Mozambique Horse Safari

You will be met at Vilankulo Airport by either Pat or Mandy Retzlaff, your hosts and guides for the week. After a short transfer from the airport, they will settle you into your lodging for the week.

In the afternoon you will get the opportunity to meet the horses and staff at the stables. You will be offered a number of horses to try in the riding school and once you feel comfortable, you will head out onto the beach for a slow and relaxing ride allowing you to become familiar with horse and equipment.

This ride takes approximately 1.5 hours.

Today you will ride inland on single trails skirting African villages and vast natural fresh water lakes. The birdlife is fantastic and there is a good chance of seeing eagles, herons, harriers, rollers, pelicans and kingfishers. You will canter along bush paths through African farmlands, rural schools and past the ruins of old Portuguese homesteads. The old farm roads allow for a fast pace as you continue across country. As usual on the way home there is plenty of space for long canters on the beach. 

This ride takes approximately 3 hours.

In the morning, a motorized dhow takes you across the calm waters of Bazaruto National Park to the world-famous Benguerra Island. As you glide along, dolphins breach nearby and you’ll spot old fishing dhows from a time gone by. Approaching the island, you’ll see horses waiting under palm trees on a pristine white beach, ready for your arrival.

Soon you’re in the saddle. The horses are eager, ears pricked forward, as you settle and take in the vast Indian Ocean. Your guide shares stories about the local flora and fauna, her passion shining through. Riding inland, you pass local villages, climb golden sand dunes and ride past freshwater lakes where flamingos gather. The journey continues at a relaxed pace along sandy tracks and a long beach, waving to fishermen along the way. Just before reaching the stables, you can slip off your saddle and ride bareback into the sea.

If the tide allows, there’s time for snorkeling at Magaruque Island. A simple but delicious lunch is served ashore under a shady tree, before you return to the mainland as the sun sets for dinner and drinks.

This ride takes approximately 3 hours, depending on the tide.

You will have a relaxing morning before your lunchtime ride to a local fishing village. From the stables, Mandy guides you down to the beach at a gentle walk. Under Mandy’s instruction you will canter towards mangrove trees in the distance and up a red bank to the "Finger Print of God". The panoramic views look out over the Bazaruto Archipelago. You will see colourful dhows and fisherwoman hunting crab in shallow sands. You continue through winding coconut plantations along a beach path to the Managlise Fishing Village.

You hear the distinct chatter of laughing children and are soon greeted by a horde of smiles. Once sat in simple thatch shelter, newly harvested coconuts are cracked open. The refreshing juice is a rich reward after a long ride. Then a traditional lunch is served, fresh crab from the beach, grilled fish from the mornings catch and Matapa; a Mozambican dish made from cassava leaves, nuts and coconut milk. After your meal, the children come out to sing local songs and dance, their smiles and energy make the occasion feel very special. Once goodbyes are completed, the horses are saddled up and you start the return home.

The Fishing Village Ride offers a authentic cultural experience and brings welcome business to a community far off the beaten track. It also helps locals, who once feared the horses, to better understand and engage with them.

This ride takes approximately 2 hours + 1.5 lunch / village.

Today’s ride is a favorite of many guests. You’ll follow the old coastal main road along the beach, then meander up and cross a small river estuary. Along the way, you’ll pass rural villages where children come out to wave at the horses.

As the villages thin out, there are long, safe canters through coastal bush. After several hours in the saddle, a bush track takes you through dense woodland down to the beach, with stunning views over the bay. The long, quiet sandy beaches give you the chance for dream-like canters on the way back to the stables.

After a full day in the saddle, enjoy sundowners and a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.

This ride takes approximately 3-4 hours.

After breakfast, your hosts drive you to the stables, and soon you’re saddled up. Once on the beach, your horse’s ears pick up as she takes in the sounds of chatting fishermen in passing dhows. You gaze out over the turquoise sea and settle in next to Pat, cantering together along the endless shoreline.

The ride continues past Vilankulo town and back onto the beach. In the distance, the Red Dune rises above the shore. As you reach its base, your horse surges forward, powerful and eager, carrying you up to the summit in a thrilling canter. From the top, the view is breathtaking: blue seas and silver sandbanks stretch as far as the eye can see. After some photos and a few dune jumps, you descend and canter along the beach toward a fresh seafood lunch.

After lunch, stop at a local arts and crafts center that supports the community, with plenty of time to browse and pick up souvenirs. Later, relax by the pool or take a stroll along the beach.

This ride takes approximately 3-4 hours.

MHS’s ocean walk and swimming ride is world-famous and unforgettable. The ride begins as you lead your horse into the shallow waters. Excitement builds as they splash and roll, enjoying the sea. Once settled, you mount bareback on the beach and wade chest-deep into the turquoise waters for an incredible ocean walk along the shoreline, ending at a safe swimming spot. In deeper water, you’ll feel the horse’s powerful surge as it propels forward. For safety, your horse will usually be on a long lead rope during this part. Each horse is unique, making this an experience you’ll never forget.

In the late afternoon, you’ll head to the Govuro River by vehicle for a peaceful paddle along a picture-perfect waterway. Relax in the lush riverine scenery, watch for native fish, and listen to the calls of birds. As evening falls, ducks return to roost, and you may even see fireflies lighting up the sky.

This ride takes approximately 1 hour + 3.5 hours of activity.

A morning farewell ride along the beach takes you south past lines of mangroves and swaying palms. Enjoy long canters up to the “Fingerprint of God,” a stunning viewpoint over the Bazaruto Archipelago. Continuing through dune bush, the ride ends with relaxed canters back along the beach toward the stables.

This ride takes approximately 1.5 hours.