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from £3,160 or €3,625
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Suitable for intermediate and experienced riders. We can also cater for non riders. Please ask for tailoring nights and one off longer safaris in big game country which we can organise with the hosts too. Many of our clients combine a trip to Zimbabwe with another safari in other areas of Africa.
Rates are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations, please refer to our ‘Terms & Conditions’ for full details.
Includes – All riding, guiding, accommodation, meals & drinks (excluding premium brands), Laundry, limited items free on mobile. Can be done at extra cost at Iganyana, 3 items free per person per day, One game drive or night drive a day at Iganyana Concession.
Excludes – Flights, transfers, tips, National Parks fees for the 5 nights currently $100 entry and $145pp conservation and camping fee payable to Parks directly. (Subject to change without notice)
Scheduled departure dates are on the 1st and 3rd Saturday each month from April to end of November. If you are looking to travel outside of these dates, please contact us to discuss.
Getting There
International flight to Victoria Falls Airport
Transfer
Return road transfers – Victoria Falls Airport – Iganyana Wild US$192 per person minimum 2 guests (Subject
to change without notice). (please inquire for other routes)
At Zara’s Planet we’ve known owner/managers James and Janine Varden for 15 years and they’ve stuck it out in their beautiful Zimbabwe through tougher times, always ready to show guests the magic of the country. Now with a better political situation we are opening up Zimbabwe and James phenomenal guiding to all our clients to enjoy an adventure.
Their team of seasoned safari horses are well-schooled and equipped with quality tack to suit your preferences, allowing for a comfortable but exhilarating ride as you explore the wilderness, observing game in an area not currently operated on by any other safari companies. A Professional Guide since 1993, James Varden is renowned for his incredible knowledge of southern Africa and its wildlife, whilst also having a particular love of birds. The Vardens are also known for their conservation ethos and this is reflected in their safaris – they employ local staff, source local produce and keep a low environmental footprint.
Hwange National Park, the largest National Park in Zimbabwe is home to 400 different species of bird and 107 types of mammals. The region of Hwange National Park that we ride in is underlain by deep Kalahari sands, the perfect terrain for our barefoot horses, the landscape is predominantly flat with no mountains or kopjes in sight, making for some excellent riding conditions and unimpeded views of the vast amount of wildlife that call this area home.
Zambezi Teak and Camelthorn tree woodlands surround a vast number of open waterhole systems, or pans as they are more commonly known. Marvel in the amazing intricate shapes of these grand ancient trees; trees that have shaded and fed thousands upon thousands of animals over the centuries and will also offer you some welcome respite from the African sun when we rest beneath their spreading boughs to enjoy a delicious packed lunch or snack with our noble steeds grazing nearby. Throughout these pan fringe areas numerous mammals roam amongst the wonderful woodlands, in particular elephants and giraffe, and if that isn’t exciting enough there may be the opportunity to sail over a natural jump or two!
Other types of habitats that we ride through and explore include Silver Terminalia, Coppiced Teak, Kalahari Apple Leaf, Kalahari Sand Acacia and the more open grasslands near the “pans.”
Horses – A mix of thoroughbreds and local breed crosses.
Level of Riding & Pace – Strong intermediate to Advanced. There are some 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 Restriction – 90 kgs / 198 lbs / 14 stone. Experienced riders over 95kg, please enquire.
Group Size – Maximum 8.
This is a camping safari with mobile and permanent tented accommodation.
You arrive into Iganyana Wild, a fully serviced luxury camp on the Dete Vlei. The Dete Vlei forms part of the
buffer zone to Hwange National Park. The first and last nights are spent at Iganyana Wild. Five nights are spent inside Hwange National Park in a semi-mobile fully serviced tented camp.
During this safari you will be served fresh, farm-style meals using produce which has primarily been locally-sourced. Lunches may be a hearty cooked brunch in camp or potentially eaten out in the bush.
Drinks are included and are standard local Zimbabwean beverages (both alcoholic and soft drinks). Should you request specific premium or imported drinks then these will be charged as an extra cost.
Please Ask About
A great add on is to go back via Victoria Falls or add on a non riding Big 5 safari, just ask us.
DAY ONE:
Arrival at Victoria Falls Airport, meet and greet by a road transfer company, followed by a two-hour drive to Iganyana Wild. Afternoon high tea, briefing, indemnity signing, intro to the horses, and then onto the horses for a short ride. Back to camp, sundowners, showers, dinner, and peaceful sleep under canvas.
