Hidden away in the wild valleys of northern Laikipia, Rocky Hollow is a wonderfully personal Kenyan riding safari, combining fabulous horses, wildlife, beautiful landscapes and the chance to experience a very real side of life in the bush.

Rocky Hollow is the home of Charlie and Mouse McConnell, and that homely feel is very much part of the experience. This isn't a formal luxury safari lodge where everything runs to a rigid timetable. Days are shaped around the riders, the weather, the wildlife and what is happening locally. You might spend the morning cantering across open plains alongside zebra, follow elephant tracks through a sandy riverbed, stop for a picnic lunch beneath an acacia tree or head out on foot to explore the rocky koppies.

The riding is the real star. Around 15 horses live at Rocky Hollow, including Thoroughbred crosses and Appaloosas, personally trained by Charlie and Mouse for life in the bush. Rides head straight out from the stables into varied country of riverbeds, hills, acacia woodland and wonderful stretches of open ground where there is plenty of opportunity for a good canter.

Wildlife is very much part of everyday life here. Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, eland and elephant can all be encountered, while further afield there is the possibility of seeing buffalo, lion and other big game. Just as memorable is riding through a landscape shared with the local Laikipia Maasai communities, passing cattle, villages and children heading about their day.

There is deliberately no fixed day-to-day itinerary at Rocky Hollow. Each stay is tailor-made around how long you are visiting, the riders in the group, weather conditions and, importantly, where the wildlife is.

A typical day begins with coffee on the verandah as the valley wakes up, followed by breakfast and a morning ride. Heading straight from the stables, you might ride through sandy riverbeds, climb into the hills or canter across the open plains, looking out for zebra, giraffe and elephant along the way.

After returning to Rocky Hollow, lunch is often enjoyed outside beneath the trees or on the verandah. The middle of the day is yours to relax, read or have a siesta.

Later, you might saddle up again for an afternoon ride, explore the koppies on foot, swim in one of the natural rock pools, visit the nearby baboon research project or head out on a game drive.

As the day cools, gather around the fire for a drink before dinner. Evenings are informal and sociable, often spent outside beneath an enormous African sky sharing food, stories and a few laughs with Charlie and Mouse.

Although riding is at the heart of Rocky Hollow, there is plenty to do out of the saddle.

Guided game drives can take you further into the surrounding wildlife areas, while bush walks with Charlie or one of the team give you time to notice the tracks, birds, plants and smaller details easily missed from the saddle.

One particularly interesting experience is a visit to the nearby Baboon Research Project, where habituated troops of wild baboons have been studied for many years. Accompanied by the researchers, you can walk alongside the baboons and learn about their behaviour, relationships and surprisingly complex social lives. A small donation is required.

The natural rock pools among the koppies make a refreshing swimming spot after riding, although this is definitely wild swimming – frogs and small fish may be sharing the pool with you!

Visits to local markets can also be arranged, and riding through the surrounding countryside gives a fascinating glimpse into everyday life amongst the local Laikipia Maasai communities.

For those wanting to explore further, trips into the Lolldaiga Hills and other neighbouring conservancies can be arranged at an additional cost.

Stays are completely tailor-made, we recommend staying for 7 nights, however longer and shorter stays can be catered for, making Rocky Hollow equally good as a standalone riding holiday or as part of a longer Kenyan safari.

Our Recommendations

There is so much more to Kenya than one safari, so if you have the time, Rocky Hollow is a great starting point for a longer adventure. We can help you build a tailor-made itinerary around your stay and experience another side of the country.

Spend a few nights in the Maasai Mara for a classic Kenyan safari, combine Rocky Hollow with Sosian Lodge for more riding and wildlife in Laikipia.

It is also worth allowing a night or two in Nairobi, where you can visit the Giraffe Centre, Sheldrick elephant orphanage and Karen Blixen Museum before heading home.

Fancy making a bigger adventure of it? Talk to us about combining Rocky Hollow with one of our other Kenyan riding safaris or a tailor-made safari and beach extension.