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

The ride this morning is generally sporty. The route follows the centre of an open valley which is home to species such as kudu, sable, reedbuck, red hartebeest, waterbuck and impala. The sandy tracks make for excellent going, and the route crosses open grassland and weaves through dense woodland.

Dark red pedigree cattle bred on the property are often encountered on this route. When conditions are suitable, the last stretch of the ride involves splashy canters along the edge of the lake adjacent to Lodge. This is a
great experience, but don’t expect to remain dry in the process!

There is also the chance to cool off whilst experiencing the exhilaration of swimming on horseback.

The afternoon ride heads east following the river past a series of dams where encounters with hippo are likely
and returns across the open plains. At this time of day there is often much activity on the plains, with the herds mingling in the soft sunlight and different groups coming and going as they prepare for the night. It is a truly a magical experience to be able to ride so close to these wild animals, which have become completely relaxed in the presence of the horses.

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.

The route provides excellent opportunities to see giraffe, which is always a highlight. After more than five hours in the saddle, the afternoon activity is a game drive in the nearby Entabeni or Welgevonden game reserves. Although this involves an hour or more of travel to reach these destinations, the opportunity to see lion, elephant and rhino in their natural environments make this excursion well worthwhile.

Day 5 - THURSDAY: Bush breakfast and Camp Davidson

Horseback rides in a game reserve are always interesting because one never knows what animals will be encountered. The route on this day goes deep into the reserve to parts with a real wilderness quality. After about three hours in the saddle, 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. That afternoon guests leave the Lodge and 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. This is not a long ride, but the route is exciting, following a narrow trail along the edge of the ridge.

Wildlife often encountered in the area includes baboon, bushpig, kudu and klipspringer. Porcupines are frequent nocturnal visitors to the camp and leopard spoor outside the tents is not uncommon.

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

Today’s route covers the north-eastern areas of the reserve, descending from the camp to cross a stream and open plain and then tracks 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, which the likes of Esme and Laura Collett loved doing. Having left the lake, riders cross open plains with some quick riding back towards the Lodge.

After the morning’s exertions, guests can relax around the swimming pool and enjoy the beautiful unspoilt surroundings. The afternoon activity is polocrosse, 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.

Tonight’s dinner starts with a wine tasting , each wine is paired with a complimenting amuse-bouche.

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

The route follows the valley down to eastern edge of the reserve, before crossing up to the highlands near Camp Davidson and then winding along game trails back to the lodge. There are places on this ride for extended canters, interspersed with off-piste riding with very scenic views across the highlands of the Waterberg.

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 relaxed ride back to the Lodge at dusk completes the day’s adventure.

Day 8 - SUNDAY: 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.