Discover Our Favourite African Horse Safaris

Top Botswana Horse Safaris

1. Macatoo Camp – exploring the Okavango Delta

Macatoo is a traditional safari camp in the Okavango Delta. Only accessible by light aircraft, horse safaris are led by experienced guides in 450,000 acres of pristine wilderness. The annual flooding of the area leaves vast swathes of the Delta inaccessible to vehicles, making horses one of the best ways to explore this wetland paradise. Itineraries range from 3 to 10 nights with each day starting and ending at Macatoo Camp. The pace of the riding is varied – you might be galloping alongside giraffe, zebra and reedbuck, quietly tracking elephant and buffalo or taking some time to indulge in some of the best bird watching in the world.

Macatoo’s string of 50 horses are all schooled and well-mannered. Depending on the length of your stay, you normally rotate between two or three horses during your time here to ensure each animal is given plenty of time to recover. 

With large and airy tents set on their own raised platform, a swimming pool, communal mess tent and dining deck, Macatoo Camp provides the perfect spot to relax and unwind. Elephant and giraffe often come very close to the deck and the pool doubles as a popular watering hole for passing families of baboons.  

2. Discovering Thamalakane River & Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Botswana

This riding safari in Botswana takes in two different locations. Just a short drive from Maun, the first lodge is nestled in 400 acres of riverine trees and acacia woodland on the edge of the Thamalakane River. Spend three to five nights enjoying leisurely rides through cool riverine woodlands, splashing through the river, enjoying picnics in the shade of the evergreen mangosteen trees and spotting giraffe, zebra, kudu, eland, oryx and springbok as they roam through the reserve. Birdlife here is also prolific, from water birds to the dry woodland Kalahari species. There may also be opportunities for boat trips and a scenic helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta. 

The second part of the trip involves flying to central Kalahari for three to five nights and staying at Camp Kalahari. Nestled amongst the acacias and Mokolwane palms of Brown Hyaena Island, on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Camp Kalahari is a traditional bush camp with twelve spacious Meru tents, a central thatched pavilion and a swimming pool. 

Days begin early, either heading out along the edge of the Pans or into the woodlands and open grasslands where the zebra and wildebeest graze. Where there’s zebra, a predator will never be far away so keep your eyes peeled for cheetah and lion. You might be lucky to catch sight of an ostrich deep in the Pans or the elusive brown hyena which is a solitary forager rarely seen by humans. There may also be an opportunity to visit a habituated family of meerkats and observe how they interact with each other and their environment. They may even use you as a ‘lookout post’ to scan the plains! One fascinating morning is spent walking with Zu/’hoasi Bushmen trackers who share their vast and ancient knowledge of plants, animal behaviour and survival skills. 

If the afternoons are a little warm for riding, you might head out on a game drive: look out for bat-eared foxes, aardvark and aardwolves scampering across the salt. Camp Kalahari has a fence around camp and welcomes children of all ages making it extremely popular with families. 

3. African Explorer Safari – combining South Africa & Botswana

Taking in two countries in one trip, the African Explorer is one of our most varied African horse safaris. This epic seven-night safari covers a range of topographies and terrain, as well as wide-ranging game viewing. The trip begins at Camp Davidson, in the Waterberg area of South Africa.  Spend a few days riding in the Matlapeng Reserve, cantering along sandy tracks, riding through open savannah spotting wildebeest and zebra and stopping for sundowners whilst observing a pod of resident hippo, before transferring to Mashatu Reserve in Botswana. 

With its ancient landscape of rock formations and open plains dotted with giant baobab trees and riverine bush, the terrain here is very different. Spot giraffe and elephant as you ride into the heartland of Mashatu. Your base for the night is Two Mashatus Camp which has a small swimming pool and shady trees to rest under. There’s the possibility of heading out on a game drive to the south-western side of the reserve where there’s a good chance of seeing big cats. 

Top Horse Riding Safaris in South Africa

4. Big Five Safari – Karongwe & Greater Makalali Game Reserves

This is a highly personalised and specialised riding safari for small groups of seven to eight experienced riders across the Karongwe & Greater Makalali Game Reserves, close to South Africa’s famous Kruger National Park. The region is bursting with wildlife, from elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo to cheetah, hyena, giraffe, zebra, blue wildebeest, hippo, crocodile, bushbuck and more. 

