It can also be run in either direction.
Guests should aim to spend their first night (or two) in Nairobi to rest and recover from jet lag before it comes time to swing a leg over the saddle.
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Day Before: Nairobi
We recommend you arrive in Nairobi two nights prior to when your ride begins. We will be arranging group accommodation at a charming guesthouse in a leafy outer suburb, and it’s from here you’ll be able to spend a day seeing the sights of Nairobi and recovering from jet lag.
A portion of the ride price is a charitable donation to an organisation chosen by Amber herself – the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The SWT is a pioneering conservation organisation dedicated to protecting wildlife and preserving natural habitats across East Africa. It is best known for its world-leading work in rescuing, hand-raising, and reintegrating orphaned elephants and rhinos back into the wild. Beyond its Orphans’ Project, the Trust also runs anti-poaching, veterinary, and habitat protection initiatives to safeguard entire ecosystems.
We’ve arranged a private viewing at feeding time the morning before your ride begins, so you can see where your donation dollars are going. You’ll be able to interact with the orphaned baby elephants as they enjoy their breakfast, relax in a mud bath, watch them play and interact under the careful guidance of their keepers. It is an intimate and quietly moving experience, offering a rare window into each elephant’s personality and the remarkable work being done to return them to the wild.
After this, we recommend you visit Giraffe Centre and Karen Blixen Museum, and if there’s still time a visit to Kazuri Beads is also a highlight.
Then it will be back to your accommodation for a good night’s sleep before heading into the Mara tomorrow to start your ride.
Please note: Accommodation whilst in Nairobi, meals, transfers and entrance fees are not included in the ride price and are at your own expense.
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Day 1: Arrival
2 hours in the saddleYou will be collected from your Nairobi Hotel around 8.30am this morning and transferred to the domestic airport for a charter flight into the Maasai Mara. It is a beautiful flight, passing over the fertile Kikuyu Highlands before reaching the Great Rift Valley. You’ll fly across the volcano-studded floor of the Rift before reaching the Loita Hills and Siana Springs air strip. Your guides will meet you and drive you to your first camp, set up on the banks of the Mara River adjacent to a pool teeming with hippos – their grunting in the night is a special feature of this campsite. Lunch will be served and you will have a little time to relax before meeting your horses and setting off on your first gentle evening ride. Overnight at Mara River Hippo Camp.
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Day 2: Hippo Camp
4 to 5 hours in the saddleYou’ll begin the day with an early morning ride, crossing the Mara River for the first time and returning to camp for a light breakfast. After breakfast a game drive will be on offer. Driving provides better photographic opportunities than riding, and exploring more of this northern part of the Mara has much to offer. You will return in time for lunch and a siesta before setting off on an afternoon ride, returning in good time to shower and maybe set off in the vehicles once more for a sundowner and a short night game drive before supper. Overnight at Mara River Hippo Camp.
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Day 3: Soit Oloololo Escarpment
5 to 6 hours in the saddleThis is your first moving day. Leaving camp after breakfast at about 9am, you’ll head south towards the park boundary where you’ll meet the river again at one of the famous wildebeest crossings. Once you’ve crossed the river ,the route turns southwest across the Mara Triangle, meeting the car with your picnic lunch at around 12:30. After a siesta, you’ll set off again at about 16:00 and ascend the Soit Oloololo Escarpment. You’ll ride into camp at about 17:30 and spend the night overlooking the whole Mara ecosystem. Overnight at Escarpment Soit Oloololo Camp.
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Day 4: Olare Orok Valley
5 to 6 hours in the saddleAfter breakfast at about 9am you’ll descend the escarpment and ride across to the now-familiar wildebeest crossing on the river. Heading in a westerly direction, you’ll descend into the enchanting Olare Orok Valley, with a picnic lunch and siesta at around 12:30-15:30 on the way. Reaching your camp in time for tea at about 17:00, there should also be time to do an evening game drive and sundowners, before supper under the stars. Overnight at Olare Orok Camp.
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Day 5: Olare Orok Camp
4 to 5 hours in the saddleToday you will enjoy a full day of exploring this glorious area on horseback, car and possibly also on foot. There will be excellent photo opportunities as you get close to buffalo, elephant, lion and maybe even cheetah or leopard. Overnight again at Olare Orok Camp.
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Day 6: Olare Lamun
6 to 7 hours in the saddleYour third moving day, this is also the longest ride of the trip, covering nearly 50km. Breaking camp early and setting off at 7.00am, you’ll stop for a picnic breakfast from about 10-11:00. Then you’ll continue on until 13:30 when, after reaching Ol Kinyei Conservancy, you break again for lunch and a siesta. At 16:00 you’ll mount up and ride to your last camp, arriving at Olare Lamun (‘the rhino salt lick’), nestled in a grove of acacia trees by a small stream at the southern edge of the Loita Plains. Overnight at Olare Lamun Camp.
