WHERE TO GO IN AUGUST
Kyrgyzstan is still in peak summer, it’s a great time to go riding in the mountains on the Appaloosa Ala Too ride.
Join us on our pioneer ride to the High Pamirs of Tajikistan on a true adventure.
August is the time to head to Africa. The Great Migration has bought millions of wildebeest and zebra to the Masai Mara in Kenya. Namibia is the perfect temperature for fast riding in the now-cooled desert.
The iconic floods have arrived to the Okavango Delta and with them come huge amounts of wildlife and splashy canters.
It’s hot in Europe and many stables have shut their doors to rest the horses but you can still ride at Castle Leslie in Ireland (if you get in quick, they’re usually fully booked a year in advance).
10 Nights | £2,400 | Max 6 riders | Black Saddle Exclusive
This is a true high-altitude riding expedition through East Badakhshan in Tajikistan — one of the most remote and least-travelled regions on earth.
The journey begins in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, crossing the Alai Valley and high mountain passes into the Pamirs, often called the “Roof of the World”. From Murghab, the route continues entirely on horseback, riding through vast plateaus, dramatic valleys and high summer pastures shaped by centuries of nomadic life.
Days in the saddle are long and immersive, crossing rivers, climbing ancient passes and moving through landscapes defined by scale, silence and altitude, with peaks rising above 4,500 metres. Wildlife sightings may include Marco Polo sheep, ibex and yak, while cultural highlights range from ancient petroglyphs to natural hot springs hidden deep in the mountains.
05 - 15 August 2026 - Exploratory Trip | Hosted by Black Saddle - 2 saddles available
appaloosa of the Ala-too | kyrgyzstan
8 Nights | £1,950 | Max 8 Riders | Yurts, Tents, Guesthouses
Join us for this exploratory ride in Kyrgyzstan. We have met the guides and horses but this will be the first run-through of this exciting, new, remote adventure.
Kyrgyzstan is famous for it’s Tien Shan (Celestial) Mountains.
On this ride you will join Kalyinur whose family is famous for saving the native Chaar At - local appaloosa / leopard complex horses who have been DNA tested as having ancient spotty genes.
We’ll cross mountain passes, gallop through alpine valleys, witness a game of Kok Boru played with the headless body of a goat, dine in yurts while seated on the floor, dance around bonfires and swim in the glacial fed waters of Toktogal.
Escape back in time to this heavenly paradise.
07 - 15 August 2026
6 Nights | FROM €3,990 | Upgraded luxury hotel accommodation
Upgraded hotel accommodation in small, luxury hotels.
Ride from castle to castle with exclusive ride up access to two castles. Ride through hunting forests of these magnificent estates, enjoying lunch time picnics and decadent french meals in restaurants for dinner.
10 - 16 August 2026 (Waitlist Only)
8 - 14 August 2027
7 Nights | €2,490 | Max 8 riders | Easy riding hotel stay
This journey across the Loire landscapes and its forest areas is a leap into the history of the Middle Ages - mostly the Renaissance.
Ride from castle to castle in the majestic Loire valley, stay in three lovely hotels twin share or have your own room for a small supplement. Ride through hunting forests of these magnificent estates, enjoying lunch time picnics and decadent french meals in restaurants for dinner.
Comfortable riding in stunning scenery with enough time to fully tour the castles. This is an excellent ride for history lovers.
Stunning, happy, easy-to-ride horses
30 July – 06 August 2027
30 August – 06 September 2027
MACATOO | OKAVANGO DELTA | BOTSWANA
7 Nights | £7,245 | Max two groups of 7 riders | Luxury Tented Fixed Camp
August is the best time to visit the Delta. The iconic floods have arrived from Angola. The rain in January there takes six months to reach the Delta. The delta is alive and electric, teeming with loads of animals in all directions. The water levels are high and you can enjoy Mokoro boat safaris - you may even be picked up from the airport in one. The dry months are the best time to visit the Okavango Delta for big game viewing due to the concentration of animals around the Okavango flood waters and the thin vegetation allowing good visibility.
Botswana is one of if not the best place in the world to see a wide array of wildlife. There is no better way to savour the Okavango Delta and experience its unparalleled wildlife population than on horseback.
