EXPLORE THE EXOTIC ISLAND OF ZANZIBAR FROM HORSEBACK
Craving a tropical beach adventure complete with horseback swims and cantering across white sandy beaches? Zanzibar is calling!
Zanzibar is a stunning gem set in the Indian Ocean – here, the beaches are pure perfection, the culture is vibrant, and the diving is out of this world. It’s like stepping into a dream with turquoise seas and the scent of spices lingering in the air, blending seamlessly with the island’s rich heritage. Zanzibar is calling your name if you’re looking for the ultimate tropical getaway that ticks all the boxes – from horseback swims to exploring pristine beaches. It’s the perfect addition to any Kenya or Tanzania horse safari.
We’ve created a package that includes luxury accommodation and a variety of scenic beach riding experiences that you will never forget. Picture riding along the beach at sunrise, long canters along the water’s edge and even swimming with horses – it’s a unique experience you won’t find anywhere else. Zanzibar caters to riders of all levels, and each ride promises to showcase the best of the island. From spectacular beach gallops to swimming on horseback as the sun rises – it’s a bucket-list beach adventure!
Whether you’re seeking a laid-back beach holiday or craving adventure above and below the water, Hotel Z is the perfect spot. When you’re not riding along the beach, you can soak up the sun, embark on island tours, or take the plunge and enjoy some of the world’s best snorkelling and scuba diving. From solo travellers to couples, families, and friends, Z Hotel caters to all, providing an idyllic setting to unwind before returning to reality.
CURRENCY CONVERTER
At the current exchange rate. Please note final quote might vary slightly
DATES AND RATES
Open all year round (although the horses have 2 months off in April and May) We recommend at least 3 nights but discounts are offered for stays 5 nights or more at specific times of the year. All stays are tailormade so this is perfect for solo travellers, families and groups with mixed riding abilities. Please enquire with possible dates and we’ll get back to you about availability.
2024 RATES
3 NIGHT / 4 DAY STAY RIDING PACKAGE
Low Season: 01 June - 30 June 2024 & 01 – 24 April 2025
Garden Room: From USD $943 per person sharing
Sea View Rooms: From USD $988 per person sharing
Suites and Cottages: From USD $1198 per person sharing
High Season: 01 July 2024 – 21 December 2024 & 07 January – 31 March 2025
Garden Room: From USD $973 per person sharing
Sea View Rooms: From USD $1018 per person sharing
Suites and Cottages: From USD $1228 per person sharing
Single supplement approx. USD 300 extra depending on room choice
4 NIGHT / 5 DAY STAY RIDING PACKAGE
Low Season: 01 June - 30 June 2024 & 01 – 24 April 2024
Garden Room: From USD $1080 per person sharing
Sea View Rooms: From USD $1140 per person sharing
Suites and Cottages: From USD $1420 per person sharing
High Season: 01 July 2024 – 21 December 2024 & 07 January – 31 March 2025
Garden Room: From USD $1120 per person sharing
Sea View Rooms: From USD $1180 per person sharing
Suites and Cottages: From USD $1460 per person sharing
Single supplement approx. USD 360 extra depending on room choice
5 NIGHT / 6 DAY STAY RIDING PACKAGE
Low Season: 01 June - 30 June 2024 & 01 – 24 April 2025
Garden Room: From USD $1218 per person sharing
Sea View Rooms: From USD $1293 per person sharing
Suites and Cottages: From USD $1643 per person sharing
High Season: 01 July 2024 – 21 December 2024 & 07 January – 31 March 2025
Garden Room: From USD $1268 per person sharing
Sea View Rooms: From USD $1343 per person sharing
Suites and Cottages: From USD $1693 per person sharing
Festive Season: 22 December 2024– 06 January 2025
Garden Room: From USD $1393 per person sharing
Sea View Rooms: From USD $1468 per person sharing
Suites and Cottages: From USD $1818 per person sharing
Single supplement approx. USD 400 extra depending on room choice
EXTRAS – SUBJECT TO CHANGE
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Single Supplement applies throughout the year for accommodation
USD USD $300GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $ - USD $600GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $ extra depending on room choice
EXTRA RIDES
4-Hour Northern Trail Ride: USD $273GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $ per person
Sunset Ride: USD $100GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $ per person
UPGRADE TO MEAL PLANS
Option to upgrade to Half Board Rate: USD $35GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $ per person per night
Option to upgrade to Full Board Rate: USD $55GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $ per person per night
INCLUDES & EXCLUDES
Price Includes:
- All accommodation
- Breakfast
- Expert Guides throughout
- Horse riding on well-trained, responsive horses
- 1 x horse swim
- 120 Minute Nungwi Sandbanks Ride
- 180 Minute Great Northern Ride
- 1-hour complimentary massage (1 per person)
- 1 bottle sparkling wine & fruit platter upon arrival
- Private return Airport Transfers in Zanzibar
Price Excludes:
- International Flights to Zanzibar
- Visas
- Comprehensive Travel and Medical Insurance
- Lunch & Dinner
- All drinks
- Additional rides
- Unspecified transfers
- Yoga
- Spa Treatments
- Shop purchases
- Gratuities
- Infrastructure tax US$5 per person per day payable directly to the hotel
QUICK FACTS
Duration: 3 - 7 Nights
Tailor made
SUITABLE RIDING LEVELS
- Beginner
- Novice
- Intermediate
- Intermediate Plus
- Advanced
CURRENCY CONVERTER
At the current exchange rate. Please note final quote might vary slightly
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- The perfect destination for a post-safari beach escape, whether you’re looking to relax or keen to be more adventurous
- Enjoy splashy canters across white sand beaches on incredible horses
- Experience swimming on horseback in warm tropical waters as you watch the sunset over the ocean
- See Zanzibar from a whole new perspective, exploring deserted sandbanks, remote villages and pristine white beaches on horseback
- Stay in a luxury hotel with a stable of horses on your doorstep and a wide variety of incredible additives from dhow sailing trips to scuba diving which are ideal for when you want a break from the saddle, and for non-riding friends, couples and family members
TOUR REVIEWS
READ MORE REVIEWS”Great guides and beautiful, well kept horses. We did an exciting ride to the sandbanks, wonderful swimming with the horses and an amazing four hours ride through the jungle, villages and along the beach. We stopped at amazing Kidoti Stables for some fruits and a quick hello. Wonderful for experienced riders as well, with lots of canter and gallop possibilities.
