South Africa & Botswana African Explorer

Meet at the information desk at the international arrivals hall at 11h15. From there you’ll have a 3.5 hour road transfer to Camp Davidson in time for a late lunch overlooking the vastness of the Waterberg plateau.

In the afternoon, get introduced to your safari team and guides, both two and four-legged. After a safety briefing, the team will ensure that you are matched to a horse that suits your ability and experience.

Horizon takes great care to match horse to rider based on a guest’s riding experience and professed ability.  The horses are predominantly boerperds, together with a mixture of warmbloods, Appaloosas and Friesians.  They are all well schooled, forward going but calm horses.  While the safari is not an endurance test, it does involve long hours in the saddle. With the possibility of close encounters with elephant and the big cats in Botswana, riders need to be able to gently and confidently control their mounts.

This first introductory ride is a relaxed affair, giving riders the opportunity to settle into their new surroundings. Crossing the plains, enjoy your first close encounter with wildlife on horseback. A stunning lookout spot for sundowner drinks is a welcome moment to take in your first taste of Africa after a long journey. A three-course supper is served at Camp Davidson that evening.

After waking up to a glorious African morning and delicious breakfast, spend the day exploring the reserve, tracking herds of giraffe, zebra, eland, wildebeest, kudu and impala. The ride this morning is generally quite fast.  The route follows the centre of an open valley which is home to species such as sable, reedbuck, red hartebeest, waterbuck and impala.  The sandy tracks make for excellent going, and the route crosses open grassland and weaves through dense woodland.  After two hours in the saddle the ride pauses at a picturesque dam where riders are given the chance to have a break, a snack and experience the exhilaration of swimming on horseback.

Return to camp in time for lunch and a siesta next to the pool. In the afternoon, follow game trails as you weave through the bush and enjoy some long canters across the plains.

At this time of day there is often much activity on the plains, with the herds mingling in the soft sunlight and different groups coming and going as they prepare for the night.  It is a truly magical experience to be able to ride so close to these wild animals, which have become completely relaxed in the presence of the horses. Back to Camp Davidson for sundowners and dinner under the stars.

Today’s route covers the north eastern areas of the reserve, descending from the camp to cross a stream and open plain and then tracks through untouched bush to the upper reaches of Sunset Lake.  This lake is a favourite haunt of the hippo on the reserve and home to crocodile, otter, fish eagle and other waterfowl, such as the beautiful African jacana.  Guests ride along the water’s edge and must be constantly on the lookout for the hippo.  These animals, while having a reputation for being some of the most dangerous in Africa, are not a threat during the day but will often honk and blow as they observe the riders go by.  The route offers an opportunity for exciting splashy canters, which the likes of Esme and Laura Collett loved doing.  Having left the lake, riders cross open plains with some quick riding back towards Camp Davidson.

An early start is needed for the long ride from Camp Davidson to either Savannah Lodge in the far south west of the reserve, or Seringa Lodge in the south east.  The first part of the route covers country that riders will now be somewhat familiar with, but soon enters new terrain.  In places the bush is thick but after a while the scenery opens up to grasslands with sweeping views to the south and west.  Riding through this landscape gives riders a sense of the vastness of the African plains.  The area boasts a very high concentration of game with herds of over 300 blesbuck, or 80 eland, often sighted.  Other species which are home to the plains include red hartebeest, tsessebe and ostrich.  There are plentiful zebra, wildebeest, impala and giraffe, and smaller groups of sable, roan and waterbuck.  The final stretch to Savannah Lodge is along a wooded stream where kudu and bushbuck are likely to be seen.

After a relaxing time around the pool and within the sophisticated lodges, it is time to ride to the southern most areas of the reserve in search of Cape buffalo.  These are members of Africa’s famous “big five” and deserve their formidable reputation.  Riders therefore need to be alert and responsive to the guides’ instructions.  This area is known for its spectacular sunsets as the sun sets over the distant headlands of the Waterberg escarpment – a fitting end to an eventful and memorable day in the African wilderness.

After an early wake-up call, you’ll depart from the lodge once more. The route taken is different from that taken on the outward leg, turning this part of the safari into an exciting journey passing through diverse landscapes and ecosystems.  Game species typically prefer different habitats, with nyala and bushbuck for instance occupying dense forest-like sections of the reserve while blesbuck and hartebeest stick to the open plains, and waterbuck and reedbuck, unsurprisingly, are normally seen close to streams and other waterways.  It’s a fast ride as you have a long day ahead.

Then it’s time to head for Botswana (approximately 5/6 hour drive)  Crossing the Limpopo River into the Tuli block, you will arrive at the stables in time for a light lunch and an introductory afternoon ride. Once you’ve been paired up with a suitable horse, head out for the second leg of the safari; riding to the incredible Two Mashatus where you‘ll spend your first night in Botswana.

The route crosses close to a large wetland area which acts as a magnet for game and there is even a chance to come across bat eared fox, black backed jackal and spotted hyena.  It then crosses the Majali River close to its confluence with the Limpopo, a favourite haunt of leopards and a resident pride of lion.

Wake up early with a steaming cup of tea or coffee being brought to your bed followed by breakfast overlooking the valley. An early start is imperative to capture those fresh African mornings and maximise game-viewing opportunities as you ride through the game-rich Pitsame River area. Here you will likely encounter the large herds of elephants famous in the area, as well as many different species of antelope; also giraffe, zebra, bat-eared fox, jackal, hyena and possibly even lion, leopard, and cheetah if you’re lucky. Arrive back at Two Mashatus Camp for lunch and a siesta. In the afternoon, set off on horseback or enjoy a walk in the area with sundowners on the Mmagwa hills.

Following breakfast at dawn, riders set off first along the Majali and then the Mataboli rivers in a north western arc towards the beautifully appointed Tree Camp. The route typically yields rich encounters with elephant, waterbuck, giraffe, impala, wildebeest and zebra.  Signs of the many predators that make these rich riverine environments their home are bountiful, and chance encounters possible.  The ride typically takes between four and five hours, and for riders the sense of adventure is palpable.

Tree Camp will be reached in time for a refreshing shower and lunch.  After a welcome rest in the comfort of the camp, nestled in the cooling shade of the majestic Mashatu Tree, a hearty tea will be served.  This is followed by a guided bush walk up the Majali River in search of crocodile and other game.  Kudu, warthog, klipspringer and eland are all present in the area around the camp, as are elephant, lion and hyena.  Waterfowl fly low past the camp and birdsong abounds.  This is a truly beautiful place and it is impossible not to immerse oneself in nature and experience the exceptional qualities of Africa’s wilderness areas.

An alternative to the bush walk is a game drive with Mashatu Game Reserve, (subject to availability).  The probability of encountering lion and leopard on such a drive is very high, given the guides’ intimate knowledge of the big cats’ ranges and habits.

Waking in Tree Camp is a magical experience.  One feels fully immersed in nature, surrounded by birdsong, and alive to the new day as the early morning light filters through the majestic tree’s leaves.  After a quick breakfast, riders set off on the final ride of the safari.  This ride offers sweeping views to the east and south, bathed in early morning light, as it traverses along the edge of a ridge near the centre of the reserve.  The path then descends to a game rich area along the Majali River.  The deep river pools are the favourite haunt of baboon and impala.  Sooner or later the great herds of elephant come past for their daily drink, to play in the water and enjoy a dust bath.

There will be time for a quick shower and brunch before boarding your charter flight back to OR Tambo Airport (approx 1,5 hours) Then connect with your flight back home again (we recommend a flight departing after 8 PM to account for any delays) or head off to explore more of Africa!