Embark on an enriching horse riding experience in Zimbabwe, where riders can immerse themselves in stunning landscapes while actively engaging in hands-on activities.
A day in the life of a horse riding volunteer in Zimbabwe is a journey filled with both reward and adventure, although experiences may vary based on the specific volunteer program and location. Banko Farm, situated in the untouched rural village of Chisuma, just 25 km east of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, offers a unique setting perched on the escarpment of the Mighty Zambezi River. Chisuma is a vibrant and diverse community, providing profound insights into the timeless ways of its people and the intricate setup of their homesteads.
Rustic, traditional homestead, becomes a hub of shared experiences as everyone pitches in for daily chores. The day kicks off with a visit to the stables, where horses are greeted, their well-being checked, and assistance provided with feeding and grooming, creating an opportunity for volunteers to bond with the animals and learn about horse care. Morning chores follow, involving tasks like mucking out stables, cleaning tack, and preparing the horses for the day activities, with volunteers possibly assisting in general maintenance around the stables or farm.
Afternoon activities offer a variety, with possibilities ranging from additional horse-related tasks, such as training sessions or veterinary care, to involvement in community outreach programs, educational initiatives, or conservation projects. The day concludes with a return to the stables for horse careófeeding, grooming, and ensuring their comfort for the night.
Evenings are a time for involvement with dinner, relaxation, sharing of dayís experiences, and bonding with fellow volunteers. Our accommodation comprises 3 twin rooms, with single beds sharing.
Meals, consisting of self-catered breakfasts and lunches with provided groceries like meat, dairy products, vegetables, fruit, and dry goods, are followed by a home-cooked dinner shared among new friends in the comfort of their own homes. Special ingredients and treats can be acquired during the weekly town trip.
- 6 AM: Assist the head groom in filling hay nets, refilling water dishes, prepping AM horse feed, feeding horses and goats, grooming horses, and tacking up for the morning outride.
- 7 AM: Go for a morning outride, which can last between one to two hours.
- 9 AM: Return from the ride, untack horses, hose them down, put on fly sheets and fly masks, and walk horses to the paddock. Take hay bales out of the field depending on the season.
- 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Tea/coffee and breakfast break.
- 11:00 AM: Clean out stables, repack hay nets, and ensure all tack is neatly stored away.
- 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunchtime.
- 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Engage in activities such as natural horsemanship, polocrosse, animal welfare projects, or community projects. Note that the morning horse ride may sometimes be interchanged with these projects based on the weekly schedule.
- 4:30 PM: Prepare evening horse feed and set beds in the stables, fill water buckets, and attach hay nets. Walk to the paddock to collect horses for the night, remove fly sheets and fly masks, and hang them up. Feed each horse and the goats.
- 5:30 PM: End of the day's activities. Dinner will be prepared while you relax and reflect around the fire.
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