• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The Murdoch Method

Horseback Riding Instruction Redefined

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • About
    • About Wendy Murdoch
    • Curriculum Vitae
    • Reviews
  • Clinics
    • 2023 Clinic Schedule
    • Types of Clinics
    • Courses & Workshops
    • Clinic Request Form
    • Participant Feedback
    • Private Intensives
  • SURE FOOT
    • SURE FOOT Pads – Where to Start?
    • BUY SURE FOOT
    • Register Pads
    • SURE FOOT Videos
    • SURE FOOT Case Studies
    • SURE FOOT FAQs
    • Find A Practitioner
    • Online Courses
  • Resources
    • Murdoch Minutes
    • Free Video Lessons
    • In Wendy’s Library
    • Articles
    • Interviews
    • Recommended Books & DVDS
    • Blog
    • Follow Wendy’s Articles
    • Links
  • Shop
    • SURE FOOT Equine Pads
    • Webinars with Wendy
    • From Wendy Murdoch
    • Health
    • Rare Books
    • The Book Case
    • DVDs
    • Rider Aids
  • Safari
  • Contact
    • My Account
    • Checkout
    • Cart
Home / Horseback Safari / 2010 Riding through the Masai Mara, Kenya on Horseback

2010 Riding through the Masai Mara, Kenya on Horseback

by Wendy Murdoch

Fording the river. There had been rain for the last two weeks even though this was supposed to be the dry season.
Fording the river. There had been rain for the last two weeks even though this was supposed to be the dry season.

As dawn arrives mid-safari we head out for the “long day”, a ride of over 40km. Our camp moves from one side of the high plains to the other. The entire 8-day ride – over 250 km (150 miles) is without fences, gates or boarders other than river crossings. Although it was supposed to be the dry season, rain had come early to the Masai Mara and it is lush and green, as I would imagine of Ireland. The river crossings create detours for the vehicles as a horseback safari of 11 guests and over 14 crew move from one camp to another every 2 days. We stayed at 4 different campsites, made three complete moves with horses, kitchen (whip cream topped deserts and yoghurt dressed the breakfast table), tents, vehicles and dog over the course of 9 days in February 2010.

The staff took care of our every need providing delicious meals, comfortable beds (Brad and I had a double bed!), hot showers, drinks by the fire in the evening, polished boots for the next day’s ride and of course took excellent care of the horses, who bravely carried us across this expansive land past herds of zebra, giraffe, cape buffalo, elephants, impala and much, much more.The journey began many years ago when I met Mary Robinson of Horsing Around International at the Miami Airport in the late 1990’s. She asked if I would like to take a group on Safari to Africa. We did two trips to Botswana together at a base camp horseback safari company and then our lives went separate ways for quite a while.

Viewing a bull elephant from horseback.
Viewing a bull elephant from horseback.

In 2006 Mary and I reconnected as she had moved from Alaska to Oregon. Mary organized a clinic for me and I stayed in her home. Here was an enormous reminder of Africa, the books, art, photos and decorations all brought back the magic of the first two trips. And so the seed for another safari began to germinate. Mary, of course, poured water on it and I found fertile soil in my next clinic where several people jumped at the idea of going to the Masai Mara, Kenya. The omens were favorable as one student (and future safari member) was watching Out of Africa on TV and had West with the Night by Beryl Markham on her side table. It seems that fate had a hand in my decision to return to Africa – only this time to Kenya.

Mary has organized horseback safaris with Safaris Unlimited, Ltd, Nairobi, Kenya since 1977. Founded by Kenyan born Tony Church and now owned and operated by his son Gordon Church, Safaris Unlimited provided horses for Meryl Streep in the movie Out of Africa. Safaris Unlimited (SU) horseback safaris are traveling safaris, unlike many others where you ride out from a base camp each day. SU safaris require that the riders are able to gallop and spend many hours in the saddle. On the long day we head out at dawn and arrive at our new camp by dusk, with a leisurely nap during the heat of the day. As we are just below the Equator day and night are nearly equal, only varying by about 15 minutes from summer to winter solstice.

