Offbeat Safaris

outstanding and simply the best trip ever! a must do!

I booked the trip four years ago and it was delayed with covid/travel etc but we finally went the end of July/August 2023. I could not wait to write a review. I booked the trip as a private riding group with 7 people in total. 6 riders and one "jeep rider". we flew in to Mara north and greeted by Daisy (or Day-Z) where we set off on a jeep ride to camp and stopped to see soooo much game on route. a pride of lions was spotted via Netti (local guide) enjoying a "spot of lunch". this set the tone for the trip ahead. after observing the pride finishing lunch (followed by Hyena "cleaning up the leftovers") we found a shade spot to enjoy a cold beer (Tuska) before setting off in to camp. we arrived at "River Camp" with such excitement and enjoyed lunch next to the river that was full of pods of Hypo's splashing around. after getting use to camp, we met the horses and went on our first evening ride again seeing Lions, Hyena, elephants, hogs, giraffe etc (to much game to mention). we got back to "shower" (a bucket of river water that made it "real" (in an awesome way) and then went for supper. supper was outstanding (the food was just outstanding for the entire trip) and having supper on the long table, next to the camp fire while watching a lightening storm in the distance and hearing lions roaring behind while seeing hippos in the river..... you really did "arrive in camp". a few vino's and then off to bed (the beds/tents are very good/clean/comfy etc). the next day was breakfast (oats, toast, pastries, full cooked english, tea/coffee, juice etc) and then off on the horses again. a trip around the south of the camp for 2-3 hours seeing more game and then back to camp. after a quick coffee we then went out on the jeeps to spot the "big 5" and within an hour, we come across leopard in the tree (with a lunch from his morning "work"). we again stopped off in a shade area for a glass of Rose before returning to camp for lunch (again a fab lunch) and a little chill time before going on the evening ride. (again, a ton of game to spot). next day, early start as "moving day" but the fear of 40km was laid to rest with long horse walks, plenty of breaks and nice easy canters. we had lunch in the field (a cold meat buffet with salad (and a cold beer) and then off to the next camp landing around 6pm. Escarpment camp was just the best views looking back over the Mara (could be my fav camp) while enjoying a sundowner and sharing stories about our adventure around the fire. the next morning was an early start, 4;30am as heading off for a hot air balloon trip (again simply breath-taking views and a must do). up on landing, the site for breakfast had been set and enjoyed a glass of fizz and a full brekky. after brekky, the car took us to meet the horses and we said goodbye to camp 2 as we moved all day (stopping for lunch) to the next camp (i refer to this as "jungle camp" as it was within trees with a stream passing through. the camp was awesome, with a darker vibe (cloud and no moon) so you needed to keep your "wit" as the tree cover got your senses "going" with the "risk element". after an awesome meal, a few glasses of wine it was off to bed where the sounds of elephants dining out some 20-50m away from your tent really did make you appreciate the "environment". after two nights in "jungle camp" we moved to our final camp and it was a repeat of the awesomeness. fantastic food, great game viewing, river crossings with crocs/hippos, to more awesome nights and story telling.

the entire Offbeat riding safari team was and are a delight. Jacob, Daisy, Laura and the team behind the scenes (grooms, camp staff, chef, night watch, drivers, spotters etc) made you feel very welcome. having been back a week, the memories are very much fresh but will last a life time. if you enjoy riding, this is a must do trip!

Stuart