DAY TWO:
Horses will be trucked early to Main Camp with all tack etc. Guests early morning wake up, tea and coffee around the campfire, pack, breakfast and game drive to Main Camp in Hwange National Park. This is only a short drive of half an hour to perhaps an hour depending on sightings of wildlife.
Check-in and payments at the Tourism office, then mount up and ride into the park. Will either ride with a picnic lunch to Caterpillar waterhole – or be met there by a vehicle – and ride on to Camp Dopi, or ride to Caterpillar for lunch at Camp Baikiaea. This area is typical Kalahari sands with superb Teak and Acacia woodlands. Waterholes here attract wildlife that moves to and from for drinking and can provide some excellent sightings and interactions. The afternoon may either be riding from lunch at Caterpillar to Dopi or riding out from Camp Baikiaea and exploring the Caterpillar area. Overnight with sundowners, hot showers, and dining
under the stars.
DAY THREE:
Early start with tea coffee and light breakfast around the fire. Onto the horses for exploration in the region, heading off in whatever direction the guide chooses. Walking, cantering, jumping, wildlife tracking, and viewing.
Back to camp for brunch, siesta, resting horse’s then afternoon tea followed by another ride or perhaps even a walk. Sundowners, hot showers and dinner again under the stars, or canvas if it’s raining
DAY FOUR:
Another early morning start – of which time does vary according to the seasons, mid-year being very cold
first thing in the morning and thus starts being a bit later around 06h30; October, November, and
December being very hot days and therefore wake up calls at 04h30 being required. Onto the horses and out to explore the area again. There are no set routes and the ride is conducted according to what sounds were heard during the night, animal tracks, weather conditions, and many other factors. The day may be a half-day or a full day out with a picnic lunch near a waterhole for wildlife viewing. If lunch is at camp, then it is also an opportunity in the afternoon to do a safari walk or drive. There are a few other waterholes that are worth visiting if guests have good cameras and lenses or are interested in birding. Also, the guide may decide that an early morning walk or drive is going to be better and may then switch the order of the day to a non-riding activity in the morning and a ride in the afternoon. This also depends on the need for horses to rest before a long day tomorrow. Whatever happens, there will be cold drinks around the campfire and a hearty dinner in camp.
DAY FIVE:
Today we ride from Camp Baikiaea for a full day out to Kennedy Camp. This is a ride of approximately 30 or so km. It will be through the teak and acacia woodlands, passing waterholes which may or may not have water in, with a picnic lunch on route. Arrive late afternoon to Camp Vachellia, settle in with sundowners, and welcome hot showers followed by yet again a delicious dinner.
DAY SIX:
This day will be spent in the Kennedy 2 area of the Park in some very beautiful Acacia groves. The camp is set along the Kennedy Vlei which is a renowned area for wildlife viewing. Options here are riding, walking, or a safari drive in the morning. Much will again be dependent on possible wildlife sightings and activity and time of year as to what riding we will do. A good option is to take a drive to the Ngweshla area not far from Vachellia as it is generally a very productive wildlife area.
DAY SEVEN:
Final early morning wake up to enjoy the dawn in the African bush around the fire. Light breakfast and onto the horses for a 10 to 20km ride (dependent on the time of year and early morning wildlife activity) to a point where the horse truck will meet us. There we will end the ride, load the horses, and have a safari drive out of the Park back to Iganyana for the night. Sundowners will be a special affair reminiscing upon the past few days of being in the real African bush on fine steads enjoying the wildlife and big spaces.
DAY EIGHT:
Depending on departure times, the last morning may include a very short walk out to stretch the legs before a
sumptuous breakfast and departure on the transfer vehicle back to VFA (or wherever the next destination is.)
Sad farewells to the camp, but knowing that a Hwange return is definite!
Zara’s Planet Horse Riding Holidays Guarantee:
All our horse riding holidays hold a price guarantee. We believe in your piece of mind on price when you book one of our horse riding holidays and will refund the difference should you find the same horse riding holiday elsewhere at a lower price.
If you are having trouble finding exactly the right horse riding holiday for you from our horse riding holidays collection, please contact us directly using the form below and tell us in your own words what you would like to do and we will use our extensive knowledge to make sure we find that perfect horse riding holiday.
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