SOUTH AFRICAN HORSE BACK SAFARIS
Luxury Wilderness Horse Safari
This safari offers the adventure of exploring on horseback over 80 000 acres of African bushveld within Lapalala Wilderness. The Waterberg Mountains are steeped in history, dating from early iron age ruins to old cattle drive routes of the early pioneering settlers. It is a rough and wild wilderness and our safari follows some of these old routes across the mountains, fording rivers and climbing steep mountain tracks.
This safari is accompanied by experienced guides and backed up by a four wheel drive vehicle. We utilize a variety of either tented or permanent overnight camps on private game reserve land - the choice of which is dependant on the season, availability of camps and ability of the riders. Great emphasis is place on comfortable accommodation, excellent food and well-chilled drinks!
Time spent in the saddle averages 4-7 hours daily. This safari is recommended for intermediate and advanced riders who are fit, and offers a combination of some days of fast riding in easy terrain, with some days of slow riding in difficult and rocky, but very scenic areas. Riders will have to dismount and lead their horses over the most difficult parts and it is therefore advisable to wear comfortable walking / riding boots or shoes with rubber soles.
Our horses, which are cross-bred indigenous breeds (mostly Boerperd and Arabs) are particularly well-suited to this environment and have been bred specifically in the last hundred years in South Africa for this type of work. They are even-tempered and sure-footed and will carry you safely through this challenging terrain. They enjoy moving on at a faster pace and are eager and willing to jump any natural obstacles. They are our greatest and most beloved assets and we take extremely good care of them.
This safari is offered from March to September and accommodates a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 clients.
Luxury Wilderness Horse Safari (March to September only) Safari costs from £1,440.00 per person sharing
· Minimum 4, maximum 8 guests. · Fully inclusive rate. · Suitable for reasonably fit intermediate and advanced riders. · Total of 5 - 7 hours riding daily. · A horseback wilderness adventure of 8 nights duration traversing 80 000 acres of private game reserve land within Lapalala Wilderness. This safari utilizes various overnight camps and itineraries are variable.· A back-up 4x4 vehicle, crew and chef transport all equipment from one camp to the next.
To make a booking contact us on south-africa-horseback1@safari-africa.co.uk or call us on 01995 679 776
8 Night Luxury Wilderness Horse Safari The first night is spent at our bush camp, where you can shower off the dust of your journey and sleep comfortably in spacious twin-bedded tents overlooking a small stream and valley. The first afternoon we ride in areas where there is a good chance of seeing white & black rhino and buffalo, across plains and rolling hills, getting to know our horses who will be our closest companions for the duration of the safari.
Day 2, we ride out into the hills where we stop for a billy of tea next to a mountain lake. With luck, we may see giraffe, tssessebe and red hartebeest. Lots of opportunities to move on at the trot and canter. We return to the bush camp for the night.
Day 3, we head out on the mobile safari, stopping for snacks high on a mountain plateau inhabited by eland, zebra and wildebeest. The horses pick their way through a landscape of giant termite mounds and mountain aloes, across orange quartzite rocks to arrive at a magnificent viewpoint overlooking the Waterberg mountains. We descend from the plateau to the reeded Tambuti Huts, nestled on the river bank at the junction of the Blocklands and Palala River. Here we may catch a glimpse of hippo, crocodile or otter, while baboon shout warnings at our intrusion.
Day 4, we climb out of the Palala River Valley on an old settlers track to a high point with a view westwards towards Botswana. Following the track along a high plateau, we may come across eland and zebra or glimpse klipspringer bounding from rock to rock. We end the day at the luxury Haajesveld Lodge, watching the sun set over the wilderness.
Day 5, we ride through mixed veld of bush-willow and knobthorn, perhaps glimpsing shy steenbok, duiker or zebra amongst the rocks before following Leopard Creek gorge through the mountains. We stop for a saddlebag lunch in the forest beneath red rock cliffs before continuing on into open yellow grass plains for a good long canter. We spend the night at a tented fly camp in the plains beneath an incredible star-studded night sky.
Day 6, we traverse the plains, hill and valleys of the plateau where it is possible to see herds of zebra, red hartebeest, wildebeest or eland. There are plenty of opportunities for long trots and canters on soft ground. A long day's riding with a saddlebag lunch and a fantastic luxury tented camp set on wooden platforms on the edge of the escarpment at the end of the day. Panoramic views across the wilderness from this camp, where you can trace our route of over 150kms. through the mountains.
Day 7, we drop off the escarpment, ford the Palala River and ride through iron age ruin sites where we may see impala, kudu or bushpig. A good canter up the long dirt track towards home. The afternoon is spent resting at the bush camp or we may take an evening walk up the camp valley. Night at the bush camp.
Day 8, a good day's riding with lots of opportunities to canter and jump natural obstacles. Perhaps we will find a group of white rhino drinking at a waterhole as the sun sets or spot some of the other endangered species which are protected on the reserve such as roan or sable antelope. Night at the bush camp.
Day 9, after a morning ride and brunch, the safari comes to an end.
WE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ALTER THIS ITINERARY AT ANY TIME.
2001 - Set Departure Luxury Wilderness Horse Safaris 9 days/ 8 nights costs from £1,440.00 per person sharing
Saturday 24th of March until Sunday 1st of April Saturday 7th of April until Sunday 15th of April
Saturday 19th of May until Sunday 27th of May
Saturday 9th of June until Sunday 17th of June
Saturday 30th of June until Sunday 8th of July
Saturday 21st of July until Sunday 29th of July
Saturday 11th of August until Sunday 19th of August
Saturday 1st of September until Sunday 9th of September
Saturday 15th of September until Sunday 23rd of September
NOTES
Tariff is fully inclusive of 3 meals, accommodation & bedding, teas & coffees, VAT, experienced safari guides, horses & tack. Excludes drinks, transport, transfers & gratuities.
Minimum 4 guests, maximum 8 guests. March to September only.
There is no discount for children. This safari is only suitable for competent child riders over 12 years of age.
Alternative dates can be requested - please enquire.
The 8 night itinerary includes 3/4 nights at the main camp and 4/5 nights at mobile camps.
Only suitable for intermediate and advanced riders who are fit.
We reserves the right to judge a rider's competence and ability. Any rider, who in the sole opinion of the guide, is unable to control their horse, or who poses a threat to the safety of themselves, their horse or other riders in the group, will be dismounted.
IMPORTANT NOTE: MARCH, APRIL AND MAY
The luxury wilderness horse safaris during the months of March, April and May are in the late summer and autumn months of South Africa and short thunderstorms can be experienced. Guests must bring a waterproof raincoat and hat. For safety, we do not ride if there is lightning. At times, the rivers can be in flood and we cannot cross them on horseback. In this case, it will be necessary to box the horses further along the route taken. If this occurs, alternative activites such as game walks or drives will be offered while the horses are being moved. Day time temperatures can be high, so all riding will be done very early in the morning and very late in the afternoon, with a traditional african siesta at midday. Most camps en route have a plunge pool.
To make a booking contact us on south-africa-horseback1@safari-africa.co.uk or call us on 01995 679 776