Zambian Horseback Safaris

Explore the remote, pristine nature of the Simalaha Wildlife Conservancy in Western Zambia. This 180,000 km² wilderness is a land of vast plains, mopane forests, ancient baobab trees and the vibrant Zambezi River. Herds of wildlife thrive here and the Lozi people go about their daily lives moving cattle along the riverbeds and fishing for their families.

Simalaha has a wide variety of mammals including giraffe, buffalo, waterbuck, hartebeest, lechwe, zebra, wildebeest, eland, sable, duiker, reedbuck, hippo, crocodile and jackal. It is not unusual to see hundreds of wildebeest and zebra grazing in harmony with the local tribesman’s cattle. Simalaha is “where wildlife and people come together and co-exist under one sky as they once did”.

This safari is designed to show you the highlights of Zambia. Your adventure begins on the banks of the mighty Zambezi, where you stay at the beautiful Chundukwa River Lodge. Next day, you travel by road (40 minutes) and boat (2 hours) to meet the horses and ride to camp. After four nights on safari, you return to Chundukwa from where you can explore the mighty Victoria Falls.

Being on safari here is a magical experience, it is an opportunity to disconnect from the everyday and reconnect with nature. Canter across the wilderness on excellent going, without having to consider predators – just relax, enjoy the space and experience the freedom of riding in Simalaha.

These safaris are best suited for Intermediate Plus to Experienced Riders. It is essential that you have been riding for many years, are well balanced in the saddle and that you are riding fit. You must be confident in controlling a sensible fit horse, at all paces including a gallop, outdoors.

Doug, the lodge owner and manager, has overall responsibility for the stables. The horses are part of the family and Doug is one of Zambia's most respected horsemen.

The horses are a mixture of Boerperd, Quarter Horse, Basotho and Thoroughbreds - pure and cross bred. There are usually around 24 horses in camp during the season - they range freely, returning to base each morning and evening to be fed, groomed and checked over.

The horses are ridden in snaffle bridles and good quality South African trail saddles,  comfortable for many hours of riding.

 

 

On a typical 6 night safari, your first and last nights are spent at Chundukwa River Lodge. For the nights in between you stay in a semi-permanent tented camp on the Simalaha reserve.

At Chundukwa River Lodge, accommodation is in chalets on stilts overlooking the Zambezi River. Each chalet has an en-suite bathroom and can be made up as separate twin beds or a king size bed. The chalets are designed to blend with the surroundings, offering an authentic eco-lodge experience. There is no air conditioning and the chalets have ceiling fans to keep them cool.

Whilst on safari, you stay in tents on wooden platforms, with views out over the Simalaha Plains. Each tent has an en-suite with shower, sink and flush loo. There is an eco-pool so that you can cool off between rides.

Accommodation Gallery

Upcoming Dates

The scheduled dates for the 6-night safaris are set out below. It is possible to stay at the lodge for additional nights before or after, which you will need to do if you wish to visit Victoria Falls.

Holiday	Experience LevelExp Lvl	Arrive - DepartArr - Dep		Price	Itinerary	Availability
6 Night Horse Safari		27 Jun 2026 - 3 Jul 2026	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,222.83		Book
6 Night Horse Safari		11 Jul 2026 - 17 Jul 2026	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,222.83		Full
6 Night Horse Safari		25 Jul 2026 - 31 Jul 2026	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,222.83		Book
6 Night Horse Safari		8 Aug 2026 - 14 Aug 2026	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,222.83		Full
6 Night Horse Safari		22 Aug 2026 - 28 Aug 2026	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,222.83		Book
6 Night Horse Safari		29 Aug 2026 - 4 Sep 2026	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,222.83		Book
6 Night Horse Safari		12 Sep 2026 - 18 Sep 2026	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,222.83		Book
6 Night Horse Safari		26 Sep 2026 - 2 Oct 2026	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,222.83		Book
6 Night Horse Safari		14 Oct 2026 - 20 Oct 2026	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,222.83		Full
6 Night Horse Safari		24 Oct 2026 - 30 Oct 2026	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,222.83		Book
6 Night Horse Safari		7 Nov 2026 - 13 Nov 2026	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,222.83		Book
6 Night Horse Safari		28 Nov 2026 - 4 Dec 2026	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,222.83		Book
6 Night Horse Safari		26 Jun 2027 - 2 Jul 2027	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,894.89		Book
6 Night Horse Safari		5 Jul 2027 - 11 Jul 2027	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,894.89		Book
6 Night Horse Safari		24 Jul 2027 - 30 Jul 2027	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,894.89		Book
6 Night Horse Safari		14 Aug 2027 - 20 Aug 2027	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,894.89		Book
6 Night Horse Safari		28 Aug 2027 - 3 Sep 2027	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,894.89		Book
6 Night Horse Safari		11 Sep 2027 - 17 Sep 2027	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,894.89		Full
6 Night Horse Safari		25 Sep 2027 - 1 Oct 2027	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,894.89		Book
6 Night Horse Safari		9 Oct 2027 - 15 Oct 2027	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,894.89		Book
6 Night Horse Safari		23 Oct 2027 - 29 Oct 2027	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,894.89		Book
6 Night Horse Safari		6 Nov 2027 - 12 Nov 2027	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,894.89		Book
6 Night Horse Safari		20 Nov 2027 - 26 Nov 2027	6 nights 6 ngts	£3,894.89		Book

Prices

INCLUDES Accommodation; meals; beer, house wine and soft drinks; laundry; one complementary activity per night's stay at Chundukwa; Victoria Falls entrance fee (if staying 7 or 8 nights); return transfers by river to Simalaha; conservancy fees; Livingstone airport transfers.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT £756.07 is payable (6 nights) (£809.53 in 2027). If you are willing to share and we find you a sharer, then it is refunded to you.

ADDITIONAL NIGHTS AT CHUNDUKWA LODGE PRE OR POST SAFARI cost £442.95 per person sharing or £553.69 in a single room (£626.24 and £725.52 in 2027).

PAYABLE LOCALLY Gratuities (guideline US$10 per night); spirits.

NEAREST AIRPORT Livingstone Airport.

TRANSFERS Road transfers from Livingstone Airport are included.

Getting There

The meeting point is Livingstone Airport and we will arrange transfers for you.

From Livingstone it is a journey of about 30 minutes to Chundukwa River Lodge.

A flight arriving around midday should allow time for an afternoon activity. On departure day, check-out is around 10:30.

In The Saddle Gallery

Location

This safari takes place in the Simalaha Wildlife Conservancy in Western Zambia.

Weather & Climate

Temperatures can vary greatly, so it is best to bring light layers of cotton clothing. In June and July it is chilly overnight, but during the day you can expect up to mid-20's °C.

In late September, October and November the weather is hot. It can get up to 38°C in the heat of the day, and it remains warm overnight.

By late November, into December and January the rainy season has arrived. Days are usually warm, somewhere between 20-38°C, with cooler temperatures when the rain comes.