Ultimate Zambian Horse Safari

After arriving at Livingstone Airport you will be greeted with a friendly smile by a member of the Simalaha horse safari team. Your journey to the Chundukwa River Lodge is approximately 35 minutes by car. Take in the sights of the rural Zambian countryside and local communities along the way. Upon arrival,enjoy a light lunch on the lodge’s patio, overlooking the tranquilriver. Later, embark on a Zambezi sunset cruise, offering stunningviews as the sun dips below the horizon, the perfect start to yourAfrican adventure. Your overnight stay at Chundukwa River Lodge will be in a Luxury Riverside Chalet or the Chundu Cottage.

After a leisurely morning in your riverside Zambezi Chalet, it’s time to embark on your Zambezi Horseback Safari. Your adventure starts with a 40 minute road transfer to a small African harbour called Mambova. Local villagers and fishermen trade their daily catch here and it is a kaleidoscope of colour, noise, children, goats and chickens! By this stage you are firmly off the tourist circuit and will be in a beautiful, remote part ofAfrica. From Mambova, you’ll set off on a two-hour boat journey upstream along the mighty Zambezi, Africa’s fourth-largest river. Along the way, you may spot hippos and crocodiles, local fishermen navigating their traditional canoes called mokoros ,cattle grazing on the riverbanks, and scenic, remote village landscapes. Make sure you have your riding gear onboard as you will  be jumping straight onto a horse when you arrive. When you reach the end of your boat ride, keep an eye out for the horses waiting on the riverbank, ready to take you to camp. Spend the night in the fully inclusive Luxury Safari Tents at Zambezi Horseback Safaris, where you can unwind and reflect on your day’s experiences

Each day will slightly differ, the route will be determined by Doug, ensuring an unforgettable horse safari. Start the day with some tea or coffee and a light breakfast, before you set off on your morning ride. Spend the morning exploring the Simalaha Wilderness on horseback, an area of epic significance – 180,000km² of raw wilderness – a place to immerse oneself in the vast plains. As you ride, you’ll gently approach huge herds of zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and other wildlife that call this place home. Ride through the mopane forests, amoungst the ancient baobab trees and along the lifegiving Zambezi River. Your guides will tell you all about how the fruits and flowers are used to make local delicacies and medicines. On horseback you’ll often come across the people that call this land home. The Lozi people go abouttheir day-to-day lives between the river banks and their homesteads, moving their cattle along the riverbeds and fishing for their families on the river. It’s great to be able to be immersed in this quieter way of life, where time stands still. The childre nare fascinated by the horses, and the welcoming locals arealways willing to show guests their way of life. You will return to camp for lunch and a siesta or swim. This is a great time to birdwatch, or watch the wildlife coming to drink at the waterhole – or simply snooze in the shade. Later on, as it gets cooler, you’ll will set out once more on a sundowner ride. In the evening you willbe served a delicious dinner at sunset.

You will experience both morning and afternoon rides in the Simalaha Wildlife Conservancy. Meals will be planned around the flow and energy of the riders, with bush picnics and sundowners being highlights. You can look forward to up to 6-7 hours of riding per day, meeting the local communities and incredible wildlife sightings!

Canter across the plains on the last ride of your Simalaha camp stay. After lunch, say goodbye to your trusty steeds before heading to the Chundukwa River Lodge by boat and vehicle, keeping an eye out for elephants, hippos and other wildlife.  Check into your luxury riverside lodge for the next two/three nights. Enjoy a relaxing evening and delicious dinner and watch the sun go down over the magnificent Zambezi before putting your head down for the night.

After a good night’s rest and a hearty fresh breakfast, it’s time to explore Victoria Falls. Start the morning with a hearty breakfast, followed by an immersive walk in Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park to see the protected white rhino on foot. The rest of the day is yours to explore Livingstone and Victoria Falls.  Inclusive in your stay you’ll have a vehicle and guide who will take you to visit Victoria Falls. We suggest having a few hours to walk to the different viewpoints, across Knife’s Edge Bridge and if you’re up for it, down to the Boiling Point.

There are many additional experiences that you may want to do and the driver guide will take you there, wait for you and bring you home safely at the end of the day. These outsourced activities are extra and for your own account. A magnet for tourists of all descriptions, Victoria Falls is one of Earth’s great spectacles. View it directly as a raging mile-long curtain of water, in all its glory, from a helicopter ride or peek precariously over its edge from Devil’s Pools – the sheer power and force of the Falls is something that simply does not disappoint! Overnight Chundukwa River Lodge

Activities you can do: Helicopter Flight over the falls; Microlight flights over the falls; Walking safari to see the endangered White Rhinos; Visit the local village markets; Buy traditional material and crafts; Visit the Livingstone Museum; Take a Swim in Devil’s Pool or Angel’s Pool, followed by lunch or tea; etc. Devil’s Pool and Helicopter flights need to be pre-booked in high season to avoid disappointment

Today you will get the opportunity to go on a full day Chobe Day Trip, where you’ll experience both land and water safaris, bringing you up close to Botswana’s incredible wildlife. As you cruise along the Chobe River, you’ll encounter vibrant birdlife, hippos lounging in the water, and ancient crocodiles basking on the banks. Keep an eye out for the world’s largest elephant population, which are often spotted in remarkable numbers. On land, you’ll have a game drive to take you deeper into the park to look for lions, leopards and other wildlife. After the day’s adventure, you’ll be dropped off back at the lodge in time for sundowners overlooking the river.

After a leisurely breakfast, you will be taken to the airport for your flight back home or onwards. For those that have an afternoon flight, you’re welcome to add on extra activities, go for a morning ride or enjoy some last time soaking up the sunshine at the lodge before your departure. For those wishing to extend their stay in Africa,how about exploring more of what Zambia has to offer, or head to one of the neighbouring countries to destinations such as Hwange or the Okavango Delta?