“Summer Vibes: Tab and Miltda brought a burst of energy to our team during their summer vacation. Imagine our excitement when we discovered they hail from my hometown in the UK, Dorset! Their enthusiasm knows no bounds, as they wholeheartedly embraced teaching and indulged in the sheer joy of having fun. A delightful surprise from the heart of Dorset to brighten our summer days!”
My Stay at Wild Bhiza Horses
I had spent hours researching how to volunteer with horses in Africa until I came across Wild Bhiza Horses. I was immediately drawn to their ethos — not only their care and respect for the horses but also their commitment to protecting the natural environment and supporting the local community in Victoria Falls.
That evening, I went out with my friend Matilda and told her about my plan to join the project in the summer. Being a keen rider herself and with plenty of free time after finishing university, she decided to join me. Four months later, we were on a plane to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
We arrived mid-afternoon and settled in straight away. Africa had already begun to captivate our imaginations. The sunset that evening glowed in shades of pink, gold, and red as it descended over the bush.
The next morning started early — we were up at 5 a.m. to help Stephen with the horses. Zimbabwe experiences large temperature fluctuations, and the mornings can be incredibly cold. But as we set about our tasks of mucking out, brushing, and feeding the horses, the temperature soon began to rise. When the sun broke through, it illuminated the bush and everything living in it. The incredible peace of the African wilderness struck me immediately.
Around 8:30 a.m., we began tacking up the horses for the first ride of the day. The tack was different from what we use in the UK, but despite being bitless, the respect the horses had was incredible. We rode around the property that morning, taking in the spectacular, vast landscape. The forest always seemed alive with something — the sound of birds above, or impala cautiously watching us from a nearby waterhole, deciding their next move.
After the morning ride, we washed down the horses, gave them plenty of treats, and had lunch. That afternoon, Lisa introduced us to some of the basic skills of natural horsemanship on a young horse called Nero. The horses were gentle and incredibly responsive to this type of work. Learning how to build a relationship with them based on mutual respect was deeply rewarding. Lisa taught us skills such as “join-up” and moving the horses’ quarters into different positions, for example next to the mounting blocks.
The principles of natural horsemanship are grounded in mutual respect between horse and rider, and it was clear how this approach influenced the calm, trusting behaviour of the horses at Wild Bhiza. Lisa was extremely knowledgeable in this area and gave Matilda and me many lessons — lessons I still try to incorporate with my own horse at home.
Evenings were spent having dinner around the campfire, telling stories about the day’s adventures, sometimes with a cold Zambezi (a local beer brewed in Victoria Falls) in hand.
During our three-week stay, we rode out almost every day, exploring not only the surrounding forest but also the local communities. Riding into the villages around Vic Falls was a real privilege. It was incredible to immerse myself in a culture rooted in strong community values. It gave me a deeper understanding of different ways of life and made me reflect on my own privilege — growing up never having to worry about illness or access to clean water.
Matilda and I were also lucky enough to spend three days on safari in Zambezi National Park (just outside Vic Falls) and two days and one night camping in Chobe National Park. The experience was spectacular. One absolute highlight was spotting a leopard in a tree in the Zambezi. It had been a quiet day for sightings when someone in the back of the vehicle thought they saw a tail hanging down from a branch. The ranger — as surprised as the rest of us — reversed the vehicle. Sure enough, there she was: a female leopard resting gracefully on the branch, having clearly watched us drive straight past.
We sat there for about fifteen minutes, quietly observing each other — us in the vehicle and the leopard in her tree. Eventually, something more interesting caught her attention, and she leapt down effortlessly, disappearing into the bush.
Over the course of those three weeks, I built incredible bonds with Lisa’s horses and learned so much about natural horsemanship. I felt truly privileged to explore the African wilderness and local communities on horseback and to deepen my understanding of the natural environment.
Victoria Falls itself was a wonderful place to be — full of great places to eat and exciting activities. White-water rafting was a personal favourite.
The trip was unforgettable, and I would recommend it to anyone. The only downside is that once you’ve been, you’ll keep wanting to go back.