Horse Riding Volunteer Programme

Join our team of horse volunteers and embark on a rewarding and exciting adventure. You’ll be training and caring for over 40 horses at the horse safari project and your role involves an array of exciting activities, including horse riding safaris, tending to clients and having a blast. Expect to give riding lessons, conduct equine health checks, manage and care for the horses, and, of course, enjoy plenty of beach rides.

Horse-riding interns become part of the project staff and act as an ambassador for the program, as you take clients on unforgettable horse-riding safaris.

Highlights

• Spend time in the saddle riding, and time at the stables caring for beautiful horses, in a spectacular location.
• Participate in a wide range of horse riding, horse management and community activities.
• Live in a beautiful lodge, right on the beach, with views overlooking the Indian Ocean.
• Form bonds with horses and ponies, the dedicated staff, and other horse volunteers from around the world.
• Learn about the Mozambican culture, history and language.

The more you get involved, the better your experience will be!

Horse Safaris

Each volunteer has a short riding assessment on arrival.

• Experienced horse riders will be asked to help with riding lessons and to accompany guides and clients on beach and coastal trail rides.
• If you need to refresh your riding or are less experienced, you can join lessons in the riding school and improve your skills, until you are confident and ready to help with clients.

During your stay, you can expect to embark on a memorable journey, taking the horses across the pristine waters to the islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago, a set of five paradise islands located 10-20km off the coast. The horses and volunteers all love the adventure!

Equine training

All horse riding volunteers are responsible for exercising the horses and helping with their ongoing training.

• Help with the daily running of the riding school and out-ride programme
• Work with horses who need extra exercise, rehabilitation or care
• Spend time with beautiful horses in an amazing location.

Horse care

Horse riding interns are responsible for the daily care of the projects horses and ponies.

• Help catch the horses in the morning, prepare food, feed, groom and carry out health checks
• Learn about equine care specific to each horse at the programme
• Maintain and clean tack and other equipment
• Assist in the medical treatment of horses, which could include tick spraying, hoof checks and wound dressing.

The work is not unduly physical as the project employs a team of full-time stable hands and grooms.

Guest Relations

In addition to training the horses and taking them on rides, equine volunteers will support the lodge team with guest relations. This could include:

• Meeting and greeting day and overnight horse safari and riding school clients.
• Providing refreshments, assisting with enquiries and taking payments for day rides
• Helping with food preparation, setting tables and chatting with clients

Community Projects

The project team have lived in Mozambique for more than 20 years, and in that time have set up several community projects to support local Mozambicans.

• Mangalise Fishing Village

The Fishing Village Ride supports the local fishing community by providing regular business and income to the village. You will have lunch there with clients or other volunteers, visit the school and the village leaders and bring donations of stationery and other materials.

• Conversational English

Volunteers can choose to support students at the local teacher training college in English speaking, basic vocabulary and writing.

• Soap-making

The project has set up its own soap-making business and provides locally-made soaps to the lodges in the area. Volunteers all have the opportunity to learn this wonderful skill, with many finding it therapeutic and very enjoyable!

Other activities

At weekends when horse riding volunteers are not exercising or working with the horses, there are plenty of activities to do in Vilankulos.

• Scuba diving and snorkelling – the diving and snorkelling in the area are some of the best in the world and the crystal clear waters are home to large marine wildlife such as whale sharks, manta rays, reef sharks and sea turtles.
• Dhow trips – glide through the turquoise waters and spot humpback whales (June – September), turtles, dolphins and, with luck, the rare manatee.
• Fishing and deep sea fishing – catch tuna as big as a man and enjoy an exhilarating day out on the water!
• Canoeing through the mangroves

When can I volunteer?

Volunteers can join our Horse Riding Volunteer Internship throughout the year with flexible arrival and departure days. The program is usually closed from mid-December to mid-January.

Project pricing:

The minimum stay is 2 weeks.

2 weeks: $2,210
3 weeks: $3,055
4 weeks: $3,835

Each additional week: $780 per week.
Single supplement for private room: $275 per week (subject to availability). 

All prices are in USD.

What’s included in the cost?

• Project contribution: this goes directly to our project partner, and provides funding to ensure the programme can continue to meet its goals. For this project it will cover things like staff costs, equipment purchases, maintenance of buildings, equipment and vehicles, veterinary fees, animal feed and funding for community projects
• Accommodation and three meals per day
• Return airport transfers
• Laundry and housekeeping
• Comprehensive orientation and supervision
• Practical instruction by experienced guides
• Equipment and materials required to do your work

What’s not included?

