Our Story
Ride Zimbabwe – James and Janine Varden
James Varden is well-known as one of Zimbabwe’s top professional guides and safari operators. From a very young age he showed a keen interest in the outdoors and a love of nature, and upon leaving school he started his trainee safari guide career in Hwange National Park. In 1991 he moved to Mana Pools National Park, working with Natureways Canoe and Walking Safaris, and attained his Zimbabwe canoe license in 1992 and full professional guides’ license in 1993. Today James remains both a partner of Natureways Safaris, and owner-operator of Ride Zimbabwe along with his wife Janine. He has guided in Zimbabwe’s top parks and wilderness areas such as Mana Pools, Hwange, Matusadona and the Lower Zambezi, is experienced in active, adventurous and energetic safaris including walking, canoeing and horse-riding, and is particularly specialized in birds, botany and wildlife photography. Countless guests have benefited from his expert knowledge and passion for the bush.
Janine Varden grew up with horses in Australia and worked for many years as a jillaroo on a sheep- and cattle-station in Victoria, and then at Werribee Open Range Zoo in Melbourne as a keeper specialising in African mammals. After meeting James in Melbourne, she moved to Zimbabwe to create their dream of providing guests with a truly incredible horseback safari experience. Janine’s animal-husbandry background is well-utilised at Ride Zimbabwe, and the care and upkeep of the horses is her responsibility. Janine also has a strong interest in conservation and rural community issues in Zimbabwe.
The Vardens then felt the time was right to move to a more central tourism area in Zimbabwe and relocated to Umguza outside of Bulawayo in 2017. Ride Zimbabwe was born, and James and Janine now operate exciting horseback safaris with their team of excellent horses in the beautiful riding areas of Hwange National Park, Cawston Wildlife Estate. They continue to work to find new and innovative ways to make significant contributions to the conservation of both wildlife and their habitat as well as to local communities in Zimbabwe. Their conservation ethos is reflected in their safaris too, and they employ local staff, source local produce and keep a low environmental footprint.
The Vardens then felt the time was right to move to a more central tourism area in Zimbabwe and relocated to Umguza outside of Bulawayo in 2017. Ride Zimbabwe was born, and James and Janine now operate exciting horseback safaris with their team of excellent horses in the beautiful riding areas of Hwange National Park, Cawston Wildlife Estate. They continue to work to find new and innovative ways to make significant contributions to the conservation of both wildlife and their habitat as well as to local communities in Zimbabwe. Their conservation ethos is reflected in their safaris too, and they employ local staff, source local produce and keep a low environmental footprint.
