THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Discover the shimmering salt flats of Sal, Cabo Verde, on an easy horseback ride through Santa Maria's unique landscape. This one-hour guided tour blends gentle adventure with rich local history, perfect for families and beginners alike.
Discover the shimmering salt flats of Sal, Cabo Verde, on an easy horseback ride through Santa Maria's unique landscape. This one-hour guided tour blends gentle adventure with rich local history, perfect for families and beginners alike.
Book with Menzel Cabo Verde
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Menzel Cabo Verde · Santa Maria, Sal
Cabo Verde’s island of Sal offers more than sun-soaked beaches and turquoise waters; it invites you to experience its natural heritage on horseback through the vast salt flats of Santa Maria. The Passeio a Cavalo • Salinas is a one-hour horseback ride perfect for travelers of nearly any age — kids as young as three can join — which combines easy, accessible outdoor adventure with a journey into the island’s unique industrial past.
The salt flats, or salinas, are the defining feature of this landscape. Spanning wide, shimmering expanses of crystallized salt, they reflect the sky’s every hue, creating an otherworldly backdrop that’s both serene and surreal. These flats have been a source of livelihood for Cape Verdeans for generations. Guided by expert equestrian hosts fluent in Portuguese and English, visitors not only traverse this stark yet beautiful environment but also immerse themselves in the history of salt production—a cornerstone of Sal’s economy and culture.
This experience stands out because it offers gentle terrain on well-trained horses, making it suitable for beginners and families. The soft, flat expanses ensure steady footing, and the ride’s pace invites riders to soak in the panoramic views and visceral connection to the land. The small group size, capped at eight people, ensures personalized attention from guides and a quieter ambience, allowing guests to appreciate the natural soundscape and expansive skies far from crowds.
The ride starts from your hotel or accommodation, with convenient transfers included, making it seamless for visitors to integrate this trip into their Sal itinerary. Comfortable clothing is recommended, and riders must comply with safety guidelines, including a maximum weight of 90 kg and minimum age requirements. This conscientious approach preserves the wellbeing of both riders and horses while respecting local regulations.
Santa Maria is the closest town and a comfortable base for your trip. It offers charming hotels and vibrant local life, blending beach relaxation with access to cultural sites. More than a scenic adventure, this horseback tour provides a meaningful glimpse into a vital, lesser-known chapter of Cabo Verde’s heritage.
For travelers seeking a low-impact, engaging outdoor experience paired with cultural education, Passeio a Cavalo • Salinas is a standout. The ride connects you to a defining natural and economic landscape on Sal Island while offering calm, accessible adventure in a captivating setting.
easy.
1 hour.
Basic physical fitness required; suitable for children age 3 and up and beginners.
No, this ride is suitable for beginners and riders of all levels.
Children as young as 3 years old can participate; there is no maximum age, but riders must be able to handle a horse safely.
Yes, pickup from your hotel or lodging in Santa Maria is included in the tour.
Yes, the horses are well-trained and safe for young riders with proper guidance.
It’s an easy ride over flat terrain suitable for those in basic physical health.
No, the maximum weight limit for riders is 90 kg to ensure safety and horse welfare.
The salt flats of Sal have been harvested since the 19th century, shaping both the island’s economy and culture.
Tours adhere to strict guidelines to minimize impact on the fragile salt flat ecosystem and promote sustainable tourism.
Menzel Cabo Verde is a tour operator featured on The Adventure Collective that provides a wide range of outdoor experiences across Sal and Boa Vista in Cabo Verde. The company organizes activity-based trips including quad bike and motoquad rentals, buggy tours (500cc and 1000cc), scooter and jet ski rentals, and guided boat excursions such as catamaran cruises and full-day sailing trips. Menzel Cabo Verde also offers water-based activities like snorkeling, diving baptisms, and private or group fishing trips (trolling and jigging). Land and cultural experiences include horse riding on Kite Beach and Salinas, electric bicycle tours, dune and desert itineraries, cultural routes visiting Praia do Cabo de Santa Maria and Sal Rei, and evening turtle nesting observation walks on protected beaches. Specific highlighted trips include Ilha do Sal discovery tours (half-day and full-day), Veleiro Cape Verde Sailing day trips with snorkeling and onboard lunch, Buggy Desert Adventures, and guided turtle observation on Boa Vista between June and October. Reservations include options for private groups and transfers for some activities. Menzel Cabo Verde’s program list covers more than fifty distinct trips, encompassing short two-hour tours up to full-day and multi-hour private excursions. The operator provides introductory diving baptisms with pool instruction followed by ocean dives for first-time divers, and family-friendly catamaran cruises for adults or family use. The company’s inclusion on The Adventure Collective increases visibility for its diverse itineraries. Guests can choose adventure, wildlife, cultural or relaxation-focused tours tailored to different activity levels and group sizes, with local guides available.
Book with Menzel Cabo Verde