Andrea - Horse Riding in Zanzibar, TanzaniaTour, Location
SAMPLE ITINERARY / WHAT TO EXPECT
There is no fixed itinerary for riding holidays in Zanzbar. We would recommend spending at least 3 nights here, giving you the chance to explore the area and all the incredible riding expereinces. There is a dedicated activities desk that can help you book other tours and activities during your stay.
** Please be aware this is a sample itinerary, most of the longer rides are planned according to the tides to ensure that you get the best possible riding experience. Horse swims are generally planned for high tide, and it’s a highlight for riders and non-riders alike.
ARRIVING IN PARADISE
Ater landing in the balmy island paradise of Zanzibar, you will be met by one of the Z Hotel drivers and drive approx. 1.5 hours to Nungwi. After checking in, you can relax and unwind before enjoying a cocktail at the rooftops and dinner at Sexy Fish restaurant both at the Z Hotel (Dinner and Drinks are not included)
If tides permit – in the afternoon you will go on a 30-minute swim with the horses. Swimming with horses is an experience you will never forget. They do this bareback with natural halters. Swimming can be done by any level of rider, including inexperienced; however, you must be able to swim. Swimming with horses can only be done at high tide. This is a great time to take some incredible photos, and your guides are always happy to help capture your memories!
Welcome fruit basket & bottle sparkling wine upon arrival. Overnight at the Z Hotel, Nungwi beach – (Bed & Breakfast)
DAY 2: SANDBANKS RIDE
After breakfast you will make your way to the Zanzibar Horse Club stables. Here the horses will be waiting, ready to be mounted and shortly after you will ride through the Nungwi village to the Sandbanks. These amazing sandbanks only appear at a super low tide and are only accessible for approx. 15 days per month and have the best and most isolated beaches in Zanzibar. You will never likely see such white sand and clear water! This ride is for experienced riders only as it involves lots of cantering and walking along a rocky coast.
Once you reach the sandbanks, there are endless opportunities for cantering and taking amazing photos and videos. Ride for approximately 1.5 hours. In the afternoon, book your complimentary one-hour massage at the Sky Spa.
Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure —relax at the beach, book some water sports such as SUP, snorkelling, and scuba diving or visit some of the nearby villages. Activities, lunch, and dinner are for your own account. Overnight at the Z Hotel, Nungwi Beach – (Bed & Breakfast)
DAY 3: KILINDI BAY
Riding time depends on the tides and what you want to do during your holiday. Usually, you’ll head out after breakfast. From the stables, you’ll head south onto the main beaches of Nungwi and Kendwa, walking, trotting and cantering along this amazing beach at intervals. You will head to Kilindi Bay, which is a great place for photographs, then head inland to the Kilindi farmlands & the remote villages of Kidoti, you will pass through isolated communities and jungle forests that are rarely seen by tourists.
Once you arrive at Kidoti Villas & ranch, you can visit the paddocks and other horses and enjoy some refreshments. After a 30-minute break, you will re-mount the horses and head back to the northern beaches, finishing the ride with a 7 km canter along the white beaches of Kendwa and Nungwi. Ride is approx. 2—2.5 hours (excluding break) Free afternoon for relaxing at Z. If tides permit – in the afternoon, you will go on a 2nd 30-minute swim with the horses. Overnight at the Z Hotel, Nungwi Beach – (Bed & Breakfast)
DAY 4: SHORT RIDE OR HORSE SWIM
Today, enjoy a relaxed ride passing through the edge of Nungwi Village and heading northeast to join the beach at the Nungwi Light House. Walking and trotting, you will return to the stables along the beach. If you’ve yet to experience the magic of a horse swim, you’ll head out at high tide, slipping off the saddles and wading into the blissfully warm water.
