Horseback Safari: Botswana (mobile)

EXPERIENCED RIDERS ONLY

MINIMUM AGE: 16 years

DEPARTURES: March to October – minimum 4 / maximum 8

Day 1

You will be met early at Johannesburg Airport or your hotel and transferred northwards for 5.5-hours through the vast Northern Transvaal to the Botswana border at Pont Drift.

Rendezvous with a lodge representative on the Botswana side of the border at 13h00 and transfer 90-minutes to your Tuli Block lodge in an open 4x4 vehicle. Check in to your lodge, which is spectacularly situated on the Limpopo River in Mashatu Game Reserve. Accommodation is provided by A-frame walk-in tents and a waterhole offers exciting game viewing from the perimeter of the camp.

The Tuli Block is home to Mashatu Game Reserve - “The Land of the Giants". It is an area of great diversity, with magnificent vistas and land formations as ancient as time itself, including the famous granite rock formations of the Tuli. It is home to a multitude of wildlife species and remains untouched by the invasion of man. The riding trails are conducted in the Limpopo Valley and cover both riverine terrain and African mopane bushveld.

After a light lunch, the balance of the afternoon will be spent selecting and getting acquainted with your horse. The horses have been selected for their temperament and ride-ability and have been chosen from South African breeds that are well known for being of a tougher nature and able to cope under extreme conditions. These breeds include the Boerperd, the Basuto and the S.A. Warmblood and range in size from 14 to 16 hands.

Enjoy an introductory sundowner ride along the banks of the mighty Limpopo River, before a delectable dinner served in the boma (weather permitting).

Note: The Border Post between South African and Botswana at Pont Drift opens at 08h00 and closes at 16h00. These border post hours are strictly enforced. Should the Limpopo River be in flood, transfer across the river into Botswana is made by cable car or by boat at an additional cost of P20 per person

Day 2

TODAY THE REAL FUN BEGINS!

A glorious morning commences at sunrise with tea/coffee and a small breakfast snack. Departing from the lodge at approximately 06h30, the ride heads off in a north westerly direction for Jwala Camp on the banks of the Jwala River. Approximately 6 to 7 hrs are spent in the saddle, enjoying the abundance of game and the magnificent scenery.

A horse safari in the "Land of the Giants" will arouse the explorer in you. Allow the spirit of your horse to carry you in rhythm with the African beat, to return you back to an age old Africa where herds of elephant roam; where the "great, grey, green, greasy Limpopo" (in the words of Rudyard Kipling) meanders; where the mighty baobab stands tall and where lions and hyena serenade you under the starry African night sky.

Satellite campsites are set up in specific locations throughout the Mashatu wilderness. Accommodation is in walk-in tents on comfortable stretchers. Facilities include a bucket shower, and “bush-WC” (not complete without spade).

Dinner is prepared over an open fire by a professional chef, whose “bush cuisine” is renowned far and wide.

In the evening retire to your tent where you will experience the “music” of the African bush as it gently serenades you to sleep.

Day 3

An early wake up call heralds a new day with tea/coffee and a delicious light breakfast treat served around the log fire.

The next ride begins. As you gallop across open plains, the panoramic vistas are enhanced ten-fold as your adrenaline courses through your veins.

Your destination today - the Zeederberg Camp. This ride is rich in history and offers a variety of interesting tales of the past. One of the events of the Anglo Boer War was the destruction of Bryce’s Store in a battle on the banks of the Pitsane River. Remnants of the store can still be found on Mashatu. Your experience is further enhanced by the large herds of antelope that are encountered. Feel your spirit lift to unbelievable heights as you become one with your environment.

Once you have arrived at the wilderness camp, a scrumptious lunch will be served after which you can spend the afternoon at leisure relaxing before you embark on an afternoon walk into the bush. On foot you are able to witness the smaller creatures and plants that are missed on horse back. You are also able to follow spoor and be one-on-one with the bush environment.

The evening is enjoyed with sundowners around a log fire and a delicious meal sees the close to another exhilarating and rewarding day.

Day 4

Rise and shine to a hot cup of tea/coffee and a quick breakfast bite before heading off exploring the area on horseback. The open plains so characteristic of this area are perfect for a good gallop, as you head in the direction of the Majale and Limpopo Rivers where lunch awaits you.

Once you have settled at Wilderness Camp, after a fulfilling lunch it's time to explore the Limpopo River bank on foot. This riverine spot is home to large herds of elephant, and offers an excellent location from which to walk ancient elephant trodden pathways in exploration of the surrounding wildlife.

Return to camp for sundowners and dinner around the log fire. A dreamless sleep no doubt awaits you as another exciting day draws to a close.

Day 5

Start your day with a scrumptious breakfast prepared over the open fire.

This morning will begin a little slower, as today will be spent exploring the banks of the Limpopo River on horseback whilst staying at the same Wilderness Camp tonight. The area is renowned for its abundance of wildlife and offers exciting riding, game sightings and once in a lifetime opportunities for fabulous photo footage.

After a welcome lunch back at camp, hang up those riding boots and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the shade of the trees. The evening sees another round of “story swapping” camaraderie around the log fire.

Day 6

It’s up and away! Another early rise and a breakfast snack around the log fire will set the morning off to a good start.

Today we head towards the watering hole at Pete’s Pond. Large open plains afford the opportunity to tantalize the taste buds of the thrill seeker with exhilarating riding amongst herds of galloping wildebeest and zebra. See the visual wonders of nature, feel the warmth of the sun on your face and taste Africa in its most authentic sense!

On arrival at Pete’s Pond you will be welcomed by a well-deserved lunch that is served outside the hide overlooking a large waterhole. The wildlife and bird life is prolific in this area. The afternoon can be spent relaxing in the hide overlooking the water hole.

As evening draws to a close, enjoy the camaraderie with your fellow riders around the fire. The stretcher beds are a welcome sight as the day draws to a close.

Day 7

The aroma of coffee stimulates the senses this morning. Today’s ride is the longest, but unforgettable sightings and exhilarating riding is guaranteed.

Noisy baboons can be seen and heard darting from tree to tree, as they scream a warning signal to anyone who approaches the vast baobab, where a leopard may be relaxing after a successful night’s hunting.

The ride ends at Kgotla Camp. This is an old tribal court from a nearby community that was relocated to the banks of the Motloutse River on the western periphery of Mashatu. This open-air traditional African enclosure is made of Leadwood logs.

This evening is spectacular. The night is spent sleeping on stretchers around a large log fire, under the stars at the log-enclosed camp, surrounded by the cacophony of sounds generated by the African bush orchestra.

Hot showers and flushing toilets are an added “luxury” on this final night in the wild!

Day 8

After early morning tea/coffee and breakfast snack over the open fire, this morning is spent exploring the historical area of Solomon’s Wall.

The ride loops back to the Kgotla Camp where the horses are loaded onto the horsebox and returned to the main lodge. Riders transfer back by open-top safari vehicle.

After brunch in the beautiful gardens and farewells to your riding companions, return transfer via Pont Drift border post to Johannesburg Airport for your flight home.

NON-RIDERS:

Non-riders may stay at the main lodge and enjoy a traditional safari holiday, heading out with rangers and trackers each day on an open safari vehicle to explore the wildlife. Please enquire for details