Zambezi Horse Trails

Zambezi Horse Trails- Full Day Safari 

Brief Facts:

You should wear:

Dull coloured clothing – no white or bright colours;

long trousers/jeans

bush shirt or t shirt with a short sleeve to protect your shoulders.

trainers or walking shoes.

A peaked cap to wear under your helmet, or  a sunhat

Note: We have a limited range of half chaps, jodhpurs trousers and shirts available for loan for those of you who arrive unprepared, or without luggage.

Helmets: We strongly advise you to wear one. They are obligatory for novice riders and children. We have a limited range at the stables but these are for loan to clients on half day rides only. If you are doing a multiday ride, you must bring your own. It’s safer.

Size of Rides:  One client on 2-3 hour rides. Minimum of two clients and maximum of eight clients on longer rides at the moment. Larger groups may be split for safety reasons.

Riding Ability:

·      No previous experience is required for Novice rides.     If you wish to book an experienced ride, you must be able to ride unassisted and with confidence.  At minimum you should have mastered basic aids, be able to do a rising trot for stretches of at least 10 minutes at a time, be comfortable at all paces and able to gallop out of trouble, even at the end of a long days ride.

       If you are booking a full day or a multiday safari you should be riding fit, capable of doing all of the above and be able to gallop out of trouble even at the end of a long days’ ride. The more proficient and fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your trip.

Weight Limit:  This applies to all rides.

Maximum weight limit is 90kg (14 1/2 Stones or 200lbs). To avoid embarrassment be warned that you may be required to step on the scales. Allowances may be made, only for very experienced riders, and even then at our discretion. There will be a surcharge.

Insurance:  Although we have MARS cover, this only deals with evacuation to the nearest appropriate medical facility. Beyond that full Medical Insurance is required.  Clients booking a multiday ride must submit details prior to your arrival. Please check whether your insurance covers you for riding without a helmet, should you wish to do so.

Indemnity:  All clients are required to sign an indemnity on arrival at the stables.

Guiding: Qualified, licensed guides lead all rides, and are accompanied by a back up rider. Both are dedicated, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. A keen interest is taken in the environment as well as the flora and fauna of the area. You will also learn many of the traditional uses of plants and trees, basic principles of tracking, and aspects of traditional village life.

Safety:

All guides and back up riders are well trained – we send extra as necessary. Each ride starts with a safety talk, and you will be reminded of this should circumstances require. Our rides are conducted with the aim of disturbing wildlife as little as possible and the paced of the ride and method of approach is regulated accordingly.

Tack: We use mainly Australian Stock saddles, although English saddles are available. All horses go in snaffle bridles.

Horses: We are very proud of our horses! Mostly thoroughbred, some mixed, some Anglo Arabs.  Between 14 – 16.2h.  They vary from gentle hacks to my top polocrosse ponies. It depends on you!

Game Viewing:  Game is plentiful in the National Park surrounding the stables and the Zambezi River area. Depending on the season you may see elephant, buffalo, kudu, bushbuck, impala, warthog, and waterbuck. Hippo, crocodile and cape clawless otters may also be spotted. There are several resident leopard.

But remember, no game sighting is guaranteed. This is more about riding a good horse in an amazing area, not a checklist safari!