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 en suite 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 adding 2 extra days

Day 1

Transfer to Horizon Horseback Signature Safari Lodge - about 2.5 hours from Johannesburg. This afternoon you’ll enjoy an introductory ride in the game reserve with sundowners served at one of the picturesque hippo dams.

Day 2

Ride to the original farm homestead of the main African village, view the quaint hand decorated houses, call in at the historic Baber family homestead for tea and a visit to the farm creche for some delightful entertainment. Afterward, ride back to the lodge for a cooling swim in the lake with your horse before lunch.

Later, during the heat of the day, relax by the pool or take a siesta.

In the afternoon, ride out into the game area to encounter game on horseback and learn the signs of the wild and medicinal values of the native bushes and trees.

Day 3

An outride in the game reserve whilst enjoying the excellent going on the vast network of sandy tracks. After lunch, go on a shopping trip to the local town of Vaalwater for some retail therapy bush style.

That afternoon enjoy an introduction to polocrosse, an amalgam of polo and lacrosse, an invigorating sport that will soon have you addicted.

Day 4

We can start the day with an outride, or another polocrosse session, this time hopefully following some of the rules of the game.

That afternoon you set off for Camp Davidson, a wonderful tented camp that overlooks the Melk Valley. This is camping with a difference, beds with duvets and cotton sheets, bathrooms with flushing toilets and tables laid with crisp white linen.

That evening, enjoy sundowners on the camp deck and dinner under the stars with the sound of jackal, zebra, hippo and the neighboring lions serenading your evening.

Day 5

Enjoy a full morning of riding in the game reserve with possible encounters with giraffe, eland, wildebeest, waterbuck, impala, hartebeest or zebra.

Lunch is taken en route at one of the neighboring dams, where a cooling swim on the horses can be enjoyed. Return to camp in the late afternoon for sundowner drinks and another starlight dinner.

Day 6

Depart for the ride back to Horizon in time for lunch. In the afternoon the saddle weary can visit Beadle, the local farm community linked project and shop, where locals hand make exquisite beaded leather products, including browbands and made to measure riding chaps. Alternatively, go on a gentle outride to discover new parts of the beautiful property or to find the hippo.

Day 7

After many hours in the saddle you may opt to take a break and enjoy an outing and game drive at a local “big five” reserve with the possibility of close encounters with lion, elephant or buffalo.

Return to Horizon for lunch. After another indulgent afternoon tea, enjoy another outride or try your skills over the challenging cross country fences.

Day 8

Experience a morning of mustering and cutting some of the ranchs’ magnificent Bonsmara stud cattle, a non aggressive breed adapted to local conditions. After bringing a heerd in from pasture, take turns to move one cow or youngster away from the group. This activity pits you and your mount against the animals’ herding instinct and will test your riding ability to the full.Follow the action with a refreshing swim with your horse.

This afternoon tea is followed by yet another new challenge in the form of western games (gymkhana for adults) where your riding skills and competitive edge can once again be pushed to the limits.

Day 9

In the morning enjoy an exhilarating fast ride to one of the furthest points on the property, utilizing literally kilometres of clear sandy tracks. Back at the lodge enjoy a quick swim and a late lunch.

Afternoon tea is followed by an outride in the game reserve for one last photo opportunity with game, followed by a final sundowner on a high rock overlooking the tranquil Waterberg landscape.

Day 10

A final favorite ride of choice before departing after lunch.

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