South Africa’s Safari Ride

South Africa's Safari Ride Itinerary

The Signature Safari is the original Horizon Horseback riding holiday, which is based on the historic family estate. We run a herd of over 90 free roaming horses and can cater for all levels of riders from experienced to complete novice.

This is the perfect holiday for those riders wishing to experience the pleasure of riding with African wildlife in the absence of dangerous game. Wildlife to be seen on the reserve include hippo, giraffe, zebra, antelope, leopard, caracal, brown hyena, jackal, crocodile and aardvark. There are also over 300 bird species on the reserve.

This riding holiday is fully flexible and offers the opportunity for many other activities in addition to game viewing, in particular great outrides over excellent riding country and also polocrosse, jumping, western games and swimming with your horse.

There are two outrides or riding activities a day. Morning rides last 3-4 hours (or less if requested) and afternoon rides are somewhat shorter. Jumping is also available on request. Rides are tailor-made to suit the needs of our guests and we try to be as flexible as possible.

All rooms are ensuite with either shower or bath or both facilities. Seven double rooms are separate from the main lodge; three suites overlook the lake and have a small veranda area, the rondavels are a traditional African dwelling adjacent to the lodge with its own charm. There is a large living area, dining room and large stoep (or verandah) for guests to enjoy. Three delicious meals are served a day with afternoon tea before an afternoon ride. All drinks are complimentary. Special diet requirements can also be catered for on request.

During your holiday at Horizon's Signature Safari lodge, there are a number of non-riding activities on offer; sundowners, bush walks, game drive, elephant backed riding, fishing, cultural, historical and environmental aspects of the Waterberg can be explored. The Waterberg is also currently hosting a pack of endangered wild dog, which you can visit with the Endangered Wildlife Trust upon arrangement. Otherwise, just relax with a massage with or enjoy the African bush.

Sample Itinerary based on the 7 Night Advanced Rider Program

Day 1 - SUNDAY: Transfer from Airport and First Encounters – Introductory Ride

Guests will be personally met at OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg by our sister company, Saddlebag Shuttles. The road trip up to the Lodge in the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve in Limpopo Province takes about three hours.

After a light lunch in the gardens of the Lodge, and later a sumptuous tea, guests will be introduced to their horses. The first ride is a gentle introduction to the reserve and an excellent opportunity for first encounters with species such as zebra, giraffe and hippo. The riding ranges from purposeful walking to easy cantering along sandy tracks and culminates with sundowner drinks on the open plains.

We take great care to match horse to rider based on a guest’s riding experience and ability. Given that the first two nights of the safari are spent at the Lodge, the operational hub for our herd of close to 100 horses, there is ample time to ensure that the most suitable horse is available for the long days in the saddle over the last five days of the safari.

Day 2 - MONDAY: Open plains, swimming with horses and game galore

On this first full day on Game Reserve, guests start to truly appreciate the wide open spaces and
natural beauty of the Waterberg. Riding with wildlife in their natural habitat is a magical experience, with chance encounters intermingled with the excitement of tracking a particular species. The animals are unperturbed by the horses and so you can ride really close to them and observe them going about their business.

This is a great day for a splashy canter along the edge of the dam, especially in summer time. And also you can have your first swim with your horse to cool off. The afternoon ride typically ends with a sun downer at beautiful viewpoint with the riders walking back to the lodge at dusk in high spirits.

Day 3 - TUESDAY: Ride to Bellevue Lodges and Hunting for Buffalo

An early start is needed for the long ride from the Lodge to either Savannah Lodge in the far south west of the reserve, or Seringa Lodge in the south east. The first part of the route covers country that riders will now be somewhat familiar with, but soon enters new terrain. In places the bush is thick but after a while the scenery opens up to grasslands with sweeping views to the south and west.

Riding through this landscape gives riders a sense of the vastness of the African plains. The area boasts a very high concentration of game with herds of over 300 blesbuck, or 80 eland, often sighted. Other species which are home to the plains include red hartebeest, tsessebe and ostrich. There are plentiful zebra, wildebeest, impala and giraffe, and smaller groups of sable, roan and waterbuck. The final stretch to Savannah Lodge is along a wooded stream where kudu and bushbuck are likely to be seen.

