Meet the Grooms: The Heart of African Riding Safaris
When you embark on a riding safari, it’s not just the landscapes and incredible wildlife that make the experience unforgettable. The unsung heroes who ensure that every ride is smooth, safe, and truly incredible are the grooms. These dedicated professionals care for the horses, prepare them for their rides, and support guests throughout their trip. From early mornings spent mucking out stables to back-up guiding rides across vast wildernesses, each groom plays a vital role in making every safari exceptional. In this blog, meet the grooms at the heart of the safaris we offer—dedicated individuals whose passion for horses and the African landscape is at the heart of every ride. Whether managing stables, acting as camp farrier, or providing veterinarian care for the horses, these grooms ensure that the horses are at their absolute best. Let’s meet the team behind the saddle.
African Horseback Safaris
Tshepo
After 18 years at Macatoo, Tshepo knows what it is to be a safari groom! Tshepo grew up on his family cattle post, as many do in Botswana, he learnt the basics of caring for the goats, cattle, donkeys and horses from his grandfather, early mornings were spent milking the goats before school. He started out working for a stables in Maun, gaining more formal experience with horses and in 2006 his employer recommended him to African Horseback Safaris. He began working in the stables initially as a barn assistant, watching the horses in the paddock, collecting grass for the evening haynets and bringing sand for the horses bedding.
Tshepo has a natural way with horses and quickly progressed to a groom. Each groom at Macatoo looks after 6 -7 horses, an average day starts at 5am with mucking out, grooming and then tacking up the horses for the morning ride. Tshepo has taken on extra responsibility, he is also a back up guide, on the days he is riding the rest of the team covers the loading of sand for his stables. Tshepo got married last year, but even his wife knows that Xigera is the true love of his life!
Ride Botswana
Tiroyamodimo Moengotsile (T-Boi)
T-Boi hails from Xara Xao Village, on the southern edge of the Okavango Delta. Ride Botswana works closely with this village, employing local mokoro polers when floodwaters rise to move the camp between islands. Ride Botswana first met T-Boi in 2017 as a young poler; his enthusiasm, friendliness, and work ethic stood out, leading us to offer him a role as a groom in 2021. Since then, he’s also become a backup rider. T-Boi’s cheerfulness and knowledge are loved by guests, and he’s now preparing for a new chapter: in January, he will attend a 12-month course at the Tracker Academy in South Africa, sponsored by Ride Botswana and our generous guests. The team at Ride Botswana say they will miss him terribly but look forward to welcoming him back as a trained safari guide.
Offbeat Riding Safaris
David Kinuthia
David joined Offbeat in 2009, marking his first experience working with horses- he hasn’t looked back since. He quickly became known for his sharp spotting abilities, with a particular knack for finding rhinos. He’s also a very skilled rider who enjoys playing polo. David is a passionate horseman, and like everyone, he has his (secret) favourite. His is Headline, a chestnut gelding he’s particularly fond of—though we suspect Headline knows he’s the one making the ‘front page’!
David Kinuthia riding Mars, leading Nutella, crossing the Mara River. Photographed by Sophy Roberts.
Peter Nasaba
A pillar of Offbeat Safaris since 1997, Peter is now the head groom and an all-round expert. In addition to the traditional groom duties, he acts as the team’s vet and farrier. providing essential care to the horses. Peter’s favourite horse is the Irish Draught stallion, Tamoshanta.
Peter Nasaba- Head Groom, pictured with Gilly. Photographed by Daisy Soames.
Patrick Lebo
Patrick began working at Offbeat in 2011. He loves riding, grooming, and providing backup on safari while looking after guests. His favourite horse is Gilly, and he takes pride in creating memorable experiences for safari riders.
Patrick Lebo riding Tamoshanta. Photographed by Georgina Preston.
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.
Visit our Riding Safaris webpage packed full of information and inspirational itineraries.
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