Dreaming about a horse safari but your friends and family are not keen on horse riding? We have just the thing! We’ve put together a collection of our favourite riding safaris which offer an unforgettable safari experience for those who are not quite as comfortable in the saddle.

While we would love to get everyone addicted to horse riding, we know not everyone is keen to leap onto the back of a horse. For couples or groups of friends of mixed ability, there is no reason to compromise on your horse riding holiday. We know it is equally important for non-riders to have an incredible safari experience.  Most lodge-based rides can easily cater for families, couples, or groups of friends, where some ride and others do not. And even some of the riding guests like to have a break from the saddle and join the non-riders for other activities – The possibilities are endless!

Set-off on informative and exciting game drives in the Big 5 areas of South Africa, Botswana, and Kenya. Embark on a guided walk to take in the smaller creatures and hone your tracking skills. Spend an afternoon with the Massai warriors in Kenya. Board a traditional mokoro canoe and safari in the Okavango Delta or enjoy a thrilling helicopter flight over the wetlands. Get up close and personal with the meerkats in the Makgadikgadi pans and sleep out under the stars. Explore Egypt’s desert on a quad bike or take in the sights of Cairo or Luxor. And for the bicycle enthusiasts, how about cycling through the wilderness in South Africa, Botswana or Kenya?

We can also plan beyond your horse safari – how about gorilla trekking in Uganda, diving in Mozambique, hiking up Table Mountain or bungee jumping at Victoria Falls. 

Click HERE for more info about horse riding safaris with non-riders

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 elephant in Zimbabwe

7 Nights: From $3 850 pps

Horseback safari in the heart of Hwange

Horseback safari in the heart of Hwange

7 Nights

Zimbabwe

Wildlife Focused Horse Safari

An exciting horse safari in one of Zimbabwe's premier wildlife reserves, off the beaten track and into wild Africa!

Antelope and horses galloping in the water

5 Nights: From GBP £3400 pp sharing

Kujwana Camp – Okavango Delta Horse Safari

Kujwana Camp – Okavango Delta Horse Safari

5 - 10 Nights

Botswana

Wildlife & Scenery Focused Safari

Experience the original Okavango Delta Horse Safari with two exclusive camps

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.

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.

8 Nights: USD $9995 pps

The Masai Mara with Gordie Church

The Masai Mara with Gordie Church

6 - 9 Nights

Kenya

Wildlife & Scenery Focused Safari

Join the legendary Gordie Church for an unforgettable ride across the Masai Mara.

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

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.

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.

Horses splashing in river

3 Nights: From USD $2109 pps

Zambezi Horse Safari in Victoria Falls

Zambezi Horse Safari in Victoria Falls

3 - 4 Nights

Zimbabwe

Scenery & Wildlife Focused Horse Safari

Follow in the footsteps of the great David Livingstone

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.

Horse riding for beginners

Africa is the perfect place for non-riders to get their first experience of the wonders of horseback adventures. In areas where there is no big game, such as in the Ant’s Reserve or at Horizon Ranch, novice riders can get the feel of riding on well-trained trail horses. At Ol Donyo and Borana lodge in Kenya, less experienced riders can join on shorter rides to gain confidence in the saddle. And the Kalahari Desert’s wide-open plains offer the perfect backdrop for your first time riding wild.

For less confident riders, the horses are specifically chosen for their gentle personalities, patience, and ability to follow the lead horse. The riding is gentle, starting with walking and trotting through the bush. Here you can encounter wildlife, such as giraffe, zebra and antelope on horseback. The groups are kept small and often have 2 guides. This means the more confident riders can go on ahead where the terrain calls for a good canter. You might even find yourself cantering along by the end of the week, as addicted to horse safaris as your counterpart!

Expedition horse safaris in East Africa

For expedition-like safaris in Kenya and Tanzania, the distances travelled over the week are too far for inexperienced horse riders. As the riders mount up for their riding adventure, non-riders can hop into game drive vehicles where their qualified ranger will take a similar route between camps. Both the riding and vehicle safaris offer incredible wildlife sightings, with many Lion King moments. It is especially exciting when the herds of wildebeest and zebra are migrating through the area – with plenty of predator action!

Cycling and Riding Safaris

For cycling enthusiasts, how about a different type of saddle? Ants Nest, Borana and Ol Donyo lodges offer a range of bicycles for adults and children.  The incredibly diverse terrain offers gentle meanders through the bush as well as technical cycling. You will set out with an experienced guide who will show you the best trails depending on your fitness and expectations. Enjoy cycling alongside herds of game in the vast plains or set off to find more challenging terrain.

