Horse Safari in Africa?
Your Top 10 Burning Questions Answered

A horse safari in Africa sounds dreamy. Orange skies with elegant giraffe silhouettes gliding past. A pride of lions lounging in the bush. Impala skittering in the distance. Would you do a horse safari or does it seem too risky?

If you’re like me, you love incorporating a horse riding element into your travel plans. I’ve ridden a Thoroughbred in Cyprus, a Clydesdale in California and had a lovely Equestrian Getaway to Wine Country.  But if you’re also like me, the thought of a horse riding holiday in the bush of Africa with big cats licking their lips as you walk by, or the possibility of an angry elephant encounter, might leave you thinking, “No way. I’m not ready to die!”

About 20 years ago I did a safari in Botswana with some co-workers at the time. It was one of the coolest, best things I’ve done in life. The animals we saw were spectacular, but dang!–we got close to them in our open-air Jeep and it was a little freaky. I couldn’t imagine having that same experience, minus the Jeep and on horseback.

You need this shirt for your horse safari adventure!

I was excited to connect with Isabel Juby of African Horse Safaris to have my 10 burning questions, mainly on the topic of horse safari safety, answered. Here is what I learned, and I confess, she’s really got me thinking about my next riding adventure.

1. What is the bathroom situation like on the rides and in the accommodations? Outhouses, flushing toilets, etc.?

Funny how this is the very first question but it’s often on the tip of everyone’s tongue, even if they’re too shy to ask. Most safari lodges and permanent tented-camps come with ensuite bathrooms, complete with flush toilets and hot running water. Some have private outdoor showers (or even baths) overlooking the bush. Often on safari, it’s not just a bathroom, it’s a loo with a view! One of our absolute favourite luxuries is soaking in a bath overlooking the bush with nothing but stars above you! 

Our mobile trail rides move from camp to camp every few days and are set up to have as little impact on the environment as possible. On these rides, for every two tents, you’ll find what we call a ‘bucket shower’: A bucket filled with hot water from the fire which is then hoisted high-up from a tree over a canvas cubicle with a shower nozzle on the bottom. There is no compromise on comfort and nothing soothes the tired muscles than a steamy shower under the stars. For your toilet, a short drop loo; ash from the fire prevents any odours. On occasion, you may need to find a convenient bush or rock when you take a short break from the saddle, but it’s a small price to pay for the ultimate adventure. 

2. What is the typical cuisine on a ride? Are there vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options?

The food is one of the highlights of our rides and there is no shortage of tasty treats – don’t be surprised if you go home with a few extra bulges (not just in your luggage!) Whether cooked in a lodge’s full chef’s kitchen or on the campfire, it’s not just a meal, it’s a dining experience. Food is a variety of contemporary dishes with local produce and flavours – Think tagines in Morocco, nyama choma (roasted meat) in Kenya, and potjies (stews) in South Africa. Expect your plate to be filled with classic favourites, generous portions and tasty surprises – Picture freshly baked bread, pies and cakes, all created in an innovative bush kitchen. Often meals are cooked over the coals of a fire and the smoky flavours linger in your memories long after you head home. 

We can easily cater for vegetarians, vegans and any other dietary requirements if we know in advance, and the chefs will always make sure you are well cared for. They are extremely good at tailoring meals to suit guests and getting creative. The quality of meat in Africa is excellent but there is also fresh produce aplenty. Delicious salads, vegetables and local fruit make up a key part of all menus. Menus are generally planned well in advance to ensure that they have all the ingredients, so we ask all our guests to fill in a form and indicate whether they have any food preferences or allergies when booking. 

3. What are the suggested shots and vaccinations for a traveler coming from North America to Africa?

We give each guest a destination guide upon booking with their itinerary, handy travel information, a packing list and some guidelines on vaccinations. We can give our suggestions, but it’s always best to seek and follow qualified medical advice. We advise visiting your General Practitioner or Travel Clinic 6- 8 weeks before your adventure to get detailed information and recommendations.

For all of our rides, we suggest Typhoid, Hepatitis A (often given in conjunction with Hepatitis B) and Tetanus. You could also consider Diphtheria, Meningitis and Polio boosters, although these are optional and only at your doctor’s discretion. If you are travelling to areas where malaria is known to occur, ask your doctor for advice on available prophylactics, potential side-effects and appropriate precautions. And if you are travelling to East Africa, you may need a Yellow Fever vaccination, it is one quick injection and immunisation is lifelong. 

