Skip to main content

IS POSSIBLE TO COMBINE A HORSE-RIDING SAFARI WITH A FAMILY HOLIDAY? THE ANSWER IS A RESOUNDING YES!

Horseback riding vacations offer families an active, challenging adventure holiday. We have hand-picked family-friendly rides across the continent, suiting a mix of riders of all ages and abilities – Even those who do not ride. A horse-riding holiday is a family vacation that can be enjoyed by children, parents, grandparents and anyone else who wants to join in!

We live, breathe and ride Africa and our team of safari gurus can help choose the perfect safari for your family. Whether your kids are wannabe cowboys, or you want to introduce them to the wonders of horse riding, there is no reason not to choose a horse-riding holiday for your next family adventure.

Click Here For More Info About Horse Riding Safari With Family

Girls riding horses

8 nights: From USD $3970 pps

Zambian Odyssey

Zambian Odyssey

8 - 11 Nights

Zambia

Wildlife & Scenery Focused Safari

Discover Zambia from horseback, boat, foot and vehicle on this adventure holiday.

Rhinos and horses in Kenya

3 Nights: From USD $3363 pps

Lewa Wilderness

Lewa Wilderness

3 - 10 Nights

Kenya

Wildlife Focused Horse Safari

The Lewa Wilderness is perfect for true safari lovers to fully immerse in this very special part of Kenya.

Galloping with wildebeest

5 nights: From USD $2350 pps

Simalaha Conservancy & Victoria Falls

Simalaha Conservancy & Victoria Falls

3 - 7 Nights

Zambia

Scenery & Wildlife Focused Horse Safari

Ride across the Zambezi River floodplains with herds of zebra, wildebeest and lechwe, before visiting the mighty Victoria Falls.

Horse riding with giraffe

5 Nights: From GBP £1500 pps

Riding at Ant’s Hill and Ant’s Nest

Riding at Ant’s Hill and Ant’s Nest

TAILOR MADE

South Africa

Wildlife & Scenery Focused Horse Safari

Excellent riding, luxury accommodation, spectacular sundowners and great game viewing.

An equestrian horseriding in a safari with zebras

5 Nights: From GBP £980

Horizon Lodge’s Signature Safari

Horizon Lodge’s Signature Safari

TAILOR MADE

South Africa

Scenery & Wildlife Focused Horse Safari

Nestled in the depths of the stunning Waterberg region, this is the ideal family horse safari experience.

horses galloping on the beach

4 Nights: From ZAR 19800 // GBP £990 pps

Exciting beach riding on the Wild Coast

Exciting beach riding on the Wild Coast

4/7 Nights

South Africa

Scenery Focused Horse Safari

Enjoy cantering down South Africa's most rugged and remote coastline.

horse riding in Kenya

3 Nights: From USD $2460 pps

Foothills of Mt Kenya – Borana Lodge

Foothills of Mt Kenya – Borana Lodge

3 - 10 Nights

Kenya

Wildlife & Scenery Focused Safari

Slot into the laid-back way of life in the foothills of Mt Kenya at Borana Lodge

Photo of walking animals in Chyulu Hills

3 Nights: From USD $3285 pps

Chyulu Hills – Ol Donyo Lodge

Chyulu Hills – Ol Donyo Lodge

3 - 10 Nights

Kenya

Wildlife Focused Safari

Horse riding in some of Kenya's most spectacular landscapes

Horse riding with elephants

3 Nights: From GBP £1635 pps

Macatoo – Okavango Delta Horse Safari

Macatoo – Okavango Delta Horse Safari

3 - 10 Nights

Botswana

Wildlife Focused Horse Safari

There is no better way to absorb the spectacular sights and sounds of the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

people riding horses in a safari

5 Nights: From USD $4800 pps

Kalahari and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Ride

Kalahari and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Ride

5 Nights

Botswana

Wildlife & Scenery Focused Safari

Ride across the striking Makgadikgadi Salt Flats and Kalahari Desert.

Tropical half underwater horse and rider

3 Nights: From USD $2395 pps

Surf & Turf Horse Safari in Mozambique

Surf & Turf Horse Safari in Mozambique

3-7 Nights

Mozambique

Scenery Focused Horse Safari

A horse safari in Mozambique is an unparalleled experience for those who love all things exotic.

Why a horse safari the perfect family vacation

A trip to Africa will give your family a life-changing experience. Modern-day life tends to be non-stop and it is often hard to find time to bond with your loved ones.  In Africa, time moves slower and you can reconnect with your family in a natural environment. Here you can share a common love of horses in a unique setting. Our lodge-based rides in South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Kenya and Tanzania have an abundance of exciting safari activities for kids of all ages. The lodges are set-up for family holidays; offering private dining, kids activities and child minding to give parents some well-deserved rest and relaxation.

Riding levels for your family horse riding holiday

Lodges like Ants Nest and Horizon Ranch have a range of horses and ponies catering to both novice and experienced child riders. There are pony rides around the lodge for the little ones. Riding lessons to give more nervous riders the chance to improve their confidence in the saddle. Novice and advanced children riders can join their parents on horse rides with plains game such as antelope, zebra and giraffe in South Africa. More experienced kids will enjoy trying their hand at jumping, polocrosse, and mounted games – Often the adults join in the fun!

Very experienced children over 12 will be able to ride with their families or parents to experience the magic of Africa on horseback on one of our ‘big game’ trails. In the Kalahari Desert, the wide-open spaces offer the perfect place for riders of all ages and abilities to feel the freedom of a horseback adventure. At Borana Lodge or Ol Donyo in Kenya, more experienced children can join longer rides on the open plains.

Eswatini and Egypt can offer intermediate teenagers the chance to join their parents for a weeklong trail ride. For expedition-like mobile safaris in Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania, the distances are too far for inexperienced riders. But we can create custom-made itineraries where non-riders will be driven between camps in a game drive vehicle.

Family-friendly beach riding escapes

Mozambique and South Africa’s Wild Coast offer exciting beach escapes for the perfect family holiday. You can easily combine a riding safari with a few days of sunshine and splashy canters. In Mozambique, relax in a tropical paradise. Make family memories riding along the white sands, enjoying beach canters and horseback swims in the warm turquoise waters.

In contrast, the Wild Coast is true to its name and offers remote beaches and lush forests to explore on horseback. This untamed area is ideal for a family adventure – blue skies, clear water and incredible horse riding. Children can also learn about natural horsemanship and often fall deeply in love with their ponies.

Child-friendly activities on safari

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 reptile shows, 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.

For older kids and teenagers, the guides will teach them bushcraft, animal tracking and survival skills. For those that are interested, they can see the conservation projects and meet the rangers. At night, star gazing and storytelling around the fire are always a highlight. It is amazing how quickly kids fall in love with the bush – with many conservationists born on safari.

Activities for non-riding family members

In cases where some members of the family who do not wish to ride on holiday there are other interesting activities. Most lodge-based horse safaris can easily cater to non-riding partners, friends, and children. Even some of the riding guests like to have a break from the saddle.

Many lodges offer informative and exciting game drives for epic wildlife photography as well as guided walks to hone your tracking skills.  In Kenya, spend an afternoon with the Masai warriors and take part in traditional games. A safari in the Okavango Delta offers tranquil mokoro (canoe) safaris or thrilling helicopter flights over the wetlands. Get up close and personal with the meerkats in the Makgadikgadi pans and sleep out under the stars. And for the bicycle enthusiasts, how about cycling through the wilderness in South Africa, Botswana or Kenya?