A day in the life on a riding safari
Whether you’ve been riding since you could walk or have only recently taken up the reins, riding safaris offer an unparalleled way to experience wildlife, with every aspect tailored to your riding ability. Having ridden across Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, and Tanzania. I’ve witnessed the exceptional standards that set these experiences apart—from the fit horses to the meticulously designed accommodations. While each safari camp has its own unique character, certain elements define a riding safari. Drawing on my experience, I’ve outlined a typical day on a riding safari to offer you an insight into what to expect.
A typical day
05:30 – You are woken just before dawn with a gentle ‘good morning’ and your choice of hot drink will be left on your verandah or bedside table to tide you over until breakfast.
Close encounters – Wait a Little Horse Safaris, South Africa
06:00 – Once you’re dressed in your riding gear, you head to the main mess area and enjoy a light breakfast of yoghurt, fruit, homemade granola, porridge and toast – whatever takes your fancy! It is then time to mount up and head off on your morning ride as the sun is rising and the wildlife is stirring. You stop to look at tracks from the night before, perhaps leopard or hyena, before pushing deeper into the bush to explore further, eventually emerging onto the plains, and breaking into a canter alongside impala, wildebeest and zebra. Once you’ve caught your breath again, your guide signals to stop as his eyes are intently trained on something you can’t yet see. He points to a leopard, hiding in the shade, halfway up a sausage tree, and there’s a kill that she has dragged up there too. Thanks to Aardvark Safaris’ choice of camp, there aren’t any vehicles or other people in sight, and you can marvel at this sight whilst your horse quietly grazes.
Elephant spotting on a morning ride from Sosian, Kenya
09:00 – As your guide leads the way across everchanging landscapes, which your mount navigates without so-much as a stumble, pointing out an array of wildlife as you soak in his knowledge and tales from his time in the bush. You canter towards a small copse of trees, you spot your grooms and once you reach them, you bid your horse farewell as he is taken back to the stables for a well earned rest. Meanwhile, you are shown to your beautiful bush breakfast and handed a glass of champagne to wash it down with. Once your appetite has been satiated, you are driven back to camp, stopping to spot wildlife along the way.
Breakfast with a view – Offbeat Riding Safaris, Kenya
11:00 – Back at camp you can relax for a few hours, you may fancy a dip in the pool or sunbathe with a good book or perhaps enjoy a siesta after the morning’s excitement.
Cool off in the pool at Ol Malo House, Kenya
16:00 – High tea time, food is never far away on safari. Once you’ve enjoyed some freshly pressed fruit juice and a slice of homemade cake, it is time to head out for your afternoon activity. Whether that be another ride, or perhaps you fancy a different perspective and opt for a wildlife drive or walk instead, whatever you choose will no doubt offer more amazing encounters.
Elephant ride at Tanzania Horse Safaris, Tanzania
18:30 – As the sun sets, you’ll arrive at a perfect spot for sundowners, perhaps by a river teeming with honking hippo. Your guide prepares your ice-cold G&T, and passes round some nibbles as you take in your surroundings. Once you’ve quenched your thirst, you make your way back to camp in time to freshen up before dinner.
Sundowners at Okavango Horse Safaris, Botswana
19:30 – You join your fellow guests for a sumptuous meal, most likely alfresco, under an astonishing night sky, whilst you reminisce on your best sighting of the day, and quiz your guide on the constellations above.
Alfresco dining at African Horseback Safaris, Botswana,
21:30 – Your guide escorts you to your tent to get a good night’s sleep before another adventure-filled day, you make a plan for the morning, maybe your goal is to find a particular animal, or bird…
Camp by night at Offbeat Riding Safaris, Kenya
I hope that this gives you an idea of what a typical day riding can look like. It’s important to remember that the schedule can be adjusted to suit your interests, whether you prefer longer rides, a wildlife walk, or time spent relaxing at camp, anything is possible. We know which lodges work best for families or groups with non riders, and for those looking for a bit of R&R you can top or tail your riding safari with time at the beach, add some time at the city or even explore the famous Victoria Falls. Anything is possible so please do get in touch and I’d be delighted to help you plan your ideal riding holiday.
What next?
Alice, Jo, Francis, Lucinda, and 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.
Our Riding Safaris page is packed full of information and inspirational itineraries.
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