Horse Safaris in South Africa
South Africa is actually one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in Africa. From Johannesburg and the “Highveld” to the unending beaches of the west coast, and the unerring beauty of the Cape, South Africa is a land full of richness and treasure. Safari and big game trips are at their best in South Africa, with an infrastructure (and amazing game reserves) to support the tourist numbers. We are offering memorable South African horseback vacations and equestrian safaris, each promising unique wildlife encounters and scenic adventures.
Horse Riding in South Africa
South Africa is the powerhouse of Africa, and is bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland. Wholly-enclosed by South Africa, and situated in its eastern central plain, is the independent kingdom of Lesotho. South Africa is a treasure chest of unforgettable scenery, from lofty mountains to sun-baked deserts and dramatic coastlines washed by the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Its game viewing on horseback equals the best in Africa, and where else can you find both penguins and elephants?
We are offering a classic Horse Safari, where you can enjoy the famous Big Five of Africa: Elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard: The African Explorer Riding Safari, which combines in a spectacular way two different game reserves in South Africa and Botsana. In the Waterberg Mountains Region you can also choose several lodge stays as well, for example the beautiful Lake Lodge, which can also be combined with the comfort camp and Waterberg Lodge Deluxe.
In the Northern Zululand there is a hidden jewel to discover, a luxury Safari Lodge with fantastic panorama view and excellent horse safaris.
Cape Wineland Riding is situated near Cape Town, where you will not only enjoy excellent accomodation and delicous food, but also a fantastic riding programm, through vineyards, with wine tastings and many excursions, for example to the Cape.
Great riding adventures you will also find on the breathtaking beaches of South Africa on the “Wild Coast”. This wild stretch of coastline is between East London and Port Edward, and offers exquisite coastal horseback riding, along unending beaches and past towering cliff faces. These are the absolute very best of coastal riding in Southern Africa. Some Trails, like the Surf & Turf Horse safari and the Comfort Horse Safari, combine the fantastic beaches with some days in a private game reserve, with incredible wildlife.
Horseback riding vacations in Namibia
Namibia has four primary geographic regions, all of which are of great interest to the adventure traveler. In the north lies the Etosha Pan, an enormous alluvial basin that long since lost the lake it once held. Although water supplies are now limited for most of the year, the area remains sufficiently fertile and supports herds of antelope (including gemsbok, impala and springbok), zebra and elephants. Many other species of wildlife abound as well, and the Etosha Pan is now the center of one of the finest game parks on the African continent. Hidden Trails offers a spectacular Namibian horseback vacation with four different trails to choose from, on the largest private game reserve in Namibia – only one hour from Windhoek.
Horse Riding in Namibia
Namibia is a technicolor dreamscape, a land of swirling apricot dunes and shimmering white flats, mirages and dust devils, black-faced impala and crimson-breasted shrike. The major game parks offer an exceptional range and abundance of wildlife and a landscape that could not provide a more striking back .
Join us on one of our exceptional horseback tours across the desert towards Swakopmund, from the Damaraland to the Skeleton Coast, in the magnificent Fish River Canyons of the South or even upon purebred Arabian horses in the Sambulenni, each extensively trained in endurance riding, as we explore the breathtaking countryside and the rich wildlife.
The Canyon Trail crosses over three private parks: Fish River Canyon Park, Gondwana Park and Aussenkehr Park, which altogether cover an area of about 220 000 ha. These Parks fall within the Nama Karoo Desert Biome and are on the fringe of the transitional area between Nama Karoo and Succulent Karoo, the Orange River basin at Aussenkehr being the most arid part of the Nama Karoo biome. Aussenkehr Park is also home to a small Namib feral horse population, descended from the original wild horses at Garub in the Namib Desert.
Namibian Desert Trail - Crossing the oldest desert in the world on horseback is an authentic experience of central Namibia’s spectacular and fascinating contrasts: from the Khomas Hochland Mountains and escarpment to the Kuiseb Canyon, Tinkas, Tumas and Welwitschia plains, Moon Valley, seasonal Swakop River, coastal dunes and Atlantic Ocean. An experience of a lifetime!
The Damaraland is one of the most scenic areas in Namibia, prehistoric water courses the open plains and grassland, massive granite koppies and distant mountains to create the special landscape. Ghostly shipwrecks on remote and inaccessible shores have given the Skeleton Coast it's well-deserved name. This 2 million-hectare (20,000²km) park is one of the most inhospitable and least visited places on earth, but it is exciting and awe-inspiring to ride!
Imagine horse riding amongst herds of giraffe or wildebeest, or watching rhino from a safe distance! The combination of riding and game viewing is unbeatable. Only one hour from Windhoek you are welcome at the Safari Lodge with Arabain Horses.