The Zambezi horse ride is a 2-hour guided trail from Chundukwa, the oldest stables in Livingstone, along the riverbank about 25 km upstream of Victoria Falls.
What the ride looks like
Rides leave from Chundukwa River Lodge on the upper Zambezi, roughly 25 km upstream of the Falls, where the river is broad, calm and busy with birdlife. Over 2 hours you walk and amble along the bank and through riverside bush, with a guide leading the ride and matching the pace to the group. On a quiet morning you may share the trail with antelope and watch hippo in the channels — from a respectful distance the guides know well.
Horseback is the gentlest way to see this stretch of the river: no engine, no schedule, just the pace of the animal beneath you. It suits travellers who want the Zambezi without adrenaline — and pairs beautifully with a sunset cruise later in the day.
Do I need riding experience?
No. Chundukwa Horse Trails is the oldest riding operation in Livingstone and takes all levels, including complete beginners. Horses are chosen to match each rider, and the guides give a short handling lesson before the trail moves off. Experienced riders should say so when booking — the stables can set a livelier pace for confident groups.
- Duration: 2 hours in the saddle, plus the pre-ride briefing.
- Levels: all levels welcome, from first-timers to experienced riders.
- Location: Chundukwa River Lodge, about 25 km upstream of Victoria Falls.
- Group size: from 1 rider — couples and small groups are ideal.
How much does it cost?
The Zambezi horse ride starts from K1,400 per person for the 2-hour trail. Your POTUS quotation adds return transfers from your Livingstone hotel, so the price you confirm is the price you pay on the day. All rates are confirmed at booking; subject to operator availability.
As with everything we arrange, booking follows our simple concierge flow: you enquire, we send a personalised proforma invoice, and you settle by bank transfer, mobile money or POS. No online card capture, ever.
Car Rentals. All Accommodation. Transfers. Destination Management. You are welcome!
POTUS Rentals & Tours
When should I ride?
Morning rides are coolest and best for wildlife along the water; late-afternoon rides catch the low golden light the upper Zambezi is famous for. The trail runs year-round, with the bush at its greenest from about December to April and the river views at their widest in the drier months. Wear long trousers and closed shoes, and bring a hat for the sun.
Riders of most ages can join — tell us who is in your party and we will confirm suitability with the stables before you pay. Many guests ride in the morning and take the game drive and rhino walk the next day for a very different view of the same landscape.
Who can ride, and where do you go?
The horse rides run from Chundukwa Horse Trails, based at Chundukwa River Lodge about 25 km upstream of Livingstone — the oldest stables in the area, with well-schooled horses and guides who cater to every level. Complete beginners are welcome, walked gently along the riverbank on calm, reliable horses, while experienced riders can open up into a canter across the floodplain. Pony rides are available for younger children, so the whole family can take part.
The two-hour ride from K1,400 per person follows the upper Zambezi through riverine bush, where impala, zebra and abundant birdlife are common sights and the occasional giraffe drifts through the treeline. It is a peaceful, wholly different way to experience the river — no engine, no crowd, just hoofbeats and birdsong — and the golden light of early morning or late afternoon is the loveliest time to be in the saddle.
POTUS books the ride to suit your experience level, arranges the transfer upstream and confirms your group size and any children’s requirements in advance. It makes a serene counterpoint to a week of falls and adrenaline, and pairs beautifully with a sunset cruise on the same stretch of river.
Helmets and all equipment are provided, and the guides match each rider to a suitable horse after a short assessment, so nervous beginners are as well looked after as confident riders. Long trousers and closed shoes are recommended, and the early-morning and late-afternoon rides catch the softest light and the coolest air. POTUS confirms your experience level, any children’s needs and your group size when you book, and arranges the transfer to the stables upstream so the ride begins without a hitch.
For couples, families and solo travellers who love horses — or simply want to swap the engine noise for hoofbeats for a morning — it is one of the most restful and memorable ways to experience the upper Zambezi, and POTUS is glad to build it into a wider Livingstone itinerary alongside the cruises, the falls and a riverside stay.
Book with POTUS
POTUS Rentals & Tours books your saddle, arranges your transfers and keeps a concierge on call round the clock. Request your booking here or WhatsApp +260 955 747 769 and we will match you to the right horse and the right time of day.