• Flights or travel to Vilankulos, Mozambique
• Visa fees (variable depending on nationality)
• Travel insurance (compulsory)
• Personal expenses such as souvenirs, drinks, snacks
• Additional excursions and activities
• Data/airtime bundles (optional)
• Administration fee ($40)

View our full booking terms and conditions. 

Horse riding volunteer safari packages

BUSH AND BEACHES: HORSE RIDING & RHINO CONSERVATION COMBO

If you are a keen horse rider, adding a week or two on the Horse Riding & Rhino Conservation Programme in Zimbabwe makes an incredible all-round volunteer experience. Here you’ll get to ride alongside zebra and giraffe; carry out horseback anti-poaching patrols, and monitor the boundary fences – all on the back of your very own bush horse.

Combination project pricing:

2 weeks Horse Riding Internship / 1 week Horse Riding Safari: $3,515
2 weeks Horse Riding Internship / 2 weeks Horse Riding Safari: $4,840

Click for more details of the Horse Riding & Rhino Conservation Programme.

WATCH: Horse Riding Safari Project video.

HORSE RIDING INTERNSHIP & MARINE COMBO

We’ve also combined the Horse Riding Internship with our popular Marine Conservation Programme. Based in Tofo in Southern Mozambique, marine volunteers get to dive and snorkel with whale sharks, sea turtles and sharks, whilst collecting data for marine research. Whilst on the programme you can also get your PADI Open Water or Advanced Open Water certificates. 

Horse volunteers are accommodated in a dedicated volunteer house, within beautiful gardens, adjacent to the paddocks and stables. Rooms are shared, with comfortable single beds with mosquito nets. All bedding is provided, including sheets, duvets, pillows and extra blankets if needed in winter.

Each bedroom has an en-suite toilet and shower with hot and cold running water. The central area between the rooms is a lounge/kitchen used for cooking and relaxing.

Bedrooms and communal areas are cleaned every day and the housekeeping staff will do your laundry as and when required.

The volunteer house is a short walk from the stables, the on-site coffee shop and the incredible beach.

Food and drink

Three home cooked meals are provided each day. Meals are hearty and wholesome and traditionally English, especially breakfast. Lunch and dinner may be spaghetti bolognaise, stir fry, peri peri chicken or fresh fish served with pao (Portugese bread rolls baked in wood fired ovens), salad or vegetables. At times you may have lunch or dinner out with clients, or take a packed lunch on a longer ride.

Clean, safe drinking water and tea and coffee are available all day.

Vegetarian and vegan options are available, please let us know any dietary requirements well in advance. It is difficult for the project to cater for gluten, dairy and wheat intolerance, so you may be asked to bring any specialist food with you. The chefs will be able to prepare these alongside other meals.

Facilities

Internet – there is no internet at the volunteer house, but it is short walk to the stable office where there is good speed internet access. No downloading or streaming is allowed. Vilankulos town centre is a 15 minute drive and offers easy access to internet cafes, as well as ATMs, a supermarket, restaurants, markets and beach activities.

Cell phone signal – cell phone signal is good. Volunteers are given a local SIM card on arrival which is suitable for WhatsApp, social media and emails. Make sure your phone is unlocked prior to your departure from home.

Electricity – there is mains electrify but remember that power can be intermittent in Africa, especially during the rainy season.

Plug sockets – 2 pin round plugs (type C, F and M). There are plug sockets in each room.

What riding experience do I need?

The unifying motivation of all horse riding volunteers on this programme is a passion and love for horses. No particular level of riding experience is required but equine volunteers will be required to have a short assessment before their arrival. The project is suitable for relative beginners and your tasks at the project will be allocated accordingly. Time is given for riding lessons if needed and/or desired.

Who should volunteer on this project?

The role of a horse volunteer at this horse safari programme is to assist with the riding, care and preparation of horses and clients. You must be aware of the project’s expectations. 

As you will be dealing with predominantly English-speaking clients, a good level of conversational English is required.

Volunteers should be confident in talking with people from varied backgrounds and must be respectful at all times of other people’s views and experiences. We expect everyone to be enthusiastic and help out to the best of their ability.

