Private Beach Horse Riding and Swim with the Horse, Zanzibar

Paje and the south-east coast lagoon

Paje is the long white beach on the south-east coast of Zanzibar, about an hour by road from Stone Town, where a shallow lagoon stretches between the sand and a reef that lies far offshore. The water is warm, clear and knee to waist deep over sand for a long way out, which is exactly why horses can walk and swim here safely. The beach is wide and firm at low tide and the village behind it is a relaxed mix of small guesthouses, seaweed farmers and fishermen with their outrigger boats.

A private horse ride on Paje beach is the way to see this coast slowly. The ride follows the water line, with the wind in the palms behind you and the reef breaking white on the horizon. If you are asking what to do in Paje beyond the beach itself, this is a short experience that fits easily between a morning swim and the afternoon.

The beach ride: thirty minutes in the saddle

The session starts at the stables close to the beach with a short introduction: the instructor fits your helmet, checks the saddle and explains how to hold the reins, stop, turn and sit comfortably at a walk. Horses are matched to riders, with the calmest animals for beginners and children. The ride then heads along the sand at a walk, with the option of a gentle trot for those who are comfortable, always with the instructor beside or ahead of you.

Thirty minutes is enough to feel at ease and to enjoy the views without getting sore, and because the session is private the instructor adjusts the pace to you rather than to a group. Guests with riding experience can ask for more movement on the open stretches; nervous riders go as slowly as they like. Bring a waterproof phone case or ask our driver to take photos from the beach.

Swimming with the horse in the lagoon

The highlight is the swim. When the tide is high enough, the instructor leads you into the lagoon, first walking through the shallows and then deeper until the horse begins to float and swim with you holding the mane or a strap. The water is calm and warm, the sand bottom is soft, and the feeling of the horse moving beneath you in the sea is something guests describe as the best moment of their Zanzibar holiday.

Swimming with horses in Zanzibar depends completely on the tide. On the south-east coast the water retreats a long way at low tide, so start times are agreed around the tide table for your date rather than at a fixed hour; this is why the available window runs from morning to early evening. Wear clothes you can get wet in, and expect to be soaked and smiling at the end.

Practical visit: pickup, timing and what to bring

We collect you at your hotel lobby anywhere on the island. From Paje, Jambiani and Bwejuu the drive is a few minutes; from Stone Town or the north coast allow about an hour each way, which makes the whole experience roughly two hours from door to door for south-east coast hotels and longer for others. Our driver waits during the session and brings you straight back afterwards.

Is beach horse riding in Zanzibar worth it? For the swim alone, yes, and the late-afternoon slot gives the softest light for photos. Wear long shorts or leggings and closed shoes or sandals with a strap, bring a towel, a change of clothes, sunscreen and water, and leave valuables at the hotel. Riders should be in good general health; the horses carry one rider each and the instructor decides who rides which horse.