Simalaha Safari & Falls

This exciting package combines four days of horseback safari at Simalaha camp with three days of relaxation at Chundukwa River Lodge, close to the magnificent Victoria Falls and Livingstone. A unique opportunity to ride, safari, sightsee, adventure and relax all in one week!

Best period

May - January

Price

From € 3.485

Ideal length

8 days/7 nights

Interested?

Get in touch

Highlights

Discover the magnificent beauty of the Zambian wilderness on incredible horses.
Observe abundant wildlife in a safe environment and become part of the herd.
Explore the magnificent Victoria Falls and the historic sights of Livingstone.
Stay in a luxurious bush camp and riverside lodge and enjoy an impressive star-studded sky every night.

Quick facts

At a glance

The exciting Simalaha Safari & Falls ride starts with a four-day horseback safari in the heart of the Simalaha Community Conservancy. The conservancy is a remote area unspoilt by frequent tourist visits with a variety of riding terrain, from vast open plains to mopane and acacia woodlands. There are no large predators in the conservancy, so for some considered a safer riding option.

Simalaha has sixteen large mammal species which can be seen on the plains and in the surrounding mopane forest, including wildebeest, zebra, impala, waterbuck, giraffe, buffalo, eland, hippos and side-striped jackal. You’ll ride 6 to 7 hours per day with a provision of two horses for each rider. Apart from seeing abundant wildlife and enjoying the beautiful landscapes, you’ll stop off at Mondes Village where guests can obtain a privileged insight into the local way of life.

Your journey continues with a three-night stay at Chundukwa River Lodge, where you have the opportunity to enjoy numerous in-house activities: a Zambezi sunset cruise with sundowner drinks and nibbles, a Victoria Falls day trip, a visit to the historic town of Livingstone, a mountain bike tour, a visit to the local village and community preschool, a guided bush walk and so much more!

You can modify this program to a five-day version (one day less at each location) or extend it with extra nights at the Chundukwa River Lodge. Additionally, you have the option to include exciting day trips for sightseeing in the stunning South Luangwa National Park or Chobe National Park in Botswana. Non-riders are welcome to join their riding partners and friends. The first days in the Simalaha Community Conservancy, non-riders can enjoy long walks to watch wildlife, use the eco-bikes and take a guided visit to the villages. Non-riders can meet up with the riders for sundowners or picnics on the plains.

More information

Your home for the first four nights is the luxurious Simalaha camp, which consists of four bespoke luxury tents with ensuite open-air bathroom. Each tent is raised above the ground with views over the endless grassy plains. There is also a shady elevated lounge and dining area, with a 270° view of the plains. The camp is designed to get the best out of outdoor living – whether it’s dining under the stars, resting under a shady tree in the heat of the day, or cooling off in the plunge pool at the edge of the plain.

The three last nights are spent at Chundukwa River Lodge, a luxurious lodge situated on the banks of the Zambezi river only 25 kilometres from the historic town of Livingstone and the mighty Victoria Falls. There are five river-facing chalets on stilts over the Zambezi River, each with their own sense of luxury, romantic charm and privacy.

Your hosts Doug and Gail have been exploring, observing and championing wild places in Zambia for over 40 years. They take pride at offering a sustainable and responsible tourism option, preserving and protecting the ecosystems they care so deeply about in order to ensure the natural habitats in their care thrive, while the communities who rely on them are supported.

What do others say?

From our very first meeting with Outside the Corral, we felt confident with Laure-Anne. She enthusiastically shared details about the various rides, assessed our expectations and skill level. Shortly after, we received a well-thought-out proposal with several appealing destinations. Choosing proved challenging for us, as all options looked fantastic—sorry for the delay, Laure-Anne :-). Ultimately, we settled on the "Castles of the Gredos" ride in Spain—a tranquil and beautiful journey on delightful horses. Despite some days with long hours in the saddle, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It's a form of slow travel, allowing us to set aside the "must-do" list for a week and savor moments on horseback in the stunning natural surroundings. Leading up to the departure, Laure-Anne remained highly engaged, and we truly felt well-informed—perhaps the most informed among our travel group. Thank you, Laure-Anne!
Laure-Anne from Outside the Corral paid attention to my holiday wishes from the very first moment. She took care of a proper preparation and literally took me on a journey to my holiday destination. During the entire stay in Spain, the horses and guests were well taken care of. We rode in a beautiful area with a diversity of scenery, from flat countryside, valleys to steep cliffs. We spent six to seven hours in the saddle per day and during the breaks we enjoyed delicious tapas and traditional local dishes. Lunches were lavish picnics, each day in a unique spot, in the middle of nature. Living so close to nature feels very exclusive. The experience of a Michelin restaurant can hardly compete with this. ;-) The composition of the group was amazingly good. Our group consisted of ladies, various age groups, and we interacted in a casual way. The holiday exceeded my expectations. It was truly fantastic and can highly recommend it!
Brigitte Verhoeven
I recently had the most extraordinary riding holiday that surpassed all expectations. The journey from Petra to Wadi Rum offered breathtaking scenery, providing an unparalleled sense of freedom in the expansive desert landscapes. I'm incredibly glad that I came across an article about Outside the Corral in Feeling, followed Laure-Anne's wonderful Instagram page, scheduled a virtual coffee, and eventually booked this ride, which, in my opinion, ranks among the best in the world! Laure-Anne added a special touch to the experience; she was incredibly responsive, enthusiastically helped me with all my questions, and even provided several locations where I could get fit for the ride. Her guidance truly made the entire experience even more magical. Now, I'm left wondering whether to book one or two riding vacations with her next time!
Julie Van der Heyden
My trip was really lovely! I was a little bit nervous as I have only travelled alone in the UK (I'm English myself so it was exactly the same as travelling around Belgium). But everything went smoothly, from the flight to picking up my car (I rented a car through Hertz, definitely recommended!). At check-in, everything went really perfectly too, I got a beautiful (and big!) room overlooking the garden. The staff were super friendly and helpful, making my solo trip feel a little less alone! The food is also mouth-watering, I still dream of the lamb dumplings.... The stables are the cleanest I have ever seen, the horses are treated with so much love and it shows. The riding lessons themselves always took place in the indoor arena, due to bad weather. I learnt so much during the lessons, for which my huge thanks to the instructor. This will definitely not be my last time to book with you, and who knows, maybe back to Poland. I would also like to thank you for the great care from start to finish!
Shelby Hulmes

Ready to discover the horse riding holiday of your dreams?