Legendary Riding Guides
Riding safaris are a popular and exciting way of viewing Africa’s incredible scenery and wildlife. There’s nothing more memorable than cantering alongside a giraffe or galloping amidst the great wildebeest migration. The quality of your guide plays a crucial role in shaping your safari experience and is the foundation for transforming an ordinary experience into a life-long memory. With over 25 years of experience in designing tailor-made holidays in Africa and the Indian Ocean, we’ve built up an unrivalled network of legendary riding guides —each one highly knowledgeable, professional, and passionate about their love of horses and the environments they operate in.
Meet your guides
Chief, African Horseback Safaris
Chief grew up in Tubu, 70 km from Macatoo, where he started his riding career on donkeys at a cattle post, as is customary in Botswana. Initially working as a groom, his calm, patient nature made him a natural at breaking young horses. While taking them on safari, his interest in guiding grew, eventually leading him to guide school in Maun. By 2018, he was leading full-time safaris before joining African Horseback Safaris in 2020.
Chief is passionate about respecting the environment and finds animal behaviour fascinating. He understands the unpredictability of wildlife and uses this knowledge to ensure safe yet thrilling sightings for his guests without interfering with their natural way of life. One of Chief’s favourite encounters happened during a morning ride, when two hyenas trotted out of the bush, followed closely by two lionesses. As they chased the hyenas across the floodplain, one lioness swatted a hyena into the dust—an unforgettable moment of interspecies competition and definitely not something seen every day.
Koos, Ant’s Africa
Koos first came to Ant’s Africa at 18 as a builder, but after watching the guides interact with international guests, he was inspired to apply for a guiding role. His favourite part of the job is teaching guests about the bush and its wonders, hoping the knowledge he imparts stays with them long after they leave. Over his guiding career, Koos has witnessed many incredible sightings, but his absolute favourite was spotting an aardwolf in an open field during a wildlife drive with guests. The setting sun made everything look otherworldly, a moment he describes as magical.
With 19 years of experience working with horses, Koos is deeply passionate about them. He enjoys taking on challenging horses and transforming them into exceptional safari companions for guests. He takes great care of them and loves sharing their unique personalities with all the guests on safari.
Jo, Kaskazi Horse Safaris
Jo’s passion for horses began as a young girl and, to this day, has never faded. Growing up in both Sweden and Kenya, she had the best of two worlds, surrounded by horses, wildlife, people, and endless, breathtaking nature. In her late teens, she knew her life had to involve both horses and people, so at the age of 24, she started her own horse safaris and hasn’t looked back since.
In 2024, Kaskazi Horse Safaris celebrates its 10th anniversary with the most wonderful crew of 30 people, a yard of 38 beautiful horses, and their very own tailor-made, classic safari camp hosting up to 14 guests at a time It has been one incredible journey—one she is immensely proud of when she looks back at the endless challenges she faced to get to where she is today.
Jo’s passion lies in giving her guests a fast, thrilling, and exploratory safari, where they still feel safe, the horses aren’t pushed too hard, and the crew isn’t overworked. Today, she feels Kaskazi Horse Safaris has found this perfect balance while offering guests a journey that will last a lifetime.
Daisy, Offbeat Riding Safaris
Daisy first came to Kenya in 2012 as a “gappy” for Offbeat Safaris while studying at university in Ireland. She instantly fell in love with Kenya, its wildlife, and the sense of freedom felt when on the back of a horse in big game country. After returning annually during her studies, Daisy made the move to Kenya to pursue a career as a horseback safari guide. Her work has since taken her across Kenya, the Okavango Delta in Botswana, and Argentina. Daisy spends five months each year guiding riding safaris in Patagonia with Jakob von Plessen. It’s sensationally beautiful, exciting riding, but with significantly fewer elephants than in Kenya.
She has learned the hard way to beware of ostriches lying on their nests while cantering across the plains, and to avoid peering too closely into warthog holes. She believes that the best thing about guiding mobile riding safaris is the freedom to divert and explore, increasing the chances of stumbling upon the extraordinary and unexpected. That, and the relationship one develops with their horse as they carry you across plains, through rivers and migratory herds of zebra, and, of course, to stand down a lion.
Simon, Offbeat Riding Safaris
Simon Kenyon was born in Kenya and grew up on a farm in Laikipia near Mount Kenya. He was schooled in the United Kingdom and graduated with a degree in Zoology from the University of Leeds. Simon has been guiding safaris all over Kenya for the last 16 years. He has led horseback safaris in Patagonia and worked in Botswana, but Kenya is his home and where his passion truly lies. Simon’s sense of fun and passion for the bush are compelling, and his extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for Kenya provide a uniquely special experience for his guests.
Simon now owns and runs Offbeat Safaris along with his wife Rosy and the world-famous guides Daisy Soames and Jakob Von Plessen. Their passion, commitment, and enthusiasm for riding in one of the world’s last true paradises are infectious, and any client leaves an Offbeat Safari with a deeper understanding of the wilderness they came to discover
What next?
Alice, Jo, Francis and Lucinda, Sophie are all avid riders of varying levels and have been on a number of riding safaris in Africa and would be delighted to help plan your perfect trip. Do get in touch – chatting to people in person, by phone or email is what we do best. We listen, we explain, we answer all sorts of questions even those you didn’t know to ask, and finally we make suggestions. Whether this is your first time to Africa or your twenty first, we have a team standing by to help make the planning easy and the journey the best ever. Please get in touch whatever stage you’re at.
Visit our Riding Safaris webpage packed full of information and inspirational itineraries.
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