5 Best Luxury Safari Lodges for Your African Horse Riding Holiday

What Are the Most Luxurious Safari Lodges in Africa?

Time is undoubtedly one of the biggest luxuries in modern life, and a quintessential luxury safari in Africa is one of the ultimate travel escapes — a place where time truly stands still. Here, in the vast expanse of intoxicating wilderness, our guests are able to disconnect from the daily stress of life and become one with nature. Riding on horseback across the open plains, deserts, savannahs, beaches, and jungles reveals the magic of this continent in a bucket list adventure. When paired with some of the continent’s most extraordinary lodges, a luxury African safari is a must-do!

Are you looking to step back in time following in the steps of the explorers-of-old horseback riding alongside the giant tuskers or experiencing splashy canters in the Okavango Delta? What about tranquil sleep outs under the stars in the remote wilds? If you are looking for the perfect luxury safari lodge in Africa, where you can enjoy a relaxing massage after your morning ride or game drive, we offer a range of the best luxury safari lodge stays and trail rides that cater to all your desires. If you want to spoil yourself, you can also consider extending your safari and spend some extra time exploring different destinations in Africa such as Victoria Falls or Cape Town. Knowing how you imagine your bucket-list horse safari makes it easier to turn that dream into a reality.

There is no denying that a luxury horse safari is an expensive, often once in a lifetime trip for many… It is for this reason that choosing the right horseback adventure is so crucial. It is worthwhile doing some basic research into the costs of safaris and flights so that you can set a realistic budget for yourself. All our horse riding holidays are all-inclusive, so from the moment you touch down in the airport, you will spend very little. A good tip is to consider visiting top luxury safari lodges in Africa during the off-season if you want to pay a slightly lower price but still get the same incredible experience.

How We Define Luxury in Africa

Part of the allure of a luxury safari adventure is that they can be tailor-made to suit your schedule and they offer a variety of other activities such as game drives and nature walks. A stay at these remarkable lodges can easily rival many of the world’s best hotels. Here, right in the heart of the wilderness, luxury is defined in many ways — from world-class service, superior accommodation, and gourmet dining to stellar hospitality. Then there are the unique experiences only available to guests staying in these off-the-grid destinations — access to remote locations only accessible by horse, connecting with local communities, and complete freedom to explore bucket-list experiences and unforgettable wildlife encounters

Trail-based rides are for the more adventurous, allowing riders to cover more ground delivering a true wilderness experience without sacrificing touches of luxury. Here, you can expect amazing dining, warm showers, double tents, luxury linen, and 5-star service. Many of these rides offer varied accommodations along the route, from magical tree-top sleepouts to more permanent tented camps. Others offer fly camping in remote wilderness areas or sleeping out on stretchers under the stars — a luxury not on offer back in the city.

1. Luxury Escape at Ant’s Hill in South Africa

At Ant’s Hill and Ant’s Nest — an incredible lodge with two luxury ‘bush homes’ — each day is tailored to suit your expectations. The rooms at Ant’s Hill are all set slightly apart offering privacy and incredible views of the valley below. Some of the rooms private heated swimming pools or outside showers, and one has a luxurious outdoor bath where you can bathe under the stars with a glass of bubbles in hand. Ant’s is home to over 90 well-schooled horses, offering the chance for great riding experiences. The horses lead a fabulous life, roaming freely through the reserve, only coming in to eat. There is something wonderful about arriving at your sundowner spot, untacking your horse, and then simply letting them go free to wander back to the stables.

“I just came back from an incredible trip to Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill in South Africa. It was everything I expected and more. The staff at both lodges were so hospitable and welcoming, always making sure every guest had everything they needed. I was traveling alone and instantly felt very at home thanks to their kindness. The horses were incredible, so accustomed to all the wildlife (and we saw a LOT of wildlife!)” says guest Lisa C., who stayed at Ants Africa Safaris.
For those looking for travel following their Ants’ safari experience, we can put together a tailored itinerary to include an add-on to AndBeyond Benguerra Island for the ultimate bush to beach break.

Luxury horse riding holiday at Ant’s Africa Safaris in South Africa

2. Luxury Horse Safari at Borana Lodge in Kenya

Enter Africa’s Eden in the heart of Kenya’s Borana Conservancy. Borana Lodge is set against a beautiful hillside with 360-degree views of the conservancy. Canter with great herds of zebra and view groups of giraffe grazing peacefully as you ride past on your sure-footed steed. Borana caters exceptionally well for mixed groups of riders and non-riders, offering a wide range of activities including game drives, cycling, walks, and more. Perfect for families, honeymoons, and special occasions, Borana Lodge offers some of the most authentic ways to discover Kenya’s wildlife with the addition of a truly luxurious African safari experience in incredible surroundings. You can even visit the iconic Pride Rock that inspired the Lion King movie for some outstanding views.

