Horseback Safari in Northern Tanzania

Day 1: Dolly Polo Estate

Arrive in Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer by road (around 45 minutes from the airport) to the Dolly Polo Estate where the horses are based. Settle into your accommodation and enjoy lunch in the clubhouse. 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, enjoy watching 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 Mt Meru, at an additional cost. Gather for sundowners at the club and enjoy a relaxed evening and dinner before retiring to one of the comfortable en suite tents with views out toward Mount Kilimanjaro.

Day 2: Lolkisale Mobile Camp

Early today, the horses will be driven by lorry to the Lolkisale ranch to the east of Tarangire, where you will ride over the next couple of days. Enjoy breakfast and depart 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 3.5- 4 hours through rural Maasai land until you reach camp.

Arrive in time for lunch and spend time relaxing before going on an afternoon ride, exploring the open plains, home to a variety of plains game including zebra, giraffe, lesser kudu and gerenuk. Predators are rarely seen, but do cross through the area occasionally, so you need to be competent and confident enough to ride away from danger at short notice and always follow your riding guide’s instructions. Return to camp for sundowners and a shower before dinner around the campfire.

Day 3: Lolkisale Mobile Camp

You’ll spend a full day riding today, exploring this vast ranch area, riding alongside herds of wildebeest and enjoying a mixture of walking and cantering. You’ll enjoy a bush lunch in a remote location, with time to rest yourselves and your horses 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 visit these villages. Return to camp for an afternoon siesta, followed by sundowners and another evening of storytelling around the fire, stargazing and resting your tired limbs after an exhilarating day.

Day 4: Tarangire National Park

Enjoy a short sunrise ride this morning before returning to camp for a hearty brunch. You’ll set off in the Series 1 Land Rovers for the eastern gate to Tarangire National Park, approximately 2 hours’ drive, where you will be dropped off and met by your onward safari camp or safari guide and vehicle for the next stage of your safari.

Please note, the exact outline of the itinerary is subject to adjustments due to movement of game and weather conditions to ensure the best possible experience for guests as well as ensuring suitable terrain for the horses and Land Rovers.