4. How safe is it to ride a horse in the vicinity of lions, rhino, elephants, etc.? Horses are prey animals and what prevents a pride of lions from going after the horse a rider is on. Also, how safe is it if you had a fall? Even the most experienced riders on quiet horses fall off from time to time. What happens if you take a spill near wildlife?

When most people hear about horse riding safaris for the first time, the first conclusion usually drawn is:  Heading out into the bush on the back of a prey animal into lion country? Total madness! Riding out on the main course, and you’re the dessert thrown in, right? But the truth of it is, whilst there is always a risk when on safari, the risk is kept exceptionally low with our expert guides and exceptional horses.

We can come across predators while out riding but they very rarely pose a threat to the horses. Horses are large (much bigger than a zebra) and fairly unnatural prey for big cats, plus they have odd-smelling humans on them! You never run when you see cats, but rather come together as a group – the lions then get confused as to why the “prey” isn’t running off. They usually get intimidated (believe it or not they are usually far more scared of you) or bored and wander off to find a nearby tree to snooze under. 

Our safari operators have been riding in these areas for many years and know the land like the back of their hands. The guides are highly trained, most of them with at least 10 years of horse safari guiding experience before becoming a lead guide. Their bush experience, teamed with incredible lead horses, means they are experts at reading animals’ body language and negotiating the wilderness. They know when to move away and when to stand their ground when it comes to larger animals – I am always blown away by their ability to read every flap of an elephant’s ear or flick of its trunk. All guides also carry a bullwhip, this makes a sound like a gunshot when it is cracked and scares off anything too inquisitive. 

For any rides where you might come across big game, we only take intermediate plus riders and up – meaning they have been riding for many years and are well-balanced in the saddle. We recommend that you are riding fit, and confident at controlling a sensible but fit horse at all paces in the outdoors. It is incredibly rare that you would need to get out of a situation quickly, as the guides know the terrain and can read the wildlife, but high riding standards helps hugely in minimising the risks. There is always a lead guide and a backup guide, and should someone take a tumble, the guides ensure everyone’s safety. If the rider is injured, guides will call for a back-up vehicle, or a medical evacuation if needed.

If a fall occurs near wildlife, your lead guide will focus on making sure the wildlife doesn’t pose a threat, moving it off by cracking their bullwhip. The back-up guide focuses on the rider and working out if they are able to mount once more, or need to stay put. While there is always some risk when out on safari, the guests’ safety is paramount and all our operators have an excellent safety record. 

5. What are the beds like?

We have over 40 rides in 11 different countries – so there is a ride that suits everyone! Whether you’re looking for a luxury getaway or an experiential ride where you sleep under the stars, you’ll find your perfect safari accommodation in Africa. 

When you’re staying at safari lodges and camps you can expect white sheets, fluffy pillows, and warm comfy duvets (often even snugglier than you have at home!) On mobile safaris, it depends on the operator and location, but you’ll still find proper off-the-floor camp beds and comfy duvets out in the middle of the Masai Mara or Okavango Delta! If you choose the more experiential rides such as in Namibia or Morocco, you can set your camp bed under the stars with your horse tethered nearby and nothing but the Milky Way above you. 

Go check out African Horse Safaris to bring your riding dreams to life. 

6. How do you match up the riders to the horses? 

Matching guests to horses is a delicate balance, which requires a little bit of science, a little bit of art, and a dash of luck. All the horses are various sizes, temperaments, and heights, which is a little like the riders! Before coming on safari, we ask our guests to send in their height and weight, their competency on horseback and any horse preferences. 

This might include how many years you’ve been riding, what type of riding you do, what type of horse you are used to riding and what type you enjoy. The team on the ground use this information to plan which horses are going to be used on each safari with a few extra horses on hand to suit the group. They always make the final match after they have met the guest and had a chance to talk in person; with the first ride being the deciding factor. 

The stable managers have been doing it for many years and it is incredible how spot on their choices usually are. 99% of the time they get it right, but they are very open to guest feedback should you feel the fit isn’t quite right and you’d like to try something different. Riding on safari is a true journey; a partnership with one’s steed. You grow to love one another and it’s often a tearful goodbye. 

