Isabel Juby first visited Africa when she was just 16 years old as part of 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.”
A few years later at university, Isabel became firm friends with Ashley, who grew up in Kenya. Not missing a chance to head back to Africa, she began flying out most holidays to join her friend and explore the country.
“Leaving university, I knew I wanted to travel further around the continent. I had seen pictures of horse safaris online and was desperate to do one… horses and wilderness, what could be better?” she says. Having ridden horses all her life, Isabel had the idea of gaining work with one of the ride operators.
“Several emails and Skype interviews later, I flew out to Botswana for what was supposed to be a two-month stay… but here we are eight years later!” she laughs, explaining that after working in Botswana, she extended her 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.”
ON THE ‘CORONACOASTER’
Over the next few years as African Horse Safaris established itself, Isabel’s one-woman band grew to two and then three. She says the initial growth period was a little nerve-racking but having the support of her new colleagues proved incredibly important for the rollercoaster that lay ahead.
“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,” she says. “That was a very tough time for all those in travel, but we kept each other going and driven. We marketed hard, as we finally had time to do so, and kept traveller dreams alive.”
Their hard work and positivity paid off, and as a result from February 2022 demand skyrocketed and the team has now grown to 10, going on 12. “It is crazy to think how much the company has grown since I first clicked ‘publish’ on the website aged 23 in Zimbabwe,” says Isabel. “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 their roles. 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.”
“I absolutely love it.”
African Horse Safaris now works with 30 operators and offers close to 50 rides across 12 African countries. “We’ve handpicked exceptional operators who seamlessly blend unparalleled adventure, expert guiding, authentic accommodations, and exceptional horses. Being based in Africa gives us the edge that at least one of the team has been to every one of our destinations and rides, so we know them intimately and can give first-hand advice to our travellers.”
THE HORSES
Isabel explains that African Horse Safaris exclusively collaborates with those who share the company’s ethos and dedication – and equine welfare is paramount. “While we have a varied portfolio of rides across Africa, the most important requirement is the quality and care of the horses. The horses are as well looked after as the guests, if not more, and each horse is recognised for their ability and personality.
“On safari you’ll find a whole mix of horse breeds, including Thoroughbreds, Arabs, Boerperds (a South African breed), Friesians and many crossbreeds. 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 situation!”
On African Horse Safari’s website, under each ride you’ll find a description of how the horses are cared for in each place. “Horse care is a priority, and we have great relationships with the teams in each location 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.”
BUCKET LIST
With the pandemic behind them and a huge demand for international travel, Isabel has noticed that horseback safaris are growing in popularity. “More and more people are seeking adventure holidays. For many, gone are the days of simply wanting to lie on the beach – they’d rather gallop across them!
“People are keener to book last-minute adventures, and often stay longer in Africa so they can experience 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 time. But you can also tick 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.
“Expert guiding ensures that our guests get the best experience 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 logistics, unique accommodations and delectable meals, and you have a formula out of this world,” explains Isabel.
Many of the travellers at African Horse Safaris are female solo travellers – something that has increased greatly since the pandemic. “Our team of women often travel solo, so can relate to our guests and understand the initial apprehension solo travellers might feel,” notes Isabel. “We aim to jump on a call with all our travellers to make sure they are reassured, and all their questions answered.
“When I am asked which is
my favourite, I have no answer
as they are all so different!”
“AHS takes care of every detail, starting from the moment travellers touch down at the airport to the final flight home. With services ranging from seamless airport pickups to the expert guidance of locals, solo travellers 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!”
Isabel says it’s hard to pick which safari delivers the most breathtaking experience. “When I am asked which is my favourite, I have no answer 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 world-famous Kruger National Park, combines fun, athletic riding and exciting close-up wildlife encounters with luxury accommodation and delicious fine wining and dining beautifully.”
What more could you ask for! Word has it that 60% of spaces are already gone in 2024, so if you’re looking to experience this amazing part of the world on horseback next year, be sure to get your booking in.
You can find out more about other safaris on offer via the African Horse Safaris website. This article was written in conjunction with The Equine Collective.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE TO READ:
The Journey to Ride Egypt– Equestrian Life, October 2023
Being a Horse in Africa – Equestrian Life, August 2023
