Kenya ~ Sosian Lodge
Comfortable safari lodge, flexible stay, available year round (except May). Suitable for riders and non-riders, families, couples and mixed groups.
Where On central Kenya's Laikipia Plateau, an area bordered by the Great Rift Valley to the west, the Aberdares to the south and Mount Kenya to the southeast.
What is it like Over the last 20 years, the focus at Sosian, like many of the privately owned conservancies on the Laikipia Plateau, has been to restore land that was once intensively used for cattle, to game. The landscape is rolling acacia-covered hills and rocky sided valleys leading to the fast flowing Ewaso Nyiro river. The acacia woodland attracts large numbers of beautiful reticulated giraffe, you might see grevy's zebra and its rarely without a pack of wild dog. Over 2000 elephant migrate across the plateau between Mount Kenya and Samburu, there are numerous cats, buffalo, many different antelope, hippo, crocodile and more.
Who does it suit Couples, families, groups with mixed interests, anyone wanting to ride. Its comfortable and stylish, very welcoming and relaxed and all safaris are personalised. There's a choice of game viewing by horse, by vehicle and on foot, swimming, camel safaris, fly camping, fishing, tubing, tennis, picnics, BBQs, relaxation. Add a few days on the Kenyan coast and you have the ingredients for one of the best holidays imaginable!
Why we love it Imagine staying with friends - but the service of a great hotel! A completely relaxed ambiance, with lots laid on if you want. Horse, camel, 4x4? Who wants to ride? Lets have a picnic, tube down the river, leap off a waterfall. Lunch by the pool? Lets go fishing. I'll have snooze. Want to see a leopard? Chill or thrill? Good fun, good food, good friends - the best family fun ever!
SUMMARY
Riding: tailored to suit, up to 6 hours a day
Horses: South African Boerperd crosses, Criollo cross, polo ponies, TB, TB cross (some children's ponies)
Pace: moderate and varied (tailored to suit)
Riding ability: confident novice to experienced riders; families welcome
Weight limit: approx 95 kgs (15 stone) but please contact us to check suitable horses are available if close to this; occasionally heavier riders by arrangement
Accommodation: private lodge
Group size: Sosian sleeps 14; riding in small groups, usually maximum 8
Season: all months except May
Price: 7 night stay from USD 5460 (approx £4550) per person
HORSES & RIDING
Horses: A mixture of cross-breeds, with several TB and TB / Arab crosses, polo ponies, local criollo crosses and some South African Boerperd crosses. Average between about 14hh and 16.2hh with one or two smaller children's ponies available. Responsive, forward going and thoroughly enjoyable to ride. Several are polo schooled. All are sensible to handle, used to game and at home in the bush. Tack is English style with some Maclellan style saddles available. Riding groups are generally a maximum of 8.
Hours: Varied and tailored to suit, with morning and evening rides out for 2 to 3 hours, or full day picnic rides which might include up to 6 hours riding.
Pace and experience required: As riding is tailored to suit, different experience levels can be catered for. However riding is in an area where there is 'big' and potentially dangerous game including elephant and lion, so all riders must have some previous experience and as a minimum should be secure at a walk, rising trot and canter in open country on a well-schooled horse. Riding is much more enjoyable if you are riding fit so if you do not ride regularly at home we recommend a few hours a week practice in the months before your trip.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is in individual cottages that are well thought out, tastefully and stylishly decorated, with either double beds or twin queen size beds and private bathrooms. Most have private veranda, although some adjoin, sharing a veranda, which makes them ideal for families. The main lodge has a comfortable central dining and living area, where meals are eaten and there is a lovely swimming pool and pool house. The lodge sleeps up to 14 in 7 twin / double cottages. On 'fly' camps, bed rolls are set up under the stars with tables, chairs and shared long drop loo in camp.
RATES & DATES
|
Rates 2024 |
Peak Season (20th December 2024 to 5th January 2025) Rates include - all riding and other on-site game viewing activities, all guiding and equipment, accommodation (based on two sharing), all meals and house drinks. Rates exclude - conservancy fee, international flights to Nairobi and taxes, transfers from / to Nairobi , personal medical insurance (compulsory), any visa fees, premium drinks and personal items such as tips. |
|
Dates 2024 |
Lodge stays flexible, from 2 to 14 nights on rquest. |
Average temperature guide
ITINERARY
Sosian Lodge - 7 night sample itinerary in brief
| Day 1 | Arrive Nairobi and transfer to Wilson airport for a scheduled safari link flight to Nanyuki. Met on arrival and drive about 2 hours to Sosian. Settle in, meet the horses and a first ride to see the area. Dinner and overnight Sosian Lodge. |
| Days 2-5 |
Four full days at Sosian lodge, with morning and evening rides, game drives or guided walks to view game and explore. Dinner and night Sosian. |
| Days 6 |
Breakfast and a morning game drive or walk. In the afternoon set off riding to fly camp, set up in a lovely spot by the river. Dinner around the camp fire and night under the stars. |
| Day 7 |
Breakfast in camp and perhaps walk back to Sosian, along the banks of the river and through rocky gorges. Lunch at the lodge, time to relax by the pool and an afternoon ride, game drive or walk. Dinner and night Sosian. |
| Day 8 |
Perhaps a last ride before brunch, then set off driving to Nanyuki in time for a scheduled safari link flight to Wilson Nairobi. Met on arrival and transfer to Nairobi International airport for your flight home or onward travel to the coast. |
| Contact us at info@rideworldwide.com or on tel (+44) (0)1837-82544 / 825440 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and answers to questions. |
TRAVEL
International flights go to Nairobi, Kenya's capital and we will arrange onward transfers from there by vehicle or internal / private flight. There are several direct flights from London to Nairobi each day with British Airways and Kenyan Airways. Several other airlines such as Air France and KLM have flights via Europe. For an economy return flight from London budget around £650 to £850 (fares vary with season).
Transfers between Nairobi and Sosian are by private charter flight (about 50 minutes), or by an hours scheduled Safarilink flight to Loisaba or Nanyuki and onward vehicle transfer (one or two hour drive respectively). Scheduled safari link flights are approximately USD200 per person, each way, Nairobi / Loisaba or Nanyuki, including taxes. Overland transfers can also be arranged - it is about a 5 hour drive from Nairobi.