The rest of the day you can spend however you wish. After lunch maybe enjoy a dhow ride, head out for a snorkel or just enjoy doing absolutely nothing – bliss! You can enjoy drinks and dinner at the hotel, or venture further afield to explore some of the restaurants and hotel bars around Nungwi.
DAY 5: DEPARTURE
On your last morning, head out for an early morning ride when the beaches are still empty – nothing like watching the sunrise from horseback and going for a long canter along the water’s edge – pure freedom… You will be transferred back to Stone Town in time for your flight out. If you’d like to explore this UNESCO Heritage Site, we can arrange a tour for you before heading to the airport.
THE ACCOMMODATION
Z HOTEL ZANZIBAR
Z Hotel will be your home away from home and is one of Zanzibar’s finest boutique hotels, located on the breathtaking Nungwi beach. Situated on the tranquil Northwestern tip of the island, Hotel Z offers stunning beaches and unforgettable sunsets to add that extra touch of magic to your stay! There are five room designs: Garden & Sea View, Roof-Top Suites, Ocean-front Cottages, and an opulent Z Suite to choose from. The hotel also boasts 2 gorgeous restaurants, a rooftop bar and infinity pool, all overlooking the white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters beyond.
GARDEN ROOMS
The garden view rooms are on the ground floor and offer easy access to the tropical gardens, pool and beach. They’re ideal for those on a bit of a budget or those wanting a quiet stay.
SEAVIEW ROOMS
The sea view rooms are on the 1st and 2nd floors and offer panoramic views from either the windows or private balconies. From some, you can see the northern tip of Nungwi, or west coast of the island. Natural light floods the rooms until the evening when the sun sets, bathing the rooms in shades or pink and orange.
ROOF TOP SUITES
For those seeking an elevated experience, the suites at the Z Hotel provide a luxurious space with separate living areas, large bedrooms, and spacious bathrooms. The light and airy roof-top suites encompass all the benefits of the deluxe rooms but with many additional features such as a double-height beamed ceiling, spacious private terrace, and uninterrupted views across the Indian ocean to the Tanga mountains in the far distance.
OCEAN FRONT COTTAGES
Nestled right by the beach, these two cottages provide direct access to the shoreline and are separate from the rest of the hotel. The rooms feature open-plan layouts, with a living room on the ground floor and a bedroom above. They offer complete privacy with stylish furnishings, large windows to maximize natural light, and private terraces for enjoying the ocean breeze.
THE Z SUITE
The hotel’s most exclusive offering, the Z Suite is a luxurious haven with expansive living areas, a private terrace, and breathtaking ocean views. The signature suite is 70 square metres of living space arranged across an entire rooftop with fully fold-back doors to create a seamless synergy between inside and out.
THE DESTINATION
ZANZIBAR ISLAND
Located in the tranquil, crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean lies Zanzibar, a tropical paradise renowned for its pristine white beaches, vibrant culture, and unparalleled diving opportunities. This island gem boasts a rich heritage, blending the scents of spice markets with the charm of palm-fringed shores and traditional dhows gracefully sailing on turquoise seas.
Explore Stown Town’s maze of streets, a UNESCO World Heritage Site alive with bustling markets and local flavors. Indulge in spice tours, savor mouthwatering dishes, and immerse yourself in the island’s fascinating history, shaped by a tapestry of cultures from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. With its untouched natural beauty and captivating allure, Zanzibar offers a sensory journey like no other.
TOUR GALLERY
HOW WE CARE FOR OUR HORSES
Our horseback adventures are hand-picked for their quality and care of their horses. Here’s how the horses in Zanzibar are kept in tip-top shape for your safaris. The horses are on top of the hierarchy and receive very special care:
- Tack is fitted before each ride and regularly checked to ensure comfort
- The horses well-being is checked morning and evening
- The horses get 2-4 meals a day, depending on their needs, condition and training schedule
- They live out in a herd environment, coming into the stables at night for feeding, grooming and handling
- The horses get April and May off, where they are moved to the Kidoti farm to rest and graze alongside the retired horses, and rescued donkeys
- The horses care and well-being take precedence, ensuring that they are responsive, alert, tough and fit
- Our riding horses are schooled and looked after by a loving team, they have lovely calm temperaments and react easily and lightly to the aids
- Horses have a varied routine, with schooling, beach rides and rest days in large paddocks
- All horses are purposely chosen to suit each rider’s preference and riding ability
Please let us know if you have any more questions about this.
HOW TO SIGN UP FOR A HORSE SAFARI
Fill in the form on our website/social media describing your dream African Horse Safari
A Horse Safari Specialists will get in touch to help you plan the perfect escape
Confirm your ride and dates by paying your deposit
We’ll send you a reminder for your balance payment + travel advice
Pack your bags for your adventure!
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