Horse Back Safaris at Mihingo Lodge

Mihingo Lodge has been operating horseback safaris since December 2008 outside Lake Mburo National Park. We carefully adjust the rides according to the riding skills of each group; for beginners and inexperienced riders we only walk the horses. In fact a walk on a horse is the best way to view game. It is peaceful and relaxing and you get very close to the animals. For advanced riders there are also lovely stretches for trotting and cantering. We have 7 horses between 14.9 and 16.5 hands and 4 tough Ethiopian ponies which are about 13 hands.

In November 2009 we received a concession to operate horseback safaris inside Lake Mburo National Park where we found some fantastic routes. The best ride in the park is a 4 to 5 hour ride onto the 4 km long grassy Warukiri Range situated in the middle of the park with stunning 360 degree views of the surrounding hills and valleys in the Park. At the end of this range there is a waterhole, which often attracts buffalos and other animals combined with a magnificent view onto 9 of the 12 lakes surrounding Lake Mburo National Park. This ride changes the whole feeling of the park, making it absolutely spectacular. We had a friend Mini Trappe who is one of the leading horse safari guides in Tanzania and he was amazed how beautiful the riding in Lake Mburo is.

Horseback safaris are an exciting way to see the wildlife around Mihingo Lodge. Without any engine sound and fumes you feel part of nature and often get the chance to see the more timid animals. It is an exhilarating experience not to be missed. We sometimes see eland and buffalo and nearly always warthog, topi, impala, duiker, bushbuck, waterbuck and zebra on our horseback safaris, although this depends very much on the time of year and the rain fall in the area. Experiencing game from horseback is very special; zebra come towards you to check out the strange relative without stripes. Even the normally very shy eland curiously look at the horses without running away, just keeping their distance.

Our maximum weight limit for guests is 100 kg, but most of our horses cannot carry more than 80 or 90 kg. We provide fully adjustable helmets in all sizes and chaps. We ride with English style saddles or western-style trail saddles. We recommend that you wear long trousers and strong shoes if possible with a heel. At the moment we are not taking more than 6 guests out at a time. All our rides are accompanied by at least one experienced horse guide, but in most cases there are 2 guides accompanying each ride.

All the guests that have gone on one of our horseback safaris have absolutely loved it! For any further information please contact our managers and reservations team on reservations@mihingolodge.com or call them on +256-75 2 410 509.

Prices for horse back safaris:

• 70,000 UGX (38 US$) for a 1 hour ride
• 120,000 UGX (65 US$) for a 2 hour ride
• 160,000 UGX (87 US$) for a 3 hour ride
• 200,000 UGX (108 US$) for a 4 hour ride (with picnic breakfast)                              
• 300,000 UGX (162 US$) for a 4 hour ride (plus 1 hour bush breakfast)
• 400,000 UGX (216 US$) for a full day ride (with picnic breakfast and bush lunch)
• 700,000 UGX (378 US$)for a overnight ride (4 hour afternoon ride with bush dinner at a fly-camp in the National Park, bush breakfast and a 4 hour ride back to Mihingo Lodge, including 45 US$ UWA wilderness-camping fee, but not including park entry fees.)
• 900,000 UGX (486 US$) for 2 days riding (with picnic lunch and bush dinner at a fly-camp in the National Park, bush breakfast and picnic lunch the following day, including 45 US$ UWA wilderness camping fee, but not including park entree fees.)
• 1,400,000 UGX (757 US$) for 3 days riding (with 3 picnic lunch and 2 bush dinner at a fly-camp in the National Park and 2 bush breakfasts, including 45 US$ UWA wilderness camping fee, but not including park entree fees.)

 

Links:

Eye Review, Horse Back Safaris