"Mozambique is the most beautiful country in the world
for beach-riding. It is heaven. The horses themselves
are lovely: safe, well-schooled and great fun to ride. I
spent a week pinching myself to check I wasn't
dreaming."
Kate Kellaway - Journalist, The Observer Newspaper, United Kingdom.
"I fell in love with a lovely white Arab
with whom I spent hours cantering along the beach, only
stopping to watch the fishermen coming back with their
catch of the day - which I knew would inevitably end up
on my plate. What more do you need!
Joelle Boniface, Paris, France.
"I am lucky enough to have been on many riding holidays around the world but none quite as memorable as staying with Mozambique Horse Safari.
I don't often say this, as the world is full of exciting
places to visit, but i shall return."
Roz Hughes, United Kingdom.
ITINERARY: Eight Days & Seven Nights
Please note that this itinerary will change
slightly depending on the tides and weather conditions in the
Bazaruto Archipelago.
DAY 1: INTRODUCTION DAY
Our guests will be transferred from Vilankulo Airport to
either Archipelago Beach Resort or Casa Guci; Pat & Mandy
will settle you in and give you a brief introduction to
Vilanculos. You will enjoy an introductory ride in the
afternoon along the beach giving you a chance to become
familiar with the horses and tack. You will ride past the
Chibuene archaeological site which was used as trading post
since the 7th century. A fresh seafood dinner will be served
at the resort in the evening.
DAY 2: RED DUNES
We will take you over to the stables, mount up and set off
on an exhilarating ride along deserted beaches to the Red
Dunes on North Beach with incredible scenes of the
archipelago. Lunch will be served at a beachside restaurant
with views of the bay; you will be fascinated by the
changing colours of the water. After a long day in the
saddle a well deserved dinner will await you at the resort.
DAY 3: ACTIVITY DAY
You can visit the market, relax at the resort or enjoy world
renowned activities in Vilankulo such as scuba diving,
snorkelling, dhow safari, whale watching, kayaking and deep
sea fishing. Lunch and dinner will be provided in the
resort.
DAY 4: ENRIQUE’S FISHING VILLAGE RIDE
This wonderful ride takes us through coconut plantations
along the beach to Enrique's Fishing Village. Enrique the
local chief entertains us in true Mozambican style; setting
up a table for us with traditional food. We start off with a
refreshing coconut drink and are shown how to eat fresh crab
and taste Matapa a traditional Mozambique dish made from
cassava leaves, nuts and coconut milk. After lunch we
continue our ride through the rural village and head onto
the "Fingerprint of god"; a magnificent viewpoint
overlooking the archipelago. A wonderful day’s ride
experiencing traditional African culture.
DAY 5: BENGUERRA ISLAND RIDE
Mozambique Horse Safari has a herd of horses based on
Benguerra Island where we will go for a ride. The island
consists of huge sand dunes, freshwater lakes and sandy
beaches which make for an incredible ride. A delicious
seafood lunch will be served on the beach. In the afternoon
we will return to Vilanculos by motorized dhow and enjoy
dinner at a lovely restaurant where they serve the famous
Mozambican "Peri-Peri chicken".
DAY 6: CHIBUBOBO & LAKE RIDES
The ride takes us from the stables onto the beach and
through the outskirts of Vilankulo into the local village.
From the village we head west along single track paths
towards the natural fresh water lakes through beautiful
bush. The ride ends with beautiful views and lovely canters
along Chibubobo beach back to the stables. In the evening we
will have a delicious BBQ at Casa Guci.
DAY 7: SOUTH BEACH BUSH AND RIVER
The Vilanculos coastline possesses some of the most
delightful landscapes in Mozambique. In the morning we will
ride towards the river on South Beach through the rural area
and back along the beach passing coconut plantations. The
long wide open beaches allow for wonderful canters finished
off by a swim with the horses in the ocean. Dinner in the
evening will be served around the pool at Archipelago Beach
Resort.
DAY 8: FAREWELL SWIM RIDE
Gear up for a short early morning farewell ride up the
coast; towards the cliffs and mangroves on South Beach. The
views from the cliffs overlooking the Bazaruto Archipelago
are extraordinary and a memory that you will never forget.
Descend to the beach for a final brisk gallop and one of our
world famous swims before heading home to check out of and
have a light lunch.
STANDARD ACCOMMODATION
Our standard accommodation is
Archipelago Beach Resort
with stunning views of the Bazaruto Archipelago and the palm
fringed beach below. The lodge consists of eighteen chalets;
each chalet has a large double bedroom, en suite shower,
fully equipped kitchen and additional bedrooms with a
separate shower. The bar & restaurant serves delicious food
and exotic cocktails, and the focal point is the spectacular
swimming pool. If Archipelago Beach Resort is fully booked
we will use Casa Guci for
accommodation.
