Hi all

I am seeking some advice on horse riding safaris/trips in Africa in July/August. Would like something approx 5-7 days, in Botswana or Tanzania (but other suggestions welcomed). Would like to see range of large animals from horseback. I realise that it is an expensive venture, but would be looking at the cheaper end of scale. Am willing to camp or rough it to keep prices down. I am an experienced rider.

I look forward to any suggestions.

www.safarisunlimited.com/horseback-safaris.htm
Good folks expensive on line best done boots on the
ground for a more cost-effective experience.
porini.com good in that area also.

For July I think Botswana would be a better choice as you need to be in a 4WD to access the best parts of Tanzania. However, with different dates you can certainly put together a good horseback safari in Tanzania riding among herds migrating between Tarangire and Laka Manyara National Park- or mixing a 4wd safari with a riding one

http://www.horsesafari.co.za/

http://www.horseback-safaris.com/Lim...alley_Tuli.asp

http://www.waterberg.net/

Those are the three I considered last year. All three look really fun.

In Tanzania, there's a wide array of sites that offer horseback riding... try a Google search.

Know though, that unless on private lands (avoiding predators, though with rather tame game - zebra, wildies, giraffe), actual riding IN the national parks is NOT permitted, but rather adjacent to.

One often used for Tanzania would be Ndarakwai Ranch at www.ndarakwai.com/
and/or Makao Farm at www.makoa-farm.com/ (these might be one and the same). Prices vary depending on what you are seeking, for how long, type of lodging, etc.

Likewise, there are many options in Kenya, also on private lands/conservancies... again, a Google search.

Good luck!

Thanks everyone. All the info has given me some food for thought...Looked up Ndarakwai thanks Sandi - it is exactly the sort of thing I like but it didn't seem that they did horse riding safaris which was a great shame. All the other sites are definite possibilities.

Makoa Farm conducts riding safaris on Ndarakwai Ranch. We did one in 2005 and here's my trip report and photos (it's the last part) http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...zania-trip.cfm

We basically did the 4 day Kilimanjaro Wilderness and added on another night on the farm.

If you're open to Kenya, I can give a couple of other recommendations as well.

Thanks for that clarification Patty - I saw the Makoa Farm site but didn't make the connection that they rode on Ndarakwai Ranch. I will investigate further. I am open to suggestions for Kenya - have seen offbeat safaris in my net searching and they look pretty good.

In Kenya, we've ridden with El Karama Ranch http://www.laikipiasafaris.com/index.htm and Sandai http://www.africanfootprints.de/en

We weren't strictly on riding safaris at either location but I believe both also offer that option. We stayed in cottages and went on game viewing rides (among other activities) as part of our stay.

Patty - 'she's alive?' Nice to know you look-see on occasion, so good to hear from you!

Glad you clarified Ndarakwai/Makoa for me ... asante!

Hi Sandi!
Yeah, I took a bit of a "sabbatical" from the forum Hopefully I'll be able to post more going forward.

Patty - Be sure, we look forward to having you back!

I came across this site a few years ago used it to book my horseback Safari to Botswana which was amazing. www.ridesonthewildside.com The owner not only lives in Maun she has also done all the rides and met me personally at Maun airport.