Riding safaris are a popular and exciting way of viewing Africa’s incredible scenery and wildlife. There is nothing more memorable than cantering alongside an elegant giraffe or galloping amongst the great wildebeest migration.

Riders can enjoy exhilarating safaris riding alongside plains wildlife or quietly watching elephant and buffalo. With the human form disguised by the shape and movement of a horse, you can get surprisingly close to the wildlife.

Whether you have been riding since you could walk, or are new in the saddle there are plenty of options. For less experienced riders or those with children who are looking for shorter gentler rides, we recommend safaris in areas that have vast amounts of plains wildlife, but no lions or elephants. These experiences twin short rides with other traditional safari activities, including wildlife drives and nature walks and are designed with the less confident or more relaxed riders in mind. Lodges like Ant’s Nest or Horizon Horseback Safaris in the Waterberg region of South Africa or Borana Lodge, Sosian Lodge and Ol Malo in Kenya are perfect for this style of riding safari experience.

It’s also possible to cover significant distances over remote regions on a horse – some beyond the reach of even the strongest four-wheel drive vehicles. More experienced riders can choose from specialist riding safaris lasting several days, fly-camping out under the stars and tacking up at dawn for up to six hours in the saddle. There are some fast-paced rides like Offbeat Riding Safaris and Namibia Horse Safaris over varied terrain that make for some memorable rides. These experiences are designed for true equestrians who feel confident in the open country, so it is a requirement that you’re riding fit and are balanced enough to get out of trouble quickly.

As well as planning your ideal riding safari, we can also tailor-make your holiday from beginning to end, by including some additional African travel or time at the beach.

Watch this stunning video of a riding safari in the Tuli Block with Horizon Horseback Mashatu in Botswana.

Riding across Namibia is a rare treat, see more in this video from Namibia Horse Safari Company

Find out what it’s like to ride across the Masai Mara with Offbeat Riding Safaris