Our safaris are for experienced riders only, as we do ride with dangerous game. We have 25 well trained horses on the reserve and safaris are limited to 8 guests. This private reserve was one of the pioneer game reserves in the Waterberg.

Over the course of your safari, the rides will explore the different habitats so that the true diversity of species can be viewed. Although the rides are taken as a group, we endeavour to satisfy the requests of all our guests individually throughout the safari, making it a truly magical experience.

Have you ever dreamed of galloping through the spray along deserted beaches or of riding next to giraffe and zebra? Well, if you have the surf and turf is the safari for you.

ADVENTURES (Based on a historic family property)

• Diverse and affordable horse riding holiday full of adventure
• Perfect for singles, families, experienced and novice riders
• Tailormade family riding holidays
• Set in private game reserve alongside a beautiful lake with plains game and hippo, but no other dangerous game
• Herd of over 50 horses
• Outrides through game reserve and cattle ranch
• Swimming with horses
• Play polocrosse, cattle mustering, Western games and jumping
• Personalised itinerary
• Special occasions and weddings on horseback
• Established 1993, exceptional return rate

SAFARIS (Based on a pioneering private game reserve)

• Classic African horse riding safari
• Perfect for experienced riders: fast, exhilarating and fun
• Diverse habitats and dramatic landscapes
• Guaranteed horseback game viewing experience
• Abundant plains game and impressive endangered species
• Three of the 'big five'; white rhino, buffalo and leopard
• Luxury lodge perched on the edge of a lakeside cliff
• Combine a 4 day Horseback Safari with 4 days at Limpopo Valley Horse Safaris in Botswana to ride with all of the 'big five' (including lion and elephant)
• Combine a 4 day horse riding safari with 4 days riding along a beach at Wild Coast Safaris

SAMPLE Itineraries:

SAMPLE ADVENTURES ITINERARY

DAY 1: Transfer to the lodge (approx. 2.5hrs) for lunch. That afternoon enjoy an introductory ride in the game reserve, with sundowners served at one of our picturesque hippo dams.

DAY 2: Ride to the original farm homestead and main African village, view the quaint hand decorated houses, call in at the historic Baber family homestead for tea, and a visit the farm crèche for some delightful entertainment. 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: Start the day’s activities with an introduction to polocrosse, an invigorating sport that will soon have you addicted. After lunch, tag along on one of our bi-weekly shopping trips into the local town of Vaalwater for some retail therapy bush style! Then enjoy another outride in the game reserve whilst enjoying the excellent going on the complex network of sandy tracks.

DAY 4: After breakfast embark on a 2-night wilderness safari in search of an even wider variety of game. After an extended ride (approx. 4 hours), arrive at a tranquil stone and thatched bush camp in time for a well deserved lunch. That afternoon enjoy a chance to take photos on a guided bush walk or game drive. Sundowners are served at a breathtaking lookout spot.

DAY 5: Enjoy a full morning of riding in the game reserve with possible encounters with white rhino, giraffe, eland, wildebeest, impala, hartebeest or zebra. Return to the lodge for a late lunch and a siesta by the pool. After tea enjoy a short fast ride in the reserve game before returning to the lodge for sundowners and dinner around an open fire.

DAY 6: Depart for the ride back to The lodge 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 fit riding chaps. Alternatively, go on a gentle outride to discover new parts of this 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 The lodge for lunch. After another indulgent afternoon tea enjoy an outride or try your skills over the challenging cross-country fences.

DAY 8: Experience a morning of mustering and cutting some of the ranch’s magnificent Bonsmara stud cattle, a nonagressive breed adapted to local conditions. After bringing a herd in from pasture,take turns to move one cow or youngster away from the group. This activity pits you and your mount against the animal’s herding instinct and will test your riding ability to the full. Follow the action with a refreshing swim with your horse. That 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 of 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: Complete your holiday with a last ride of your choice.

SAMPLE SAFARI ITINERARY

DAY 1: After arrival at Oliver Tambo International airport, Johannesburg, a three hour group transfer to the safari will depart at 10.00 am. The stone and thatch safari lodge overlooks a large lake with resident hippo, and has stunning views of the surrounding plains, and Waterberg escarpment.

All rooms are en suite and the three double rooms open out onto private verandahs overlooking the lake. The lodge is closely situated to the stables and yards and has a small pool for cooling off after a long morning ride. That afternoon, become acquainted with the horses, take in the wonderful open spaces, and go in search of game in the soft afternoon light. This ride will provide the first taste of the incredible variety of game on the reserve. Return to the lodge for sundowner drinks overlooking the lake and a traditional African evening meal.

DAY 2: Ride to ‘little Serengeti’, a sweeping plainto encounter the dense game populations for which this beautiful reserve is renowned. Experience that dream canter alongside herds of antelope as they gallop and pronk across the open savannah. Back at the lodge guests can sunbathe above the hippo dam and watch these family orientated creatures interact and play in the heat of the day. That afternoon ride out with the explicit purpose of tracking the majestic white rhino.

These prehistoric animals are one of the remarkable success stories of the reserve, which holds one of the oldest breeding herds in the country. Encountering these magnificent creatures is a highlight of any safari but riding closely alongside them is a truly unforgettable experience.

DAY 3: Ride along the base of the mountain and follow a valley deep into the heart of the Waterberg escarpment. Look out for the colony of endangered cape vultures and some of the reserve’s more elusive mountain species – leopard, mountain zebra, klipspringer and yellow spotted rock hyrax. The path follows crystal clear streams and passes several picturesque dams along the way.

The bush is dense and full of birdcalls. Enjoy a picnic at one of the dams, returning to the lodge in time for afternoon tea. Later relax at the lodge or join the guides on an afternoon bush walk.

DAY 4: Canter towards the reserve’s western boundary for unending views of the ‘seven sisters’ of the Waterberg escarpment in the background. Long and winding tracks offer the perfect opportunity for fast and exhilarating riding. A game drive in the afternoon offers the opportunity to get up close and personal with Cape buffalo and the magnificant rare sable antelope. Whilst driving back after dark, glimpse nocturnal animals such as brown hyena, spring hare, porcupine and aardvark. That night relax around the fire, enjoy the magical African night sky, and a veriable feast whilst recounting the day’s adventures.

DAY 5: In the morning use this last chance to find any species not yet encountered and take one last gallop along the endless sandy lanes. After a hearty brunch and sad goodbyes depart at approximately 11.00 am to your next destination.

Please Note: The Surf and Turf safari combination is an 8/9 day holiday of which you spend 4 days on beach rides and 4 days on safari rides.