Waterberg Big Five Safari

Day 1

Riding: 1 - 2 hours

You will be met at OR Tambo international Airport and transferred to Entabeni Game Reserve, which is about a 2.5 hour drive away. On arrival you will be welcomed by the team at Fly Camp set up on a nearby farm where buffalo roam abundantly as well as the rare Sable antelope which you'll hopefully see from horseback. During lunch you'll receive an introductory brief on the days to come including your horse preferences so that you can be allocated a horse you'll enjoy.

Set out onto an afternoon introductory ride to get to know your horse, ending with sundowners on the wood deck overlooking the waterhole. At dinner the staff will welcome you with some traditional singing and a three course meal under the African sky.

Overnight Fly Camp at Ikhaya Nyati farm

Day 2

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

Early wake up and breakfast before setting out on a two and a half hour ride in search of game, before returning to camp for lunch. Have a rest and siesta during the heat of the day before setting out on an afternoon ride. Return to camp for drinks around the fire, dinner and a final night at Fly Camp.

Day 3

Riding: 3 hours

Wake to the sound of the bush coming to life, with water boiling over the fire and a bush breakfast ready for you. Mount up and ride out of the farm and into neighbouring Entabeni reserve. Here you enter Big Five territory and ride towards your permanent tented camp. Arrive in time to freshen up before lunch. There is a spa and pool here and your luggage will already be waiting in your rooms.

The horses will have the afternoon off and you'll head out on a game drive in the vehicle (15:30 in winter and 16:00 in summer). With luck you'll spot some elephant or lion! Stop for sundowner drinks before returning to the camp for dinner.

Overnight Wildside Tented Camp

Day 4

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

A light breakfast and the opportunity for an early morning game drive followed by a full breakfast at the lodge. You're then transferred to the horses which are waiting at the reserve gate so that you can set off to explore in a different direction and across new terrain. Hopefully you encounter different species of animals. Your route takes you from the lower escarpment to the upper escarpment along a trail which was created in 1994 and is the steepest manmade road in southern Africa. You will have to dismount and lead your horse for some of this climb so please tell your guide in advance if you prefer to take a vehicle up the 600m road, which is at a 40 degree slant in the toughest areas.

You will stop for lunch besides some natural rock pools on the way up, eventually reaching the upper escarpment to be greeted by open plains and a totally different landscape. Rhino are abundant here and heavily protected, creating a sanctuary for them. Eventually you'll reach the top of a mountain where you'll spend a night under star-gazing tents with views across the reserve. Camp will be lit by lanterns and candles and drinks will be served around the campfire before dinner.

Overnight Viewpoint/Star-Gazing tents

Day 5

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

Awaken with hot tea or coffee in your tent and a light breakfast taking in the views before you depart to your next lodge for some pampering and comfort. Kingfisher lodge is set on the lake and is a 5 star lodge. Arrive in time for lunch and take in the views across the lake where hopefully hippo serenade you.

Make use of the pool or spa before your afternoon ride in search of hippo, giraffe and rhino. You'll also have the option of a game drive or bush walk if you prefer.

Overnight Kingfisher Lodge

Day 6

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

Early start with tea, coffee and biscuits at the lodge before your game drive or bush walk. Return to a full breakfast at the lodge followed by a half day ride.

After lunch at the lodge and some more time to relax you set off on an afternoon ride to the other side of the reserve to reach Lakeside Lodge where you overnight.

Day 7

Riding: 5 hours

You will have the option of a game drive or bush walk in the early morning before breakfast. After that, your horses will be ready for a long ride back down to the lower escarpment again. There are great canter opportunities along the sandy tracks and after c. 5 hours you'll reach Wildside camp in time for lunch.

The afternoon is spent at leisure - you could book a massage to ease those aching muscles! - or you can take a game drive if you prefer. A final evening around the fire before dinner.

Day 8

Riding: 2 - 3 hours

Early morning, after a light snack and tea or coffee, you will go on your last morning ride on the lower escarpment of the reserve. You might be able to squeeze in an early game drive before your ride too. Your bags will be packed in the morning and transferred by the logistics team so you are ready to transfer to the airport once you have finished your final ride.

Day 1

Riding: 1 - 2 hours

Arrival to Johannesburg airport before 11:00 with transfer to Wildside Safari Camp for a late lunch. This afternoon you can either take an introductory ride into a buffalo area or opt for a game drive instead.

Dinner and night at Wildside Tented Camp

Day 2

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

Today there is an early morning game drive for those who'd like it, followed by breakfast. After breakfast, mount up and set off to explore the reserve where hopefully you encounter different species of animals. Your route takes you from the lower escarpment to the upper escarpment along a trail which was created in 1994 and is the steepest manmade road in southern Africa. You will have to dismount and lead your horse for some of this climb so please tell your guide in advance if you prefer to take a vehicle up the 600m road, which is at a 40 degree slant in the toughest areas.

You will stop for lunch besides some natural rock pools on the way up, eventually reaching the upper escarpment to be greeted by open plains and a totally different landscape. Rhino are abundant here and heavily protected, creating a sanctuary for them. Continue riding until reaching Lakeside Lodge where you'll spend the remainder of your stay. Settle in and join a late afternoon game drive or bush walk if you wish.

Day 3

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

After an early morning game drive and breakfast, the horses will be waiting to head out on a ride in search of giraffe or hippo. Return to the lodge for lunch before heading out on an afternoon ride.

Day 4

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

Morning bush walk where your guide will interpret tracks and signs of wildlife activity. Return to the lodge for a full breakfast before mounting your horse to ride to the top of the mountain. Stop for a packed lunch whilst appreciating the spectacular views across the reserve. Weather permitting, on your return route to the lodge you can swim with your horses to cool them after the climb (summer only). After freshening up at the lodge you can join an afternoon game drive before dinner.

Day 5

Riding: 3 - 5 hours

Another full day of morning and afternoon rides in search of wildlife, returning to the lodge for lunch and dinner.

Day 6

Riding: 2 - 3 hours

After a full breakfast you have time for a final ride before saying farewell to the horses, and jumping in your shuttle to the airport. Flights should leave 18:00 or later.