Zanzibar: Swimming With Horse and Clear Kayaking Tour

Swimming beside a horse in the Indian Ocean is the big draw here. You ride along the shore, enter the water, and spend part of the 30-minute session swimming with your horse. I like the private hotel transfer and the chance to combine two very different water activities in one day.

I also like the photo opportunities, especially during the horse ride. One practical drawback is the price: at $195 per person, you are paying for private transport and a six-hour outing, but only 30 minutes of horseback swimming and 30 minutes of clear kayaking are included. Lunch and optional water sports cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Horse swimming comes first: Choose a session at Pwani Mchangani or Nungwi Beach, with riding along the shore and in the Indian Ocean.
• Kendwa adds a second water experience: Paddle a two-person transparent kayak over clear water with views below the boat.
• Private transport keeps the day simple: Hotel pickup and drop-off are provided in an air-conditioned vehicle from Stone Town, Nungwi, or Kizimkazi Mtendeni.
• The included activity time is limited: Horse riding and swimming lasts 30 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of clear kayaking.
• You can add more at Kendwa: Jet skiing, parasailing, paddleboarding, and banana boat rides are available on-site for an extra fee.
• Bring a camera, but manage expectations: Horse-riding photos have been a strong part of the experience, while kayak footage may not always be provided.

Why swimming with a horse is the main attraction

Zanzibar offers plenty of beach activities, but swimming with a horse has a different feel from a standard ride along the sand. You begin on shore, get comfortable with the horse, and then head into the Indian Ocean with a guide nearby. The activity is designed for both beginners and experienced riders.

The riding session lasts 30 minutes. That is enough time to enjoy the novelty and take photos, but it is not a long horseback expedition. If you want hours in the saddle, this tour will feel brief. If you want one memorable activity without committing a full day to riding, the shorter format works well.

The horse experience takes place at either Pwani Mchangani or Nungwi Beach. The exact choice matters because it affects your first coastal stop and the amount of driving before Kendwa. You should confirm the beach and starting time when you book or before the pickup day.

The appeal is not only the horse in the water. You also get a chance to slow down and look at Zanzibar from sea level. The shoreline, warm water, and open views give the activity a simple, direct charm. You are not watching a staged performance. You are taking part in a guided ride that moves from beach to ocean.

A guide is provided for the horse activity, and safety equipment is included. Still, you should bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a hat. A waterproof camera is useful, since photos are one of the best keepsakes from this part of the day.

One especially useful detail is that the horse-riding photos appear to be a strong part of the outing. If pictures matter to you, tell the guide early. Do not assume the kayak section will be documented in the same way. Make your own arrangements for photos during kayaking, while following the guide’s safety instructions.

Choosing between Pwani Mchangani and Nungwi

The tour gives you an option of riding at Pwani Mchangani or Nungwi Beach. Both are presented as beach locations with calm water suited to horseback swimming, but the supplied details do not promise a particular beach for every booking.

That flexibility is helpful if your hotel is in or near one of those areas. It may also affect the day’s driving time. Nungwi is one of the stated pickup and drop-off areas, while Pwani Mchangani is named as a horse-riding location but not as a listed pickup point in the booking details.

If you are staying in Stone Town or Kizimkazi Mtendeni, expect the private vehicle to handle the longer transfer between your hotel and the activity areas. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi, which is a real convenience in a day built around several coastal stops.

The best choice depends on what is available for your date and what fits your hotel location. I would ask two simple questions before paying: Which beach will host the horse session, and what time will the vehicle collect me? The activity offers several pickup points, but the exact schedule is not stated in the supplied details.

What the six-hour day looks like

The tour lasts six hours from pickup to drop-off. Your driver collects you at the hotel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. You should wait in the lobby five minutes before the actual pickup time and look for a driver wearing a shirt with the company logo.

