From coast to coast, South Africa to the Sahara, this continent has endless opportunities for adventure. On an African horse safari, you’ll be able to discover the wilderness in its most wild state. During your trip, you can see wildlife, beaches, deserts, and more.
You’ll ride through the different landscapes, learn about the history of the place you’re in, and learn about the horses you’re riding. Horse Tours Club will craft the perfect horse safari, a dream vacation for you to enjoy.
Equestrian History of Africa
During the Bronze Age, around 1700 BCE, horses were first brought to Africa, where they were quickly adopted in Egypt, Northern Sudan, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia.
They were introduced to southern Africa in 1653 by European travelers. The Europeans utilized them to expand their influence into Africa, but it wasn’t long before native Africans had horses of their own.
As the animals spread, rulers used them to conquer new territories, creating cavalries to fight their enemies. Indigenous populations used horses for raiding, hunting, and pastoralist lifestyles. Many African cultures still ride horses during their celebrations, and horses are still seen as symbols of status and power.
African Breeds
While horses are not indigenous to Africa, many magnificent horse breeds have come out of the continent since their arrival. Here are a few of them.
The Barb is one of the most popular in Africa. This North African breed’s origins are unknown, but they were around in the second century and became prevalent in the eighth century. This breed is closely related to the Arabian horse. Barbs have muscular physiques and great endurance.
The Nooitgedachter is a cross between the Cape Horse and the Basuto pony. It’s an extremely rare South African breed that came from the Basuto Pony Project in 1951—an attempt to reverse the negative results of earlier inbreeding. There are only around 400 of these horses. Nooitgedachters are very durable with a strong and compact physique.
Originating in the northern part of Ethiopia, the Abyssinian—also known as the Gala, Oromo Horse, or Ethiopian Horse—is a popular breed in Ethiopia and other parts of Africa. Abyssinians are known for their strength, endurance, agility, and willingness.
What You’ll Do on Your Horse Riding Trip
So many exciting options await you for your African vacation.
Travel to Essaouira, Morocco where you can trot along the trail through a forest of argan trees, visit small traditional Berber villages and fishing villages, see a gorgeous lake, gallop through the sand along a beach, and ride along cliffs overlooking the ocean. You’ll see deep gorges, wild mountains, and fields of dunes. With its mild climate, Essaouira is a great destination year-round.
Or visit Egypt, home of palms, pharaohs, and pyramids. Your guide will take you to all the must-see sights, including the Great Pyramids of Giza, Ancient Thebes, Royal Tombs of the Valley of the Kings, and the Valley of the Queens. You’ll also float down the Nile River, swim with wild dolphins, snorkel, and ride your horse in the Red Sea. You can learn about the fascinating ancient history of this country while you sample Egyptian food and ride through the stunning landscape.
Or from Cairo, you can head to Fayoum. For 3 days, you can explore this beautiful area, enjoy long rides, dine under the stars, and experience a 4x4 safari. Then head to Luxor, where you can ride some gorgeous and well-trained horses, fly in hot air balloons, and tour temples and tombs alike. Luxor, often referred to as the greatest open-air museum, is unmatched in the preservation and number of monuments by any other location in the world.
You can also visit Fort Arabesque, a resort in Makadi Bay on the Red Sea. With beautiful white sand beaches nestled between the desert and the mountains, Makadi Bay is the perfect place to relax and take in the scenery at the end of your tour of Egypt.
In Ethiopia, you can visit Bale Mountains National Park, an area filled with magnificent views of stunning mountainous landscapes. The best-kept secret of Ethiopia, you’ll practically have the place to yourself, which will also give you the opportunity to see some of Ethiopia’s wildlife. See if you can spot the mountain nyala or the Ethiopian wolf or birds like the thick-billed raven, blue-winged goose, Rouget’s rail, and Ethiopian siskin.
If you want to truly explore the deserts of Africa, your destination should be Tunisia, where you can partake in the magic of this landscape on a riding safari. Here you’ll spend a week away from the hustle and bustle of civilization. You can sleep easy in the tranquil atmosphere of the desert. Visit mountain villages, ancient ruins, hot springs, oases, and the Grand Erg Oriental, a large erg or field of sand dunes in the Sahara Desert.
With so many options, it can be hard to decide, but Horse Tours Club will make certain you have the best vacation possible. We offer global horse riding tours, ensuring safety and quality for our customers. Book your African horseback riding tour through Horse Tours Club today!