The lodge is situated on a breathtaking hillside with each room featuring panoramic views across the outstretched valley. An infinity pool allows you to relax while watching elephants and other game as they make their way down to the dam below. There are four stand-alone cottages and two family suites to choose from – one with its own private plunge pool. All rooms and cottages are close to the main area of the lodge where a cosy sitting room and bar awaits – here drinks are served every evening before a sumptuous sitdown dinner. Guests can even request a magical dinner served next to the swimming pool with the stars reflected in the water… There’s also the chance to head off on a fly camp safari and sleep under African skies to the sounds of nocturnal wildlife before returning to the luxury of your exceptional cottage back at the lodge.

Borana Lodge is a fabulous option for pretty much anyone! All levels of riders can enjoy the riding as it’s as mild or as wild as you like. Each group of guests can choose to ride privately, so you can set the pace. While Borana Lodge is a Big 5 area, less experienced riders will stick to the open plains where you will not come across any wildlife by surprise. More experienced riders can head further afield out into the valleys and the hills.

Book a luxury horse riding holiday at Borana Lodge

3. Laikipia Horse Safari in Lewa Wilderness

Lewa Wilderness is completely tailored to you. This is an exclusive destination where the landscape is rich with abundant wildlife. The stunning Laikipia terrain offers the chance to view a variety of animals, including rare and endangered species such as black rhino, painted dog, and Grevy’s zebra. Whether you’re on a solo sabbatical, a honeymoon escape, or a family horseback retreat, this safari offers something for every riding level. Beginner riders can experience the wonder of riding amongst the herds of zebra, antelope, and giraffe.

Experienced equestrians can enjoy thrilling canters along the wildlife tracks, travelling further afield to discover this incredible landscape without the rumble of an engine. Imagine a backdrop of snow-capped Mount Kenya and the diversity of scenery from open plains, rolling hills, valleys, escarpments and rivers. Advanced riders can head into the bush for a night out under the stars with the horses. There are six individual hillside cottages, each with a unique layout and all with stunning views out over the valley and the sound of the river below where wildlife often gather. Guests to Lewa soon become a part of the family. Relax by the fire in the cozy sitting room and share meals around a long banquet table in the open-air dining room where you’ll often see giraffes and elephants ambling past.

A stay at Lewa can easily be combined with one of the other lodges in Laikipia or even a beach break at the stunning Kinondo Kwetu – a breathtaking boutique beach lodge on the captivating Kenyan coastline.

Riding at Lewa offers unforgettable safari activities

4. Ol Donyo’s Safari of Old for a True Taste of African Luxury

Welcome to Ol Donyo — Kingdom of the Lion. As the African sun rises across the Chyulu Hills, the real-life wilderness of the Lion King springs to life in spectacular fashion. It’s not hard to see why Kenya’s most celebrated wilderness inspired the Disney movie. Imagine riding through the rolling green hills with familiar characters at every turn—mischievous hyenas causing trouble, cheeky warthogs scampering through the bush, mighty elephants gathering at the waterhole, and of course, the star of the show, the King of the Savannah himself.

Relais and Chateaux awarded Ol Donyo Lodge sits right in the heart of this unreal setting, with unbeatable views of Mt. Kilimanjaro in the distance. The lodge comprises a series of suites and villas where the design is a blend of contemporary and traditional accommodation, merging with the landscape on either side of the luxuriously comfortable lounge and dining area. Each suite has its own heated swimming pool which is the perfect place to relax and watch the wildlife in front of the lodge. Plus each suite has a gorgeous star-bed up on the roof, where you can fall asleep under the Milky Way.

Here you will ride through the bush on some of Kenya’s finest horses, where you are more likely to cross the tracks of a pride of lions than that of a human! Riding through the Chyulu hills, between Tsavo and Amboseli, is something else. The horses are just as impressive as the scenery, with a mix of highly trained Thoroughbreds, Friesian crosses, Percherons, and Somalis as your faithful steeds. A horse riding holiday at Ol Donyo combines the most exciting riding with the luxury safari of your dreams—think riding along old elephant paths, spotting a sleeping cheetah beneath the shade of a nearby tree, followed by sundowners in the luxury of your private suite with sunset views. This is an incredible destination for families and groups with non-riders, as they have a range of safari activities and a young ranger program.

