Frequently Asked Questions

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Most lodge-based trail rides can easily cater to non-riding spouses, partners, friends, and children. Even some of the riding guests like to have a break from the saddle and take advantage of the wide range of other activities on offer.

Most trail-based rides have set schedules and are ideal for solo travellers, couples or groups of friends.

Start by researching your destination and what are the health risks associated with each location. A good resource for this is https://www.masta-travel-health.com This website provides detailed information on vaccination recommendations, potential outbreaks and general health information. 

 Schedule an appointment  6 months before your departure, or even 1 year when travelling to Africa. Discuss the destination(s) you plan to travel to with your doctor so that they can prescribe the necessary medication and vaccinations, but also give you any extra recommendations. 

Don't forget to ask them to provide you with a prescription for the medication you might bring and any medical problems or allergies you may have. This list will be useful at customs in case you are checked.

 We advise you to take special tropical mosquito and insect spray. There are also sprays for clothing and some sportswear brands that offer clothing that is effective against mosquito bites. 

This is a great site for health information when travelling to Africa: https://www.go2africa.com/african-travel-blog/vaccinations-need-africa

Most importantly, be honest about your riding experience. Not only do we have to ensure that all riders are on a similar level and that the rides are suitable for you!

If you are an intermediate rider, don’t choose a ride that is too demanding. You might become anxious or hold up the rest of the group. If you are less experienced, we recommend safaris that combine shorter rides with other activities such as game drives and nature walks.  Here you will have a more laidback introduction to horse safari, riding in areas with giraffe, zebra and many antelope species. 

For the more advanced riders, there are some fast-paced rides over varied terrain that make for some thrilling time in the saddle. 

When riding in areas where you may encounter big game such as lion, elephant and buffaloes, you will need to be well balanced in the saddle and able to react to all eventualities, even galloping out of trouble if required. 

It is for this reason- WE DO NOT TAKE BEGINNERS.

It is for YOUR safety that you are honest about your abilities.

See our Riding level page to understand the levels of experience. 

If you have your heart set on a specific experience, it is very important to let us know!

The movement of wildlife is dictated by rain and some destinations are more seasonal than others. 

There is no bad time for safari. Each season offers a different experience. 

The winter months are often considered brilliant for wildlife sightings as the bush is dry, the grass short and the wildlife must stick closer to the available water sources. Competition is therefore fierce, and you can get incredible predator sightings! 

If you love the heat of summer, you will love with dramatic thunderstorms, lush green landscapes and many new-born animals  – however the rain can cause last-minute changes to the itinerary.  

Spring and Autumn are  transformational months, with vivid changes in the landscape, excellent game viewing and migratory birds that bring a splash of colour.

Audley Travel has a great When to Visit Africa Guide you can see here: https://www.audleytravel.com/africa/best-time-to-visit#jun

Knowing how you imagine your ultimate dream horse safari makes it easier for us to turn that dream into a reality.

Is your ultimate horse safari dream to gallop over endless savannahs with herds of zebra and giraffe? Have you always imagined riding alongside the giant tuskers in East Africa or splashy canters in the Okovango Delta! 

Are you looking to strip back to basics like the explorers-of-old and sleep out under the stars? Or do you prefer the life of luxury, where you can enjoy a relaxing massage after your morning ride? 

Most rides can be classed as either lodge-based or trail-based. The benefit of lodge-based rides is that they can be tailor-made to suit your schedule and they offer a variety of other activities such as game drives and nature walks. Some are fairly simple, while others rival the luxuriousness of the best hotels. Trail-based rides are for the more adventurous, covering more ground and offering a true wilderness experience.  Many of these rides offer varied accommodations along the route, from treetop sleepouts to more permanent tented camps. Others offer fly camping in remote wilderness areas or sleeping out on stretchers under the stars.

Pros and Cons of trail based safaris- is it right for you? https://www.discoverafrica.com/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-mobile-camping-safaris-is-it-right-for-you/

 There is no denying that a safari is expensive and often a once in a life-time experience. It is for this reason that choosing the right horseback adventure is so crucial. 

 It is worthwhile doing some basic research into the costs of safaris and flights so that you can set a realistic budget for yourself. 

All our rides are all-inclusive, so from the moment you touchdown in the airport, you will spend very little.

Again, expectations have a big role to play in deciding which ride best for you. If you are seeking adventure above all else, then often the more experiential horse safaris are more affordable. If you want luxury accommodation but have budget constraints, try travelling in the low or shoulder seasons when prices are lower. If you want to splurge, then perhaps extending your safari and spend some extra time exploring too.

Chat to us, as we know the destinations, and some countries are generally more expensive than others. Much of this has to do with the costs of park fees and conservation levies – but remember, by paying these you have a direct impact on preserving the African wilderness and wildlife. For this reason, East Africa tends to be more expensive than Southern Africa, but if you want that quintessential Lion King scenery, then it might be worth saving up another year.

Here is a currency conversion link : https://finance.yahoo.com/currency-converter/?nn=1