I spent
three months in Mozambique; with most of my time based on
Benguerra Island with Lucy and the 9 lovely horses there. I
also spent 2 weeks over in Vilanculos with Pat and Mandy
where I was lucky enough to get to ride some of their
(gorgeous!) youngsters. Definitely one of the highlights of
my trip...
Benguerra Island is stunning, and there is a horse to suit
all abilities; from gentle one-eyed Zak to my favourite
speedy Tequila!
My daily routine would involve getting up early for the
horses' feed-time and to let the grooms know whether any of
the horses needed to be kept in for a morning ride. The
grooms would then take the rest of the horses out to graze,
and I would help the grooms tack up, or clean any tack from
the previous evening's rides etc. The rides on the island
are amazing and the whole time I was there I never got used
to how beautiful the place was. You see something new on
every ride you go on...
There was plenty of time to enjoy what the island had to
offer- I was lucky enough to go fishing, snorkelling, diving
and on a dhow trip, and when there were no rides booked I
would sometimes go for a ride on my own.
Lucy is great and was always there when I needed her (Thank
you Loose!), and the rest of the staff at Benguerra Lodge
also made me feel completely at home. I had such an amazing
time in Mozambique and miss all the people and horses so
much :-(
Written by Ria Chalder
(A volunteer at Mozambique Horse Safari)
