Horse riding here combines beach work and short village trails, with options that suit beginners through confident riders.
We offer guided sessions that last from 30 minutes to a few hours. Many include a short lesson, saddling time, and a careful pairing so you ride the horse that best matches your experience. On the beach you move with the tide.
In the village you thread between palms and small farm plots. In some places you can enter shallow water and let the horse swim while you hang on, which feels odd and wonderful.
The horses are usually local stock trained to handle sand and shifting surfaces. Guides keep groups small and pace rides by skill. If you bring a partner who has never ridden, they will be matched with a calm horse and a short, steady loop.
If you want a longer adventure, ask for a private charter that stitches beaches, coastal tracks, and a sunset finish into one ride.
Horse riding in Zanzibar starts like a quiet scene you can imagine before you go: a low tide that turns the beach into a soft, reflective stage, a horse’s breath in the morning air, and the steady click of hooves on sand. The Horse riding experience Zanzibar is designed to give many guests the thrill of how the island stays with them afterwards, in memory and in photographs.
You will find the rhythm in a slow canter along a shoreline, in the small shock of cool water as the horse steps into a shallow bay, and in the easy conversation with a guide who knows which lane the tide prefers.
Expect a short prep that includes a helmet, a brief skill check, and a fitting. Rides then move along a village track or onto the beach. A common duration is a 60 to 90 minute loop with time for a canter on firm sand if the guide confirms safety.
Some rides include a shallow water segment where horses swim or wade side by side with riders. The pace stays conservative for beginners and steps up for experienced groups.
We usually include water and short transfers from nearby hotels. If you want a sunset meal or a photo session, arrange that when you book.
Below are the spots you will hear about most often, and why each suits particular moods and rider types.
Nungwi and Kendwa, north coast
Why go: Wide, hard-packed sand and long beach stretches give room for confident canters and longer rides. The northern beaches remain popular for sunset rides and for riders who want more open space. Stable facilities and organized clubs operate from Nungwi and Kendwa, which makes bookings and transfers straightforward. We run morning and sunset sessions that include short village loops if you ask.
Jambiani and Paje, southeast coast
Why go: These east coast beaches offer shallow tidal flats and calmer waters for gentle rides and for families. Villages behind the sand give a softer backdrop, and we often mix a beach canter with cultural stops through small lanes. If you want a calmer pace and more human-scale interaction, this coast fits.
Kizimkazi and Menai Bay, southwest coast
Why go: Tours from the southwest sometimes combine a horse ride with dolphin or snorkeling options on the same day. The bay’s geometry gives sheltered water and scenic turns, and a beach ride here pairs well with a morning that keeps the sea calm. If you want variety in one outing, Kizimkazi launches make sense.
Kidoti and Kidoti-Kendwa stables (local horse clubs)
Why go: Stables that focus on care, training, and small-group instruction give riders confidence. They run village rides, private lessons, and supervised beach sessions. If you want the horse to matter as much as the view, pick a club-style operator that emphasizes horse wellbeing and training.
Private charters and bespoke routes (across the island)
Why go: If privacy, photography, or a tailored route matters, private charters let you set pace, duration, and stops. You can aim for a sunrise swim with the horse or a two-hour sunset canter that ends with a simple beach meal. We also have private options that cover most coastal bases.
Mornings and late afternoons work best because the tide and wind cooperate. Aim for a two-hour window centered on low tide if you want the broadest sand flats and the chance to ride through shallow water. The dry season from June through October gives the most consistent conditions: less wind, firm sand, and comfortable mornings. December and January bring warm days with more visitors. If you travel in the rainy months of March and April, expect some cancellations and softer sand underfoot.
Tell us your experience level honestly
We will match you to the right horse and the right lane. It is the single best step to a relaxed ride. Guides prefer clear, simple cues about your balance and confidence.
Wear long pants and closed shoe
Shorts let the saddle rub; flip flops slide. Cotton trousers or riding leggings and sneakers or low boots protect your legs and give better grip in the stirrups.
Bring a lightweight cover for sun and an extra layer for sunset
Sun hits a beach differently. A thin shirt and a small wind layer keep you comfortable when the breeze rises in late afternoon.
Ask about safety and the horse’s temperament
Good operators like us shall describe each horse’s temperament and explain the safety plan. If they avoid that conversation, ask again. You want clarity, not surprises.
Keep your heels down and your eyes where you want to go
It sounds obvious, but people tense and look at their feet. Look forward, breathe, and the horse will move with steadier steps.
Plan for tide windows and timing
If riding into shallow water matters, request a slot around low tide so the flats appear. We time rides to avoid soft, sucking sand and to keep horses comfortable.
Respect the animals and the handlers
Follow guide instructions for mounting, dismounting, and handling. A simple thank you and a small tip for a patient handler go a long way.
Consider a private or small-group ride if you want photos or swimming with horses
Shared group rides fill quickly and limit flexibility. A private charter costs more but lets you pause, photograph, or let the horse swim with less crowding.
Can beginners ride on Zanzibar beaches?
Yes. We do run beginner-friendly loops with calm horses and life vests if needed. Tell the us your experience so they pair you with a steady mount.
Will I ride into the water with the horse?
Some tours offer shallow water wades or swims when tides and horse condition allow. It is an optional add-on and depends on tide, horse comfort, and your confidence.
Are horses well cared for?
Reputable clubs like us shall strongly emphasize horse care, training, and rest periods. Look for operators who show stables, explain feed and rest schedules, and speak openly about welfare.
What is the average cost?
Prices vary by length and location. Expect a short beach loop to start at a modest rate, with private charters and longer rides costing more. Ask for an itemized price so you know what is included.
How do tides affect the ride?
Tides change available sand and alter where horses can comfortably go. We shall choose tide windows to keep horses on firm ground and to create safe shallow water options.
Should I tip the guide and handler?
Tipping is customary. A small amount for a patient guide and a helper shows thanks and supports local livelihoods.
Do I need prior riding experience to canter?
Yes. Guides reserve canters for riders who show control at walk and trot. If you want a canter, ask in advance and accept a short skills check before the pace increases.
My clearest horse memory on the island was an early light when the beach became a long, pale mirror and a single horse stepped through thin water like it had nowhere else to hurry to. We rode quietly and the guide hummed a small local song.
You will leave with sand on your boots, a small film of sea on your jacket, and a story that begins with hooves.
Stay in Zanzibar, relax on sugar-white beaches, then fly to Serengeti or Nyerere for big cats, returning to sunset dhows and spice markets; you enjoy safari action with beach downtime with the experts.
+255 695 102 840
hi@zanzibarsafaritours.com
1200, Baobao Street , Nungwi, Zanzibar- Tanzania
Copyright Serengeti Lion Safaris © 2025 All Rights Reserved