Ride Zimbabwe (Varden Safaris)

Day 1 - Arrival

Riding: 1 - 2 hours

You will be transferred from Victoria Falls International Airport to Iganyana Tented Camp where you will spend the first night. This is a two to three hour drive and the 'meet and greet' and transfer is carried out by a road transfer company.

Afternoon high tea is served, followed by a briefing from your guide, an indemnity signing and introduction to the horses. You'll mount up for a short introductory ride before heading back to camp for sundowners, showers, dinner and a peaceful sleep under canvas.

Day 2

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

An early start with tea, coffee and a light breakfast before mounting up. Today you'll explore the Dete Vlei and surrounds on horseback, allowing more time to adapt to the local riding style, tack and horses - any changes can easily be made today. You may ride for the whole day, or may ride 3-4 hours in the morning and then head out for a shorter ride in the afternoon - everything will depend on local game movements and conditions.

Return to Iganyana for a second night in this lovely camp.

Day 3

Riding: 3 - 5 hours

Early this morning the horses and equipment will be transported by truck into Main Camp in Hwange National Park. You will have an early morning wake up with tea and coffee around the campfire, then you'll pack your bags, have breakfast and head off in the horses' footsteps. The drive is only around half an hour to an hour, depending on what sightings you have along the way!

You'll check in at the tourism office and make your conservation and camping fee payments, then you'll be back on your horse for a ride into the park. Sometimes you'll game drive deeper into the park before meeting your horse and riding to the first campsite.

Overnight at camp with sundowners, hot showers and dining under the stars

Day 4

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

Today is another early start, although your wake-up time varies according to the seasons. Mid-year is very cold first thing in the morning and so you'll start a bit later, around 07:00, whereas the peak heat of October, November and December requires a 05:00 start.

There are no set routes to your rides and each day depends on what was heard during the night, what animal tracks your guide has found and what the weather conditions are like, as well as many other factors. It may be a half day or a full day ride with a picnic lunch near a waterhole for wildlife viewing. If lunch is at camp then the afternoon can be a bush walk or game drive. There are other waterholes which are recommended for a visit if guests are interested in birding or photography.

Sometimes your guide may decide that an early morning walk or drive is going to be better and may then switch the day around so that the morning is non-riding and the afternoon is a ride instead. Sometimes the horses need to rest before a long day the following day and that is also factored in.

Whatever happens you'll enjoy an exciting day on safari followed by cold drinks around the campfire and a delicious dinner.

Day 5

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

Today you ride from Camp Baikiaea for a full day out to Kennedy Camp. This is a ride of around 30-40km through Zambezi teak and acacia woodlands and by waterholes (which may be dry!), stopping for a picnic lunch en-route.

In the afternoon you'll arrive to Camp Kennedy and settle in for sundowners and hot showers before dinner.

Day 6

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

Today is spent in the Kennedy 2 area of the park, exploring some beautiful Acacia groves. The camp is located along the Kennedy Vlei which is a renowned area for wildlife viewing. Morning activities could be riding, walking or a safari drive, depending on the wildlife sightings and activity and the time of year.

A good option is to take a game drive to the Ngweshla area which isn't far, as this is usually very active for wildlife and often has a resident pride of lions.

Day 7

Riding: 3 - 5 hours

Final early morning wake-up to enjoy the dawn in the African bush around the fire. After a light breakfast you'll be back onto the horses for a ride between 14 - 25km, depending on wildlife activity, to a point where the horse truck will meet you. This is the end of the ride and the horses will be loaded up. You'll enjoy a game drive out of the park and back to Iganyana for the night

Sundowners tonight are a special affair, reminiscing on the past few days of being in the real African bush on fine mounts, enjoying the amazing wildlife and open spaces.

Day 8

Riding: No riding.

Depending on departure times, there may be time for a short walk to stretch the legs before a sumptuous final breakfast. Then it's time for transfer back to Victoria Falls airport or wherever you are headed. Sad farewells to the camp but knowing that a return to Hwange is definite!