A zebra foal and his dam.
A zebra foal and his dam.

From horseback one gets an entirely different view of Africa than from the typical safari adventure in a vehicle. On horseback you get a feel for the terrain, the vastness of the land, the expansiveness of the sky and the detail that cannot be experienced inside trundling around in a motorized carriage. On horseback we ford rivers, ride past pods of hippo, rest under a lone tree in the middle of an open plain at lunch and gallop with the game. Passing herds of impala, gazelle, wildebeest, giraffe and elephant time expands, days seem like years when reflecting on all that happened since the sun rose above the curvature of the earth, in this full experience of life on the Masai Mara.

Greeted by Masai, called to by lion and hyena in the dark and finding the thunder box with a flashlight while hoping not to meet the leopard in camp all adds to the meaning of Safari. Colors of pink, gold, blue and white fill the sky and stars so bright they look like diamonds sparkling in the night. Voices of an ancient people singing their Elephant Song around the campfire and sharing tender moments with the new-found equine friend who carries you across the distance bravely and unerringly regardless of the rabbit that jumps up in front of her hoof or the smell of lion in the air. These are the memories that call to me as I sit at my computer once again.

Going on horseback safari is a once in a lifetime trip for most of people who have traveled with me to the Masai Mara. Those who went in 2008 recall it as a life-changing experience. “After my marriage, the birth of my daughter and the birth of my granddaughter, this was the most profound experience of my life”, said one gentleman who rode with us. And now having just returned home with another group there is the consensus that this trip “exceeded all my expectations”. And now having been there twice, I realize that riding with Safaris Unlimited across the plains of the Masai Mara is either a once in a life time experience or an addiction where you are compelled to return time after time to renew friendships, purpose, serenity, laughter and joy with the wonders that are Africa. For me going back this time was like returning home. The crew, some of whom are now second generation employees of SU, have become family. My arrival in camp was as if I had never left with laughter, hugs and smiles all around. The land, the people, the wildlife, the vast sky and fertile earth all call me back for another adventure. I will head Out to Africa again with another group of riders to share this incredible experience in September 2011.

Wendy Murdoch resides in Washington, VA and is an international riding instructor/clinician. She travels worldwide teaching riders of all levels and disciplines how to improve the horse’s performance by improving their body position. Her book,Simplify Your Riding and DVDs Simplify Your Riding – Ride Like A Natural Part 1 –3are available at www: murdochmethod.com. To contact Wendy please email wendy@wendymurdoch.com.

Filed Under: Horseback Safari

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Primary Sidebar

Your Cart

Article Categories

  • Courses & Workshops
  • Horseback Riding Video Lessons
  • Horseback Safari
  • In Wendy's Library
  • Interviews
  • Murdoch Minutes
  • Past Event Archive
  • Podcast
  • Related Equine Articles
  • Reviews
  • SURE FOOT Case Studies
  • SURE FOOT Videos
  • Tails from the Trail
  • Top News
  • Uncategorized

Performance Resources

  • Downloadable Products
  • DVDs
  • FREE Downloads
  • From Wendy Murdoch
  • Health
  • Online Courses
  • Rare Books
  • Rider Aids
  • SURE FOOT Equine Pads
  • The Book Case
  • Webinars with Wendy

Quick Links

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Register SURE FOOT
  • My Account
  • Checkout
  • Cart

Footer

RIDE WITH WENDY MURDOCH

ALL ABOUT SURE FOOT

STABILIZATION! IT’S AT OUR CORE


Copyright © 2023 The Murdoch Method LLC
All trademarks, photographs, and text on this website are the property of The Murdoch Method, LLC.
Any unauthorized use is expressly prohibited.
Privacy + Terms & Conditions

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT