Posted: 5th December 2019 | Back to news feed
In 2020, riding holiday specialist, Ranch Rider will be introducing new ways to embrace Mother Nature on horseback, its latest selection of equine journeys giving you the opportunity to explore North America’s backcountry and Africa’s game-rich wilderness locations.
The tour operator is adding ranches and experiences to its Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Alberta and South Africa collections, its most exciting update, the inclusion of a brand new destination - Kenya home to the magical Masai Mara.
After visiting Kenya earlier this year, Tony Daly, Managing Director of Ranch Rider felt compelled to include the country in the 2020 brochure. “Alongside Tanzania’s Serengeti, we now cover many of the largest unfenced expanses in Africa, Kenya blessed with a great diversity of wildlife species and birdlife, and without a doubt, some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery. From riding down to the banks of the Mara River filled with hippo and crocodile to trekking across big cat country where lion prides rule, you can be assured of an epic horseback adventure, our mobile safaris also including opportunities to meet the Maasai, the tribe farming their cattle on this unspoilt landscape.”
Also based in Africa, the specialist is introducing eight and nine-night “Authentic Africa” experiences on South Africa’s Triple B Ranch - with six nights based at Horizon Lodge, a historic family estate in the malaria-free Waterberg region, and two or three nights spent at neighbouring Camp Davidson. Built to resemble an early cattle outpost, the camp allows guests to enjoy a traditional African safari with dining by candlelight, cooking over a campfire, and on many a travellers bucket list, the chance to sleep under canvas to the sounds of the animals and birds.
Staying true to Ranch Rider's authentic roots, Arizona’s Kay El Bar (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) and Montana’s fourth-generation Nine-Quarter Circle Ranch (the working horse ranch, breeding and training an exclusive herd of Appaloosa horses since the 1950s), allow experienced riders the chance to truly test their mettle in the saddle - the former opening several “old-new” trails in readiness for the new year, and the latter offering twice-weekly challenging all-day rides, overnight campouts and extended rides into Yellowstone National Park. Both ranches also cater well to families, the Kay El Bar due to open for its first summer in 2020.
With the focus set firmly on experiencing the West, the addition of Colorado's Chico Basin Ranch is timely, more of us choosing to immerse ourselves in the destination, rather than simply visit. Owned by the Colorado State Land Board, the working cattle ranch uses age-old ranching practices and progressive grazing management to maintain healthy lands. Taking a maximum of six guests, there is an intimate atmosphere centred on learning about ranch life, with guests heading out at sun-up to gather a pasture or move a herd, leaving the afternoons free for tending to the needs of livestock.
Sure to tempt travellers who want to stray from the well-trodden trails, Ranch Rider’s new Banff Wilderness Rides will take you deep into the Canadian Rockies to explore the country’s remote and rarely visited backcountry ('The Aurora Borealis' otherwise known as the Northern Lights often sighted in this part of Canada). A genuine off-grid experience, this is a chance to wander without interruption in the country’s oldest national park - lodge or tented accommodation available on the multi-day (three, four, or six days) pack trips.
Eight-night Masai Mara Safari from £7,399pp (two sharing). Departing 22 January, 02 July & 16 August http://ranchrider.com/ranch.php?ranch=75
Eight-night "Authentic Africa" experience from £1,365pp (two sharing). Departing year-round. http://ranchrider.com/ranch.php?ranch=42 http://ranchrider.com/ranch.php?ranch=54
Seven-nights at Arizona’s Kay El Bar Ranch In Arizona from £1,269pp (two sharing). Departing year-round. http://ranchrider.com/ranch.php?ranch=72
Seven-nights at Montana's Nine Quarter Circle Ranch from £2,195pp (two sharing). Departing 14 June to 13 September. http://ranchrider.com/ranch.php?ranch=73
Six-nights at Colorado’s Chico Basin Ranch from £1,879pp (no single supplement). Departing March through October. http://ranchrider.com/ranch.php?ranch=70
Three-nights Banff Wilderness Rides, Alberta from £1,199pp (two sharing). Departing 24 June to 09 September. http://ranchrider.com/ranch.php?ranch=74
Ranch Rider (01509 618 811; ranchrider.com) ATOL PROTECTED No 4660 ABTA 96395/V9150.
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