Horseback Riding in South Africa
BORDER CROSSING SAFARI |
Running with the herd in South Africa
Elephant in Botswana
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This is an unforgettable riding adventure, combining four days on a private game reserve in South Africa’s Waterberg Mountains. From there, you travel north across the border into Botswana for four nights on the Mashatu Reserve.
This horseback safari combines responsive well-loved horses with the magic of riding with game in stunning wilderness areas. Nights are spent in a tastefully appointed stone lodge or comfortable bungalows.
The safari begins on a private reserve in the heart of the Waterberg Mountains in a UNESCO biosphere reserve, one of the last true wilderness areas of South Africa. Here, you'll see rhino, hippo, buffalo, giraffe, ostrich, zebra and brown hyena. You will likely also encounter a wide variety of antelope---eland, sable and the exquisite steenbuck.
Mashatu Game Reserve in the Tuli Block of Botswana is known as "The Land of the Giants". This is an area of great diversity, magnificent vistas and land formations as ancient as time itself. The trails traverse both the riverine terrain and the true African mopane bushveld.
The land is home to a multitude of wildlife species including elephant, lion, hyena, and leopard. It remains untouched by man.
"I'm back from the trip of a lifetime. Please pass my gratitude to everyone at Equitours for making it possible. I took well over 800 photos! Both Dinaka and the mobile safari were outstanding. Cor and Louise's horses were AMAZING! I can't say enough. Thanks again."
- Ed Goldberg, NY, USA
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| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | You will be met at the Johannesburg airport at 10.00am, for a 2 1/2 hour drive north to the welcoming spaciousness of a stone and thatch hunting lodge in the Waterberg Mountains. Arrive in time to relax and explore the beautiful surroundings and to meet your guides and fellow riders. Lunch will be served. In the late afternoon you will have an opportunity to become acquainted with your horse, to take in the wonderful open spaces, and to ride out in search of game in the soft afternoon light. The day will finish with sundowner drinks and a sumptuous three course evening meal at the lodge. |
| Day 2: | Ride to visit the ‘Small Serengeti Plains’ where you will be able to look and interpret the behavior of various plains game species. You will encounter the dense game populations this beautiful reserve is renowned for. Sightings of up to 15 rhino, often with 11 other species simultaneously in view, are not uncommon.
The open plains provide great opportunities for fast riding, including a chance to canter alongside herds of antelope as they gallop and pronk across the open savannah. Return to the lodge for lunch, and a quiet afternoon to sunbathe on the deck overlooking the hippo dam, where you can watch these family-orientated creatures interact and play in the heat of the day. Later in the afternoon you may be able to try a little cross country jumping, or just enjoy riding through a grove of beautiful big trees.
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| Day 3: | After an early breakfast we will set out on a hunt for some of the reserves more elusive mountain species: leopard, mountain zebra, mountain reedbuck, baboons, African rock python, rock dassies, klipspringers and cape vultures. You will follow a valley deep into the Waterberg escarpment. The path parallels a crystal clear stream and passes several picturesque dams along the way. The bush is dense and filled with birdsong. We will stop at one of the dams for a picnic lunch, returning to the lodge in the early afternoon in time for a cooling swim and siesta. The afternoon is a gentle pre-sunset ride to one of the larger dams which is home to some of Dinaka’s many hippos. |
| Day 4: | A ride to another area of the reserve, where Dinaka runs its highly successful breeding programme for its most valued species; white blesbuck, sable antelope and bontebok. En route you will cross a particularly fertile plain ideal for an exhilarating canter amidst herds of game, with many different species galloping together across the plains.
This afternoon is a welcome break for both horse and rider. A Dinaka guide will escort you on an informative game drive, where you will visit an area of the reserve inhabited by the buffalo and some unusual red wildebeest. The guide, who is responsible for the feeding and monitoring of the rhino on the reserve, will accompany the guests on this very special opportunity to approach and observe rhino on foot.
This final night on Dinaka is celebrated with a traditional South African braai, or barbeque. Guests relax around the fire, enjoying the African night sky and toast their experiences.
