How do you train a horse for horseback safaris, where every rustle in the grass could mean danger?
How do you match horse and rider on horseback safari, when the terrain ahead includes rivers, open plains, and maybe even elephants?
What goes on behind the scenes of a mobile safari, where everything from hot showers to gourmet meals must move with the rhythm of the wild?
And what’s it like to raise a family, run a business, and care for a herd of safari horses, all under canvas, deep in the heart of Kenya?
We discover all of that in this episode, as we welcome Felicia Church, a dynamic force in Kenya’s safari world. Born in England, Felicia grew up riding through the countryside, surrounded by racehorses, polo-playing brothers, and a family legacy deeply rooted in adventure.
In 2009, what was meant to be a short sabbatical in Kenya turned into a life-changing journey. Felicia fell in love - not only with the land but also with Gordie Church, her now-husband and partner at Safaris Unlimited. Felicia is at the heart of their horseback safaris: selecting and matching horses to riders, overseeing their care, and bringing precision to every aspect of camp life. Her family’s connection to Kenya runs deep, and today Felicia carries that adventurous spirit forward in every ride across the wild Kenyan bush.
Sit back, relax and let’s travel together to the breathtaking plains of the Masai Mara. Some sneak peeks of the episode:
“My grandmother wrote: ‘I can’t tell if I’ve got malaria or just a hangover'."
“I rode into my wedding on a horse, bareback, in my wedding dress.”
“Safari horses feel everything - and they even heal guests.”
“A hippo in the river or a lion nearby - your safari horse senses it all before you do.”
“The team moves 10 tons of gear in a day – and serve cocktails, gourmet meals, and hot showers the moment riders arrive: a mobile safari miracle!”
Make sure to subscribe to this channel, so you never miss an adventure and share it with your fellow adventurers. If you are dreaming of a horseback adventure of your own, check out our Instagram page @outsidethecorral or visit our website www.outsidethecorral.com.
If you would like to know more about Felicia Church and Safaris Unlimited, check their website www.safarisunlimited.com.
#RidingHolidays #HorsebackSafari #Safari #Horses #EquestrianTourism #SoloTravel
What if your childhood wasn’t spent in a neighborhood, but in the wild - with horses, tents, and the Masai Mara as your backyard?
How does a horseback safari work exactly? What’s it like to ride through the bush on horseback - coming face to face with elephants and giraffes? Is it really safe to ride a horse — a prey animal — through lion territory?
What does it take to guide guests on horseback through one of the last truly wild places on Earth?
And in a world that’s always online and always in a rush, what kind of transformation is possible when you unplug, saddle up, and step into the heartbeat of nature?
We find out in this episode, where I traveled to the Masai Mara in Kenya to meet Gordie Church. He is a true legend of the African bush and one of the world’s leading guides for mobile horseback and wildlife safaris. Gordie was born and raised in Kenya. He grew up under canvas, in the saddle, and surrounded by wildlife. For over 35 years, he’s led riders through some of the most remote and breathtaking landscapes in East Africa. His family’s roots in Kenya go back to the 1930s, when his grandfather arrived from England as a missionary. But it was his father, Tony Church, who really changed the game — introducing the concept of horseback safaris in the 1970s. Today, Gordie carries on that legacy through Safaris Unlimited, a family-run safari company he leads with his wife, Felicia, and their two kids, Tyga and Thego. The Church family has a saying 'a safari begins with a dream and ends with an extraordinary story' — and Gordie has more than a few to share.
Sit back, relax and let’s travel together to the breathtakingplains of the Masai Mara. Some sneak peeks of the episode:
“My grandmother sailed from England to Kenya in the 1930s. She didn’t speak Swahili and had never seen a lion. That’s courage.”
“I cracked a whip to impress my newly-wedded wife and ended up being chased by an elephant. It was a horse that saved my life.”
“My father had 100% belief that horseback safaris in Kenya can’t go wrong and fifty years later, we’re still riding.”
“Africa gets under your skin. The French call it mal d’Afrique, once you’ve come, you’re forever addicted.”
“Our horses can look a lion in the eye, assess the situation, and go back to grazing. That’s how well-trained they are.”
Make sure to subscribe to this channel, so you never miss an adventure and share it with your fellow adventurers. If you are dreaming of a horseback adventure of your own, check out our Instagram page @outsidethecorral or visit our website www.outsidethecorral.com.
If you would like to know more about Gordie and Safaris Unlimited, check their website www.safarisunlimited.com. If you would like to read more about Gordie’s father, Tony Church (founder of Safaris Unlimited), you can find his memoirs in this book.
#RidingHolidays #HorsebackSafari #Safari #Horses #EquestrianTourism #SoloTravel
In this prologue episode of Outside the Corral, I - podcast host Laure-Anne Rigaux - share the why, what and how of this podcast.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
I’ll also share a vulnerable personal story, a “lifequake” that tested my resilience and ultimately reminded me of the therapeutic power of horses and the wild outdoors.
Whether you’re an experienced rider, a daydreaming traveler, a horse lover or simply someone longing for a fresh sense of freedom, this podcast is for you. You’ll hear from remarkable guests who live and breathe the spirit of adventure: guides, explorers, trainers, and dream-chasers from around the world. Through their stories, we’ll learn, laugh, and maybe even find the push we need to pursuit our own little or big next adventure.
Each season of Outside the Corral will feature 5 episodes released every 2 weeks, offering you time to listen, reflect, and be inspired between rides (or commutes, dog walks, or stable chores).
And finally, what’s a good story without a sundowner? Each guest will share their favorite sundowner drink: from African gin & tonics to Belgian apéro, because sometimes, the best reflections come with a view and a refreshing drink in hand.
Make sure to subscribe to this channel, so you never miss an adventure and share it with your fellow adventurers. If you are dreaming about a horseback adventure of your own, check out our Instagram page @outsidethecorral or visit our website www.outsidethecorral.com.
Sit back, relax, and pour yourself a sundowner – let’s ride Outside the Corral!
PS. Wondering who the handsome gelding is next to me? This photo is taken on the Namib Desert Ride with the legends of Namibia Horse Safari Company. The handsome gelding is called Winchester, but friends call him Mr. Darcy.
#RidingHolidays #Adventure #Horses #SlowTravel #EquestrianTourism #SoloTravel