Built over seven years, the house was able to mature gracefully during construction and already appears rather older than it actually is. It was intended to be much more a home than an hotel so the bedrooms are not all the same. In fact, they are really quite different and every room has its own character and in some cases a special feature. None however are without big windows, high ceilings and complete privacy. Every bedroom has its own bathroom (with all but one actually boasting a bathtub). When not out walking or riding, there are several rooms to which one may retire with a book and a drink. Otherwise head for the verandah; the best place during the middle of the day and where lunch is usually served.
Surrounding the house are rocky kopjes and cliffs, forming themselves below into a narrow gorge through which a seasonal river will occasionally splash its way along, tumbling on for several hundred yards before falling away over a final massive rockface. The terrain here is lightly wooded acacia savannah with sand rivers, rugged hills and occasional open glades. Throughout there are heavily marked elephant paths and other well established game trails that also serve nicely as bridle paths. It is rare to miss elephant here and usually one can also find giraffe, zebra, warthog, gerenuk and many other antelope. Baboons are a constant feature. Our own relatively small property provides more than enough of interest to ensure an enjoyable morning ride. However, taken together with one or other of the magnificent adjacent ranches, to which we have varying levels of access, there are 20,000 acres or more of first-rate game country to explore over any number of days.
Many of these neighbouring properties are privately-owned, but most of the land to the north and east of us is home to the Laikipiak or Northern Masai who, being pastoralists by tradition, have great need of it to support their livestock. Nevertheless they are generally quite tolerant of their wildlife (in some cases remarkably so) and once away from the roads to where the land is quite sparsely populated, one may find oneself again in the vicinity of wild animals.
Charlie and Mouse McConnell bought this land (of a little under a thousand acres) more than a dozen years ago with the idea of building a large and comfortable base for their riding safaris, one that might in time feature a garden with elephants at the bottom of it, together with a stable full of keen horses. After the digging of earth dams, followed by construction of some stone water catchments, work on the house started in 2015 (when they moved here with their tent and an old wooden caravan). Overseeing both the design and construction, they were able to watch as slowly, slowly, with its team of local builders, Rocky Hollow emerged from the dusty landscape to provide them with a whole new way of life. One they are very happy with, and enjoy sharing with their guests.
After decades of outfitting and guiding luxury mobile tented safaris in East Africa together, the idea of spending rather more time in one place had a certain appeal. And exchanging long game drives in busy game parks for peaceful hikes, or exhilarating gallops, across virgin countryside; better still.
Years ago, after an informal but fascinating apprenticeship with Robin Hurt, followed by five hugely enjoyable years with Myles Burton of African Adventure Safaris, Charlie spent a few seasons guiding riding safaris for Tony Church (who started Safaris Unlimited) - never guessing that 40 years on he would still be in the saddle so often. Luckily, Mouse (who could ride before she could walk) is here to take charge. She keeps everything in order here, as well as keeping a close eye on what happens with the main safari business (now run together with Milo). Without her cooking none of this would be possible.
Riding at Rocky Hollow is generally pretty good fun. But guests need to understand this might not always be so - for non-riders or poor riders - unless they are together with others whose riding skills match their own. An intermediate level or better is essential on safari as on longer rides. Even stronger horsemen should be aware that wild animals can sometimes appear frightening to horses and must remain alert and ready for any eventuality. Having said that, safaris on horseback do provide undeniably the best opportunity for a truly fabulous African escapade.
Our horses are a mixture of thoroughbred crosses and Appaloosas, all experienced in the wild and trained to move swiftly across the often rough terrain, carrying you as comfortably as possible wherever we go.
Whether you use the house as a base, settling for shorter day rides, or choose a tented safari option (with our mobile camp, fully staffed and moving daily to new areas), we hope you will enjoy some unforgettable experiences.