One of our most popular horse safaris is also perfect for cyclists to join along for a multi-day adventure in the saddle. This is a great option for couples, friends, or families with a mix of riders and non-riders. The 7-day Tuli trail follows the elephant trails in the Mashatu Game Reserve. The cyclists follow a similar route to the horseback safari, with all guests staying at the same camps, spending meals and afternoon non-riding activities together. Catching up after a long day in the saddle is the perfect way to reconnect and compare animal encounters. The aim is to cycle 3-5 hours per day at an easy going pace with regular game sightings. Expect to cover about 25 – 50km per day depending on the experience and fitness of the group.

Other activities on safari

GAME DRIVES – Lodge-based rides in South Africa, Botswana, and Kenya offer informative and exciting game drives. These take place in the early mornings and late afternoons when wildlife is most active. While riders set off on horseback, non-riders hop into open safari vehicles, each with a window seat – ideal for wildlife photography (and taking great snaps of the riders!) As most lodges are in private conservancies, vehicles can head off-road, getting you incredibly close to wildlife such as lion, elephant and buffalo. You can also head out on night game drives where you may encounter more elusive nocturnal animals such as leopards, porcupine, and hyena.

GUIDED WALKS – Many safari lodges offer incredible guided walks out into the bush. This is not only a chance to stretch your legs but a chance to take in the nuances of nature. You head out with a local guide who will tell you about the secrets of the bush. Learn how to read animal tracks, the ancient uses of wild herbs and how the locals live in tune with the bush. It is a great experience for anyone interested in the smaller creatures such as birds and insects, but often you will get fairly close to larger game which is always incredibly exciting.

CYCLING – Set off on a cycle through the bush in South Africa, Kenya or Botswana. These trails follow the animal tracks and can be a gentle meander through the bush or a more intense workout to reach the top of rocky outcrops for incredible views.

ON THE WATER – In the Okavango Delta, seasonal floodwaters miraculously fill the dry channels and create a haven for wildlife. When water levels permit, embark on a tranquil paddle in a traditional canoe, gliding past water lilies, brightly coloured frogs and pods of hippos. Deeper channels can be explored by motorboat and create the ideal platform for wildlife viewing and fishing. In Mozambique, set sail on a traditional wooden dhow for an unforgettable sunset cruise. And Egypt offers you two exceptional experiences, a sunset cruise on the River Nile or a boat trip to swim with wild dolphins in Makadi Bay.

HELICOPTER FLIGHTS – Get a bird’s eye view of the Okavango Delta with a thrilling helicopter flight. From the air, you have the chance of seeing herds of buffalo and towers of giraffe crossing the open plains below. Our Zambezi Horse Safari is set just a few minutes away from the mighty Victoria Falls. David Livingstone famously wrote “Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight”. Little did he know that 150 years later you can have exactly that opportunity.

HOT AIR BALLOONING – At the top of many bucket lists is an ethereal dawn flight in a hot air balloon. In the Masai Mara and Serengeti, you can drift over the endless plains, watching the river of wildebeest meander below you. In southern Namibia watch the sand dunes transform from shades of grey to golds and reds.

QUAD BIKING – Somehow deserts are synonymous with 4×4 adventures, whether in a conventional vehicle or the more adventurous quad bike. In Egypt, while the horse riders are galloping through the desert, head off on a guided quad biking tour through the sand dunes. Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Salt Pans also offer the perfect racetrack, stopping in the middle of the pans to take in their immense size and the utter stillness found in very few places on earth.

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES – Safaris are the perfect way to immerse yourself in a different culture. All lodges employ local guides and staff from the local villages. You will find them waiting to greet you with warm smiles and hearty laughs. In the Masai Mara and Serengeti, spend time getting to know the nomadic Masai people and take part in traditional games. In the Makgadigadi Salt Pans, learn the secrets of the desert from the local San Bushmen. In South Africa, be amazed at the sharp eyes and amazing memories of your guides as they tell you stories about the bush. In Morocco and Egypt, visit the cities and sacred sights that are off the beaten track.

WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS – Ants Nest Lodge is home to both black and white rhinos. They will often come to the lodge and you can spend hours watching them from the purposely built viewing deck. You can also head out on foot, horseback, or vehicle to learn about tracking these incredible animals. In the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, set out in the early morning light to see the fearless Meerkats coming out of their burrows. It is an unforgettable experience watching them warm themselves in the sunlight, using the termite mounds, rocks, or humans to get the best vantage point over the plains. Follow them as they forage for their favourite foods, hear how they communicate with growls and squeaks and be amazed at how good their eyesight is!