7. Is there cell service anywhere?

There is good mobile phone coverage in many countries and you will probably be able to use your roaming facility or buy a local sim card. 

However, there is unlikely to be consistent mobile reception while riding and not all camps will have WiFi. This is one of the great things about safari – the digital detox! Not being in cell service allows you to reconnect with nature again. If being connected to the outside world is really important to you, we can plan your trip around that. 

8. How close is the nearest hospital?

Many lodges and mobile camps are a few hours’ drive or a short flight from the nearest hospital. All guides have first-aid training and carry a basic kit with them. You’ll also find a more comprehensive medical kit at the lodge or main camp and if there are any emergencies, the staff will contact the relevant medical services and arrange an evacuation if necessary. We recommend that you bring your own basic medical kit with prescription medication and personal items, and let us know in advance if you have any serious conditions that might affect your trip. In order to ride in Africa, you must have comprehensive medical and travel insurance which would cover medical evacuation if needed. 

9. There are multiple adventure riding vacations/equestrian getaways around the world. Why choose a horse riding safari in Africa?

A safari ride in Africa is returning to a ‘safari of old’ – Wildlife without the engine. When you climb aboard, you have the ultimate off-roading vehicle which allows you to reach areas otherwise inaccessible. You feel like an early explorer traversing untouched landscapes in search of exotic wildlife. It’s hard to explain the burst of excitement that sweeps through you as you wake up each morning – What will today’s adventures bring? As you swing your leg into the saddle and ride out of camp just after sunrise, it’s as if you’ve just drunk a few glasses of champagne! 

The joy of safari over other horse riding vacations is the sense of adventure that you never know what you are going to see each day. There is nothing that quite gets the heart going like creeping up to a group of elephants drinking, with only the soft hooves of the horses to interrupt your appreciation of these gentle giants. Cantering over the crest of a hill to see a group of zebras grazing, and being thrilled when they start galloping alongside you. And the adrenaline that courses through your veins as you see a lion watching you and the horses from afar… That is something you’ll never forget.

A day spent in the saddle, cantering across jaw-dropping landscapes and breathing in Africa’s wonderfully clean air leaves you energized. The feeling of contentment as you sit around the campfire, sipping your first (or third) G&T is amplified – you’ve earned it. It is that feeling of accomplishment, combined with spectacular scenery, incredible wildlife and thrilling riding, that really makes horse safari an unparalleled experience.

We warn everyone that riding in Africa is one of the hardest drugs going, and an easy addiction to pick up! There is something about Africa that cannot be explained until you have felt its sand between your toes. There is an inescapable magic, that once you’ve experienced it, is hard to let go. It is perhaps the contentment, peace and mindfulness, teamed with the irresistible thrill and taste of adventure that being in the raw wilderness brings. This in itself sets Africa apart from any other holiday destination, but add horses into the equation, and you’ve got a combination out of this world.

10. When is the best time to go on a horse riding safari?

We often get asked what the best time to go on safari is – the answer is simple – Now! There is absolutely no bad time for safari – each season offers a different experience. The winter months are brilliant for wildlife as the bush is dry, the grass short and the wildlife sticks to the waterholes – this often leads to incredible predator sightings!

If you love the heat, Summer offers dramatic thunderstorms, lush green landscapes and many new-born animals finding their feet – but you might need a sense of adventure as the rain can cause last-minute changes to the itinerary.  Spring and Autumn our personal favourite time of year to travel. This is when the bush transforms with vivid landscapes, excellent game viewing, and migratory birds that bring a splash of colour.

Wildlife ignores our human clocks and calendars and follows the rains, so some destinations are more seasonal than others. If you have always dreamed of riding with millions of wildebeest in the Masai Mara, timing is everything. Likewise, if you dream of cantering through the marshy waters of the Okavango Delta, it is best to travel when the floodwaters are at their highest. The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans transform from dazzling white salt flats to shallow lakes filled with flamingos after the rain – so wet and dry season offer a whole different world! We always make sure to ask about your dream African adventure so we can make it a reality!

Thanks for reading and tally ho! 

Leave a Comment: Did you learn anything new or are you now convinced to give a horse riding safari a try?

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