Hanchi Horseback Project

Explore the African bush on horseback and get closer to wildlife than you can on foot.

Set in a private wildlife reserve the Hanchi Horseback Project is giving retired racehorses a new lease of life – as the perfect all-terrain vehicles for patrolling South Africa’s rugged bush environment, whilst helping to protect wildlife from poaching.

As a volunteer on this experience, you’ll set off on daily horseback rides where you’ll come face to face with giraffe, zebra, warthog and other wildlife. Exploring the bush from the saddle gives you the chance to discover out-of-the-way places that tourists wouldn’t normally see. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, you’ll get involved with the care and stabling duties of Hanchi’s thoroughbred herd, winners of 37 races between them! 

Please bear in mind, as a volunteer on this project, you’ll need to be comfortable controlling a spirited horse both from the ground and in the saddle – even if it becomes spooked by other animals during a patrol.

ACE conservation volunteers on horseback observing a Giraffe at sunset in the African bush

Rhino Rating Tells you how physical the experience is. Click to find out more.

This project has a "Rhino Rating" of 4

Species

  • Horse
  • Rhino
  • Giraffe
  • Impala
  • Kudu
  • and many more.

Conservation Impact

  • Poaching prevention
  • Equine care

Country

🇿🇦 South Africa

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Highlights

A unique horseback safari

See the bush from a totally different perspective, going to places others can’t reach.

Expert local guide

The patrol leaders who will be your guides in the bush are fountains of knowledge and will give you a unique appreciation for the local wildlife and teach you how to track animals.

Work with high quality horses

As well as joining in with patrols, you’ll help with the care and livery of the herd in Hanchi’s traditional ranch-style stables.

Safe riding conditions

No lions or elephants occur in the areas patrolled by the reserves horses making it safe for horse riding.

Visit the Rhino Revolution orphanage which is based in your accommodation complex

The Hanchi Horseback Project is run in partnership with Rhino Revolution, an organisation committed to tackling rhino poaching. During your experience, you’ll also get to visit the rhino orphanage and care centre that’s at the heart of the reserve’s work.

Do

As a volunteer at Hanchi you’ll help to patrol a 2000-acre wildlife reserve on horseback, taking part in the following activities:

Anti-poaching guard

Don’t worry, you won’t be expected to confront any poachers! But you will keep a watchful eye for signs that poachers have been inside the wildlife reserve.

  • Spot and remove any poachers’ snares
  • Look for any man-made damage to perimeter fences
  • Watch for animals with snare injuries or other signs of attack by poachers
  • Create a visible presence to deter poachers

Wildlife monitoring

  • While patrolling the reserve, you’ll also help to monitor the populations of all resident wildlife.
  • Track movement and population numbers of giraffe, zebra and other species
  • Report any wildlife injuries or concerns to the reserve managers

Equine care

This experience is ideal for anyone with a passion for horses and you’ll get to ride and look after some extremely high-quality thoroughbreds, working alongside experienced horse grooms.

  • Help with daily feeding and grooming
  • Assist in habituating new arrivals to life in the bush
  • Help perform regular health checks
  • Join in with mucking out the stables and preparing the horses’ bedding

Learn

As well as gaining hands-on experience, you’ll also learn about some important local conservation issues.

  • The rhino poaching crisis and various methods used to prevent further killings
  • During a visit to the Rhino Revolution orphanage, you’ll discover how conservationists care for calves whose mothers are killed by poachers
  • Hear about Africa’s human-wildlife conflict and the vital work carried out at Hanchi

Costs

Can I volunteer at more than one project and how much will it cost?

Most of our travellers like to combine multiple projects to create a tailor-made trip. The combined price of projects is cheaper than the individual projects added up online. 

We offer combinations of conservation projects, transport between them, accommodation and travel insurance as you require. We are a travel operator, not an agent, which means we take full responsibility for your trip which will be financially protected through ABTA and ATOL.

We will discuss your options and tailor your experiences so you can realise your dreams.

How do I book?

Your journey to Africa starts with our online application form. This is your chance to tell us about yourself and what you want from your African experience. Following our communication, we’ll send you a bespoke itinerary and quote. Then, you only need to pay a deposit amount of GBP 295 / USD 400 / CAD 500 / AUD 500 / EUR 350 to book your entire trip.

The cost below for this experience includes:

  • Accommodation

  • Airport Meet & Greet

  • Transfers

  • 24/7 Support

  • Personal Guidance

  • Meals

Cost Calculator

Total Cost: GBP 0000