African Horse Safaris Ride Calendar

Certainly! Many lodges are well set up with families in mind and have unique activities, especially for them. Not only are there swimming pools and games to keep them entertained, but some lodges even have kids’ clubs, bicycles and archery. For the little ones, there are pony rides, nature-inspired arts and crafts, and interpretive walks around the lodge. Guides will teach them the basics of wildlife and birds in the area through fun games and activities.

On most of our more challenging rides, the age limit is 12 and children need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. But for many of our lodge-based riding holidays, even the youngest kids get to experience the magic of a horse safari with pony rides, horse swims, mounted games and shorter trail rides.

We have many exciting options for families, whether you’re looking for a beach riding escape in Mozambique, or a relaxed family holiday exploring wildlife and landscapes at Borana Lodge in Kenya, which is home to the Big 5! Horizon Lodge and Ants Nest in South Africa also offer exceptional horse riding holidays with tailormade stays for your family.

Yes, family horse riding holidays cater to riders of all levels, including beginners. Our teams have well-trained horses suitable for those with limited or no riding experience. The guides are also incredibly patient with kids and riding holidays offer the chance to make life-changing memories with your family.

Absolutely, our family-friendly lodges have a variety of different horses plus a great team of guides, so your family can all ride together if you want to. The pace will be adjusted to the least confident rider, but there are still chances for more capable riders to head out for some faster riding. It’s wonderful to see how quickly kids’ confidence grows when out riding in the bush!

Yes, we have some great rides that cater for mixed riding abilities or even those who don’t ride at all. We want the whole family to have the most amazing holiday in Africa. In addition to horse riding, family horse riding holidays may include activities like nature walks, game drives, or other family-friendly adventures. These experiences provide a well-rounded holiday for all family members.

Lodges like Ants Nest and Horizon Lodge offer a range of horses and ponies to accommodate both novice and experienced child riders. Pony rides are available for younger children, riding lessons for those who may be more nervous or looking to improve their confidence, and opportunities for novice and advanced children to join their parents on horse rides with plains game such as antelope, zebra, and giraffe. More experienced children can also try activities like jumping, polocrosse, and mounted games, where adults can join in the fun too.

Absolutely! Locations like Mozambique and Zanzibar offer exciting opportunities for riding along white sands, enjoying beach canters, and even horseback swims in warm turquoise waters. Mozambique provides a tropical paradise setting, while the untamed Wild Coast offers remote beaches and lush forests to explore on horseback. These beach riding experiences can create lasting family memories and add a wonderful dimension to your horse-riding safari adventure.

While some operators provide basic riding gear like riding hats, you can bring your own if you prefer. You’ll need to bring your own boots, jodhpurs and chaps if you choose to wear those. Sturdy shoes with a heel and long comfortable pants are also perfectly fine for short rides or for kids if you don’t want to invest too much. If you’re unsure, please ask our team, we’ll be happy to answer your questions.

Get in touch with us! Let us know how old your kids are so we can recommend the best lodges and rooms to suit your family. Most lodges have great kids rates, with children between 5 and 12 being 50% of the price, and a special rate for teens. Kids under 5 are free if sharing with their parents. Most rooms can be made into triple rooms to accommodate kids, and there are some great family cottages that have 2 or more bedrooms, with a private lounge (some even have a private pool!) just for your family.