From book to beach – One Hundred and Four Horses
Mozambique makes the perfect indulgent Indian Ocean pre or post safari from the likes of Botswana or South Africa. Last November, Lucinda travelled there to revisit favourite properties and explore new ones. A standout moment? Meeting the team at Mozambique Horse Safari. If you haven’t read ‘One Hundred and Four Horses’, Lucinda insists you add it to your reading list, whether you are a horse lover, a safari enthusiast, or both. One of their guides, Charlotte, shares her insights on riding, beaches, and life along the Indian Ocean.
Lucinda enjoying a swim at Mozambique Horse Safari
“I joined the team from the UK in 2012 on a working holiday. I was lucky enough during my time here that there was a dream opening at Mozambique Horse Safari’s stables on Benguerra Island – 13 years later, and I have never looked back.
I spent my first six years living on Benguerra with eight of the very special horses that endured this tumultuous journey with Pat, Mandy and their young family through Zimbabwe and into Mozambique. Each horse has its own story, and they are something extraordinary – the Zimbabwean spirit, the connection, trust, intelligence, sense and sass. They very quickly took up a big part of my heart!
After my adventures on Benguerra (which I must add is one of the most beautiful places in the world), I moved myself 16km over the water to Vilanculos on the mainland to learn more from Pat’s invaluable experience with young horses and help out with the rest of the herd. In Vilanculos we still have a handful of the original Zimbabwean horses as well as new rescues, rehomed horses from Mozambique and our prized breeding Boerperds, which continue the story to today.
Charlotte, Mozambique Horse Safari guide
Our horses represent what Mozambique Horse Safari is: resilience, courage, strength, bravery and inspiration. It becomes clear to anyone lucky enough to spend time here that it is down to Pat and Mandy and what they have done and still do for these horses. It’s their life’s work. They are quiet heroes in the horse world and lifelong guardians to some very special animals.
Swimming with horses at Mozambique Horse Safari
Their unique story is told in their book, ‘One Hundred and Four Horses’, written by Mandy in 2013, which tells the full story of their incredible yet heartbreaking journey from Zimbabwe into Mozambique. They have been on a life-altering journey, yet they still pave the way with humour, amazing resilience and strong leadership to both the humans and animals in their life, and their journey continues well beyond the last pages of their book.”
Beautiful sunsets at Mozambique Horse Safari
For riders seeking something truly special, Mozambique Horse Safari delivers. The horses, the setting, and Pat and Mandy’s remarkable story create an experience that stands apart. As a pre or post-safari stay, Mozambique offers the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. For the ultimate luxuriours stay, &Beyond Benguerra Island Lodge has two cabanas and ten casinhas spread along the golden sandy shoreline, with gorgeous views over the sparkling ocean. Set under thatched roofs the rooms all boast elegant four-poster beds, comfortable day beds, spacious indoor bathrooms and an outdoor shower. Outside are cool plunge pools and vast wooden verandahs which provide the ideal spot for starlit dinners. Alongside horse riding, diving and snorkelling, island visits, sunset dhow cruises, fishing and village visits are also on offer to guests.
Sparkling ocean views from &Beyond Benguerra Island
Get inspired and sign up for our free Insiders Guide to Africa. We would be delighted to help with planning your perfect riding safari. Our team of experts has travelled widely throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean and can offer expert advice. Do get in touch – chatting to people 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. If 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.
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