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

Very early wake-up, before dawn. Your horses will be ready to set off in the dark to reach a breathtaking spot at the top of the mountain to watch the sunrise with coffee and rusks in hand. Return to camp for 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.

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 covering the other side of the reserve.

Overnight: Kingfisher Lodge

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 Hanglip Lodge in time for lunch.

The afternoon is spent at leisure - you could book a massage to ease those aching muscles (payable locally) - 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 Entabeni Game Reserve which is about a 2.5 hour drive. You'll be welcomed at the fly camp on Ikhaya Nyati Farm which offers great opportunities to see giraffe and buffalo. During your introductory afternoon ride you'll get to know your horse before stopping for sundowners at the lookout deck. Head back to camp for dinner.

Day 2

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

Wake to the sound of the bush and depart on your early morning ride into the Entabeni reserve. Along the way you'll stop at a beautiful shaded spot near the stables for brunch. Continue your ride to Entabeni and then enjoy a short game drive to Wildside Tented Camp. You should arrive in time for a dusk game drive before dinner.

Day 3

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 big 5 game territory 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 your fly camp with stargazing tents or dome tents (depending on weather). The views over the plains are spectacular.

Day 4

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

Very early wake up before sunrise to set off in the dark to view the sunrise from the mountain top with your coffee and rusks in your hand. Return to camp for breakfast and then head to your next lodge. Arrive in time for lunch and in the afternoon you have the option of a ride or game drive before returning to the lodge for dinner overlooking the lake. Overnight Kingfisher Lodge

Day 5

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

After a pre-breakfast game drive you meet your horses to ride back down to the lower escarpment. There is no support vehicle for the walk down, but it is not as strenuous. Ride through big game country again to reach the gates of the reserve where you leave the horses. Transfer to Wildside Lodge for lunch. In the afternoon you'll have a game drive in search of elephant and lion before dinner and the lodge.

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.