Price
2026
7 Nights - $5,280 per person, sharing
Dates & Prices
UGANDA
Nile Horseback Safaris
Overview
This is an incredible riding experience in a little visited spot on top quality blood horses owned and trained by eventer Natalie McComb. The Nile Horseback Safaris offers a fabulous horse riding holiday exploring the source and riding along the river Nile.
You will pass through traditional Ugandan villages, areas of crops and jungle, the edge of Lake Victoria, sugar cane and tea plantations, swamps, rain forest areas and of course, the edge of the river Nile at its source in Jinja, Uganda.
The views are spectacular and there are a multitude of bird species, monkeys galore, and if you are really lucky some of the more elusive animals, like mongoose and antelope. The horses used all competed in eventing in Kenya with owner Natalie and are of a very high quality.
All the safaris are led by Natalie herself or TJ Lonsdale, assisted by Ugandan riders, grooms and other staff, so this is a special owner managed operation which we love at Zara's Planet.
We really recommend adding on a few days at the end of this ride to experience a close encounter with the endangered Mountain Gorillas. Please ask us for details.
Location
Jinja, Uganda
Airport
Entebbe, Uganda
Duration
7 nights
When to go
June - March
Riding level
Intermediate to Advanced
Weight
80 kg / 12.6 stone / 176.4 lbs
Group size
5 max
Accommodation
Lodges
Included
All riding, guiding, accommodation, meals, drinks and a sunset cruise on the Nile.
Extras
Single supplement $1,090.
If you are willing to share single supplement is reduced by 50%, if a sharer is found there is no supplement.
We really recommend adding on a few days at the end of this ride to experience a close encounter with the endangered Mountain Gorillas. Please ask us for details.
Excluded
Flights, transfers, laundry and tips.
Price guarantee
All our riding holidays hold a price guarantee. We believe in your piece of mind on price when you book with us and will refund the difference should you find the same riding holiday elsewhere at a lower price.
Exchange rate
Rates are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations, please refer to our Terms and Conditions for full details.
Transfers
We can arrange either a 3 – 4 hours road transfer from Entebbe to Jinja, or a short charter flight of 25 minutes from Entebbe airport to Jinja.
Departure dates
2026
15 - 22 March
7 - 14 June
5 - 12 July
9 - 16 August
13 - 20 September
11 - 18 October
6 - 13 December
Available whole year on tailor made basis except for short rainy season in April-May.
Riding & Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival
Arrive in Entebbe Uganda then transfer to Jinja if possible. If not stay in Entebbe and transfer early the next morning. Approx 2-hour short ride to warm up and try out horses in the late afternoon around the local village and along the banks of the river Nile.
Accommodation: Holland Park Jinja or Hotel in Entebbe depending on arrival time.
Day 2 Lake Victoria shore ride
We truck horses to our start point. Approx 4 hours riding around an enormous peninsula that lies in Lake Victoria with lunch stop on way in the hills overlooking the lake and Jinja town. Fabulous views of the lake, sugar plantations, and traditional villages. Long canters with the wind in your hair. Sunset cruise in the evening on Bujagali Lake for sun.
Accommodation: Holland Park
Day 3 Ride to the Rain Forest Lodge
Approx 4 hours ride through various plantations and villages, over some hills with stunning vistas of the countryside. Arrive at the Rainforest Lodge for afternoon swim or guided walk through the forest.
Accommodation: Rain Forest Lodge
Day 4 Forest explorer ride
4 hours ride exploring Mabira Forest with lunch stop on the way. We will be looking for rare forest primates (Grey-cheeked Mangabeys) and other local monkey species. In the late afternoon you can relax at the pool or get a massage back at the lodge.
Accommodation: Rain Forest Lodge
Day 5 Stables to The Haven
Today you will be swapping horses for fresh mounts. Approx 4 hours riding including areas near tea plantations, lookout points, jungled terrain to arrive at the Haven lodge for a late lunch. A great spot for a swim in the river or at the swimming pool while overlooking some stunning white-water rapids.
Accommodation: The Haven
Day 6 Rafting/adventure sports or rest day and swimming the horses
Today you can head out to experience some of the most beautiful white water rafting in the world (warm water thrills and spills). Approx 1 hour swimming horses in the Nile after returning from rafting. Please note rafting is optional you may prefer to rest or do some of the other adventure activities in the area, such as Quad Biking, Bungee Jumping, Kayak school, mountain biking or jet boating.
Accommodation: The Haven
Day 7 Ride to Wild Waters Lodge
For your final days riding, we will be exploring sections along the banks of the Nile and local villages, before arriving at one of the most breath-taking lodges you will ever see. The location is on an island in the middle of the Nile, with massive white water all around the lodge. Approx 3 to 4 hours riding. Enjoy the pool in the afternoon that is actually a part of the Nile.
Accommodation: Wild Waters Lodge
Day 8
Departure day
Please ask about
We really recommend adding a few days to trek and experience a close encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas. This entails a flight, trek for 2 or 3 nights and securing permits well in advance but we can organise everything.
Also excellent is a final stop off in Queen Elizabeth National Park where you should see the tree climbing Lions.
Within 20 minutes of Nile Horseback Safaris there is an abundance of things which can be enjoyed if you choose to add on a few more days:
White water rafting
Kayaking flat water
Tandem white water
Stand up paddle boarding
Quad biking
Bungee jumping
Mountain biking
Jet boating
Horses
Thoroughbreds, Thoroughbred crosses, Irish Draft, Ethiopian, Dutch Warmblood. They are completely bombproof in traffic, around wildlife and with local village children
Riding level
Intermediate to Advanced
Type of riding
Trail riding with long days in the saddle and lots of good opportunities for fast canters and gallops
Tack
English style with mostly snaffle bridles and English saddles
Weight limit
80 kg / 12.6 stone / 176.4 lbs
Group size
5 max
Accommodation & Meals
There is a good and unique mix of accommodation on the trail.
Holland Park – Wooden cottages with private decking looking out onto the Nile, full of wooden mask artefacts, and with a swimming pool and beautiful lawns and gardens down to the river.
Rain Forest Lodge – Secluded treehouses dotted in the forest with large glass windows that open out into the forest bringing the outside in. Swimming pool, restaurant and bar.
The Haven – African style lodge overlooking the Nile where the river runs in fast rapids. Private Rondavels, swimming pool, restaurant and bar.
Wild Waters Lodge – A luxury lodge which sits on its own private island in the Nile and a unique swimming pool built into the river. Swimming pool, restaurant and bar.
The meals are European standard, and you can expect buffet style breakfast, deli style sandwiches, pastas and quiches for lunch and 3 or 4 course evening meals. The fresh fruit here is fantastic and this is available at every meal.
Accommodation
Lodges
Single Supplement
Possible to have a single room, extra fees apply
Meals
Inform us about food allergies and intolerances
Drinks
All drinks with alcohol included
The Destination
Jinja is a town in southern Uganda, on the shore of Lake Victoria. Jinja is commonly regarded as the adventure capital of East Africa due to the very many activities that one could engage in. Local attractions include white-water rafting, bungee jumping and the Source of the Nile.
The Nile is a major north-flowing river in northeastern Africa. It flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile is the longest river in Africa and has two major tributaries: the White Nile and the Blue Nile. The White Nile rises in the Great Lakes region. It begins at Lake Victoria and flows through Uganda and South Sudan. The Blue Nile begins at Lake Tana in Ethiopia and flows into Sudan from the southeast.
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