Riding safaris provide a very personal way of experiencing the majesty of Africa and are offered by a number of bespoke operators in both southern and eastern Africa. These operations are predominantly owner operated with experienced and passionate staff and stables of acclimatized horses offering authentic safari accommodation. Horses allow guests close encounters with plains game uninterrupted by the roar of the diesel engine.

Riding in amongst wildlife, guests are expected to have a good riding experience, an authentic riding safari is not a hack in the country and guests will be expected to be able to gallop away from trouble if required.

Routine on riding safaris vary with the operator with some operating out of fixed camps returning daily whilst others move from fly camp to fly camp. Other activities are often offered for partners who are not as proficient in the saddle. Guests will also have to be riding fit as hot weather and many hours in the saddle can be testing.

With specialist operators, such as Okavango Horse Safaris and African Horseback Safaris, the focus will very much be on riding, however other camps have started to offer riding as an optional activity, albeit often at an additional cost. Camps offering these shorter activities include Xudum Okavango Delta Lodge and Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp. It should be noted that these activities still take place in wildlife areas and guests will still need to be competent riders.

African Horseback Safaris provides excellent horse riding safaris in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.

Okavango Horse Safaris operate riding safaris in the Okavango Delta, a World Heritage Site.

Benguerra Island in Mozambique offers riding on the beach.

By prior arrangement and at an additional charge riding can be offered at Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp.

By prior arrangement and at an additional charge riding can be offered at Xudum Okavango Delta Lodge.