Top 6 Horseback Safaris in Africa

Top 6 Horseback Safaris in Africa

While game drives are the most popular way to explore Africa’s untouched national parks, roaming its natural landscapes by horseback makes for a majestic alternative. Gently trotting through these picturesque environments, while encountering the area’s astounding animals is an excellent way to enjoy a safari in Africa. 

A wide variety of horseback safaris are available right across the continent, but these six stand out as the best. Here are our top six African horseback safaris.

Okavango Delta, Botswana 

A horseback safari in the Okavango Delta gives travellers the opportunity to explore areas you'd never normally be able to reach, as areas of these plains experience flooding, making them inaccessible to vehicles. This means you get to experience a safari with miles of uninterrupted, fast-paced riding, through an untouched African utopia. Along the way, you’ll see the Okavango Delta’s remarkable wildlife, including zebra, giraffe, elephant and buffalo, to name just a few.

Laikipia, Kenya

Laikipia Plateau is the perfect setting for a horseback safari, boasting typically idyllic African landscapes featuring a host of natural beauty. The region is rich in rare species, giving you the chance to spot uncommon animals while on your African safari adventure. 

Located in the heart of Laikipia Plateau, Sosian Lodge offers guests a full range of horseback safari options to choose from, including overnight safaris, where they can enjoy a magical night camping under the stars.

Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa

Tswalu Kalahari is a privately owned game reserve in the Northern Cape and South Africa’s largest private game reserve. A tranquil and inspiring horseback safari is a great way to enjoy the park, they typically are short, easy going and slow paced, making them perfect for those who are embarking on their first horseback adventure. The safaris tend to last around 90 minutes, which is an ample amount of time to spot the lion, leopard and rhino which reside here, and this can be extended if you wish.

Masai Mara, Kenya

The Masai Mara is considered to be one of the world’s top safari destinations. Safaris of all shapes and sizes are available here, but there are few more enchanting than the horseback safaris offered by Offbeat Safaris. 

This fast and exciting week-long safari trip includes riding alongside some of the most knowledgeable horseback safari experts in Kenya. Guests are allowed to gallop straight into the iconic Masai triangle, where they will get to witness the majestic Wildebeest migration, and come face-to-face with some of Kenya’s most impressive wildlife, including the Big Five game.

Waterberg, South Africa

The Waterberg region is a peaceful mountainous area, home to remarkable rock formations and miles of pristine landscapes. Despite its hilly, geographical make-up, there is plenty of open land for visitors to explore the area on horseback. 

The Ant’s Nest and Ant’s Hill lodges offer tremendous horseback safaris here in a private reserve, which is suited to riders of all ages and experience levels. Guests can choose from a herd of 60 horses to ride, and refresher riding lessons are offered to help guests find their feet, before venturing out to spot giraffe, wildebeest and rhino.

Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana 

There is an array of adventure safaris to be enjoyed in Botswana’s Mashatu Game Reserve, including safari walks, cycling safaris and horseback safaris. 

Mashatu is a peaceful area teeming with wildlife, including lion, leopard, cheetah and elephant, as well as zebra and giraffe. The high concentration and wide variety of wildlife found here makes it an excellent safari destination. When you come across the wildlife, you can gently trot behind and follow them, watching them from afar as they roam and graze the land.