Zambian Horseback Safari

Fly into Livingstone Airport. Once you have cleared Immigration and collected your luggage, you will be met by a member of the team and transferred to Chundukwa River Lodge, which is approximately 25mins by road. After checking in and a light lunch on the patio overlooking the river you will hop onboard the lodge boat and embark on a Zambezi Sunset Cruise.

Overnight at Chundukwa River Lodge in a Luxury Riverside Chalet.

Wake up with the sun from your Zambezi chalet. At a pre-arranged time, you will depart for Zambian Horseback Safaris! Your journey starts with a 40 minute road transfer to a small African harbour called Mambova. Local villagers and fishermen trade their daily catch here and it is a kaleidoscope of colour, noise, children, goats and chickens!

You’ll continue your journey by river. This magical boat journey takes you upstream on Africa's fourth largest river - the mighty Zambezi. This trip is an adventure itself and a highlight for all guests! You can expect to see hippos, crocodiles, local fisherman in their traditional dugouts called mokoros, local cattle grazing on the riverbanks and beautiful, remote village scenes. After two hours on the river, look out for the horses, saddled and waiting on the riverbank. It’s time to ride!

Overnight at Zambian Horseback Safaris in a Luxury Safari Tent.

You’ll start each day before dawn at Zambian Horseback Safaris, with a light breakfast and your choice of tea or coffee before heading out into the wilderness. Watching the sunrise from horseback is a daily ritual- and one of the true highlights of the safari.

Each day is spent exploring the vast Simalaha Wilderness, an area of 180,000 km² of raw, open land. Ride across endless plains, through mopane forests and past ancient baobab trees, gently approaching large herds of wildlife. The Zambezi River weaves through the landscape, alongside the lives of the Lozi people, who move their cattle along the riverbeds and fish these waters as they have for generations.

Overnight at Zambian Horseback Safaris in a Luxury Safari Tent.

For riders, being able to canter into the horizon on land without predators and without holes is an absolute joy. Zambian Horseback Safaris encourages riders to enjoy the space and to experience the pure riding freedom of the Simalaha.  Here, time seems to stretch and slow right down. It's an opportunity to disconnect from responsibilities and routines and to connect with nature.

Overnight at Zambian Horseback Safaris in a Luxury Safari Tent.

Each day will slightly differ, the route will be determined by Doug or Fred with the best interests of the group and where the wildlife concentrations are.

Overnight at Zambian Horseback Safaris in a Luxury Safari Tent.

This morning, enjoy a final opportunity to canter across the plains and enjoy the sunrise and wildlife before your return journey to Livingstone. You’ll depart by river to Mambova Harbour and then by road to Chundukwa River Lodge. It’s now time to relax. Opt for a massage or laze by the pool. Take a walk through the indigenous gardens and see where the path leads.

Overnight at Chundukwa River Lodge in a Luxury Riverside Chalet.

After a good night’s rest and a hearty fresh breakfast, you’re free to explore Livingstone and Victoria Falls today. No set time departures, no waiting for the late risers- you are free to spend as much time as you want to experience the world’s largest waterfall and surrounding attractions. This is your day to do it all, see it all, experience it all! Use of a vehicle with a driver/guide is included in your stay at Chundukwa River Lodge.

There are many additional experiences that you may want to do- the driver/guide will take you there, wait for you and bring you home safely at the end of the day. These outsourced activities are extra and for your own account or may be billed into your itinerary.

Overnight at Chundukwa River Lodge in a Luxury Riverside Chalet.

Complete your safari experience with a Chobe Day Trip, where land and water-based safaris bring you close to Africa’s majestic wildlife in Botswana. As you cruise the Chobe River, witness flocks of vibrant bird species, pods of hippos and primeval crocodiles lounging along the banks. Keep an eye out for the world’s largest elephant population as they gather in impressive numbers. On land, venture deeper into the park, where lions, leopards and other elusive big cats roam. 

Overnight at Chundukwa River Lodge in a Luxury Riverside Chalet.

Enjoy the sunrise from your riverside chalet and perhaps take a morning horseride along the river. Later, you’ll be transferred back to Livingstone Airport for your onward journey.