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| Day 5: | In the morning there is a last chance to find any species not yet seen and enjoy one last gallop along the endless sandy lanes. After a hearty brunch and sad goodbyes, guests are transferred to their next destination - on the other side of the Botswana border! You will depart the lodge at approximately 10.30 to Limpopo Valley Horse Safaris – a transfer of approximately 4 hours. After crossing the mighty Limpopo River either by cable car or through the dry river bed, you arrive at the stunning Two Mashatus camp. Built in traditional Botswana style, two round huts with Lala palm roofs serve as lounge and dinning area under a majestic Mashatu tree. Your accommodation is A-frame walk-in tents with comfortable beds and an en-suite loo and shower. Guests are taken on an introductory ride in the afternoon to familiarize riders with their horses; with a stable of 35 horses we aim to find you the perfect match! |
| Day 6: | After an early rise and a light breakfast, you will head out to explore the Limpopo Valley, including a natural marshland called “Nels Vlei”. The ride offers lots of possible game sightings such as giraffe, eland, kudu and zebra as well as the abundant elephant! The morning ride is 4-5 hours which will take you to your next destination- Zeederberg Wilderness Camp. A well-deserved lunch awaits you upon arrival. After a relaxing afternoon you can join your guide for a bushwalk around the area, following in the footsteps of legends such as Cecil John Rhodes. On return to camp sundowners await you around the campfire and dinner is served. Enjoy the peace and quiet of the African bush, interrupted only by the occasional calls of lion, hyaena and jackal. |
| Day 7: | Today’s ride of about 4-5 hours takes you to Liana camp, descending from the Zeederberg Hills and on to the open Pitsani plains with the possibility of a fast canter with zebra, wildebeest or giraffe. This ride offers the opportunity of jumping some of the fallen logs pushed over by elephant. Lunch awaits you under another splendid Mashatu tree. A lunchtime siesta follows before heading out on a game drive with a Mashatu ranger, in the hope of seeing some of the big cats or African wild dogs. Enjoy the special situation of this campsite set in an old river bed overhung by the twisted Liana vines after which it is named. |
| Day 8: | The dawn chorus will wake you to a light breakfast. Today's ride of about 4-5 hours will take you back to Two Mashatus camp, passing through the central game area where you will have a good opportunity to look for leopard in the Mashatu trees along the Majale River. Follow the course of the river and enjoy the winding canters through the bush. This afternoon you have the choice of going to the local village on a game drive or enjoying a relaxing sundowner along the Limpopo. Back at camp another delicious meal cooked over the fire is served, and as the night draws to a close, enjoy a night cap around the fire. |
| Day 9: | After breakfast around the fire, you will head off in the direction of Nels Vlei with a good chance of catching a final glimpse of elephant as this is one of their favourite areas. Back at the stables, after a last pat and a fond farewell to your horse, you have the chance to have a good shower and enjoy lunch before heading off for the border and the 6 hours drive to JHB airport. |
| Day 10: | Itinerary for the non-mobile safaris in February and March available. Please ask for these details. |
Please be aware that due to changes in weather and other unforeseen events the itinerary may be changed at the last minute. We will endeavor to keep everyone informed of any changes and the reason for them.
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Lodge at Dinaka
Dinaka Lodge interior
Comfortable camp bungalow
The Tuli Block in Botswana
The rare rhino of South Africa
Baobab tree in Botswana
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| Pricing and Dates |
| Meeting Point | Johannesburg International Airport |
| Length of Ride | 9 days, 8 nights and 6 full / 3 half days days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Advanced Strong Intermediate Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-2 Maximum-8 |
| Riding Per Day | 5-6 hours |
| Pace | moderate / fast |
| Tack | English saddles and a few Australian stock saddles |
| Horses | Boerperd, Anglo Arabs, Warmbloods, Thoroughbreds and Shire cross |
| Weight Limit | 200 lbs |
| 2010 Dates | Jan 28-Feb 5, Feb 2-10, Feb 6-14, Feb 17-25, Feb 22-March 2, Feb 27-March 7, March 10-18, March 15-23, March 25-April 2, April 8-16, June 27-July 5, July 2-10, Sept 13-21, Sept 18-26, Sept 29-Oct 7, Oct 4-12, Oct 9-17, Oct 28-Nov 5, Nov 2-10, Nov 6-14, Nov 17-25, Nov 22-30 |
| 2010 Price | $3,430
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| Single Supplement | 50% of total (not required if willing to share) |
| Transfers | $505 NEW PRICE: $485 |
| 2011 Dates | Jan 28-Feb 5, Feb 9-17, Feb 17-26, March 9-17, March 14-22, March 18-26, April 6-14, April 10-18, April 14-22, Sept 3-11, Sept 15-23, Sept 20-28, Sept 25-Oct 3, Oct 8-16, Oct 19-27, Oct 24-Nov 1, Oct 29-Nov 6, Nov 9-17, Nov 13-21, Nov 25-Dec 3 |
| 2011 Price | TBA |
| Single Supplement | $50% of total (not required if willing to share) |
| Transfers | TBA |
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