Name: Tanera
Country: UK
Favorite Horse: Echo, a truly brilliant horse!
Riding Ability: Experienced

Experience: I came out on my Gap Year to Vilanculos as an 18-year-old to spend a month with MHS. I had no idea what to expect but I had been in contact with other volunteers who had told me wonderful stories of their time in Mozambique. From the minute I arrived I felt part of the team. Pat and Mandy warmly met me at the airport and put any of my worries at ease. I was shown to my new home at Archipelago Resort which was charming. I was immediately thrown into life at MHS, daily rides, lessons, trips to the town, running errands with Mandy, time simply flew by! I loved every moment and settled into routine quickly. I was part of a team of 4 volunteers and we all got on so well and I still keep in contact with them all regularly. Everyday we rode as much as we wanted, whether on the beach or through the bush past the local villages. It was simply magical and I have never experienced such fantastic, real and beautiful riding. I rode Echo mainly for the month, but whenever I felt like a change any horse was available which was lovely. I really bonded with Echo and it was amazing to develop such a relationship with a horse over the month. Each ride was unique, from the fishing village to the red dunes. I also visited Benguerra for 3 days which was the most amazing experience of Island life and we rode each day there too with the lovely Char who made us all feel so welcome. Jay provided wonderful bush walks and canoe trips, as well as a game drive which was such an added bonus! I loved my experience of life in Vilanculos, I never knew what to expect but that made the experience so special. It was also amazing to experience Africa in such a real sense and to feel so welcomed by Pat, Mandy and Jay, I cant thank them enough for providing the highlight of my Gap Year