Horse Riding in Zimbabwe: Life on a Wildlife Reserve

Horse riding in Zimbabwe can be about more than exploring a landscape from the saddle: at this family-owned reserve, it also means having time to get to know the herd and discover the conservation work that helps shape the place you have come to experience.

There is an intimacy to the idea of staying somewhere long enough to recognize the horses' different personalities, learn something of their habits and become familiar with the country around you. Here, riding sits alongside everyday life with the herd, while opportunities to join reserve activities offer another perspective on the landscape. A week provides a first introduction; two or three weeks, or a longer stay on request, leave more time to settle into its rhythm.

A reserve with room to explore

The setting stretches across 50,000 acres, where open plains, valleys and river systems create a varied landscape to discover. The reserve is undergoing rewilding with an ambition to develop a Big Five ecosystem, so the animals, habitats and conservation work are closely connected parts of the experience.

From horseback, your attention can settle on details that might otherwise pass unnoticed: a track along the route, a movement among the trees or the way your horse responds to its surroundings. Giraffe, elephant, buffalo and plains game are among the wildlife described in the journey brochure, although encounters naturally depend on where the animals are and how each outing unfolds.

That sense of possibility is part of the appeal, with the landscape offering its own reasons to keep looking as the ride unfolds.

Time with the horses, beyond the ride

More than 40 horses live on the reserve, and getting to know them can involve joining the team for grooming, groundwork, lunging and training as well as riding. Through these activities, you have opportunities to learn about behavior, communication and different approaches to natural horsemanship, building an understanding of the animals you spend time with.

For someone whose usual contact with horses fits into a weekly lesson or an occasional ride, this creates a different relationship with time. Horses become part of the day, and a quiet moment with the herd can hold as much interest as the next route through the reserve.

Conservation as part of the day

Because this is a working conservation project, the reserve's priorities help shape what happens during your stay. Depending on what the team needs, there may be opportunities to take part in wildlife monitoring and tracking, camera trap surveys, habitat restoration or species data collection, bringing you closer to the practical work involved in caring for the land.

Weather, animal movements and project priorities all influence the program, which makes curiosity and flexibility useful companions. You are joining a place with its own daily responsibilities, and the value of the experience lies partly in discovering what those responsibilities involve.

The brochure also describes activities beyond riding and conservation, including guided bush walks, game drives, kayaking and stargazing. What takes place on a particular day is confirmed locally, with the program shaped around conditions and the work underway.

Can beginners go horse riding in Zimbabwe?

This particular reserve experience welcomes beginners as well as experienced riders, with activities adapted to their experience. New riders can receive support from experienced grooms as they develop confidence, while more confident riders can explore the reserve from the saddle. Non-riding companions are welcome too, which can make the journey worth considering when members of the same group have different interests.

When you enquire, tell us what your riding looks like now, how comfortable you feel and what you would like from the trip, so we can discuss the right activities with the local team. If riding is new to you, our beginner's guide to horseback riding is a useful place to start before we talk through the details. The stated rider weight limit for this journey is 85 kg.

A home among the horses

Traditional thatched accommodation provides a base within the reserve, with full board, non-alcoholic drinks and airport transfers included. Having meals and arrival arrangements taken care of gives the stay a straightforward rhythm, leaving you time to become familiar with the surroundings and enjoy being close to the horses.

Solo travelers, couples, families and private groups are welcome, and each brings a different idea of what a good trip should feel like. If you are traveling alone, bringing children or planning around a mixture of interests, let us know so we can discuss suitability and confirm room arrangements before you book. A shared love of horses is a lovely starting point; everyone's individual needs still deserve attention.

The Zimbabwe journey page brings the stay options and inquiry route together, while the Safari Guides in our Library can help you organize questions before we work through the details of your individual offer.

Zimbabwe horseback safari prices: 2026 and 2027

The brochure offers three stay lengths, with a week giving you an introduction to reserve life and a longer visit leaving more time for the horses, conservation activities and the landscape beyond the stable. For planning, the listed stay prices are:

• 7 nights / 8 days: €1,599 in 2026, or €1,849 in 2027.
• 14 nights / 15 days: €2,585 in 2026, or €2,799 in 2027.
• 21 nights / 22 days: €3,825 in 2026, or €4,229 in 2027.

These are the published brochure prices for the stay lengths shown; we confirm the price basis, your accommodation arrangements, availability and the full amount for your party in a personal offer before you book. Longer stays are available on request, and international travel costs should be budgeted separately.

What is included in the Zimbabwe journey?

The reserve stay brings accommodation and the core horse and conservation experiences together, so that you can spend your time discovering the place rather than arranging each part of the day independently.

• Traditional thatched accommodation and full board.
• Non-alcoholic drinks and airport transfers.
• Horseback safaris and activities with the horses.
• Conservation activities, shaped by the reserve's needs.
• English-speaking guides.

International flights, mandatory travel insurance, applicable visas, alcoholic drinks and personal purchases are not included, while extensions such as Victoria Falls are arranged and priced separately. As the program follows weather, wildlife and the reserve's priorities, particular activities are discussed with the local team rather than promised as a fixed daily itinerary.

A few details for planning

Arrival is through Bulawayo Airport (BUQ), with transfers included, and the brochure offers seven, fourteen and twenty-one-night stays as well as longer visits on request. It lists year-round Monday-to-Monday departures, with your dates and availability confirmed personally before you make a booking.

If you would like to explore further, extensions to Victoria Falls, Chobe or Hwange can be discussed and quoted separately, allowing the reserve stay to become part of a longer trip.

As your plans take shape, our guide to what to wear horseback riding offers a starting point for clothing questions, while we can help clarify what is appropriate for your particular stay.

Before you go

Will every day follow the same itinerary?

The program changes with weather, wildlife movements and conservation priorities, so the brochure gives a picture of the possibilities rather than a fixed daily schedule.

Can someone who does not ride come along?

Yes, non-riding companions are welcome, and the reserve offers activities beyond the saddle. Tell us about your group so we can help you explore whether the experience suits everyone.

What should I clarify before booking?

We will work through dates, suitability, room arrangements, inclusions and booking conditions with you. Our questions to ask before booking a riding trip can also help you decide what matters most to you.

YOUR JOURNEY, AT YOUR PACE

Could this be your kind of place?

When you are ready to discuss the possibilities, share your preferred dates, how long you would like to stay and your riding experience using the contact details at the foot of the page. We will help you work through the details and decide whether life on this reserve feels right for you.

For another perspective on riding in Africa, read our story about seeing Kruger from the saddle and consider what you would like from your own journey.

Journey details are drawn from The Zimbabwe Story brochure. Availability, activities, accommodation arrangements and booking conditions are confirmed with your individual offer.