Horse Riding Holidays in AFRICA

A horseback riding holiday in Africa will deliver memories full of adventures way beyond your wildest dreams.
Once you have visited this vast and intoxicating continent, you will want to return time and time again. It currently consists of 49 different countries of different size, climates, tribes, traditions, religions, wealth, poverty, politics, wildlife, customs and languages. Some welcome tourists more than others and have a well-developed tourist infrastructure. In this beautiful continent you can escape on horseback and ride with only wildlife for company.

Unicorn Trails offers horse riding holidays in the safe and friendly countries of Botswana, Namibia, Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia and Ethiopia. Our managing director was brought up in South Africa and has travelled extensively around the African continent, so you won't find better riding holidays or better advice than with Unicorn.

Each African country has its own charm and key features to attract riders.

Morocco in the far north and on the Mediterranean Sea, has traditional cities like Marrakesh with its historic medinas, or the atmospheric seaside of Essouira. Both are ideal to visit before or after a riding holiday in the scenic Atlas Mountains, or wide-open spaces of the Sahara Desert. The riding is superb and offers wonderful opportunities for experienced riders. If you are travelling from the UK, a real advantage is that flights to Morocco are very short and budget airlines offer cheap options. Short breaks are a real possibility.

Egypt is the home to the oldest recognised horse breed - the Arab. Whilst the country is largely desert, the green, fertile banks of the River Nile support extensive agriculture. Egypt has long been a major tourist destination - but not for horse riding holidays. At Unicorn we can confidently assure you that we have found the perfect local partners, with horses that are well looked after and treated with respect and love. Experience the joy of discovering the relics of historic Egypt on horseback - surely the only way to really understand this country

Namibia has exhilarating riding holidays and fascinating programmes for non-riders. This African country creates some of the most stunning visual scenes imaginable in the vast deserts. The Namib Desert trail is the flagship ride and is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Billed as one of the toughest rides in the world, this challenging 12-day trail covers 400 km across the Namib desert. The Skeleton Coast, home of the Damara Elephant Trail, offers exciting horseback holidays, as does the restricted Diamond Area (Sperrgebiet) on historic ground in the area of the wild horses of the Namib Desert. Namibia is home to a fabulous game reserve - Etosha – where, because of the nutrients in its salt pan, the animals grow larger than normal. 

Many riders dream of a horseback safari in Africa, and there is so much choice! In Kenya one can visit the home of the Masia Mara, in South Africa the choice is wide, from beach riding to breathtaking bushveldt adventures, and in Botswana, the stunning Okavango Delta is a bucket-list must.  Often, they are totally luxurious, while camping trips are available for the more adventurous. Unicorn’s horse riding holidays in Zambia have short breaks that are ideal as easy extensions to our other Southern Africa holiday options. We also offer the Victoria Falls and Safari – the Complete Journey, an 8-night itinerary offering camping and luxury river lodge accommodation – including a day at the Victoria Falls.

Tanzania is another great safari country in East Africa, and after your riding trip why not extend your stay to climb Mount Kilmanjo - the highest peak in Africa. For that once-in-a-lifetime moment, arrive at the summit just before dawn and watch the glorious sunrise.

Safaris, deserts and mountains are not the only horseback riding holidays that Africa has to offer. If you fancy galloping along white sand and turquoise oceans on fabulous horses, then South Africa and Mozambique are perfect choices. Both provide the ultimate in beach riding! For the adventurous, and only for experienced riders looking for a challenge, a ride along the Wild Coast is perfect for endurance riders.

Just as with Northern Africa, flying to Southern Africa from Europe has benefits too. Why not take an evening flight departure. You can dine, sleep overnight and then disembark to eat breakfast in Africa with no jet lag.

Lastly, we are delighted to offer you a unique ride in Ethiopia. This will suit the adventurous riders who don't mind a limited tourism infrastructure. In return, riders will experience a little known, but totally fascinating ancient source of the Great Rift Valley; the origins of mankind, the marvels of ancient Christianity, and the wild highlands and semi nomadic Oromo people. The wildlife of the Bale highlands is a world-class treasure and best explored on horseback.

Africa awaits you - whatever type of ride you choose, whatever country you decide on, you will experience unparalleled adventure. Contact us now to tailor make your personal African riding adventure!