Surf & Turf Horse Safari in Mozambique

On arrival at Vilankulo Airport, you will be met by Pat or Mandy Retzlaff, your hosts and guides for the week, before transferring to your accommodation and settling in.

In the afternoon, you will head to the stables to meet the horses and riding team. You will have the opportunity to try several horses in the riding school before choosing the one that feels right for you. Once everyone is comfortable, you will head out onto the beach for a relaxed introductory ride.

The route takes in some of the different landscapes found around the archipelago, from wide sandy beaches and dune bush to mangroves and elevated coastal viewpoints. It is a gentle introduction to the horses and the riding environment, with time to settle into the saddle before the longer rides begin.

Today’s ride heads inland along single tracks that skirt African villages and large freshwater lakes. The area is particularly good for birdlife, with opportunities to spot eagles, herons, harriers, rollers, pelicans and kingfishers along the way.

You will canter along bush paths and through farmland, passing rural schools and the remains of old Portuguese homesteads. The old farm roads provide opportunities for a faster pace as you make your way across the countryside.

On the return journey, you will reach the beach again, where there is plenty of space for some longer canters before heading back to the stables.

A motorised dhow takes you across the Bazaruto National Park to Benguerra Island, with the chance to spot dolphins and traditional fishing dhows along the way. As you approach the island, the horses will be waiting on the white sandy beach beneath the palm trees.

Once saddled up, you will set off along the beach before heading inland through local villages, golden sand dunes and freshwater lakes where flamingos can often be seen. The route then follows sandy tracks back towards the coast, passing local fishermen before continuing along the beach.

If the tide allows, there may also be time to snorkel around Magaruque Island, followed by a simple seafood lunch beneath the shade of a tree. You will return to the mainland as the sun begins to set, with dinner and drinks waiting back at the lodge.

Enjoy a relaxed morning before heading out on a lunchtime ride to a local fishing village. From the stables, you will follow the beach before reaching wider stretches of sand where you can pick up the pace and canter towards the mangroves. The route continues to the Fingerprint of God viewpoint, with wonderful views across the Bazaruto Archipelago, before winding through coconut plantations and along beach paths to Mangalise Fishing Village.

Here, a traditional Mozambican lunch is served beneath a thatched shelter, with fresh crab, grilled fish and matapa, a local dish made with cassava leaves, nuts and coconut milk. After lunch, the village children often come out to sing and dance before you saddle up for the ride home. The visit offers a chance to experience a local community away from the usual tourist routes, while supporting the village through the safari.

This is a favourite ride for many guests, combining relaxed coastal riding with faster riding through the bush. The route follows the old coastal road before winding inland and crossing a small river estuary. You will pass through rural villages, where children often come out to wave as the horses go by, before reaching quieter areas where there are long stretches for safe canters through the coastal bush.

After several hours in the saddle, you will follow a bush track through the woodland and back towards the coast, emerging onto the beach with views across the bay. The wide, sandy beaches provide plenty of space for longer canters on the way back to the stables. After the ride, there may be an opportunity to enjoy sundowners before heading out for dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, transfer to the stables and saddle up before heading down to the beach. Follow the shoreline past Vilankulo, with plenty of space for long canters along the wide stretch of sand. As you ride north, the Red Dune comes into view across the bay. Head towards the dune and climb to the top, where you will be rewarded with beautiful views across the turquoise waters and sandbanks of the Bazaruto Archipelago.

After taking in the views, ride back down to the beach and continue along the shoreline before stopping for a fresh seafood lunch. In the afternoon, visit a local arts and crafts centre supporting the surrounding community, with time to browse the handmade products and pick up a few souvenirs. Back at the lodge, the rest of the afternoon is free to relax by the pool or enjoy one last walk along the beach before dinner.

The swimming ride is one of the highlights of this adventure and offers the chance to experience the horses in a completely different setting!

You will mount bareback on the beach before riding into the turquoise water for an ocean walk of around 30 minutes. Once you reach the swimming area, you will dismount and lead another horse into the shallows, where they can splash, roll and cool off in the water.

You will then remount bareback and head into deeper water for the swimming experience. For safety, the horses will generally be attached to a long lead rope while swimming. Each horse has its own personality in the water, making this a memorable part of the ride.

Later in the afternoon, you will travel by vehicle to the Govuro River for a canoe trip. Paddle along the peaceful waterway as the light begins to soften, looking out for native fish and listening to the surrounding birdlife. As evening falls, there may be opportunities to see ducks returning to roost and fireflies appearing around the river.

Your final morning ride follows the beach southwards, passing mangroves and swaying palms before heading towards the Fingerprint of God viewpoint. There is time for some longer canters along the beach before continuing through the dune bush and eventually making your way back to the stables where you will bid farewell to this Vilankulo paradise.