Punctuality: when dealing with the welfare of animals certain tasks must be done at certain times. Failure to do this not only holds up staff and other volunteers but has a knock-on effect throughout the day.

The program is a small family-run operation and can only work with cooperation between all those involved. On a final note, this is Africa and patience and a good sense of humour are vital.

There is a maximum weight limit of 75kg.

How old do I need to be?

The minimum volunteering age is 19 years. There is no upper age limit, but for volunteers aged over 65, we do require your medical form to be signed by a doctor.

How many people will there be?

There is a maximum of 6 volunteers in a group at any one time, plus volunteer programme staff and lodge managers.

When can I join?

Arrivals and departures are flexible and can fit in with flights to Vilankulo.

What will the weather be like?

April to November is the cooler, dry winter season in Mozambique, with little chance of rain. It is still shorts and T-shirt weather but in the evening and early morning, you may need a jacket or a fleece and long trousers.

December to March is the hotter and wetter summer season. When it does rain it is usually very brief but with vigorous downpours after which the sun comes out again. The beauty of Vilankulo is that it seldom rains enough to spoil the riding and in the hotter months, there is usually a cool breeze on the beach.

Do I get some time off?

The weekly riding schedule will depend on lodge bookings, overnight guests and riding lessons so there is no set day off, but there will be plenty of time for activities and relaxing.

How long can I volunteer for?

The minimum project length is two weeks, and the maximum stay is 12 weeks.

How much spending money should I bring?

We recommend bringing around $100 per week in USD to cover small personal expenses such as drinks, souvenirs, snacks, tips and internet usage. It is also recommended to bring at least one ATM card (Visa is preferable to Mastercard but both do work).

Do I need a visa?

Volunteers should obtain a tourist visa. Many nationalities can get a 30-day visa on arrival but you must check this yourself well in advance of travel. Where a visa or evisa is required before travel, please allow plenty of time to organise this. We recommend you being the process 4-6 weeks before travel. The project will supply a letter of support for your visa application – please let us know if one is required.

If you are staying longer than 8 weeks, please email us for further advice. Volunteers staying longer than 30 days may need to extend their visa in Vilankulos but the project can assist with organising this.

In all cases, your passport should have at least 6 months of validity from your date of departure, and we recommend at least 4 blank pages.

• Mozambique government evisa portal: https://www.evisa.gov.mz/

What vaccinations do I need?

Please consult your GP or travel clinic for detailed medical advice. All volunteers should make sure their Tetanus is up to date.

A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is only required for travellers coming from – or who are in airport transit for more than 12 hours within – a country with a risk of Yellow Fever transmission.

Malaria – the whole of Mozambique, including the Bazaruto Archipelago area is a high-risk malaria area and it is recommended to bring anti-malaria tablets for the duration of your stay. We also recommend wearing protective clothing such as long sleeve tops and trousers in the evening, using mosquito repellent (the strongest you can find) and making sure you use your mosquito nets. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist about a suitable malaria prophylactic.

Please visit this UK government website for more details.

The programme is currently home to 39 horses, each with their own unique and incredible story. The majority were rescued from Zimbabwean farms at the height of the country’s political violence, enduring a long and treacherous journey across the border into Mozambique. Prepare to be inspired as you meet Texas, the mighty grey gelding who narrowly escaped being fed to lions, and Lady, an orphan foal who has risen to become the matriarch of the herd. Also meet stallion Breitling, and the latest additions to the family, Apollo and Morango, two foals who represent the brightest hopes for the future. These horses embody resilience and perseverance, and you can witness their incredible stories of survival and strength firsthand.

Their care and well-being take precedence, ensuring that they are responsive, alert, tough and fit. They are the greatest and most treasured assets and the team takes extremely good care of them.

In addition to these very special horses, the project recently acquired a herd of 11 young prize-winning South African Boerperds. Each of the riding horses is schooled to an extremely high level, with calm temperaments that are trained to react easily and lightly to the aids.

The Mozambique Horse Safari programme is family-run, with a strong sense of personal pride taken to ensure that your riding and their way of life will be a treasured memory. If you dream of cantering along white sand beaches, swimming in blue seas and enjoying the warm hospitality of island life look no further.

“A must for anyone who loves horses and adventure. The landscape is sublime, the horses are extremely well cared for, the food is delicious and the accommodation is sensational. The entire project team goes out of their way to ensure everyone has a magical experience. I can’t wait to book it again.” Olivia, UK