Click here for the US site. 
The content of this website is © Aardvark Safaris unless otherwise stated.
sitemap | remote email
The Specialists for Riding Safaris in Africa
Experienced riders find African horseback safaris a fantastic experience, riding alongside herds of game with your shape disguised by the movement and shape of the horse allows you to get close to nature. Horses make it possible to cover significant distances over remote regions, beyond even the strongest four-wheel drive vehicles. There are plenty of riding holiday companies that offer short half-day rides; however serious equestrians can choose from specialist horse riding safaris lasting days or weeks, fly-camping out under the stars and tacking up at dawn for up to six hours in the saddle.
Alternatively you can experience life on a farm where horses are a part of the daily routine, being used to muster cattle and for impromptu games of polo. Here you can ride if you want, or simply enjoy a very different way of living in rural Africa. With some top class horses and guides, and our expert knowledge, everyone is bound to find an African horse riding holiday to suit their every need.
Please contact us to discuss your thoughts and ideas and we will start putting ideas together for you.
Riding Safaris - Top Tips
- Be honest about your riding ability, then we will match you to the most suitable riding holiday and your hosts can pick the best horse for you.
- Take a wide brimmed hat / hard hat, cotton tops covering your shoulders and plenty of sun screen – you are more exposed to the elements on a horse
- There are often quite long lazy lunches during the heat of the day when the wildlife snoozes, so a good book is essential
- Children are welcome on many riding safaris but don’t overestimate their stamina and ability
- Wear lightweight clothing
- A pair of binoculars each is essential and people find a “bum bag” useful.
- A few days at the beach is the perfect start or end to the rigours of a riding safari
Here are some horse riding safari holidays that Aardvark Safaris offer:
Okavango Horse Safaris – choose from 5, 7 or 10 day rides in the wildlife rich Okavango Delta with PJ and Barney Bestelink, this riding safari has it all.
African Horseback Safaris – Riding in the Okavango Delta for 7 or 10 days with the option of fly camping
Limpopo Valley Horse Safaris - enter the Land of the Giants, safaris are along the Limpopo Valley with excellent sightings of Elephants.
Big Five Safaris – a set departure safari that combines the Waterberg in South Africa with the Tuli Block in Botswana
Kenya Riding Safaris:
Offbeat Horse Safaris – 10 day set rides in either the Masai Mara or Laikipia, with incredible guides like Tristan Voorspuy.
Ride Kenya – combine game viewing with incredible country with views of Kilimanjaro, either ride with a group or tailor make your own safari
Borana Lodge – either ride for a week or just an afternoon, the rides are set in the shadow of Mount Kenya
Loldia House – quiet short rides close to the shores of Lake Naivasha, this is offered as an activity from the lodge
Ol Malo – ride for an afternoon, while you stay at this family run Laikipia safari lodge
Ol Donyo Wuas – short rides can be arranged while you stay in the Chyulu Hills
Sosian Ranch – well schooled horses for confident riders who want some riding on their holiday but not as the main focus, this work perfectly if others in your group do not want to ride
Lewa & Loisaba - horses suitable for novice riders for a couple of hours while staying at the lodge
Namibia Riding Safaris
Desert Homestead Riding– base yourself at the lodge and explore the dunes and Sossusvlei either by horse or car
Okapuka – based in the Okapuka reserve close to Windhoek, you can combine game viewing with long rides. They also offer endurance rides.
South Africa Riding Safaris
SA Horseback Safaris – a wide range of different riding holidays in the northern part of South Africa
Ants Hill & Ant’s Nest – suitable for parties of mixed riding abilities and non riders, ride on private reserves with good game viewing especially Rhino.
Cybele Forest Lodge – very relaxed rides for a couple of hours from the lodge
Grootbos – short, steady and safe rides for everyone from the lodge, popular with children
Horizion Horseback Safaris – perhaps the most varied riding holiday in Africa, they offer cattle ranching / cross country / riding safaris and many more
Wait a Little – take small groups of riders on safari with excellent horses, guides and game viewing alongside the Kruger National Park
Tswalu Lodge – trail rides from the lodge for up to 4 people, through the Kalahari sand, ponies suitable for children
Kurland – This is a well established polo set up, but it is also possible to ride on the beach and the surrounding country.
Big Five Ride - a set departure safari that combines the Waterberg in South Africa with the Tuli Block in Botswana
This page was written by our riding expert Alice Gully