Accommodation is in a lovely luxury tented camps with real flushing loos and wonderful hot showers. The ideal wildlife safari for someone who isn’t keen on camping. This is an excellent honeymoon destination. Non-riders very welcome.
Arrive any time for a minimum of three nights. We recommend seven to get the most out of your stay.
2026 DRY SEASON: 15 JUN – 14 OCT £1,035 per person per night sharing, £7,245 for 7 nights
2027 DRY SEASON: 15 JUN – 14 OCT £1,085 per person per night sharing, £7,595 for 7 nights
Discounts on the charter flight transfers for long stays (7 nights is 50% off and get free transfers when staying 10 nights).
9 - 10 Nights | From £6,600 | Max 12 Riders | Mobile Speed Safari
Is this the best safari in the world for fast riding? Andrew Gillies is the horseman in Southern Africa and has perfected the art of the safari. With one of the highest rebook rates of any safari worldwide this should be on everyone’s bucketlist. The horses are athletic and a joy to ride, the going is fast and varied, the scenery changes moment to moment.
August is an excellent time to visit. The Namib ‘winter’ has arrived making the temperatures cool enough for comfortable sleeping. You’re very unlikely to get rain. Perfect riding conditions.
Gallop across the Namib Desert on a fast horse, kicking up dust behind you, sleep under the stars, indulge in incredible food (often featuring local game) cooked up by the two chefs and immerse yourself in an old school adventure style progressive ride that dramatically finishes at the Skeleton Coast. Thrilling, life affirming riding and one of our all time favourites.
05 - 15 August 2026 | Elephant Damara | £6,600 (full)
26 Aug - 05 Sept 2026 | Namib Desert | £6,600 (Full)
28 Jul - 7 Aug 2027 | Damara Elephant | £7,200 (Full)
9 - 19 August 2028 | Damara Elephant | £7,780
OFFBEAT | MASAI MARA | KENYA
7 Nights | from US$11,950 | Max 12 Riders | Mobile Canvas Wildlife Safari
The Great Migration is here! Large herds of wildebeest and zebra arrive from Tanzania in pursuit of the best grass. The wildlife sightings are excellent all year around in the Mara and being on the equator you’re likely to have great temperate weather almost all year too.
One of the original riding safaris and very highly regarded in the industry. We know you’ll have the time of your life with world-class guiding and more close calls with wildlife than you can crack a stock whip at. Offbeat is known for adventurous riding, there will be many fast and free gallops across the Mara, you’ll get very close to lions on horseback, and if you come across a tree pushed over by an itchy elephant, you’re free to pop your horse over it. Many of the horses are evented before they become safari horse so are exceptionally well schooled and capable.
A bucket list safari for sure!
01 - 08 August, 08 - 15 August or 15 - 22 August 2026 | Full
07 - 14 August or 14 - 21 August 2027 | US$12,550
CASTLE LESLIE | IRELAND
3 - 7 Nights | From €1,685 | Cross Country or Hacking Holidays
Incredibly popular Castle Leslie is usually fully booked out in August a year in advance. The hotel is stunningly beautiful, you’re accommodated in a stone mansion with the stable just next door. The Irish horses live up to the reputation being sporty and forward with a few school masters in the mix. The riding is adapted to all levels with the bravest riders popping over the 300 jumps on the 1000 acre estate, the pleasure riders enjoying gorgeous hacks at great pace and you can even learn to ride here.
August is one of the best months to visit August. Good chance of dry, sunny weather and long balmy evenings.
Something for everyone - even your non-riding companion is welcome. There’s plenty for them to do, just ask us!
Arrive any time for a minimum of three nights. Holidays usually start on Sundays.
August 2027 bookings now open
3 Night Package: Single €2,450; pp sharing €1,685
5 Night Package: Single €3,650; pp sharing €2,735
WILD HORSES PHOTO TOUR| BOSNIA
3 Nights | Cost TBC | Hotel based stay
We are developing a brand new tour - and it doesn’t involve riding. Visit the wild horses of Livno, spending two day photographing them and half a day exploring the town of Livno by quad bike.
Our accommodation will be in a newly developed mountain eco lodge.
No riding or photography experience necessary.
Arrive to and depart from Split, Croatia.
You can express your interest here. We will email you once the details are finalised.
August not right for you? Explore the full year
Catch our exclusive Icelandic Highlands in July