We can create tailor-made Kenyan Safari Holidays to include highlights like the great wildebeest migration or an indulgent stay along the Kenyan Coast. One of our favourite add ons is a stay at their sister camp – Mara Plains Camp, a one-of-a-kind luxury Kenya safari camp located in the private 13,300-hectare Olare Motorogi Conservancy, just on the Maasai Mara National Reserve’s northern boundary.

Experience the quintessential horse safari holiday at Ol Donyo

5. Delta Dreaming at Kujwana Camp in the Okavango

If you want to experience the Okavango Delta in exquisite style, then Kujwana ALWAYS delivers. Not only does it offer fabulous food and luxury accommodation, but riding in the Okavango Delta, particularly from Kujwana Camp, gives you one of the best chances of seeing the rare and elusive African Wild Dogs — a true privilege. Established in 1986, this is the original horse safari in Southern Africa. A combination of the owner’s love of horses and wildlife inspired the beginning of this horseback adventure in the Delta.

Just getting to the camp is an adventure, with a thrilling helicopter or scenic flight over the Delta — offering an exciting game viewing experience with a bird’s eye view. Although the key focus is horseback riding, the camps also offer other amazing activities such as guided walks, mokoro expeditions (water levels permitting), power boats, and fishing if the season allows. Late afternoon game drives with sundowners before you return back to camp as night falls. The cover of night gives you the opportunity to see nocturnal creatures such as porcupines, serval, and the more elusive predators such as leopards.

Kujwana is a smaller lodge with just 10 tents and it never has more than 8 guests at a time, offering a truly intimate stay. On a 7-night stay here, you are also able to spend a night at their incredible sister camp, Mokolowane Camp, where all the rooms are on stilts and have stunning views of the flood plains and taking advantage of being in a private concession bordering the famous Moremi Game Reserve. The Delta is amazing all year round, but the floods can be erratic. If seeing the Delta in flood is important to you, the best months to travel are between late-June and early October. For those looking for travel beyond horse safaris in the Delta, we can put together a bespoke itinerary to add on locations like Victoria Falls River Lodge.

Explore the Okavango Delta on a horse riding holiday at Kujwana

6. Luxury Glamping Horse Safari in the Masai Mara with Gordie Church

We couldn’t finish this list of extraordinary safari lodges without mentioning a journey to the Masai Mara. Live your very own ‘Out of Africa’ safari dream and embark on a remarkable glamping adventure through the iconic Masai Mara with the legendary Gordie Church. This is a truly iconic safari in the style of the original explorers with unbelievable riding, luxury tents, 5-star service, and unimaginable scenery.

Gordie and his wife, Felicia have created the ultimate glamping horse safari, complete with persian carpets, luxury linen, fresh roses next to your copper basin and of course, decadent candlelit dinners rivaling some of the best restaurants. Enjoy Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s in the morning, and Pink Gin’s at sunset surrounded by the magic of the Mara. Considered by many as the crème-de-la-crème of African horse safaris, a horse safari in the Masai Mara is not to be missed. Imagine the freedom of cantering across the open savannah alongside herds of zebra and giraffes—just magical. The Masai Mara offers incredible wildlife sightings of leopards, lions, elephants, hyenas, and many more plains wildlife.

Luxury horse riding holiday in Kenya with Gordie Church

7. Experience Something Different at the Cape Winelands on Horseback

Or do you fancy a holiday with some of the best trail horses, gourmet food, and wine? Then it’s time to discover the world famous Cape Town Winelands on horseback. Riding in this region will see you riding past dramatic mountain ranges and historical homesteads. Mount your horse in the sun’s morning glow and set off through the peaceful vineyards, enjoying some exhilarating long canters down the tractor paths before stopping to sample some of the region’s best wines served with a delicious lunch.

You’ll then continue your ride with beautiful mountains in the background, then go home to Angala Boutique Hotel and indulge in spa treatments, heated swimming pools and steam rooms. In the evening, savour the flavours of some of South Africa’s top restaurants – Franschhoek is not called the Gourmet Capital of South Africa for nothing. This is a fantastic trail for all riding levels and can even be combined with other horse safaris around South Africa.

Experience a horse riding holiday in Cape Winelands

Make the Most of Your African Horse Riding Holiday

We showcase selected rides that combine sought-after adventure, professional guiding, quality accommodation and horses that are as important as the guests. You also get unbiased comparisons of different rides and personal first-hand advice. We warn you, Africa is highly addictive and exploring it on horseback is an unforgettable experience.