What makes Zambian Horseback Safaris truly significant is not only the riding, but the story of the land itself — its people, cultural history and its role in an important model for community-led conservation and sustainable wildlife development in Zambia.

Set within the beautiful Simalaha Community & Wildlife Conservancy in Western Zambia, this is the first equestrian safari of its kind in the country and an experience deeply rooted in place. The conservancy lies within a culturally important landscape shaped by the Lozi people, where conservation, community livelihoods and wildlife restoration are being brought together to create a more sustainable future for both people and the natural environment.

As the sole safari operator within Simalaha, Zambian Horseback Safaris enjoys riding access across the conservancy, opening up a wonderfully varied wilderness of vast open floodplains, mopane and acacia woodlands, riverine landscapes and seasonal wetlands. The terrain is ideal for long, exploratory rides, with wildlife encounters unfolding naturally from the saddle.

Hosted by renowned horseman Doug Evans and an experienced team, the safari is designed around capable riders who want to spend meaningful time in the saddle. Approximately six to seven hours of riding can be enjoyed each day, depending on guest preference and conditions, with a provision of two horses per rider allowing horses to be rotated throughout the safari. Saddles and all necessary tack are provided.

The experience is deliberately intimate. The safari camp accommodates a maximum of just eight guests in four en-suite safari tents, creating the rare opportunity to disconnect from everyday life and become fully immersed in the rhythm of the wilderness. Days revolve around horses, wildlife, landscapes and long hours outdoors, while evenings are spent around camp beneath the immense Zambian sky.

Responsible tourism sits at the heart of the experience. Zambian Horseback Safaris operates within a community conservancy where tourism contributes to the protection of natural and cultural heritage while supporting local employment, livelihoods and the broader development of the Simalaha landscape. Low-impact operations and environmentally conscious practices help ensure that this remains a genuinely sustainable way to explore the region.

Our riding safaris begin with a three-night stay and can be extended for guests wishing to spend longer in the conservancy. Packages are offered on a full-board basis and include return transfers between Livingstone and the Simalaha Conservancy by road.

Primarily suited to confident intermediate and experienced riders, guests should be fit, competent and comfortable riding for several hours a day over varied terrain and at different paces. Novice to intermediate riders can also be accommodated when the camp is booked exclusively, allowing the riding programme to be adapted to the ability and confidence of the group.

More than a riding holiday, Zambian Horseback Safaris is an opportunity to experience a remarkable landscape from within — to understand its history, meet the people connected to it, ride through its recovering wilderness and become part of a much bigger conservation story.