After a relaxing time around the pool and within the sophisticated lodges, it is time to ride to the southern most areas of the reserve in search of Cape buffalo. These are members of Africa’s famous “Big Five” and deserve their formidable reputation. Riders therefore need to be alert and responsive to the guides’ instructions. This area is known for its spectacular sunsets as the sun sets over the distant headlands of the Waterberg escarpment – a fitting end to an eventful and memorable day in the African wilderness.

Day 4 - WEDNESDAY: Return ride from Bellevue and “Big Five” game drive

Another long ride through game rich country returns riders to the heart of the operation, Horizon Lodge. The route taken is different from that on the outward leg, turning this part of the safari into an exciting journey passing through diverse landscapes and ecosystems. Game species typically prefer different habitats, with nyala and bushbuck for instance occupying dense forest-like sections of the reserve while blesbuck and hartebeest stick to the open plains, and waterbuck and reedbuck, unsurprisingly, are normally seen close to streams and other waterways.

Riders arrive at a giant wild fig tree for a delicious bush breakfast prepared on an open fire. After this hearty meal the route back to the lodge passes through a dense forest area where some of the shyer species like to shelter.

Swimming with your horse in front of our Lodge is the perfect end to this special morning ride.

This afternoon we go on a game drive to a nearby reserve, where we can see the Big 5, including elephants, rhino, buffalo, leopard and lions.

Day 5 - THURSDAY: Bush breakfast and Camp Davidson

This morning we head towards Camp Davidson for an exciting night under canvas. The camp is perched high on a ridge overlooking a vast wilderness area to the east. Wildlife often encountered in the area include baboon, bushpig, kudu and klipspringer. Porcupines are frequent nocturnal visitors to the camp and leopard spoor outside the tents is not uncommon.

Today’s route to Camp Davidson covers the north-eastern areas of the reserve, tracking through untouched bush to the upper reaches of Sunset Lake. This lake is a favorite haunt of the hippo on the reserve and home to crocodile, otter, fish eagle and other waterfowl, such as the beautiful African jacana. Guests ride along the water’s edge and must be constantly on the lookout for
the hippo. These animals, while having a reputation for being some of the most dangerous in Africa, are not a threat during the day but will often honk and blow as they observe the riders go by.

The route offers an opportunity for exciting splashy canters and extended canters, off-piste riding with very scenic views across the highlands of the Waterberg.

Day 6 - FRIDAY: Sunset Lake, splashy canters, polocrosse and winetasting.

Ride through the neighboring conservancy to search for sable. These magnificent antelope have striking markings and long sweeping horns. If conditions allow, we end the ride with another chance to enjoy a splashy canter along the edge of the Horizon Lodge dam. After the morning’s exertions, guests can relax around the swimming pool and enjoy the beautiful unspoilt surroundings.

The afternoon activity is polo-crosse, an amalgam between polo and lacrosse. The game is highly addictive and is sure to bring out competitive passions! Horses which are used to playing the game are used and no previous experience of playing polocrosse is required. What is guaranteed is a great deal of fun.

Day 7 - SATURDAY: Long Buffels and jumping lane to sundowner spot

This morning, we offer guests the chance to ride into another of our neighbour’s conservancies, where Cape buffalo can be spotted. An early start is required for this longer morning ride. The thrill of cantering alongside wildebeest is a highlight. The land opens up to offer long, extended canters along broad tracks that skirt through pristine bush.

In the afternoon, riders follow a route interspersed with optional cross country jumps on the way to sundowners in a stunning spot with views over the rolling hills. A slow ride back to the Lodge
at dusk completes the day’s adventure.

Tonight’s dinner starts with a wine tasting , each wine is paired with a complimenting amuse-bouche. This is a brilliant introduction to South Africa’s famous wines.

Day 8 - SUNDAY: Final ride and Transfer to Airport

Final ride and Transfer to Airport. By now riders are well versed in all aspects of the safari experience, and in consultation with their guides can suggest a favorite ride for their final experience. This is a last opportunity to ride amongst Africa’s incredible antelope species through a beautiful environment on superb horses.

Following lunch in the garden it is time to embark on the road transfer back to the airport in Johannesburg.

* Please be aware that due to changes in weather and other unforeseen events the itinerary may be changed at the last minute.