African HORSE SAFARIS

Isabel Juby, the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of AFRICAN HORSE SAFARIS describes this fabulous experience that is full of Excitment and lasting memories in this informative interview...

Isabel, African Horse Safaris has grown significantly in a rela�vely short period and is now the leading specialist in horseback safaris in Africa. Could you please tell us a bit about when and how you got started?

I was privileged enough to first step onto African soil when I was 16 on a family holiday to Namibia. I was completely blown away, and like most people when they’ve been to Africa, I flew home knowing I would be back. Skip forward a few years to university, I met one of my best friends Ashley who grew up in Kenya. Not missing a chance to head back to Africa, I flew out to Kenya most holidays to join her and explore the country. Leaving University, I knew I wanted to travel further around the con�nent. I had seen pictures of horse safaris online and was desperate to do one - Horses and wilderness?! What could be be�er. Having ridden horses all my life, I thought perhaps I could go out and work for one of the ride operators. Several emails and Skype interviews later, I flew out to Botswana for what was supposed to be a 2 month stay… but here we are 8 years later! A�er working in Botswana, I extended my flights and headed to Malawi, then on to Zimbabwe - Always working with horses. I was approached in 2016 by my now business partner who was looking for someone to start and head their new venture idea ‘A niche travel agency for horse safaris’; and so African Horse Safaris was born in May 2016 when I was living in Zimbabwe.

How many operators are you currently working with and what are the criteria for joining AHS?

We currently work with 30 operators, and offer close to 50 rides across 12 African countries. We’ve handpicked excep�onal operators who seamlessly blend unparalleled adventure, expert guiding, authen�c accommoda�ons, and excep�onal horses. Being based in Africa gives us the edge that at least one of the team has been to every one of our des�na�ons and rides, so we know them in�mately and can give firsthand advice to our travellers.

To maintain our high standards, African Horse Safaris exclusively collaborates with those who share our ethos and dedica�on. While we have a varied por�olio of rides across Africa, the most important requirement is the quality and care of the horses. The horses are as well looked a�er as the guests (if not more!) and each horse is recognised for their ability and personality. Expert guiding ensures that our guests get the best expereince possible. We’re fortunate to work alongside some of Africa’s finest guides and horsemen, who not only share their knowledge, but also a contagious passion for Africa. Combine this with seamless logisi�cs, unique accommoda�ons and delectable meals, and you have a formula out of this world.

How many staff members do you have now, and how did you find the transi�on from being a solo operator to running a company with employees?

I now have a wonderful team of 10, about to become 12! I can’t quite believe it. It is crazy to think how much the company has grown since I first clicked ‘publish’ on the website aged 23 in Zimbabwe.

I was very nervous when my one-woman band become two, and then three. However, we became a three just before Covid hit, and I don’t think I would have weathered the ‘Coronacoaster’ of 2020 and 2021 nearly as well without their support. That was a very tough �me for all those in travel, but we kept each other going and driven. We marketed hard, as we finally had �me to do so, and kept traveller dreams alive. As a result, since Feb 2022 we have exploded and the team has grown from 3 to 10, going on 12. Managing such a big team definitely has its challenges, but I absolutely love it. They are all brilliant and it gives me such pride seeing them grow in the role. I have always been incredibly lucky to never have my hours tracked, never have my leave counted and to be able to work flexibly and travel doing something I adore. It is great being able to share this and create an environment where others can do this too.

We understand that most of your travellers are solo. How do you ensure that people feel comfortable when traveling alone and can you give us acouple of examples as to how welcome they are made to feel?

Our team of women o�en travel solo, so can relate to our guests and understand the ini�al apprehension solo travellers might feel. We aim to jump on a call with all our travellers to make sure they are reassured and all their ques�ons answered. AHS takes care of every detail, star�ng from the moment travelers touch down at the airport to the final flight home. With services ranging from seamless airport pickups to the expert guidance of locals, solo travelers have 24 hour support throughout their trip and can travel worry-free. You arrive and meet a group and team of like-minded people, all with a shared interest of horses. You leave as firm friends - Welcomed into the horse safari-fold.

Have you no�ced an increase in the number of people seeking “bucket list” rides or adventures since the COVID-19 pandemic?

Yes! Horseback safaris are growing in popularity as more and more people are seeking adventure holidays. For many, gone are the days of simply wan�ng to lie on the beach – they’d rather gallop across them! People are more keen to book last-minute adventures, and o�en stay longer in Africa so they can experinece more. Africa offers some phenomenal horse riding adventures, from galloping in front of the Pyramids in Egypt, to swimming on horseback, and of course feeling your heart skip a beat as you see lions or elephants from horseback for the first �me. But you can also �ck off other bucket list adventures, such as gorilla trekking in Uganda, swimming in Devil’s Pool and seeing Victoria Falls, or going hot air ballooning in Kenya.

What breeds of horses are predominantly used on your rides, and do you conduct regular checks to ensure the welfare of the horses with your Operators?

On safari you’ll find a whole mix of horse breeds from thoroughbreds, arabs, boerperds (A South African breed), friesians and many cross breeds. A good safari horse needs to be forward going and brave, but with a level head – They need to be able to keep their cool in any wildlife situa�on!

On our website, under each ride, you’ll find a blurb about how the horses are cared for in each place. Horse care is a priority and we have great rela�onships with the teams in each loca�on and regularly chat to them. We also visit frequently, and each of us have a few favourite safari horses that we always check in on.

Lastly, as most of our readers may be reading this from their work place,desk, or home, could you indulge us with a brief insight into your most glamorous ride and describe what a money can’t buy experience might be like with African Horse Safaris?

Oh gosh, that is a very hard ques�on to answer - Almost as difficult as when I am asked which is my favourite (One I have no answer to as they are all so different!). However, one of our rides that pairs glamour spectacularly with adventure would be our Big 5 Horse Safari in South Africa. This brilliant ride, on the edges of the worldfamous Kruger Na�onal Park, combines fun athle�c riding and exci�ng close-up wildlife encounters with luxury accommoda�on and delicious fine wining and dining beau�fully. 60% of spaces are already gone in 2024 for this one!

Highland Oaks Stables is the perfect place, whether you are looking for a Hunter/Jumper or a Dressage star, to find your new equine partner, or have your horse’s training advanced. There are lush pastures for young horses to graze, socialize and exercise. Every prospect receives the developemental training that young horses need.

New prospects are imported from Germany several �mes each year.

Horses are developed with an individualized program to build their strength, suppleness, and condfidence.

You are welcome to come for a trial with one of our sale horses for several days to engage in a repoir building experience, allowing you to fully familiarize yourself with a prospect.