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Day 7: Maasai Village Visit
4 to 5 hours in the saddleAfter an early wake up, your guides will take you out on a morning ride before returning to camp for a light breakfast. You will then set out for a game drive and a beautiful walk up a nearby hill called Oloiburmut, returning to camp for lunch and a siesta. At around 4pm, you will either drive or ride to visit the local Maasai Village – a unique and unforgettable experience. Overnight at Olare Lamun Camp.
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Day 8: Departure
2 hours in the saddleAfter one last morning ride and breakfast, you will say a fond farewell to your new friends and take a transfer to the airstrip. You’ll fly back to Nairobi at around 11:00, landing at Wilson at 12:00. Your hosts will organise a taxi to pick you up and either take you around Nairobi to do some shopping/visits, or to a hotel day room (included), before taking you on to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your evening flight home, or your onward destination.
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Non-riders
Non-riders are warmly welcomed on the Maasai Mara Ride and enjoy their own tailor-made safari experience, complete with a dedicated driver and safari vehicle. You can head out on game drives and guided game walks each day, soaking up the same wildlife encounters and breathtaking landscapes the riders enjoy — just from the comfort of a 4×4 rather than from the saddle. You’ll reunite with the riding group at scenic lunch spots throughout the week, sharing the magic of the Mara together.
Transfer information
We encourage guests to arrive in Nairobi at least two nights prior to the start of your ride so you can enjoy one full day of sightseeing in this city. We have arranged group accommodation at a beautiful Guesthouse in a leafy outer suburb.
Transfers to and from Nairobi regional airport (to the Maasai Mara) are included in your ride price on the first and last day of your ride.
On day 1 of your ride you will be collected from your accommodation between 8-8.30am and transferred to the domestic airport for your regional flight into the Maasai Mara. On the final day you will return to Nairobi between 12-1pm. If you wish to fly home today, please ensure your departing flight is after 6pm.
Please note
Please note, regional flights have a luggage allowance of 15kg / 33lbs maximum.
Accommodation
The mobile tented camp is beautifully set up with a central mess tent for meals and spacious 9ft x 10ft sleeping tents equipped with camp beds, mattresses, sheets and blankets. Towels, soap and torches are provided, and each tent has its own solar lamp, with hurricane lamps glowing outside after dark. Every guest tent has a private long-drop toilet, and hot safari bucket showers are always available to enjoy at the end of the day.
There is a single supplement of $100 USD per night payable if requested, however it’s not compulsory for a single booking as long as guests are prepared to share.
Food
Just a hint, globetrotters — pack a belt with a few extra holes, because you will not go hungry on this safari. All meals are fresh and plentiful, with hearty English breakfasts, light lunches and generous three-course dinners, plus bread baked daily over open fires by exceptionally skilled chefs. Picnics and open-air meals are common when the weather plays along, and the safari team travels fully self-sufficient, right down to carrying their own ice.
House wines, beers and spirits are all included (Champagne aside). Please advise us of any dietary requirements or preferences in advance so we can pass them on to your hosts.
Reviews
Kelley F
Barbara V
Angela M
Elliott S
Stacy E
Shelly B
Elizabeth C
7 reviews
Kelley F
‘Simon and Megan were truly amazing. Simon is an encyclopaedia of information and seemed to enjoy sharing his knowledge and love of the animals and the land. He never tired of the barrage of voices asking questions, needing assistance or just wanting to chat for a bit. Megan and Simon seem to communicate without words. They are in harmony with the surrounding environment, the horses and each other. They wear a lot of hats: they are perfect hosts, skilled equestrians, conservation enthusiasts, protectors, and they became friends that I did not want to leave.
The food was incredible. Every meal was fresh and delicious. There is nothing like food prepared over an open fire. My horse, Tinga, was amazing. Well trained, honest, brave, forward and seemingly happy to be on safari. I was happy with the accommodation – I especially loved our second camp high up on the escarpment. The views were incredible. I also loved the mid-day riding break on ‘move days’ when we would ride up to our row of chairs and private little areas set up for us to stretch out and relax. I loved that the horses were untacked, washed in the river, fed and given a well deserved rest. The quality of service, level of care of the horses, attention to detail and safari experience gave me priceless memories.’
Barbara V
‘This ride exceeded my expectations by thousands! Amazing guides, comfortable beds, delicious food, spectacular and challenging rides with time for breaks and rest, well-trained horses selected specifically for each rider. And the wildlife!!’
Angela M
‘The Maasai Mara ride is incredible! I’ve wanted to visit Africa and do a horseback safari for 35 years, and this experience exceeded my wildest dreams. The ecosystem is stunning; we saw the Big Five and so much more. The guides are so knowledgeable and passionate about what they do; they have many interesting stories to share and made sure we experienced as much as possible during our trip. The horses are amazing; they know their job and are looked after incredibly well. My fellow globetrotters were so much fun and quickly became new friends. This was the most exhilarating adventure, and I hope one day I’m able to return.’