The listed pickup areas are Stone Town, Nungwi, and Kizimkazi Mtendeni. The same three areas are available for drop-off. This makes the tour useful for people based in different parts of Unguja, though the total time in the vehicle will depend on your hotel and the day’s route.

The first main stop is the horse activity. You have a guided tour, time for photos, swimming, and 30 minutes of horseback riding and swimming. The short session means you should arrive ready to use your time. Wear swimwear under your clothes if that is more convenient, and keep your towel and sunscreen within easy reach.

After the horse ride, the tour continues to Kendwa Beach. Kendwa is the setting for the clear kayaking portion and for any extra water activities you choose to add. The included kayaking session lasts 30 minutes.

The itinerary also allows time for swimming and photo stops. These are useful pauses between the two main activities, but the exact amount of free beach time is not specified. I would not book this expecting a long, unstructured beach day. The tour is built around two short activities connected by private transport.

At the end, your driver returns you to Stone Town, Nungwi, or Kizimkazi Mtendeni. The private vehicle makes the return easy, especially if you are wet, tired, or carrying a camera and beach gear.

Seeing Kendwa through a clear kayak

The clear kayak is the second unusual feature. The boat is transparent and designed for two people, so you paddle with a companion while looking down through the hull at the water below. The tour description points to views of marine life and coral formations beneath the kayak.

This is a good match for you if you want to see the water without taking part in snorkeling or a longer boat trip. You can enjoy the color and movement below while staying seated and keeping the activity fairly gentle.

The kayaking session is only 30 minutes. That makes it a compact introduction rather than a full afternoon on the water. You will have time to paddle and take in the view, but you should not expect a long route or an extended exploration of the coast.

The clearness of the kayak depends on water conditions and visibility. The description promises a transparent boat and the chance to see below, but it does not guarantee a particular amount of marine life or coral. I would treat the kayak as a scenic water activity, not as a substitute for a dedicated marine tour.

Bring a waterproof camera if you have one. A useful warning comes from the handling of photos: horse-ride pictures have been praised, but kayak footage was not always taken. If you want a record of the kayaking, ask the guide what is possible before launching.

Extra water sports at Kendwa

Kendwa gives you the option to add more activity after the included kayaking session. Jet skiing, parasailing, paddleboarding, and banana boat rides can be booked on-site for an additional fee, depending on availability.

This flexibility is valuable because people in a private group may want different levels of action. One person can stop after the clear kayak, while another may want to pay for a faster or more active water sport.

The extra cost is not included in the $195 price. You should bring cash for optional activities and tips. The available choices and prices are not specified, so ask at Kendwa before committing.

I would also keep your expectations clear about the schedule. Since the tour lasts six hours and includes transfers, horse swimming, kayaking, swimming, and photo stops, extra activities may shorten your free time or affect the pace of the day. The provider controls the included transfers, but the optional sessions are arranged separately on-site.

Lunch is not included. Pack something if you need a meal during the six-hour outing, or confirm what food options are available at Kendwa. Alcoholic drinks are also excluded.

Is $195 per person fair value?

At $195 per person, this is not a budget beach trip. The value comes from the combination of a private air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, two guides, safety equipment, government taxes, and service charges.

You are also paying for an unusual pairing. A regular horse ride and a regular kayak session may cost less separately, but they would not necessarily include private transport between several Zanzibar beach areas. For a couple or small private group that values convenience, the price can make sense.

The weaker point is the amount of included activity time. The horse-riding and swimming session lasts 30 minutes, and the clear kayaking lasts another 30 minutes. That is one hour of named activities within a six-hour day.

The rest of the time covers transport, beach stops, swimming, photos, and the transition between locations. If you judge value by time in the saddle or time on the water, the price may feel high. If you judge it by the convenience of a private day with two distinctive experiences, it is easier to justify.

You should also budget for lunch, optional water sports, personal expenses, and tips. The tour includes life jackets and safety equipment, but not food or extra activities. A little cash is important.