A string of approximately 30 horses includes Shire crosses, Friesan crosses, Warmbloods, Thoroughbreds and Boerperd crosses. Ranging in size from 15h to 17h, the horses are super brave and comfortable to ride. The safaris vary in length from 6, 8 and 10 days and are led by knowledgeable guides. Choose to spend four nights at Wait a Little main camp plus one night at the sleep-out camp at Beacon Rock, or ride between three different camps to maximise game viewing. Rides are diverse but include plenty of cantering and jumping trees felled by elephants. Evenings are spent enjoying traditional braais around the campfire and listening out for nocturnal species roaming around camp. 

5. Wild Coast Riding Adventure – Eastern Cape

Riding along the beaches of the Wild Coast in South Africa is a spectacular way to explore the rolling hills and savanna grasslands. At the Great Kei River, a pontoon will transport you and your horse into rural Africa where sleepy tribal villages await. As you ride through undulating hills, comfortable hotels nestled in coves along the coast, provide perfect stopping points for both horse and rider. 

Rolling hills, deep gorges, and cliff tops that plunge into the ocean ensure this is not just a beach ride but a true adventure. The beach gallops are exhilarating, the environment pristine and the views stunning. The local Xhosa people are warm and friendly as you wander through forgotten villages. The itinerary is subject to local weather conditions and tides and can also be adjusted to include more or less riding depending on your group’s experiences and preferences. 

Best Namibia Horse Safari

6. Namib Desert Safari

Arguably one of the most spectacular deserts on the planet, the Namib, with its iconic ochre dunes and vast grassy plains, delights every sense. With surprisingly varied wildlife for this seemingly inhospitable ‘wasteland’, it holds wonderful surprises including mountain zebra, jackals and reptiles, maybe giraffe and springbok too. 

This scheduled 10-night mobile riding safari takes you across some of the most remote and dramatic desert terrain Namibia has to offer. Camp life has a leisurely pace, beginning at sunrise with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through camp. Rides cover 20 – 50 km per day (including a challenging 27 km crossing of the Namib Dune Sea). Two nights are spent in lodges with a further eight nights camping in the wild with some unexpected luxuries like hot bucket showers, delicious food around the campfire and the magnificent southern stars arching over your comfortable bed.

Top Horse Riding Safari in Tanzania

7. Kaskazi Horse Safaris, Northern Tanzania

Operating in northern Tanzania, Kaskazi Horse Safaris take you off the beaten track, deep into the bush to discover magnificent wildlife, scenery and interactions with local tribes who inhabit these areas. Each safari is led by qualified and professionally trained guides and with itineraries ranging from four to nine days depending on the region. From galloping across the open plains in the Serengeti to exploring the beautiful Natron region with its active volcano and soda lake, there are several itineraries to choose from which tend to focus either on the wildlife or the beautiful landscapes. Either way, this will be an unforgettable experience.

Best Horse Riding Safaris in Kenya

8. Offbeat Safaris – unrivalled mobile horse safaris in Masai Mara

Founded in 1990, Offbeat Safaris is known for providing some of the most exciting horse safaris amongst the Masai Mara’s big game. Riding up close to elephant, lion and buffalo, or galloping with wildebeest and zebra is a life-changing experience. After the day’s excitement, retire to your mobile camp – set up and ready to welcome you with a cold gin and tonic as you dismount from your trusty steed. Dinner is by candlelight – flame-grilled meats and hearty bowls of carbonara or bolognese – before drifting off to sleep on comfortable camp beds with the sound of a lion roaring in the distance. 

9. Sosian Lodge , Laikipia

If you love riding but are travelling with others who don’t – this is the perfect solution. Sosian is a privately owned 24,000-acre ranch located on the Laikipia Plateau. This is a huge area to the west of Mount Kenya, which is historically known for its wildlife and ranching traditions. Built in the 1940s by Italian artisans, the original ranch house has been beautifully restored to accommodate up to 14 guests. The lodge has a swimming pool, tennis court, organic vegetable garden and a stable yard of 30 safari horses. Activities include game drives, walking, horse riding, camel treks, fishing, cycling and cattle ranching. Riding can be tailored to suit different experience levels making this a fantastic safari experience for families. 

10. Safaris Unlimited – Masai Mara & Laikipia

Offering private riding safaris as well as set departure dates, Safari Unlimited’s bespoke horse riding safaris typically alternate between days riding out from their mobile camp to days on the move. When on the move, you might cover between 20 to 30 km each day. You will need to be competent and confident riders at all paces; as surprises in the bush cannot be predicted. Six to eight nights Masai Mara rides take you through spectacular wildlife country with elephant, buffalo, ostrich, lion and more. Another option is a six-night ride covering three privately owned wildlife conservancies which lie in the Laikipia Region, abundant in wildlife and located in the shadow of Mt. Kenya.