Many camps in Africa offer horse-riding, concentrating on areas where there is little dangerous game. Even beginners will enjoy the rolling hills without worrying about the dangerous situations that can occur when riding in lion country. And for those seeking something different, at a few camps you can ride elephants. If you love riding then build some of these places into your trip:

Two small guest lodges in the Naukluft area of Namibia offer riding. The Desert Homestead concentrates on half-day trips, whilst nearby Büllsport Guest Farm offers longer trails into the mountains, lasting up to three days.

In South Africa, Grootbos is a wild and lovely place with very well-kept stables, housing ponies and horses with excellent temperaments, some suitable for children. Meanwhile, when you're staying in Cape Town, The Long Beach makes a perfect place to stay, allowing easy access to nearby stables from which you can ride through the waves along the beach.

Zambia has a number of private ranches and reserves whose owners keep large stables. Chaminuka and Lechwe Lodge, near Lusaka, spring to mind. There's top-class riding to be had on the horses and polo ponies at Shiwa Ng'andu and Nchila, and more gentle riding excursions in the forests of Mutinondo.

Malawi's Nyika Plateau is a great centre for riding, with a full range of trips lasting from a few hours to a seven-day riding safari. Here, you can blend into herds of eland, roan and zebra – getting far closer than you would on foot or by vehicle.

In Tanzania, the beach retreats of Ras Kutani and Amani Beach have an excellent stable nearby – perfect for long rides on the beach.

Finally, for a truly African experience in the saddle, consider riding African elephants through the Okavango Delta from Botswana's Abu Camp.

For some of our favourite ideas - use the search box on the right. Better still, call our experts now on +44(0)20 8232 9777 and ask us!


Riding in Africa | Riding in Botswana | Riding in Malawi | Riding in Mozambique | Riding in Namibia | Riding in Tanzania | Riding in Zambia


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