Guides, photos, and the private-group format

The tour provides professional guides for both activities and offers live guiding in English, German, Italian, French, and Spanish. That language range can make instructions easier to follow, especially during the horse activity and kayak launch.

The group is private. This is a meaningful advantage if you want a more personal pace or are traveling with a partner, family, or close friends. You are not being placed into a large shared vehicle with strangers, and the transfer is arranged around your hotel pickup and drop-off points.

The photo service deserves special attention. A supervisor received strong praise for helping with pictures during the horse ride, and the horse photos were described as lovely. That suggests the team understands that the visual record is a major part of the appeal.

Still, do not expect identical photo coverage at every stop. Kayak footage was not provided on one outing. Bring a waterproof camera, ask who will take pictures, and secure your phone or camera before entering the water.

Smoking is not allowed. That is a simple rule, but it is worth knowing because the tour includes a private vehicle and several beach activities.

Who should book this Zanzibar experience?

I would recommend this tour to couples, small private groups, and adventurous first-time visitors who want two unusual water-based activities in one day. It also suits you if private transport is important and you prefer having a guide arrange the movement between beach locations.

Beginners can take part in the horse ride, and the clear kayak is straightforward for a pair who want a relaxed paddle. You do not need to be an experienced rider or kayaker according to the activity details.

This is less suitable if you want a long horseback trip, a full kayaking expedition, or a dedicated snorkeling day. The included sessions are short, and no lunch is provided. You should also think twice if $195 feels high for a day with only one hour of scheduled riding and kayaking.

The tour works best when you value variety. You get the novelty of swimming with a horse, the unusual view through a clear kayak, beach time at Kendwa, and the comfort of a private vehicle. That mix is the reason to book it.

What to pack and how to prepare

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, waterproof camera, and cash. Your swimwear will be useful for both the horse activity and kayaking, while a towel helps after the first water session.

Apply sunscreen before pickup and bring more for later. You should also keep cash available for optional water sports and tips. Personal expenses are not included, and neither are lunch or alcoholic drinks.

Wear something practical for moving between beach, vehicle, horse, and kayak. The supplied information does not specify footwear, so choose what you normally use for a beach activity and avoid bringing anything you cannot get wet.

Before leaving your hotel, check that you know the pickup time and beach location. Wait in the lobby five minutes before pickup and look for the company-logo shirt. These small steps matter when the day includes several locations.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the date before booking.

Should you book the horse swimming and clear kayaking tour?

Book it if you want a private, photo-friendly day built around two memorable activities rather than a long single excursion. The horse swimming is the clear highlight, while Kendwa adds a calm second act with the transparent kayak and optional water sports.

Think carefully about the price and the short included sessions. At $195 per person, the tour makes the most sense when you value private transfers, multilingual guides, and the ease of having the day arranged for you.

I would book this for a couple or small group that wants something unusual and easy to organize. I would skip it if your priority is low cost, a full beach day, or several hours of riding and kayaking.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts six hours, including hotel pickup, transfers, activities, beach time, and return transportation.

Where can hotel pickup and drop-off take place?

Pickup and drop-off are available in Stone Town, Nungwi, and Kizimkazi Mtendeni.

Where does the horse swimming take place?

The horse activity can take place at either Pwani Mchangani or Nungwi Beach.

How long is the horseback riding and swimming session?

The included horseback riding and swimming activity lasts 30 minutes.

How long is the clear kayaking session?

The included clear kayaking session at Kendwa Beach lasts 30 minutes.

Is the kayak suitable for two people?

Yes. The transparent kayak is designed to fit two people.

Are extra water sports included?

No. Jet skiing, parasailing, paddleboarding, and banana boat rides can be booked at Kendwa for an additional cost, subject to availability.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch, personal expenses, and alcoholic drinks are not included.

What languages are available for the live guide?

Live guiding is available in English, German, Italian, French, and Spanish.