Elliott S
‘This was an outstanding adventure travel experience. The entire trip, from the pick up at our hotel at the start to the drop off at the end, was professionally run. The camps were wonderful and the food was delicious. I rode Alfredo, a wonderful, very willing horse with a smooth canter. He climbed in and out of the many gullies gently, but without hesitation.
The lion and elephant encounters on horseback were extraordinary. We loved the long canters on the open plains, and crossing the Mara just downstream from the crocodiles was amazing. Every day was different and wonderful.
Simon is perhaps the most gifted trip leader I’ve ever met, and I have taken dozens of hiking, cycling and kayaking trips and multiple African safaris. He’s extremely capable and professional and made us feel safe at all times. He’s a great naturalist, a wonderful host and projects an infectious enthusiasm for the adventure. Miranda was also a huge plus on the trip. She is a fabulous rider and a natural hostess, funny, inclusive, kind and helpful.
The whole trip was challenging, entertaining, enlightening and a ton of fun.’
Stacy E
‘The trip of a lifetime. So much more than I imagined. Cantering with giraffes, galloping with wildebeest, camping next to hippos, lying awake at night listening to their grunting and hearing the lions, hyenas and zebras in the distance. The Maasai Mara is one amazing place.
All the horses were in great nick and well cared for. My horse, Mzima, could not have been matched anymore perfectly. Soft mouth, responsive and keen every day.
Simon and Imogen – wow. There was no question about Kenya, the culture, the animals, or the ride itself that these two couldn’t answer. Both obviously love their job, love their country and love sharing it with globetrotters. They were very attentive, and always approachable and happy to help. The staff were all fantastic and catered for us guests so well. We were always looking forward to the yummy food – it was creative, plentiful, and most of all so good!
This trip was absolutely worth every cent. From the moment you’re picked up to go on the plane, life is so well catered for and there’s nothing to worry about. From the amazing meals to the amazing horses, the candlelit dinners, all the staff that put the camp up and take it down, boots being polished, hot water to wash your face each morning, the steaming hot showers, right down to the hot water bottles in your bed at night, everything was covered and it was the best.
You walk away with a lifetime of memories and some lovely friends. 10 outta 10 for this epic ride.’
Shelly B
‘We had a fantastic time on the seven day Maasai Mara ride, with great horses, wonderful hosts, amazing wildlife, beautiful scenery and loads of fun. Hugh rode Mars and I rode Posie, and we were both happy with our horses. Megan did an excellent job of matching horses to riders and all the horses were in great condition, well looked after and fed really well.
Both Simon and Megan were exceptional, friendly, easy to chat with and good fun. They also knew about the animals, birds and landscapes. The food was fantastic and the tented accommodation was very comfy.
The wildlife was amazing. We saw a beautiful pride of lions 10 minutes after arriving on the plane. The elephants, giraffe and all the other game were also fantastic. We even saw a leopard and an aardvark, which is quite unusual. Each day brought new sights, animals and landscapes. Although we only rode for a few hours a day, it was enough. We enjoyed being able to go out in the vehicle when we weren’t riding and at night, were very fortunate to witness the lionesses hunting at close range. The afternoon siesta was a treat, too.’
Elizabeth C
‘I just returned from the Maasai Mara ride and it was over the top. Amazing trip, horses, guests, guides, game, food, scenery… best ever! The safari team was top of the heap. Amazing attention to detail and so much fun to be with. The guides were all so experienced, amazing riders, funny, entertaining, knowledgeable, accommodating. I can’t say enough. A+.
Every day we had to pinch ourselves – just when we thought you couldn’t top what we did or saw, the next ride proved even more exciting. From a hot air balloon ride, to being in the middle of a pride of 22 lions in the dark, to galloping alongside a herd of giraffe, to crossing the Mara river (twice) full of hippos and crocodiles… Evenings spent by the campfire, incredible food and drink as we recounted the day’s events, then falling into to bed in my tent with a hot water bottle between my sheets. Everyone who met me, greeted me, drove me, worked at the hotel, etc was absolutely wonderful; I felt very safe and comfortable being a single woman traveling, and that was a big plus for me.’
What's my riding level?
Not sure what your riding level is? Watch our videos to see all our levels.
Beginner
Reasonably confident riding a horse at a walk, a rising trot, and learning to canter.
Intermediate
Confident and in control riding at all paces outside an arena, but not riding regularly. Comfortable and competent using aids {the language of your leg, seat and hands} to communicate with your horse.
Strong Intermediate
An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly outside of an arena and is fit enough to ride for at least six hours per day. Strong intermediate riders are comfortable and competent in all three gaits; able to post or sit to the trot; have an independent seat while cantering (don’t hold onto the saddle); and can pick up the correct canter lead. They can also navigate more complex terrain, including asking a horse to sidestep and jump over a small obstacle.
Advanced
A frequent rider who is very fit, comfortable in the saddle for at least six hours per day, and has an independent seat and soft hands. Advanced riders are confident on a forward-moving horse at all paces over rough and variable ground on open terrain. They can ride over small jumps and know the techniques used to collect a horse
Not sure? Contact our team to help you figure out your riding ability.
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