Ride Zimbabwe - Varden Safaris Riding Safaris Hwange

03/04/2025

If you watch too much Lion King or documentaries on Wildlife you may be led to belive that there is wildlife around every corner! That is simply not to the case particularly in vast unfenced National Parks like Hwange National Park.

So we were particularly chuffed that some GIraffe decided to show themselves today as they were one of the big ticket species on bucket list🦒🦒🙌🙌🙌

Can you spot the Giraffe?







.

Photo .dupreez

02/04/2025

Our Guestateers are ready to ride, and what a beautiful day it is to be in the bush.

The Guestateer program is a separate project to our 7 night safari rides.

Guestateer is a 2 week program designed for people over 30.

In equal parts, it is horses/riding conservation and community.

Like to know more contact African Horse Safaris or

[email protected]





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27/03/2025

Our program is not your standard volunteer with horses in Africa

Riding is just one component in equal parts we get involved in conservation and community.

Two of our current Guestateers, Yas from the UK and Dana from USA, get some pro tips from D.A.R.T ranger Theofora.

In between riding, the ladies are really learning what makes Africa ticks or not.

In this photo, Dana is in deep convo with Theofora, a field ranger from
D.A.R.T Dete Animal Rescue Trust.

The ladies are all about to go on antipoaching patrol with .dupreez and Theofora leading the way.

#ɢɪʀʟᴘᴏᴡᴇʀ
.A.R.T










Guestateer Part Horses / Part community / Part conservation.

Being part of these boots on the ground and bums in the saddle initiative, you are doing your bit for conservation.🌎

Find out more [email protected]

Photo credit .dupreez

18/03/2025

This is not just a photo of a land cruiser full of grass.

This is a photo of collaboration and community.

A big thank you to FOH Friends of Hwange who mowed the road to main camp not only to make it look neat and tidy but, most importantly, provide clear vision on both sides of the road. It is very important when you have wildlife darting across the road at all hours. This will go a long away in preventing accidents.

Thanks to everyone who helped.

And of course, the horses love this grass 🐎🐎☘️🍀

of hwange

16/03/2025

Here are the dates for our fabulous 7 night riding safari in one of Africa's iconic national parks.

Hwange National Park Zimbabwe.

What are you waiting for?

10/03/2025

When the grass is dry and sun is warm on safari, we expect to see scenes like the above every day.

The dry season from July to November is the best time for game viewing in Zimbabwe.

Why? Because all the inland water sources have dried up and wildlife must come to man made water points to drink.






Have a question about horse riding safaris?

Drop us a message.

06/03/2025

For those that don't know this is Tuffy, the handsome Ride Zimbabwe Doggo.

Blue Heeler x Lab High energy and loves to chase birds.

Sadly, we can't take any of our dogs on safari because they are attractive snacks, for lion, leopards, and hyena.








Isn't he handsome?

03/03/2025

On safari in Hwange National Park through the Ears of Jasper.

Ears forward, calm but alert. This is what you want your horse to be doing in proximity of a cow elephant herd.

When it comes to cow herds, one never intentionally gets too close - they have babies to protect.

Running into a cow herd untentionally is another thing and one of the reasons you need to be an experienced rider to come on safari with us.

With an elephant population of over 40,000 in Hwange, you are sure to see some on a riding safari with us🐎🐎🐘🐘












We still have saddles open for the 2025 season.

Contact us for more info on our 7 night safaris.

02/03/2025

The safari horses are getting back to work and jumping into the week like Jasper and Hamish!

Looks like someone is refreshed from the time off 😀

On March 22, we welcome our first Guests for the 2025 season.






For more info on our riding safaris contact
[email protected] or DM us.

09/02/2025

Zambezi: Homebred. In training.

Anyone who takes photos of horses in the rainy season with all the flies knows its nigh on impossible to get THE shot. Ears moving, tail flicking. I am sure all Equestrians can relate.

He is pretty handsome, don't you think?

With his even temperament, Zambezi so far is taking everything in his stride. Living out amongst the wildlife , nothing much fazes him.

08/02/2025

Ride Zimbabwes handsome boy Tuffy Blue Heeler x Lab ie ready for the season to start..Whoa boy handbrake on still aways to until we start.

Horses are still enjoying off and the green grass.

26/01/2025

Whilst resting up in camp getting ready for the afternoons ride, we watched in awe as a herd of elephants pass by.

For some of us, it's a sight we have seen often for some it's the first time to sit quietly and watch these gaints pass by.

It's a privilege we never tire of.

Totally aware of us, they made their way quietly to K2 pan a short distance from us to quench their thrist.

14/01/2025

The above dates are the days we shall be riding into the sunset ( hopefully with you) on our 7 night riding safari in Hwange National Park.

Other dates are available for private/shorter rides.
Please ask.

One of our most popular safaris is the 10 night saddle and paddle.
7 nights riding and 3 nights in the iconic Mana Pools National Park.

This safari is hugely popular with riders as it combines canoeing, walking, and gamendriving.

Everything is taken care of just turn up!

Advanced riders only (husbands can go on game drives and walks) 😂

09/01/2025

A lovely guest recently sent a bonus to all our staff to celebrate with their families, as a thank you for taking great care with our safari horses.

Pictured is Earnst our Stable manager and Tinei our lorry driver.

Both these guys have a lot of responsibility Tinei making sure that the horses get where they have to be safely over all sorts of terrain and Earnst quietly working back of house (stables), making sure everyone is fit and healthy to go out on safari as well as overseeing and checking all tack.

Thanks for your hard work. Everyone long hours on safari, late night feeds and checks, as well as sleeping with one eye 👁and ear 🦻open, listening for lions (like we all do)

05/01/2025

Busmans Holiday continued.

With over 70 years of professional guiding between them it's no wonder our bird list sits at 153 species in just 1.5 days.

Once a Guide always a Guide👌








Professional Safari guides.

05/01/2025

Busmans Holiday:

It's strange how you live and work in an area for so long and never visit areas "down the road"

In this case, down the road is 3 hours from our base on dirt roads through Hwange National Park to stay at Davisons Camp on the Wilderness Zimbabwe concession for a few nights.

Where we had one of the best lion sightings of our lives! !!

We sat with these beautiful lionesses and 3 cubs for 2 hours entirely on our own with no other person or vehicle in sight.

Lion spam coming up.

05/01/2025

12/12/2024

Guestateers had a great day in the Park last week.

Elephant sightings were of course, plentiful in this heat.

Crocodiles, Hippos, Roan, and Sable Antelope! Birds to numerous to mention.

A picnic lunch by a pan to rest in the heat of the day.

Don't forget to bring a decent pair of binoculars.

Talk to us or .dupreez for the best type for riding with.