Itinerary

South Africa offer an incredibly varied horse riding experience for all levels of rider: outrides, game viewing, cattle mustering, swimming with your horse, polocrosse, Western games and jumping   This is a  sample itinerary based on accommodation in    

DAY 1:

Transfer to Horizon 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 Horizon 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 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 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 Horizon 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.